Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. The controller is also heavier than the official option (but not unwieldy), while the rubberised grip adorning the handles is of excellent quality and doesn’t get as sticky. Should you want a wireless controller but be unable to stump up the cash for the official Nintendo Pro model, this licensed third-party alternative from PowerA is your next best bet. Also, while the original version of the Enhanced Wireless Controller ran on AA-size batteries, the newest models have a built-in rechargable battery for up to 30 hours of gameplay. There’s motion rumble and motion control for a more immersive in-game experience, but the real star is the anti-drift sticks that feature hall effect sensors and sensitivity adjustments.

PowerA | PowerA

Our testing process involves countless hours of gaming on the Switch in both docked and handheld modes while playing a wide range of games (it’s hard work). If you want something as functional as the Split Pad Pro but closer in size to a Joy-Con, the Split Pad Compact might be worth waiting for. If those are features you feel you’re missing out on, a controller that supports them is a worthwhile purchase.It may not have motion controls for gestures or gyroscopic aiming in games that support it or an NFC reader for Amiibo cards or figures that unlock special features in some games. It loses out to the Nintendo version when it comes to battery life and there’s no rumble functionality or NFC support but there are a couple of extra buttons on the back of the grips which can have inputs mapped to them very simply.

PowerA Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch - Pikachu

Yes, some are affected by “Joy-Con drift”, whereby the thumbsticks of Joy-Cons register ghost inputs, and they lack a proper D-pad, but it’s hard to argue with the overall package. Low weight is one of the first things you’ll notice after picking up the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller. With that many options to tailor the controller to your specific gaming needs, you’re getting quite a bit to make up for the loss of rumble and shorter battery life.The PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller misses out on a few important extras found in the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. On its rear, there’s a switch that lets it toggle between Nintendo Switch, X-input for PC, DirectInput, and Mac modes, each with its own control customizations and Bluetooth profile. We judged this by counting the frames between a full depression of the button and the first frame of animation when switching between items in the Switch menu. NFC: Near-field communication (NFC) is what Switch controllers use to interact with amiibos – small figurines that make for great desk ornaments but also grant in-game bonuses.

PowerA ENHANCED WIRELESS CONTROLLER User Manual PowerA ENHANCED WIRELESS CONTROLLER User Manual

And it’s compatible with a slew of other devices you might game on, including PCs, Android devices, and Apple devices including Mac computers running macOS Ventura, iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and Apple TV.The PowerA wireless controller doesn't have HD Rumble, IR or Amiibo NFC support like the Switch Pro controllerdoes, but it does have motion controls.