- Tech experts have heavily criticized the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller.
- A major channel focused on electronics and hardware claims the controller is not very repair-friendly on purpose.
- Nintendo’s decision to use drift-prone potentiometers has also been heavily criticized.
The Nintendo Switch 2 avoided price hikes ahead of its official release last month, but the same can not be said for its accessories, including the Pro controller.
This controller, which was already more expensive than its predecessor, was priced at nearly $100 when it launched last month. However, according to experts, Nintendo’s latest controller is basically a cash grab.
Why it matters: A similar claim was previously made about Sony’s DualSense controller, indicating potential malice or negligence behind the design of these incredibly popular pieces of hardware.
Popular hardware channel iFixit recently tested the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller and released a detailed teardown.
The teardown focuses on the repairability, or lack thereof, when looking at the controller. According to iFixit, something as simple as reaching the battery requires removing multiple screws and layers of plastic.
The front plate also uses an adhesive layer that needs to be replaced when reassembling the controller to prevent rattling. Moreover, accessing the battery requires removing the mainboard, which in turn, requires the removal of the front bumpers and the plastic shell holding them in place.
Adding to the list of problems, iFixit points to Nintendo’s reuse of potentiometers that were prone to drifting in the last generation of Pro controllers. The Nintendo Switch 2, therefore, uses the same type of sticks.
Making matters worse, the low-profile design of the sticks correlates with high failure rates.
This is a piss poor excuse for a controller. I see a cash grab riding high on the Nintendo brand. Many of these controllers are going to end up as e-waste.
The channel also pointed to positives like the easily replaceable headphone jack, but these were far and few between.
For the most part, this controller appears to be a disaster, especially for a large company like Nintendo. The situation is only made worse by the fact that the gaming giant might raise prices further in the coming months.
Do you own one of the new Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controllers? Have you noticed any stick drift? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.
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[Senior News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than 5 years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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