Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)
Controller · 2017
Nintendo Switch 2
Custom Tegra T239 · 7.9″ LCD HDR · 120 Hz
Nintendo Switch 2 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) lands at 86 and Nintendo Switch 2 at 90. That puts Nintendo Switch 2 ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) if…
- ✓Hall-effect sticks (select SKUs)
- ✓Hot-swap triggers (elite tier)
- ✓Cross-platform compatibility
Pick Nintendo Switch 2 if…
- ✓First-party Nintendo library still unmatched
- ✓NVIDIA DLSS on TV-out via Ampere GPU
- ✓Magnetic Joy-Con 2 with mouse mode
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testFeatures
Nintendo Switch 2Compared on the features sub-score
Nintendo Switch 2 leads on features (92 vs 84).
Performance
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)Compared on the performance sub-score
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) leads on performance (86 vs 84).
Value for money
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) more score per dollar ($69 vs $449).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) | Nintendo Switch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Controller | — |
| Color | Black | — |
| Release year | 2017 | — |
| CPU | — | Custom NVIDIA Tegra T239 (8× ARM Cortex-A78C) |
| GPU | — | Custom Ampere, 12 SM / 1,536 CUDA cores, NVIDIA DLSS |
| RAM | — | 12 GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | — | 256 GB UFS (microSD Express expandable) |
| Display | — | 7.9″ HDR LCD, 120 Hz VRR, 1920×1080 |
| Battery | — | 5,220 mAh (≈2–6.5 h) |
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)
- +Hall-effect sticks (select SKUs)
- +Hot-swap triggers (elite tier)
- +Cross-platform compatibility
- −Battery replacement paid on some
- −Software dependency
- −Stick drift still possible (non-Hall)
Nintendo Switch 2
- +First-party Nintendo library still unmatched
- +NVIDIA DLSS on TV-out via Ampere GPU
- +Magnetic Joy-Con 2 with mouse mode
- −LCD not OLED at launch
- −Premium pricing for handheld class
- −Backwards compat mostly digital
FAQ: Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) vs Nintendo Switch 2
Which is better, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) or Nintendo Switch 2? +
Nintendo Switch 2 scores 90 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) worth the price? +
At $69, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in performance.
Is Nintendo Switch 2 worth the price? +
At $449, Nintendo Switch 2 delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in library.
Does Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) or Nintendo Switch 2 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for features, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) or Nintendo Switch 2? +
Nintendo Switch 2 — leads on features (92 vs 84). Compared on the features sub-score.
Which is better for performance, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) or Nintendo Switch 2? +
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) — leads on performance (86 vs 84). Compared on the performance sub-score.