Like the Joy-Con 2s, there’s a sense of continuity from the original Switch to the new generation’s Pro Controller. At a glance, it’s essentially the same—a more conventional controller in the mold of those used on Xbox or PlayStation, perfect for Switch 2 games that don’t require the unique features of the Joy-Cons. However, this is crammed with clever adjustments and design tweaks that make it feel substantially different from its predecessor.

Chiefly, it feels smaller in the hand thanks to slimmed-down grips that sit at a slightly tighter angle. It only weighs 11 grams less than its predecessor—235 versus 246—but seems much lighter. Subtler but still impactful tweaks include larger face buttons, and smoother, more responsive thumbsticks—although these still don’t use Hall effect or TMR technology, meaning drift remains a risk. It feels great to hold, though, thanks to an almost seamless design, a choice that has the benefit of leaving few ridges or component joins where hand sweat can accumulate after long play sessions.

The big changes are the addition of a 3.5-mm audio jack at the base of the controller, allowing a headset or mic to be connected—tying in perfectly with Nintendo’s social gaming push with its integrated GameChat feature, accessed through the new, central C button—and the addition of new GL and GR buttons on the underside. These inputs can be customized on a per-game basis—simply hold down the Home button, and they can be remapped on the fly. Modifications are remembered per user, per game, which puts the “pro” in Pro Controller. These upgrades come at a literal cost, but this is one of the best ways to play on Switch 2.