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[AndrewRyan]

Decided back buttons are no longer optional and found these three high-quality alternative controllers for the Switch. All have back buttons, HD rumble and can turn the Switch on remotely.

Turns out hall effect sticks have been dethroned by TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance) technology. All the benefits of hall effects without the power drain. My top 3 are the Cyclone 2 for $53, the GuliKit Kingkong 3 Pro for $54, and the MOBAPAD N1 HD for $48. All look great but ended up going with the Cyclone 2.
GameSir Cyclone 2
MOBAPAD N1 HD

GuliKit Kingkong 3 Pro

 

[kevboard]

it's insane how many great controllers are wasted on the fact that they are made for the fucking Switch... a system that has almost no games that actually need good sticks and paddles...

like wtf?

you can have the best controller in the world, that doesn't change the fact that the 2 biggest shooters on the platform, Apex Legends and Fortnite are borderline unplayable on the Switch, and all the other ones don't exist on the platform...

Why doesn't Gulikit make this controller for the Series X?

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

What are back buttons exactly? I have seen this mentioned a few times.

 

[StereoVsn]

What are back buttons exactly? I have seen this mentioned a few times.

Can usually program to take the function of other buttons (say L3/R3) or even button sequence.

And the reason so many controllers come out for Switch, Windows and Android is that you don't have to pay licensing fees. Sony and Xbox are pretty tight with allowing 3rd party wireless controllers.

Anyways, I would love to get one of these, but going to wait and see about controller compatibility with Switch 2 first.

 

[Darkness_Arises]

Can usually program to take the function of other buttons (say L3/R3) or even button sequence.

And the reason so many controllers come out for Switch, Windows and Android is that you don't have to pay licensing fees. Sony and Xbox are pretty tight with allowing 3rd party wireless controllers.

Anyways, I would love to get one of these, but going to wait and see about controller compatibility with Switch 2 first.

I use a cheap 18 GBP wireless controller from a company called Terios. No hall effect sticks, but includes gyro. I have used it for more than 3 years now and it doesn't show any sign of stick drift. It uses conventional vibration motors, not haptics, which is great as Switch has weak haptics. I hope they upgrade the VCMs to whatever is used in the dualsense for the Switch 2.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

Would be interested in Switch 2 compatibility at this point. I only consider third party controllers that will actually turn the console on.

 

[AndrewRyan]

Thoughts after using for a few weeks.

Pros:

• Smooth, precise sticks. Feels great at the edges
• Easily change settings without app. Many nice options
• Convenient dock
• LEDs look great in the dark
• Perfect for Switch
• Battery life

Cons:

• No HD rumble
• Feel of controller in hands is alright but prefer dualsense
• Back buttons are functional, prefer dualsense's half moons
• Have to reach over sticks to access +/- buttons
• Balance is weighted too much towards the bottom horns

Not having HD rumble was a big oversight on my part. Otherwise it feels decent in the hands. Smooth sticks and precise buttons. D-pad feels a little mushy but actually like it. Decided to keep it and as my primary Switch controller, at least until switch2.

Was fun learning about the latest tech in third party controllers. They've improved dramatically.

The funny thing after going though this process is my newfound love for the dualsense edge. It feels so premium it actually enhances my enjoyment of games while playing. That became particularly obvious after switching back and fourth between the two controllers for the same game.

 

[Grizzled Ghost]

If anyone is looking for a Switch controller to also use on PC I recommend the Flydigi Vader 4. It has 4 independent back buttons so you can map them to keyboard keys and shortcuts and stuff on PC. And 2 extra face buttons that work the same way. The majority of controllers don't let you do this.

It also has adjustable stick tension.

It does use the xbox button layout though, if that matters to you.

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

The Nacon (not listed/shown) Gamesir, and MOBApad all have the same issue for me...the button faces wear off EXTREMELY quickly.

8bitdo and the OG switch pro controller are great options for switch/pc gaming with fantastic long term hardware durability imo.

 

[RoboFu]

https://a.co/d/3l6VQwX

$30. Hall effect Both 2.4g and Bluetooth.

The best deal for any controller and it just happens to be better than most.