The best cheap alternatives to Nintendo Switch controller: Portable consoles have been with us for many decades since Nintendo launched the popular Game Boy back in 1980. Since then, the models of the different companies have followed one another over the years, always sharing a common element: that they were completely united chassis, whether in a single body (as is the case of laptops like the Game Boy itself or the original PSP) or with two pieces joined together (PSP Go or Gameboy Advance SP).
7 cheap alternatives to Nintendo Switch controller
However, this unwritten rule of the portable market was completely modified with the arrival of the Nintendo Switch. Under the hybrid console label, players with the latest Nintendo console have at their disposal the advantages offered by desktop and portable experiences simultaneously, without sacrificing one for the other, furthermore, to that we have to add the complete customization that we can have in our gaming experience, thanks to the possibility of docking and undocking the console controls.
Precisely speaking of controllers, the Nintendo Switch accessory market has become really broad since the console arrived back in March 2017, being able to find multiple alternatives to the official Joy-Con or Nintendo’s own Pro controller. The best of all is not that, but that some of these accessories can completely change the experience we want, with controls with more ergonomic designs than the originals or adding functions that we cannot find in the Nintendo versions.
If you have recently been looking for alternative controllers to the official Nintendo ones, either for economic reasons or because you want to have a different experience than what these models offer (especially in terms of ergonomics or functionality), today we will discuss seven cheap alternatives to the Nintendo Switch controller, with models of all prices.
1. Nintendo Switch Horipad Mini – Pokemon: Pikachu & Eevee (Nintendo Switch)
The first remote control we will talk to you about today is designed for the little ones in the house or those of you who have pretty small hands. This controller, which is connected by cable, has a really nice design of Eevee and Pikachu, with a green and brown finish, and the official license is from both Pokémon and Nintendo.
In terms of functionality, the controller will have exactly the same layout as the pro controller, but with the addition that it has a turbo function with 3 customizable settings, which can be modified between 5, 10, and 20 presses. It’s on Amazon for 42.49 Dollars.
*Some prices may have changed since the last review
2. Diswoe controller for Nintendo Switch
The second option comes from Disowe, and it is a controller designed to be an alternative to the Nintendo Switch Pro controller. This device is compatible with both the Nintendo console and PC, wirelessly with the former and via cable with the latter. In this case, we find a controller with a blue and black finish, with red lines, which imitate the color of the original Nintendo Switch.
On a functional level, this model also incorporates a turbo function, but it also incorporates an adjustable vibration and a gyroscopic sensor so as not to have to do without any of the functionalities that make the Nintendo Switch Pro controller so special. In addition, the manufacturer assures that it can offer a duration of up to 10 hours on a single charge, which will be completed with an estimated time of between 2-3 hours. It is available on Amazon for 23.95 dollars.
*Some prices may have changed since the last review
3. NYXI 2023 for Nintendo Switch
The third option is also designed to replace the official Nintendo Switch controller. Like the previous one, it is compatible with PC and Nintendo consoles. In this case, it has two joysticks with configurable RGB LED lighting of up to 9 colors and 3 different lighting modes. In addition, it has a pairing button that allows us to wake up the console with a light press.
As if that were not enough, the device has 4 fully programmable rear buttons, to which we can assign the function we want, which can mean a real competitive advantage in titles like Splatoon 3. It even comes with an adjustable vibration function, with 4 different levels (100%, 70%, 30%, 0%) and a 3-level turbo (9, 12 or 20 shots). On Amazon for 34.99 dollars.
*Some prices may have changed since the last review
4. Yeerain Joy-Cons for Nintendo Switch
Starting with the Joy-Con alternatives, we first have these Yeerai controllers. Like the original controllers, they can be attached to the Nintendo Switch to be used as a portable console. In addition, it also includes the adapter to use it as a traditional controller, being able to attach them in two different ways to find the most comfortable way for us.
This alternative to the official Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons has a built-in dual vibration system and incorporates a gyroscope, so it can be used in the same way as the official controller. Finally, its battery is 300 mAh and can offer up to 10 hours of continuous use. It is available on Amazon for 36.99 dollars.
*Some prices may have changed since the last review
5. PowerA Wireless Controller – Animal Crossing Edition
This PowerA controller is designed for die-hard fans of Animal Crossing. It has a personalized design from the franchise and Totakeke on the right side of the device. Its design is really ergonomic, practically a carbon copy of the console’s official Pro controller. In addition, it works using Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology.
Unlike the other models we have discussed, this device uses batteries and incorporates an LED indicator at the top that will warn us of low batteries. For the rest, it incorporates a gyroscope and two completely customizable rear buttons. On Amazon for 39.49 dollars.
*Some prices may have changed since the last review
6. HORI – Split Pad Pro Controller
If the controllers we mentioned previously for portable gaming did not give you confidence, the best alternative on the market to the official joycons is the Split Pad Pro. These controllers have a much more ergonomic design than the originals, with improved grips and a much more organic position of the buttons.
This device differs in design and has larger buttons, making the experience much more comfortable. It also incorporates the turbo function with up to 3 possible settings (5, 10, and 20 pulses) and is fully compatible with placing it next to the console in the dock. It is available at PcComponentes for 44 euros.
7. Split Pad Compact (Gengar)
The last of the controls we bring you is designed for fans of Pokémon and, more specifically, Gengar. On this occasion, Hori brings us the Split Pad Compact, which offers a more similar design to that of the original Joy-Con, although with a more ergonomic rear grip. The look is really pretty, with a black and blue finish and Gengar images on both devices.
At the functionality level, this Compact model returns to the normal-size buttons on the console and also incorporates turbo functions for the different buttons. If that were not enough, it has two additional buttons on the back that will be completely adjustable to give you the most personalized gaming experience possible. On Amazon for 41.37 dollars.
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