We tried out the Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, including the 'Joy-Con 2 Steering Wheel' that's useful for Nintendo Switch 2's 'Mario Kart World' and the 'Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller' with added back buttons.
Nintendo's next-generation home console, the Nintendo Switch 2 , was released on June 5, 2025. Along with the Joy-Con 2, other controllers were also released at the same time, including the
Nintendo Switch 2 | Nintendo
https://www.nintendo.com/jp/switch2/index.html
◆Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller packaging
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller itself looks like this.
The size and shape are almost the same as the previous generation Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller no longer has a translucent body, and the inside of the sticks and the L and R buttons are white. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller also has a chat button added to the bottom center.
The actual weight is 234g. The previous generation Nintendo Switch Pro Controller weighed about 247g, so the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is about 5% lighter.
right side
Left side
The top panel is white and features the R and ZR buttons, the L and ZL buttons, and between them are the connection status indicator, the USB-C port, and the connect button.
The ZL and ZR buttons are trigger-shaped, just like the previous generation Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
On the bottom is an audio jack for connecting a headset, which was not available on the previous generation Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and is a new addition.
The back looks like this. The GR/GL buttons have been added to the grip area.
The rear buttons can be assigned to buttons that are difficult to press during operation, such as the R3 and L3 analog sticks.
When you actually pick up the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller, it looks like this. The feel of the buttons and sticks is almost the same as the previous generation.
The grip is also almost the same as the previous generation. However, while the previous generation had small bumps on the grip to prevent slipping, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller has a matte texture, including the grip, with no bumps. It feels smooth to the touch, and is a little smoother than the previous generation, but it doesn't slip even when you grip it tightly. The newly added GR/GL buttons on the back are designed to be pressed down by applying pressure with your middle finger.
If you connect the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller to the Nintendo Switch 2 and press and hold the Home button during a game, you can configure the rear buttons as follows.
Set the button you want to assign to the rear button. For example, we will set the R button to the GR button.
This allows the GR button to have the same function as the R button. Although the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is a peripheral for the Nintendo Switch 2, these rear buttons can be configured not only for Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive titles, but also for previous-generation Nintendo Switch games.
I then checked whether it would work with a PC. This time I connected it to the PC via a USB-C cable.
It was listed as a 'Pro Controller' in Windows, but when I tried to use it, the buttons were not recognized. In other words, it seems that it is not recognized as a controller properly just by connecting it.
So, I'll try using the 'ProCon 2 Enabler Tool,' a tool released by a volunteer to make the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller recognized by Windows. The ProCon 2 Enabler Tool can be used for free from a browser.
ProCon 2 Enabler Tool
With your Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller connected to your Windows PC via a wired connection, visit the website above and click 'Enable HID Output.'
A pop-up will appear, so select 'Pro Controller' and click 'Connect.'
Then, 'USB: Connected' was displayed.
Now, try playing a Steam game. First, go to Steam's 'Settings.'
When I selected 'Controller' from the menu on the left, 'Nintendo lf_Hid' was displayed. Click 'Start Setup.'
Press the buttons as instructed on the screen to assign them. In this example, we assigned the GR and GL buttons on the back to the R3 and L3 buttons on the analog stick, respectively.
One nice feature of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is that it has rear buttons. For example, in '
With the rear buttons, you can issue a drive impact just by gripping them firmly, making it incredibly easy to return a drive impact. However, if you press them when you grip them, there's a chance that they might fire accidentally if the controller heats up during a game and you put too much pressure on your hand. Also, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller's D-pad has a deeper press than the previous generation, and it switches between eight directions with a firm feel, making it easier to input directional commands.
◆Joy-Con 2 Handle
Next up is the Joy-Con 2 steering wheel. This is a peripheral that allows you to hold the Joy-Con 2 like a steering wheel when using gyro controls in games like
The Joy-Con 2 handle looks like this. It's about 14cm in diameter, and the Joy-Con 2 fits snugly in the center.
This is what the Joy-Con 2 fits into.
The Nintendo Switch 2 logo is engraved on the back.
There are SL and SR buttons. These buttons simply replicate the SL and SR buttons on the Joy-Con 2 controller.
The Joy-Con 2 is attached. It is firmly fixed and does not come off easily.
When I weighed it with the Joy-Con 2 attached, it was about 169g.
It's quite small compared to a real car steering wheel, but it's about the same size as the Joy-Con 2, so you can operate it without any problems.
I actually tried playing 'Mario Kart World' with the Joy-Con 2 handle.
In the video below, you can see the game screen and your hands using the steering wheel at the same time. Before playing, I was worried that the steering wheel was smaller than I expected, but because it wasn't too big, it was easy to turn left and right, and I found it to be quite easy to operate. Also, holding the steering wheel for a long time is less tiring than using just the Joy-Con 2 for gyro controls. In any case, you can get a real sense of realism as if you're using your whole body to play Mario Kart, so this is recommended for people who find themselves moving their body when turning corners in Mario Kart.
When removing the Joy-Con 2 from the Joy-Con 2 handle, you can easily do so by lifting it from the front.
◆Nintendo GameCube controller
The Nintendo GameCube Controller, which can only be purchased by Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, is a controller that can be used with Nintendo GameCube Nintendo Classics on Nintendo Switch Online.
It looks exactly like a GameCube controller.
Inside is the controller itself and a USB cable for connection.
The button layout is exactly the same.
The Nintendo GameCube controller for the Nintendo Switch 2 weighs 210g, which is almost the same as the original GameCube controller, which weighs about 200g.
right side
Left side
bottom
The top of the controller is different from the original GameCube controller in that it has a back button, a USB-C port for connection, a home button, an LED indicator for connection status, a share button, and a small ZL button above the L button.
The back looks like this.
When you actually hold it, the weight and button feel are almost the same as the original GameCube controller, so there's no sense of discomfort.
When playing older GameCube titles on Nintendo GameCube Nintendo Classics, you can use the Joy-Con 2 or Pro Controller, but the controls are optimized for the shape of the controller, so having a Nintendo GameCube controller makes the gameplay much easier.
◆Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip
When playing games on the Nintendo Switch 2, you can attach the Joy-Con 2 to the Joy-Con 2 Grip that comes with the console. However, the Joy-Con 2 Grip cannot charge the Joy-Con 2, so if the Joy-Con 2 battery runs out, you won't be able to play. That's where the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip comes in handy, as it allows you to play while charging via a USB-C cable.
The contents include a Joy-Con 2 charging grip and a USB-C cable.
By connecting the included USB-C cable to the Nintendo Switch 2 and Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip, you can play without worrying about the Joy-Con 2 running out of battery.
Nintendo Switch 2 (Japanese, domestic only) is priced at 49,980 yen including tax. Reservations are also being made at various retail stores, and Amazon.co.jp is offering invitation sales on the following page.
Amazon.co.jp: Nintendo Switch 2 (Japanese, domestic only): Games
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