The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is arguably a must-have accessory for the Nintendo Switch, especially if you’re looking for a traditional home-console experience. The Pro Controller is built exceptionally well and features Nintendo’s unique HD Rumble and motion control sensors. The problem with the Pro Controller, however, is its price. At the time of writing this review, the retail price of the Pro Controller is $69.99. While it is a well-built and fully featured controller, that price can be a hard pill to swallow for some Nintendo Switch owners. This is where the Nyko Core Controller for Nintendo Switch comes in. The Nyko Core Controller fails to be a complete replacement of the Pro Controller but provides the traditional home-console controller experience at a fraction of the price
Cousins At The Core
The Nyko Core Controller looks similar to the Pro Controller except for the 10 foot USB cable sticking out at the top. The fact that it’s a wired controller means you don’t have to charge it, it doesn’t need to be synced, and there is no input lag as it’s directly connected to the Switch itself. This does mean you can’t use the Core Controller with the Nintendo Switch in tabletop mode, as there is no official way to plug in the Core Controller without the dock. The Core Controller and Pro Controller share the same placement of buttons, control sticks, and triggers, with a few small differences between them. The triggers on the Core Controller are similar to the ones on Xbox 360/Xbox One controllers, with a smoother and more satisfying feedback when pressed. The D-Pad on the Core Controller is also bigger and with a concave center, allowing for easier usability for people with large fingers. The Core Controller features a turbo button allowing you to simulate rapid button presses, something that does not exist on the Pro Controller. The Core Controller also features native PC support, allowing me to simply plug-in and play my games on Steam. The Core Controller does all the basic things a controller needs to do, and it does it relatively well.
Differences in Quality and Features
When compared to the Pro Controller, the Core Controller feels low-grade. The Pro Controller has a weight to it and the build materials used give it a degree of quality similar to that of the official PS4 and Xbox One controllers. The Core Controller feels hollow in the hand, buttons feel somewhat cheap, and it doesn’t have any grip on it. In terms of features, the Core Controller also pales in comparison to the Pro Controller. The Core Controller does not have rumble, NFC, or a gyroscope. This means you can’t feel HD rumble in games that use them, you can’t use your amiibo on this controller, and you can’t use motion controls in games like Super Mario Odyssey or Splatoon 2. The two things the Core Controller has going for it are the turbo button and native compatibility on PC.
Final Thoughts
I understand why all of these sacrifices had to be made, and honestly, it’s okay. The Core Controller is not trying to replace the Pro Controller, especially when considering all the features it lacks that are unique to the Nintendo Switch. The Core Controller is meant to provide the basic home-console controller experience at an affordable price. If you want to play your games with a full-sized controller without having to spend a lot of money or use the Joy-Cons in the Joy-Con grip, the Nyko Core Controller is a good controller to consider buying.