# Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

> alternative controller for the Nintendo Switch

**Wikidata**: [Q30917688](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30917688)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Switch_Pro_Controller)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nintendo-switch-pro-controller

## Summary

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is an official alternative gamepad for the Nintendo Switch console, manufactured by Nintendo as a premium alternative to the standard Joy-Con controllers. It serves as the successor to the Wii U Pro Controller and represents Nintendo's flagship wired/wireless controller option for the Switch platform, offering an asymmetrical gamepad design with enhanced ergonomics and features compared to the default controllers.

## Key Facts

- **Brand**: Nintendo
- **Manufacturer**: Nintendo
- **Form Factor**: Asymmetrical gamepad
- **Instance Of**: Video game controller model
- **Subclass Of**: Video game controller
- **Follows**: Wii U Pro Controller (released 2012-11-18)
- **Followed By**: Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller (released 2025-04-02)
- **USB Device ID**: 057e:2009
- **Release Context**: Released as an alternative to the standard Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers
- **Platform**: Nintendo Switch
- **Sitelink Count**: 11 (across multiple language Wikipedia editions)
- **Wikidata Description**: "alternative controller for the Nintendo Switch"
- **Wikipedia Available In**: Arabic, Catalan, Commons, German, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Chinese

## FAQs

**What is the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller?**

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is an official gamepad manufactured by Nintendo as a premium alternative to the standard Joy-Con controllers that come with the Nintendo Switch console. It features an asymmetrical analog stick layout typical of traditional gamepads and offers both wired and wireless connectivity options.

**Who manufactures the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller?**

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is manufactured by Nintendo, the Japanese multinational video game and consumer electronics company founded in 1889 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan.

**What controller did the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller replace?**

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller follows the Wii U Pro Controller, which was released on November 18, 2012, for Nintendo's previous console generation.

**What is the USB device ID of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller?**

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller uses USB device ID 057e:2009.

**What controllers are related to the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller?**

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is related to its predecessor, the Wii U Pro Controller (released 2012-11-18), and its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller (released 2025-04-02).

**What are the alternative names for the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller?**

The controller is known by multiple aliases including Switch Pro Controller, manette Switch Pro, プロコン (Japanese), Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, контроллер Nintendo Switch Pro (Russian), and جهاز تحكم سويتش برو (Arabic).

**What type of controller is the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller classified as?**

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is classified as an asymmetrical gamepad and is an instance of a video game controller model, subclassified under the broader video game controller category.

## Why It Matters

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller matters because it represents Nintendo's response to player preferences for traditional gamepad designs in an era where the default Switch controllers (Joy-Cons) use a unique detachable design that some players find less comfortable for extended gaming sessions. As the flagship pro-level controller for the Nintendo Switch ecosystem, it bridges the gap between Nintendo's innovative portable/console hybrid approach and the familiar controller ergonomics that gamers have expected since the era of the Nintendo 64 and subsequent home consoles.

The controller's significance extends to competitive gaming scenarios where precise input and comfort over long play sessions are essential. By offering a dedicated pro controller option, Nintendo ensures that players who prefer traditional gamepad layouts have an official, high-quality alternative that maintains full compatibility with the Switch's feature set, including motion controls, NFC functionality for amiibo, and the full range of button inputs expected in modern gaming.

Furthermore, the Pro Controller demonstrates Nintendo's commitment to accessibility and player choice within its ecosystem, acknowledging that different players have different preferences when it comes to input devices. This approach helps the Switch appeal to a broader audience, including those transitioning from other gaming platforms who may be more accustomed to asymmetrical gamepad designs.

## Notable For

- **Official Premium Alternative**: Serves as Nintendo's official premium controller option for the Switch, distinct from third-party alternatives
- **Asymmetrical Design**: Features the traditional asymmetrical analog stick layout preferred by many console gamers
- **Wired and Wireless Connectivity**: Offers flexibility through both USB wired connection and Bluetooth wireless functionality
- **Direct Lineage**: Continues the Pro Controller tradition established by Nintendo with the Wii U Pro Controller
- **Cross-Platform Recognition**: Listed across 11 different Wikipedia language editions, indicating significant global recognition
- **Full Feature Compatibility**: Supports all Switch features including motion controls, rumble feedback, and NFC for amiibo

## Body

### Historical Context and Development

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller emerged as part of Nintendo's strategy to provide diverse controller options for the Nintendo Switch, which launched in 2017 with its innovative detachable Joy-Con controllers. The Pro Controller represents the company's recognition that a significant portion of its gaming audience prefers the traditional gamepad form factor that has been standard since the PlayStation and Xbox eras.

The controller directly follows the Wii U Pro Controller (released November 18, 2012), which was itself Nintendo's attempt to offer a traditional gamepad experience for the Wii U. The Pro Controller lineage demonstrates Nintendo's ongoing commitment to providing options for different player preferences within its hardware ecosystem.

Looking forward, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is succeeded by the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, which launched on April 2, 2025, indicating Nintendo's continued investment in the pro controller form factor for its next generation of hardware.

### Manufacturer and Brand

The controller is produced by Nintendo, a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. Nintendo was founded on September 23, 1889, originally as a playing card company before evolving into one of the most influential video game companies in history. The company maintains its headquarters in Kyoto's Shimogyō-ku district (historical location from 1889-1959) and later Higashiyama-ku (1959-2000), now operating from its current facility in Kyoto's Nakagyo-ku area.

Nintendo operates in the video game industry and employs approximately 7,317 people as of March 31, 2023, according to their corporate disclosures. The company is known for its first-party hardware and software, with the Pro Controller representing one of its official accessory offerings.

### Technical Specifications

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller features an asymmetrical gamepad form factor, meaning the left and right analog sticks are positioned at different heights—a design pioneered by Sony with the PlayStation and subsequently adopted as an industry standard. This layout differs from the symmetrical design found on controllers like the Xbox series.

The controller connects to the Nintendo Switch via Bluetooth when used wirelessly, or can be connected via USB cable for wired gameplay. Its USB device ID is 057e:2009, which can be used for identification purposes in operating systems and configuration utilities.

### Identification and Cataloging

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is cataloged across multiple gaming databases and knowledge platforms:

- **Wikipedia**: Available in 11 language editions (Arabic, Catalan, German, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Chinese, Commons)
- **Wikidata ID**: Features comprehensive structured data with sitelink_count of 11
- **Google Knowledge Graph**: Indexed under /g/11f647sdq3 and /g/11g0tz5_rj
- **Giant Bomb ID**: 3000-184 (former scheme)
- **Mobygames Attribute ID**: 2457
- **Reddit Topic ID**: nintendo_switch_pro_controller
- **Booru Tag**: nintendo_switch_pro_controller
- **Gamepadla ID**: nintendo-switch-pro-controller
- **Lib.reviews ID**: nintendo-switch-pro-controller
- **Niconicopedia ID**: nintendo switch proコントローラー
- **PCGamingWiki ID**: Controller:Switch_Pro_Controller and Controller:Nintendo_Switch_Pro_Controller

### Naming and Aliases

The controller is known by numerous names across different languages and regions:

- **English**: Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, Switch Pro Controller
- **French**: manette Switch Pro
- **Japanese**: プロコン (Purokon)
- **Russian**: контроллер Nintendo Switch Pro
- **Arabic**: جهاز تحكم سويتش برو

This multilingual recognition reflects the global reach of the Nintendo Switch platform and the controller's significance in international gaming markets.

### Related Controllers and Ecosystem

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller exists within a broader ecosystem of Nintendo controllers:

- **Predecessor**: Wii U Pro Controller (released November 18, 2012) — a video game controller for the Wii U with 8 sitelinks
- **Successor**: Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller (released April 2, 2025) — an alternative gamepad for the Nintendo Switch 2 with 5 sitelinks

This lineage demonstrates Nintendo's commitment to maintaining a pro-level controller option across console generations, providing continuity for players who prefer traditional gamepad designs.

### Visual Representation

The controller has an official image available on Wikimedia Commons: Nintendo-Switch-Pro-Controller-FL.jpg, and is categorized under the Commons category "Nintendo Switch Pro Controller" for media organization purposes.

### Platform Context

As a controller for the Nintendo Switch, the Pro Controller is designed to work with a hybrid console that can be used both as a home gaming system connected to a television and as a portable handheld device. The Pro Controller enhances the home console experience by offering a more traditional gaming input method compared to the Joy-Cons, which attach to the sides of the Switch screen for handheld play.

The controller maintains full compatibility with all Nintendo Switch games, supporting the same button inputs, motion controls via the Joy-Con sensors (when used wirelessly), rumble functionality, and NFC communication for amiibo figures.