The Nintendo Switch is one of the best-selling home consoles of all time. Its controllers, the Joy-Cons, are well known for their portability, versatility, and also for the notorious amounts of stick drift - a problem that still hasn’t been fixed in 2022, five years after the Switch’s release.
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The size of the Joy-Cons also poses problems for gamers with large hands. The world of aftermarket gaming components is full of Joy-Con alternatives, but not all of them are equal. Whether you’re looking for larger controllers or just want a Joy-Con alternative, that’s a little more capable (and lets you run in a straight line in Super Mario Odyssey), here are some of the best Joy-Con alternatives for Nintendo Switch.
What causes Joy-Con drift?
There are two main explanations for Joy-Con drift. The first is that dust and debris make their way into the controller and affect its function, but that’s not really the common cause. If it were, they could easily remove the dust with compressed air, but stick drift affects many people, even those who take meticulous care of their gaming peripherals. The most likely reason is that the contacts inside the Joy-Con wear out and cause it to malfunction.
The downside is that Nintendo hasn’t given an official explanation what’s causing this problem, but it’s still doing the right thing: Nintendo is repairing broken Joy-Cons with drifting controllers for free. Go to the form on their website and fill it out. Unfortunately, this only applies to those who live in the United States or Canada. Anyone living outside of these areas should use a local Nintendo repair center.
But aside from repairs, if you’re looking to get your hands on some new Joy-Con alternatives for the Nintendo Switch, read on! I’ve found the best of the best for your gaming pleasure.
1. Hori Split Pad Pro
THE BEST OVERALL
The Hori Split Pad Pro handheld controllers are one of the few officially licensed Nintendo Joy-Con alternatives on the market. They feature full-size analog sticks and larger shoulder buttons, a larger size and better support. If you have larger hands, these controllers offer much more comfort during those marathon gaming sessions.
The Hori Split Pad Pro controllers also have some prominent features rarely seen on modern controllers, like the Turbo feature. They also have assignable rear triggers. Unfortunately, these controllers do not support motion controls, HD rumble or Amiibo.
Buy: Hori Split Pad Pro $39.99 (original $49.99) 20% OFF
2. FUNLAB Cons
THE MOST COMFORTABLE
Many Nintendo Switch games require you to play using only the Joy-Cons, like Mario Party or 1-2-Switch. The FUNLAB Cons feature a more angular grip that makes them easier to hold during long gaming sessions, as well as a different button shape. The first time you use these controllers, they must be connected directly to the Nintendo Switch. After that, you can remove them and use them with the rear mounts.
Like many third-party controllers, the FUNLAB Cons don’t support the use of Amiibo, but they do rumble and support motion controls with a built-in six-axis gyroscope. They were designed with comfort in mind and are described as holding a “wooden boomerang.”
3. Binbok Joypad
THE BEST RGB
The Binbok Joypads are as fun to use as they are to say. With a bulkier design aimed at giving gamers a better grip, these alternatives to the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con have something that many of the entries on this list don’t: THE RGB. As every gamer knows, the more RGB you have, the better your chances of winning.
Okay, that’s not quite true - but these provide a true D-Pad on the left side and an extra button that can be remapped to act like any other button on the controller. Binbok controllers support vibration, turbo functionality, and motion control with their six-axis gyroscopes.
4. YCCTeam GameCube Design Joy-Con
THE MOST NOSTALGIC
If you believe the GameCube was one of the best consoles of all time (a correct opinion, by the way), then you will appreciate these replacement Joy-Cons from YCCTeam. They have a full D-Pad but also replace the analog stick on the right Joy-Con with the classic GameCube C-Stick design. It’s the perfect aesthetic homage to a classic console, with even the face buttons laid out to look like the GameCube.
Besides their appearance, the GameCube Design Joy-Cons are contoured to better fit the shape of your hands and provide a place to rest your palms and index fingers. They also support motion controls with the six-axis gyroscope and dual motors for rumble. Unfortunately, they don’t support NFC technology, so they don’t allow you to use Amiibo.
Buy: YCTTeam GameCube Design Joy-Con 35,99
5. Nyko Dualies
THE BEST FOR HANDS-FREE
Nyko Dualies are unique among Joy-Con replacements in that they don’t fit into the Switch; in fact, they’re designed for completely hands-free use. This makes them ideal for guest saves. Their design makes them easier to hold, and the price is much more affordable than a store-bought set of replacement Joy-Cons.
The Nyko Dualies charge with an included USB-C able and use motion controls and vibration feedback. Again, there’s no NFC support, so no Amiibo functionality.
6. Hori D-Pad Controller
BEST REPLACEMENT
This is Hori’s second entry on this list, but it’s well deserved. One reason so many users need a set of replacement Joy-Cons is left stick drift, an issue that has plagued the Nintendo Switch since its first iteration. The Hori D-Pad controller is a cheap replacement for the left Joy-Con that includes a real D-Pad, but it has a few drawbacks.
First, it’s used in handheld mode, only it doesn’t work wirelessly. It also does not support HD rumble or NFC. They left these features out to keep the controller at the $20 price point, but that’s not so bad. If you play a lot of games that require the use of the D-Pad, such as those found on Nintendo Switch Online, then this is a great way to immerse yourself in the games of old.
Buy: Hori D-Pad Controller 24,99
7. Singland Joy-Cons
THE BEST FOR ANIMAL CROSSING FANS
If you couldn’t get the official Animal Crossing Switch, you might want something that matches the theme. These Singland replacement Joy-Cons are a perfect fit with their green and orange color scheme. It’s not quite the same, but it evokes images of the Nook family.
Singland’s Joy-Cons also come in traditional red and blue, as well as gray. They support motion controls and have built-in vibration, as well as a 20-hour battery life. Like all the other entries on this list, they do not support NFC. It’s nearly impossible to find third-party Joy-Cons that do.
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