According to GameRant, Nintendo will soon release a new Pro Controller for the Switch 2 that charges twice as fast as the original model. The controller will hit stores in a couple of months, with pre-orders opening soon. While the new controller brings exciting features, it also comes with a price increase to $84.99 (approximately ₹7,100), which is 6% higher than the previous model.
For those who don’t know, a Pro Controller is a special gaming handset that offers more comfortable grip and better controls than the small Joy-Con controllers that come with the Nintendo Switch. Many serious gamers prefer using these larger controllers for longer gaming sessions.
Faster Charging, Same Battery Life
The biggest improvement in the new controller is its charging speed. The Switch 2 Pro Controller now charges fully in just 3.5 hours, compared to the 6 hours needed for the original model. This means less waiting time between gaming sessions!
Despite charging faster, the controller still offers the same 40 hours of gameplay on a full charge. It achieves this even with a slightly smaller battery – 1070mAh compared to 1300mAh in the original model. (mAh or milliampere-hour is simply a measurement of how much energy a battery can store – think of it like the size of your water bottle.)
New Buttons Add More Control Options
The Switch 2 Pro Controller introduces exciting new buttons that weren’t on the previous model. It now has back buttons (extra buttons on the back of the controller) and a special C button.
The C button lets players use something called GameChat, which is like a video calling app built right into the game. With GameChat, you can talk to your friends, share your screen, and chat while playing together – all without needing separate apps like WhatsApp or Zoom. Nintendo says this service will be free until March 2026.
The GL and GR back buttons (which stand for Game Left and Game Right) can be set up to do whatever you want in different games. Think of these like keyboard shortcuts for your controller – they help you play faster and more comfortably, especially in fast-paced games. These buttons can reduce thumb strain since your fingers naturally rest on the back of the controller anyway.
Why the Price Increase?
The new Pro Controller costs $84.99 (about ₹7,229), up from $79.99 for the previous model. Nintendo explained this 5-dollar price bump is due to “changes in market conditions.”
What does that mean? According to the information, it’s mainly because of U.S. tariffs on products made in China. Tariffs are like extra taxes that a country puts on goods coming from another country. Since the Pro Controller is made in China, these new tariffs have made it more expensive for Nintendo to bring them to America.
Interestingly, Nintendo has kept the prices the same for the console itself and games, only raising prices on accessories like controllers to deal with these extra costs.
Complete Nintendo Switch 2 Price List
Here’s the full price list for the Nintendo Switch 2 and all its accessories in the US:
- Nintendo Switch 2 – $449.99 (approximately ₹38,276)
- Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle – $499.99 (approximately ₹42,530)
- Mario Kart World – $79.99 (approximately ₹6,804)
- Donkey Kong Bananza – $69.99 (approximately ₹5,953)
- Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller – $84.99 (approximately ₹7,229.4)
- Joy-Con 2 Pair – $94.99 (approximately ₹7,950)
- Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip – $39.99 (approximately ₹3,350)
- Joy-Con 2 Strap – $13.99 (approximately ₹1,170)
- Joy-Con 2 Wheel Set – $24.99 (approximately ₹2,090)
- Nintendo Switch 2 Camera – $54.99 (approximately ₹4,600)
- Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set – $119.99 (approximately ₹10,050)
- Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector – $39.99 (approximately ₹3,350)
- Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case – $84.99 (approximately ₹7,100)
- Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter – $34.99 (approximately ₹2,930)
- Samsung microSD Express Card – 256GB for Nintendo Switch 2 – $59.99 (approximately ₹5,020)
Also Read: Microsoft confirms Xbox games like Halo and Flight Simulator 2024 will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025, boosting cross-platform gaming. Read Here.
Old vs. New Pro Controller: What’s Changed?
| Feature | Old Pro Controller | New Switch 2 Pro Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Charging Time | 6 hours | 3.5 hours |
| Battery Life | 40 hours | 40 hours |
| Battery Size | 1300mAh | 1070mAh |
| Back Buttons | No | Yes (GL and GR) |
| C Button | No | Yes (for GameChat) |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter (235 grams) |
| Price | $79.99 | $84.99 |
Pre-orders Coming Soon
Nintendo fans won’t have to wait long to get their hands on the new controller. The company said pre-orders will open soon, with the controller available in stores in a couple of months. The pre-orders will start on April 24, 2025, according to the information from GameRant.
The microSD Express Card mentioned in the price list is a special memory card that gives your Nintendo Switch 2 extra storage space for games and saves. Think of it like adding an extra cupboard to your house when you run out of space for your things.
In conclusion, the new Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller offers significant improvements in charging speed and adds helpful new buttons, but comes with a slight price increase due to international trade policies. For serious Nintendo gamers, the faster charging and added features might well be worth the extra $5.
