But their advantages are undeniable in shooters-a few hours with Wolfenstein: Youngblood and Fortnite in handheld mode made this abundantly clear.Īdding to the overall exceptional feel of the Split Pad Pro are the larger triggers and shoulder buttons that are smooth and effortless to pull. These benefits aren't entirely necessary for certain games, like RPGs or tactical games such as Fire Emblem: Three Houses. The concave dome design and increased surface area of the sticks help keep your thumbs in place, too. Like an Xbox One or Pro controller, the Split Pad Pro sticks have full range of motion and a consistent resistance which affords you the ability to make more accurate inputs. One of the biggest advantages comes from the analog sticks, which are a massive improvement over what the Joy-Cons offer. There's no doubt that the first glance at and the early hands-on experience with these will feel a bit off due to how wide apart the two ends are compared to Joy-Cons, but it doesn't take long to get used to and doesn't cross my mind anymore. As you can imagine, the Switch with the Split Pad Pro attached isn't going to fit into form-fitting carrying cases. The size of these controllers does compromise the portability factor. Nintendo Switch with the Hori Split Pad Pro attached. What's more, the Split Pad Pro is lighter than standard Joy-Cons, despite the bulkier look (more on why later) and doesn't burden the handheld experience. The wider form factor and subtle handles for gripping the controllers themselves are a natural feel that comes really close to a standard gamepad. While it might be a bit chunky and missing a few features, the Split Pad Pro transforms the handheld experience, especially for games that warrant precise controls.įirst, the Split Pad Pro gives you a substantial controller option with more to hold onto, and those with bigger hands, such as myself, will definitely appreciate it. It's an officially licensed pair of controllers that snap right into where the Joy-Cons normally go, and currently the Daemon X Machina edition is available now. Those looking for something that has more substance and feels closer to a Pro controller, meet the Hori Split Pad Pro. Joy-Cons get the job done for playing games on the go while maintaining the Nintendo Switch's portability factor, but they aren't the most ergonomic controllers.

Nintendo switch split pro controller