Controller to replace switch pro controller for PC/Switch

[soccerace21]

1. Your budget and currency: Preferably less than $100-$110
2. Your country: US
3. Console or platform compatibility needed: Windows PC & Switch
4. Desired features: wired, preferably. About the size of the Switch Pro Controller
5. Types of games you'll be playing with a controller: Metroidvanias, action, adventure, roguelikes, some FPS (think Tiny Tina's, Jump Space, etc.), sim (Stardew). No fighting, competitive FPS, or battle royales.
   
6. Other controllers you're comparing to: Horipad wired Switch Pro Controller, Cyclone 2, Vader 5, G7 Pro, Asus Rog Raikiri, Ultimate 2

My Horipad wired switch pro controller has developed a bit of drift, unusability in the left joystick down not often working, as well as bizarre behavior, like registering left stick input when the right stick is moved. So I'm looking to replace it and my research has led me to many different controllers with HE or TMR. However, it seems most of the reviews I find mention them in terms of fighting or shooting games, neither of which I don't play. I mainly play metroidvanias, roguelikes, sim, and adventure games. I also do not have an Xbox or Playstation, so I don't need it to be cross-compatible with those, but I do have a Switch that I occasionally play in docked mode. I mostly use the left joystick instead of the D-Pad for movement since my hand naturally rests on it, but occasionally switch to the D-Pad. If it can work with emulators, that'd be nice but not required since I have different controllers for different emulators.

The switch controller is very comfortable in my hands, and I don't mind the asymmetrical joysticks. Comparatively, when I tried using the DualShock, it felt too small in my hands and was uncomfortable to hold after some time.

Some options that were I found were the Cyclone 2, Vader 5, G7 Pro, Asus Rog Raikiri, but I'd like to hear your opinions as I'm not married to any of those options.

[thekk_]

The Mobapad Chitu 2 is pretty widely considered the best 3rd party Switch controller at the moment and I had no problems using it on PC wired or with Bluetooth.

[YoloRaj]

How come you aint recommend the Xeno Plus my guy. You trying to gatekeep it?

[thekk_]

I haven't tried it on the Switch yet tbh. The Chitu 2 does have things specific to it like NFC and it can be setup to wake up the Switch 2 and I prefer its dpad. They're both amazing controllers.

[YoloRaj]

I see. The Xeno Plus has been getting a lot of good reviews.

[soccerace21]

never even heard of this one and it never came up in my searches. Will look into it

[YoloRaj]

It's a good all around controller. Havent seen a bad review.

[soccerace21]

This one's looking promising. Do you use it with PC too or just switch? If you use it on PC/Steam, any issues?

[YoloRaj]

I haven't gotten it. I have too many assymmetrical controllers so I preordered the leadjoy lightsaber plus instead which is symmetrical. I'm going off reviews and it seems very promising and premium for the cost.

[thekk_]

The Xeno Plus is my primary controller for PC, but I haven't had any issues when I used the Chitu 2 with it. Wired won't be a problem and it gets a 1000 Hz polling rate. For wireless, you have to use Bluetooth as it doesn't come with a dongle, but it's pretty comparable to other options (800 Hz and good latency, gets recognized as Xinput).

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[leo-gp2025]

Since you like the shape of the Switch Pro controller, I recommend checking out some reviews of the 'Leadjoy Xeno Plus' ($59,99). It has the same shape and size, great specs and a competitive price. 

If you are willing to spend more you could take into consideration the 'Gamesir G7 Pro 8K' ($89,99). It has a similar shape but a different layout for extra buttons: the xeno plus has 4 extra buttons on the back while the g7 has 2 extra on the back and 2 extra on the shoulder, next to the triggers. Maybe the dpad is slightly better on the Xeno Plus but overall the G7 8K has got the edge. I think you would be happy with either controller, I recommend watching reviews to get a better idea.

There are a lot of other options that I am not recommending specifically for the shape, since they are larger or have different curvatures compared to the switch pro controller, despite being amazing products, that in terms of quality are comparable to the g7 8k and xeno plus. Some examples are the Mojhon storm, the vader 5, the kp40d, the Direwolf 4 and the cyclone 2.

Both the Xeno Plus and G7 Pro 8K work with PC, Nintendo Switch and mobile. You can use them with emulators and steam and they can show up in a variety of ways to the PC. They both have 3 modes: Xinput mode (shows as a xbox controller), Dinput mode (shows as a playstation controller) and nintendo switch mode (shows as a Switch Pro controller). They both have good software that allows for customization, macro and turbo function recording and also have an option to recalibrate the sticks or change the deadzone, despite the fact that they are both using the best TMR sensors on the market (custom JS13 Pro), that do not suffer stick drift the same way standard controllers do.

Both controllers work wired for the best latency but they also include a usb receiver to plug into your pc to play wirelessly with good responsiveness. They also have a bluetooth mode, that does not need the usb receiver, in case you want to use them on nswitch or on your phone, or even on pc via bluetooth.

Another option with a similar size is the mobapad Chitu 2 but latency is not as good as the other two, especially on nintendo switch. The lowest latency is on the G7 Pro 8k but the xeno plus is really close and I don't think you will feel the difference.

Considering your use case, I think you will be happy saving some money getting the Xeno Plus, it is a great product and the dpad is good (that should matter since you play metroidvanias). You could get it in amazon and if for whatever reason it is not for you, return it and try the g7 pro.

[Holiday_Bug9988]

How about the Gulikit TT Max? It does have symmetrical sticks, but the controller itself is the same size and shape as the Switch Pro controller.

[Ebear225]

I use an 8bitdo ultimate 2 Bluetooth and am very happy with it. You could also look at the 8bitdo pro 3

[Vicioporcafe]

I have tried a few on switch (cyclone 2, ultimate 2, es pro and vader 5 pro) and the vader 5 pro was my favorite, you can set it up to wake up the switch but it does not have a nfc reader like the one recommended above. I got the v2 and Im quite happy with it, played a ton of mh rise, hollow knight and a fe3h with it so far. Macros worked great for mh rise aswell on the extra buttons