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How Many Controllers Come With The Nintendo Switch? (Does It Have Two Controllers?)

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The Nintendo Switch is one of the most popular Nintendo game consoles that has ever been made. It is so popular because it has the ability to be used as a console that you connect to your TV as well as an on-the-go gaming device. 

It is not just Nintendo fans that love the Nintendo Switch! It does not matter what gaming console you prefer, the Nintendo Switch can do something that no other game console has been able to do before. 

Before you purchase the Nintendo Switch you obviously will want to know what exactly you are getting when you buy it. How many controllers will you get when you purchase a Switch console?

The Nintendo Switch comes with one JoyCon controller set. The Joy-Con controller set can be used as one traditional controller or as two smaller individual controllers if you want to play multiplayer games. 

You can take the right Joy-Con and the left Joy-Con off of the Switch device and use them as separate controllers for playing multiplayer games on your Switch. You can also put them onto the Joy-Con grip and use them both as a single controller to play on your Switch while it is docked or sitting up on the kickstand.

The Nintendo Switch also comes with two Joy-Con straps and one Joy-Con grip. You will also obviously get the Switch docking station so you can transition the system from an on-the-go console to a home gaming console. 

Want to take your Nintendo Switch to the next level? Then check out this Nintendo Switch accessory bundle by clicking here.

PowerA Pokemon Joy-Con Comfort Grip for Nintendo Switch - Pikachu, Works with Nintendo Switch Lite - Nintendo Switch

Do you love your Switch but want to stand out from everyone else with the same model? Then look no further than this custom Joy-Con grip.

This Joy-Con grip will make your Switch console look amazing and you can even choose the one that fits your style the best!

Do I Need Two Sets Of Joy-Cons For The Nintendo Switch?

When it comes to playing games on the Switch, no one wants to worry about only being able to play by themselves because they only have one controller. This is why many people wonder about the Switch since it doesn’t come with two controllers as normal gaming systems would. 

So if it doesn’t come with two Joy-Con controllers, then do I need to purchase a second pair of Joy-Cons? Can you play games with 1 controller?

Even though the JoyCon controllers can be used separately as two controllers, many people prefer to use the controllers with the main grip so the controller feels more normal. This means that technically you do not need two sets of Joy-Cons, but many people prefer purchasing a second set. 

Owning a second set of Joy-Cons not only will allow you to play with up to four players, but if you are playing a two-player game, you will be able to play it comfortably as the controllers will not need to be separated for use. If you are looking for a second set of Joy-Con controllers, you can find them by clicking here. 

There are many different off-brand Joy-Con controllers that are available today, and if you are planning on purchasing a couple of new sets for your system, you may want to look at cheaper options. The problem is that there are so many different options that it can be hard to know which ones are good and which ones are not. 

No one wants to spend money on a new controller set for their Switch and it only lasts a few days or does not sync and work properly. This is why many people will just spend the money on the official ones and not worry about it. 

There are other people like myself that have done testing to see which controllers work though so you do not have to. The best JoyCon controller for your Switch is actually almost half the price and can be purchased by clicking here. 

Are Switch Pro Controllers Worth It?

When you are looking at purchasing a new controller you have probably come across the new Switch Pro controller. These controllers are very different from the Joy-Con controllers that are typically used with the Nintendo Switch. 

This is because the Switch Pro controller is more of a traditional controller rather than the new Joy-Con controllers. The Switch Pro controller has the shape of an Xbox controller and a similar button layout. 

The Switch Pro controller comes with a rechargeable battery, and it only takes 2.5 hours to fully charge. It has an easy-to-use gamepad layout, and the best part is that it has no lag time.

Even with all of these different features, it can only be used as one controller, and many people wonder if it is even worth it because these controllers are not the JoyCons. 

From personal experience, the Switch Pro controller is worth getting. It is far cheaper than buying a new set of JoyCons, has a far more familiar button layout, and is more comfortable to hold in your hands while playing than the other controllers.

Even though the Switch Pro controller is cheaper than the JoyCon controllers, its only downside is the fact that it cannot be split into two controllers or attached to the side of the Switch. Besides that, the Pro controller is far superior to any other Switch controller that has ever been made. 

The Nintendo Switch Pro controller can be purchased by clicking here. 

Should I Get Joy-Cons Or The Switch Pro Controller?

There are many differences when it comes to controllers for your Nintendo Switch. Even though there are many choices when it comes to purchasing a new controller for your Nintendo Switch it basically comes down to the difference of if you prefer the Joy-Cons or the Pro controller. 

Because there are differences between the two controllers many people are unsure which one they should purchase. Not everyone has the same needs though, so which one should you purchase?

If you often play your Nintendo Switch on the go you will want to purchase the Joy-Con controller because you will be able to attach it to your Nintendo Switch when you take it with you. If you use your Switch more often at home and do not take it on the go then you want the Pro controller as it is far more comfortable to use at home.

Most people will simply purchase the Pro controller as the system already comes with Joy-Con controllers so they have both. 

Having both the Joy-Con and the Pro controller for your Switch will come in very handy if you have people over. They will be able to play on the Switch with the Joy-Cons while you can play with your full-size Pro controller. 

One thing to consider though is that the Joy-Con controllers have motion control which is required for some games (like Mario Party). If the Joy-Cons from your console are still working then you can use those when playing that game and then use the Pro controller for other games but you should know that the Joy-Cons are required when playing some Switch games.

This will make it easier for you to beat them and look like a better player. After all, what is the point of playing against your friends if you cannot beat them in a game that you love? 

If you are playing a single-player game such as Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, or other Nintendo Switch games, I have found that the Pro controller has a better feel to it. Of course, you have to charge the Pro controller with a separate USB-C cable whereas if you just have Joy-Cons they can just be connected to your Nintendo Switch dock to charge them.

Another thing to consider when comparing the Nintendo Switch controllers is that many people have still reported that they are experiencing the drift issue with the Joy-Cons. Joy-Con drift has been an ongoing issue that Nintendo can’t seem to beat even with the newer Nintendo Switch OLED models.

Many people (myself included) feel like the small controllers don’t have the comfort that the full-sized Bluetooth controller (like the Pro controller) will have.

I also want to mention that there are many other generic wireless controllers (made by third-parties) that you can purchase for your Switch console that are similar to the Pro controller at a fraction of the cost. These generic controllers won’t have the battery life that the Switch Pro controller will but at 1/3 of the cost it is worth it for most people.

All of these generic controllers will have the same d-pad (directional pad) layout as well as the same face buttons that the Switch Pro controller will have as well as the HD rumble. You won’t have to use a special adapter with these generic controllers either.

All of these generic controllers can easily be connected to your Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, or Switch OLED.

In the video playlist below I purchased and tested many different Switch controllers so that way you can decide which one works best for you and your budget. I even dropped them onto the concrete outside of my house. from my second story to test their durability!

Conclusion

The Nintendo Switch not only comes with one Joy-Con controller set which can be used as two controllers, but it also comes with the accessories you need to use those Joy-Cons as one controller or as two. Because of these accessories, you will never have to worry about only having one controller since your controller can easily work as a second one as well. 

If you do want to go and purchase a second controller though many people will purchase the Switch pro controller instead of the Joy-Con controller set. This is because they are considerably cheaper and have a similar layout to other consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. 

When you go to purchase a new controller for your Nintendo Switch you will always want to make sure that you choose the controller that best fits your needs. If you’re always taking your Switch on the go and playing with it as a handheld gaming device you will probably want to purchase a controller similar to the Joy-Con. 

If you play at home all the time though and you do not have people over that often you will probably want to purchase the pro controller as it will be far more comfortable in your hands. No matter which controller you use for your Nintendo Switch on a daily basis it will not take you long to figure out why this console is loved by so many people around the world