PowerA has launched the Advantage Wireless Controller, priced at $69.99, for the Nintendo Switch 2 and existing Switch models, positioning it as an officially licensed, feature-rich alternative to Nintendo's more expensive Pro Controller. Boasting Hall Effect analog sticks, motion controls, and mappable back buttons, the controller offers enhanced precision and longevity. Despite lacking NFC amiibo support and potentially Switch 2 wake-up functionality, its significantly lower price point ($20 less than the Pro Controller) presents a competitive offering that could influence accessory sales and market share within the gaming peripheral sector.
PowerA has launched a new wireless controller for the Switch 2 (with compatibility confirmed for the OG, Lite, and OLED too), boasting features that could give the official Pro Controller a run for its money. Priced at £54.99 / $69.99, the Advantage Wireless Controller will come in three flavours: Black, Mario & Friends, and Pokémon: Mega Evolutions. It comes with Hall Effect analogue sticks, motion controls, a dedicated C button, mappable back buttons, and more. Of course, being a third-party pad, you're not going to get everything, so NFC amiibo support isn't here, and it doesn't seem like these controllers will have wake-up support for the Switch 2 either. Still, at £20 less than the $89.99 asking price for the Pro Controller, the monetary saving could potentially make up for these exclusions. Here's a look at the official key features: • Hall Effect Modules: Contact-free magnetic sensors in the thumbsticks provide a more fluid pro-level feel and help with precision and longevity • Advanced Gaming Buttons: Get an edge over the competition with mappable Advanced Gaming Buttons you can program on the fly, mid-game—no system settings to configure • Intuitive Motion Controls: Get immersed in your games with fluid, responsive motion controls that provide an intuitive way to aim, steer, fly, and more • C Button: Easily activate fun GameChat features • Rechargeable Battery: Get up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge. Includes an extra-long 10 ft. USB-C cable to recharge the internal battery • Ergonomic Design: Game for hours with a controller that feels great in your hands, thanks to cutting-edge ergonomics and top-of-the-line materials • Nintendo Family Compatibility: Works with the Nintendo Switch system of devices: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model and Nintendo Switch Lite • Officially Licensed: PowerA products have gone through Nintendo’s rigorous testing and evaluation processes to ensure compatibility with the Nintendo Switch 2 system Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information. What do you make of the PowerA Advantage Wireless Controller? Will you be picking one up? Let us know with a comment. Comments 26 Give me a Mega Absol controller and my money is yours Call me when it can wake the system. Still interested in having all the features of the Pro Controller myself (at the very least for my own usage, will consider third-party ones for multiplayer if ever needed), but it's cool to see a new controller with more of them along with its own features for a change - quite appreciated that it has Mario and Pokémon variants, too! @AgentGuapo and a headphone jack. Most important part for me is the Dpad how is that? Very nice. So they are now finally doing more quality controllers on Switch 2 as well. Maybe I'll get one of these. I won't buy Nintendos overpriced controllers with no hall effect modules. Until they have haptic and NFC I just don’t see the point Always good to see more 3rd party controllers but fir that price I'll just wait for the Pro to go kn sale. Early days yet, and I'm currently busy playing SMG 1 & 2 on my Wii U, so no rush. Third party controller manufacturers - NO WAKE NO BUY 💁🏻 The + and - buttons should be accessible above. Same with the screenshot one because I want to take it at the right moment. Everyone I know with Switch 2 completely skipped on the Switch 2 Pro controller since the og Switch controller still works. This is a nice lookin controller, but there's gotta be more to in than the C button, yknow? @Ramouz @AgentGuapo and rumble HD. I love hall effect, that alone almost sold me. But the row of buttons on the bottom, no haptics, AND no console wake? Still a miss, guys...still planning for Pro 2 once my original Pro drifts beyond repair (so far, so good). Wait, is there rumble or not? This will be interesting. I can’t wait to try this controller. (The PowerA wired controller for Switch 1 feels great and is really good value for money and is also officially licensed which means a lot to me.) @Broosh Just keep checking Amazon warehouse deals every day. I grabbed a Pro 2 there for 65 CAD + tax. @The-Chosen-one PowerA d-pads are nearly as good as 8BitDo ones and official SNES ones. It’s in the sticks where the PowerA controllers really shine though. @MarkSeteth72 The Switch 2 Pro Controller sticks are smoother at the edges than the Switch 1 Pro Controller sticks. That is going to feel like a big upgrade to some people. @MarkSeteth72 I was going to skip the Pro 2 and stick with the Pro 1. The annoyance of no wake was just too much. Add to that the headphone socket, Chat button and general 'feel' and it's an upgrade I do not regret at all. Yes it's pricey, but that's Nintendo (and to be fair most gaming) these days. No amiibo support. I already bought an EasySMX S10 Controller! I read great things about that, and used the Promo Code and the Coupon to save on it! I worked for Gamestop for 11 years and I will have to say that Power A has a LONG way in the quality of their products. I might pick one of these up. But my old PowerA controllers for Switch1 turned on THAT system... Are PowerA actually any good? I've had a couple of the cheaper ones and they really weren't great. But might have been a case of you get what you pay for as they were lower end wired ones. this controller looks so... cheap, idk why but it does. @AgentGuapo I'm not sure about this one and Switch 2, but all previous PowerA controllers can wake Switch 1 - I had several (regular one and a couple of nano - all wireless) exactly because of this. @Broosh It's just assumed in this article that it won't wake up Switch 2, there's no confirmation yet. All previous PowerA wireless controllers can wake Switch 1. I loved their Nano wireless controllers but gave them up with my old Switch. Show Comments Leave A Comment Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... PowerA has launched its officially licensed Advantage Wireless Controller for the Nintendo Switch 2, positioning it as a direct, lower-cost competitor to Nintendo's own Pro Controller. Priced at $69.99, it undercuts the official alternative by $20, presenting a clear value proposition centered on specific premium features like Hall Effect analog sticks, which promise enhanced durability and precision, and mappable back buttons. However, this cost-saving comes with a significant trade-off in functionality, as the controller lacks NFC amiibo support and, critically, is not expected to feature console wake-up capabilities for the Switch 2. Consumer sentiment, based on article comments, is sharply divided; while the inclusion of Hall Effect sticks is a strong selling point for some, the absence of the wake-up feature is a deal-breaker for others. This product launch highlights the competitive dynamics within the third-party accessory market, where manufacturers must balance price, features, and official licensing to capture specific consumer segments. The mixed reception suggests the market is fragmented, with no single third-party product satisfying all user preferences, thereby creating opportunities for both Nintendo's first-party offerings and other competitors.
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