Best Controller for Smash Ultimate


Super Smash Bros Ultimate is one of the best crossover fighting games of the past decade, programmed and developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sola ltd. This game was published by Nintendo initially for Nintendo Switch. The gameplay is just like any other fighting game, but Nintendo has almost all of the characters present in the previous Super Smash Bros games to make it more interesting.

Still, they also included new characters in the new game. You can see approximately 80 characters in this fighting game with almost all your favorite cartoon characters like Pikachu, Mario, Sonic, and 77 more characters. Exciting! The preparations of this game started way back in 2015, and it took almost three years to be released in late 2018.

Nintendo released the teaser of this game in March 2018 on Nintendo Direct, but they fully revealed the game at the Electronic Entertainment Expo that happened in 2018. After getting two additional modifications, the game was released by Nintendo on 7 December 2018. This game has been called the best video game ever produced, and also the statistics of the game say the same.

This game is the best-selling fighting game in history. Almost 23 million copies of this sold in this time of nearly three years. In this article, we will be providing you with some top-notch controllers which would help you have the best gaming experience in Super Smash Bros Ultimate.

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Best Controller for Smash Ultimate Summary

Award Image Model Price
Best Budget Friendly Game cube controller NINTENDO GAME-CUBE CONTROLLER NINTENDO GAME-CUBE CONTROLLER See On Amazon
best Pro Controller For Smash PDP WIRED FIGHT PAD PRO PDP WIRED FIGHT PAD PRO See On Amazon
Best Super Smash Bros Joy Controller NINTENDO SWITCH JOY-CON PAIR NINTENDO SWITCH JOY-CON PAIR See On Amazon
Best Nintendo Switch Pro controller For smash bros.Ultimate NINTENDO SWITCH PRO CONTROLLER NINTENDO SWITCH PRO CONTROLLER See On Amazon
Best Wireless Game-cube controller For Super Smash POWERA WIRELESS GAMECUBE/ GREY POWERA WIRELESS GAMECUBE/ GREY See On Amazon
Best USB Game-cube Controller HORI NINTENDO SWITCH WIRELESS HORIPAD HORI NINTENDO SWITCH WIRELESS HORIPAD See On Amazon
Best Pro Controller For Gaming PowerA Fusion Controller PowerA Fusion Controller See On Amazon
Best Featured Enriched Controller For Smash 8BITDO ARCADE STICK 8BITDO ARCADE STICK See On Amazon
Best Nintendo Switch Smash Pro Controller PRO CONTROLLER For SUPER SMASH BROS PRO CONTROLLER For SUPER SMASH BROS See On Amazon
Best Wireless Controller 8 Bit Do Pro 2 Controller 8 Bit Do Pro 2 Controller See On Amazon

Best Controller for Smash Ultimate At a Glance:

Best Controller for Smash Ultimate Reviews

NINTENDO GAME-CUBE CONTROLLER (Image credit: Amazon)

NINTENDO GAME-CUBE CONTROLLER

Best Budget Friendly Game cube controller

The first controller here is Nintendo manufactures the GameCube controller. The gaming console was launched on the 24th of September in 2001 and can be identified as the best controller for Smash Ultimate. It is modified in numerous ways because it was the successor of the Nintendo 64 controller, so it needs to be better than the previous one.

The typical design of the GameCube pro controller was replaced by a more unique and handlebar type of design. The modifications that were done in the controller include a new joystick on the left side of the controller, and the previous one was forced on the right-hand side. Nintendo replaced the C button with a C stick, and reintroducing the X and Y buttons last seen on the Super Nintendo controller was to be noticed. Also, the hybrid analog triggers were put down instead of the shoulder buttons. A wireless variant of the weird GameCube controller was introduced in 2002 and was called WaveBird.

The GameCube controller came in various editions of itself. First, the standard edition of the best GameCube controller comes with different and interesting GameCube smash bros controllers such as “Indigo,” “Jet Black,” and “Platinum' colors which come with their respective colored-based console and they were also sold separately in different countries. The GameCube controller also sold different colored controllers without their consoles which include “Spice” (Orange), “Indigo/Clear”, “Emerald Blue,” and “White.” The last two were only being sold in Japan than in any other country.

Nintendo also released many limited editions of the Wired Gamecube controller switch, and they went viral since their release. They were released initially in Japan through Nintendo Club. The Nintendo smash controllers had a unique color scheme and a logo in their center. The designs of these controllers included “Mario,” “Luigi,” “Wario,” and also a “Club Nintendo” controller to end it, and you can purchase these controllers for 500 points. They also made a special “Mario” controller in limited quantity through European Stars Catalogue for 5000 points.

They made more GameCube consoles that had a matching controller. Colors released in Japan were “Starlight Gold', “Crystal White,” “Symphonic Green,” “Hanshin Tigers,” “Gun dam Copper.” The “Crystal White” and “Symphonic Green” were also released in Europe later. Overall it would be the best option to connect this controller while enjoying Smash Ultimate.

PDP WIRED FIGHT PAD PRO (Image credit: Amazon)

PDP WIRED FIGHT PAD PRO

best Pro Controller For Smash

The second controller is the Wired Fight Pad Pro manufactured by Performance Design Products (PDP). The company is a Nintendo verified one and is very famous for making high-end gaming components for different gaming consoles. Additionally, you can consider this controller to be the best controller for Smash Bros.

PDP released this controller on 23rd November in 2018, just before releasing the Super Smash Bros Ultimate game. It is designed with excellent aesthetics and uniqueness, which is undoubtedly inspired by the GameCube controller while playing with it sure makes you feel nostalgic. This smash controller is only designed for Nintendo Switch and is compatible with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

The fight pad controller situation is almost the same as the GameCube, and no changes are made to the controller. A slight difference is that the curved buttons you can find on the GameCube are replaced with some other buttons.

These shoulder buttons were not a major aspect in the Nintendo gaming, so removing them does not make a huge difference to the gaming experience of the super smash bros controller. The super smash bros fight stick you all know on the controller is also there but with a twist. As it is in a mini size, they have given you a choice to remove it and have given you a change stick to us instead of it.

PDP also provides its controllers with various themes and designs. The PDP has included up to three initial variants based on “Mario,” “Link,” and “Pikachu,” but by the time the company has launched many different controllers and themes. For example, Luigi and Princess Peach and have recently launched Yoshi and Sonic and two additional controllers.

This best Nintendo Switch controller for ‘Smash Ultimate’ that PDP has launched is purposefully designed to use with Nintendo Switch and are also compatible with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The company also thought of the users' relaxation so that they have given a 10 foot USB cable, so there is a whole lot of wire to play. These Gamecube controller layout are officially licensed with Nintendo, so that there is no need for questioning on these controllers whatsoever.

NINTENDO SWITCH JOY-CON PAIR (Image credit: Amazon)

NINTENDO SWITCH JOY-CON PAIR

Best Super Smash Bros Joy Controller

The third controller that is enlisted in this list for the best controllers. Super Smash Bros Ultimate is the Joy-Con which Nintendo itself manufactures. These smash ultimate joy-con controllers are the primary options for playing the Nintendo Switch gaming console.

These smash bros ultimate joy-con controllers are based on two individual units that connect to each side of the Nintendo Switch console, but they can also be used by connecting the console with a wired connection and also wirelessly using Bluetooth. The Joy-Con was released on the 3rd of March in 2017.

This smash bros joy-con controller comes in many colors individually and separately, but today we are talking about the “neon green” and “neon pink” variants. The connectivity of the controller with the Nintendo Switch allows you to attach these two with rails, or you can divide these and play these with two players.

The Bluetooth installed in this controller is Bluetooth 3.0, which can be excellent for connecting the controller with the console wirelessly. The maximum number of players connected to a single console is up to eight players, and they can play multiplayer simultaneously. They also have one shoulder triggers each on both sides of the controllers.

Of course, they operate on batteries that can be charged. The batteries used in the Joy-Con controllers are 3.7 volts 525 mAh 1.9- watt-hour made with lithium-ion polymer, and also, these batteries cannot be removed from the controllers.

These batteries' life is also very sufficient, and you can operate your Nintendo Switch for almost 20 hours after complete charging as claimed by the manufacturer. In addition, Nintendo released an AA battery Joy-Con pack attachment which can be attached to the controller by sliding into it.

Moreover, the charging option of the controller is that you can charge them with the Nintendo Switch console. You have to attach them to the console with an accessory called the “charging grip” while charging, and it will also charge the controller.

The specific features of this controller include “Convex Analogue Sticks,” “Player Identification,” “Motion Sensor,” “Gyro Sensor,” “Multimedia Button,” and in the last “NFC.” Lastly, the dimensions of this controller are as follows: it is about 40mm in width, 102mm in height, 28mm in depth, and 52g in weight.

NINTENDO SWITCH PRO CONTROLLER (Image credit: Amazon)

NINTENDO SWITCH PRO CONTROLLER

Best Nintendo Switch Pro controller For smash bros.Ultimate

The fourth controller in this list to be the most compatible for Super Smash Bros Ultimate is the Nintendo Switch Pro controller. This Nintendo Switch Pro controller for smash bros was launched as an alternative for the Joy-Con controller by Nintendo itself. The company announced this controller on the 26th of October in 2016 and was officially on the 3rd of March in 2017.

Many past record-breaking controllers inspire this switch pro controller. Some of them are Wii’s Classic Controller Pro and GameCube and the wireless controller of Xbox, but its final design looks more like Xbox controller than any other controller mentioned before.

As it is an alternative to the Joy-Con controller, you can, as usual, sync up to 8 Pro controllers with your Nintendo Switch, but with the Nintendo Pro Controller, you get the option that this smash switch pro controller can also be paired or get connected with a PC and play PC games. You have to install the beta client that you can get anywhere.

The connectivity of this Nintendo switch pro smash controller is also interesting, and you can connect your controller with your Nintendo Switch or your Pc wirelessly or also with a wire. You are given Bluetooth support for a wireless connection, and the version of the Bluetooth is Bluetooth 3.0. You are given two interfaces for wire connection, one is of USB, and the other one is of USB C.

If talking about the themes of the smash bros pro controller, it is available in only one color that happens to be “black,” but for their user preference, they have launched several special editions of this controller.

They have launched a “Xenoblade Chronicles 2” edition which has pink handles. Another one is the “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” edition which has white handles, the third one is the “Splatoon 2” edition which has green color on the left handle, and a pink handle on the right handle, last but not the least is the “Monster Hunter Rise” edition having black with gold Magnamalo design imprinted on the controller.

Another special edition controller was only given to the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament “Shuto Moriya” at EVO Japan 2020. The controller had the Super Smash Bros. logo imprinted on it. overall, this controller is the best Nintendo Switch controller for ‘Smash Ultimate.’

POWERA WIRELESS GAMECUBE/ GREY (Image credit: Amazon)

POWERA WIRELESS GAMECUBE/ GREY

Best Wireless Game-cube controller For Super Smash

The fifth here on the list for the most compatible controllers for the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game comes the Wireless GameCube/ Grey manufactured by PowerA. This controller was just made to overcome and make the gaming experience of the original GameCube even better.

They have made some changes to the controller, making it more enhanced than ever, but it is a complete replica of the classic GameCube.This wireless smash controller also has the GameCube ABXY button layout; the chances are that they have made the A button, shoulder buttons, and D-pad larger than before, making it easy to operate on your hands.

They have also added a left shoulder button and some system buttons, so there are more options to operate the controller. This power wireless GameCube controller here is officially licensed from the Nintendo Company itself so that you can use the controller without any hesitation. PowerA is also very confident with its product that they give a guarantee of the product for 2 Year.

One of the main things that could hold back the gaming experience is the wire connection that held back the user in the past. To overcome this problem, PowerA has removed the wire and has given you a wire-free controller to enjoy your games with freedom. This GameCube controller completely operates wirelessly and has Bluetooth 5.0, one of its most advanced versions.

As the controller is completely wireless, it does work on batteries. The battery option given to you in this wireless Nintendo GameCube controller supports two AA batteries on the backside of the controller.

The wireless GameCube controller for the Nintendo Switch also has an indicator on its top, which indicates when the battery is low, which is quite helpful. As the battery is two AA alkaline batteries, you can your gaming experience for up to 30 hours without any problem. Overall this controller is Best Controller for Smash Ultimate.

HORI NINTENDO SWITCH WIRELESS HORIPAD (Image credit: Amazon)

HORI NINTENDO SWITCH WIRELESS HORIPAD

Best USB Game-cube Controller

The sixth controller on the list for the super smash bros controls Ultimate game is the Nintendo Switch Wireless Horipad by a very trustworthy and experienced manufacturer, Hori. The company released Hori wireless GameCube controller just a while ago, on the 30th of October in 2020. No doubt, this controller is perfect and is also very light on your wallet as it can be bought for only 20 US dollars on Amazon.

The main reason for making this hori battle pad controller was to overcome the Nintendo Switch Pro controller. It was the best and the most recommended controller to play Nintendo games. It was also a little bit expensive, and not everyone can buy that. So, to make user’s life easier, Hori manufactured this controller and launched it into the world, and it also got successful.

It is a complete replica of the Nintendo Switch Pro controller and works exactly like it, which is one reason to be people’s choice. As it has so many pros, there are also some cons related to the controller made by the users of the controller.

No doubt it is an excellent Smash Gamecube controller, but some of the users have said that the controller’s built quality is not very friendly or it could be better, but in my opinion, at this price, this is a great controller to buy and play your Nintendo Switch games.

Another con is that it has no rumble of any kind in the controller, which somewhat makes the game experience a little less entertaining, but apart from that, this controller is a high-end product from Hori’s side.

As the smash ultimate Gamecube controller is also wireless, you can freely play with this from a very comfortable place in a 32-foot radius and experience your game with full relaxation. For this comfort, Hori has added the latest version of Bluetooth connection very wisely.

The built of the controller is the same as the Nintendo Switch Pro controller; almost everything on the controller matches the Pro controller, from trigger buttons to the battery indicator light at the top of the controller.

The battery of this Original Gamecube controller consists of a built-in lithium-ion battery which is also rechargeable, so now there is no need to be tensed about the battery. You have to charge it easily every time, and for this, the USB cable is sold separately by the company.

And the battery, once fully charged, will give you about 15 to 20 hours of unlimited gaming time. You Can easily Use this controller for any video Game and without game settings like Rocket League Settings and much more. This super smash bros switch controls also come with two special editions of “Mario” and “Zelda.” The Hori Company is also licensed from Nintendo, so there is no need for second thoughts while buying this controller. overall this is Smash Ultimate Best Controller.

PowerA Fusion Controller (Image credit: Amazon)

PowerA Fusion Controller

Best Pro Controller For Gaming

Are you in need of a good controller for your Nintendo Switch? Then PowerA Fusion is the perfect choice for you for several good reasons. Starting with the number one reason, the connectivity of both wired and wireless modes.

You can connect and use it with the cable provided within the box and for some reason, if you don’t want to use the wired method you can use the Bluetooth wireless connectivity which is very good and has a good effective range another super impressive thing is the battery life that it has you can use the controller for a good 20 hours by only charging it once. You can charge the controller with the USB C-type port.

The second good reason for using this best Gamecube controller for switch is the fact that it can be customized. The controller comes from the factory with a pretty basic faceplate colored in black or white which has a nice feel and touch to it but you can swap it for another cool looking faceplate or you can either customize it with other paper skins. Another thing that you can swap is the joystick controllers which further completes the look for it.

This best Gamecube controller for smash melee includes a motion sensor and a 3.5mm headphone jack for you to directly plug it into it instead of the console which is pretty handy to have along with these features. The PowerA Fusion has a very nice premium feel to it, with the extra weight it is even heavier than the official controller of Nintendo.

Other premium features also include a rubberized texture all over the front of the controller and on the front-mounted buttons which is extremely good to touch and provides a comfortable feeling in the hand so you can game for hours comfortably and the buttons have a very nice click effect.

Considering its incredible build and features, the PowerA Fusion controller is an excellent choice for your console.

8BITDO ARCADE STICK (Image credit: Amazon)

8BITDO ARCADE STICK

Best Featured Enriched Controller For Smash

The eighth and the last Gamecube smash controller on the list for the most compatible pro controller for the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game is the Arcade Stick manufactured by 8bitdo. 8bitdo launched this controller on the 16th of November in 2020.

The Arcade Stick by the 8bitdo is a classic and affordable fighting stick manufactured for PC and Nintendo Switch. It is the successor of the N30 Arcade Stick, which could be connected to your PC, your Android devices, and mainly on your Nintendo Switch, and it could connect to your devices through Bluetooth.

But the 8bitdo Arcade Stick is slightly more advanced than its predecessor as it has more options than before, but it can be connected only to your PC and your Nintendo Switch and cannot be connected to any Android device.

To make it up to this holdback of the Arcade stick, they have added many new specifications to the Stick. This Gamecube controller smash can be connected to your devices by two methods: connect it with the 2.4 GHz wireless adapter, and the second method is to connect the Arcade Stick through a Bluetooth connection. The build quality of the Arcade Stick, a product of 8bitdo, is very splendid.

The particular Joystick comprises the classic arcade-style unit consisting of a spherical “ball top” styled knob and eight functional units. The main eight buttons are red-colored are arranged in two rows with four buttons in a row.

Above the main buttons on the top right corner of the Arcade Stick are two programmable macro buttons which are labeled as “P1” and “P2”. On the left top corner are two control knobs handling how the Stick will operate. The left knob turns on the Stick and puts it into Nintendo Switch or XI input mode.

The right knob determines if the Joystick is set on the left analog stick (LS), direction pad (DP), or left analog Stick (RS). A slider just below the knobs indicates whether the Joystick is on Bluetooth or is wirelessly connected to the 2.4 GHz USB receiver with a cable which’s length is up to 10 feet long.

If you feel or have problems with the joystick’s red main buttons, 8bitdo provides you with the option to remap according to your own needs.They have provided an 8bitdo Ultimate Software that you can operate just by plugging into your PC and using the Software, and then you can change your Arcade Stick’s functions according to your desires and needs.

The company has claimed that you can e joy up to 40 hours of battery life once plugged into the 2.4 GHz connection, and you will get 30 hours of nonstop gaming if the Arcade Stick is connected to the Bluetooth connection.

PRO CONTROLLER For SUPER SMASH BROS (Image credit: Amazon)

PRO CONTROLLER For SUPER SMASH BROS

Best Nintendo Switch Smash Pro Controller

The ninth and the second last Control for super smash bros in the list for the most compatible pro controllers for the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the controller made for the game itself officially by Nintendo. The controller is called the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Super Smash BrosUltimate Edition by Nintendo.

This super smash bros controller was made because the hype that the game was getting was unexpected, and it was also blowing up records in the gaming industry, so this controller had to be made. And somewhat, this controller is by far the coolest and most beautiful controller on this list.

The officials released the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Edition on the 7th of December in 2018. Its build is somewhat almost the same as the Xbox controller, but some different specs are there on this controller. Straight away, when you look on to this controller for the first time, you will directly see a Super Smash Bros logo been imprinted onto the front of the controller, which gives it a premium special edition look on.

So let us now talk about the built quality of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Edition controller. As it has all the specifications of the Joy-Con, but just in a more standard look, it is quite good than that. For example, the buttons on the controller are much larger than that of the Joy-Con ones and are very easy to hit while playing, which feels good while playing.

The addition of the d-pad in the controller is quite what everyone had on the Joy-Con. But let’s face the truth, remove all the logos and designs, and you will have a standard Nintendo Switch Pro controller that you can buy at some low price and perform almost the same as this one.

The battery life of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Edition controller is up to almost 40 hours of nonstop gaming. You will also get a USB C-type cable which you can use for charging purposes.

One of these smash bros controls main and coolest features is that you can also use amino on your Nintendo Switch by tapping them to the NFC touchpoint on the Nintendo Switch Pro controller. But fairly speaking, this smash ultimate control took time to be made by the manufacturers and can be considered the best controller made for the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game.

8 Bit Do Pro 2 Controller (Image credit: Amazon)

8 Bit Do Pro 2 Controller

Best Wireless Controller

8 Bit Do Pro 2 is an all-in-one controller that works on all platforms. With 8BitDo Pro 2 in your hands, it does not matter on which platform you are playing or even OS because it is compatible with macOS, Windows, Android, and even Raspberry Pi you can use it anytime anywhere with Bluetooth connectivity 4.0.

The controller also includes 4 modes which are:

  • Switch Mode
  • Mac Mode
  • D input
  • C-Input

These modes easily let you configure the settings depending on which OS that you have the controller connected to. The controller comes with different buttons and switches so the 8BitDo Pro 2 controller specifically comes with 2 back buttons that can be customized to perform different actions in the game and help you get more control over it also has a customed profile switch buttons that support 3 different profiles.

Now let’s talk about the build of this smash pro controller since it’s the main part of anything. The reason why the controller has more buttons is that it is designed differently from other traditional controllers, allowing you more access to the buttons in addition to feeling more comfortable in your hands.

The controller has an enhanced grip on the hands and features a modifiable vibration motor whose vibration intensity you can make higher or lower. In spite of its weight of only 228g, the controller feels very light in your hand.

The battery life is also another important factor which a lot of people are curious about so the 8BitDo Pro 2 also has the same amazing battery life as the previous smash pro controller which is 20 hours however the charging time it takes is 4 hours which is a little bit of bummer and for charging you have the same USB type C charging port.

Austin Contreras
Hi, My name is Austin Contreras and I'm the Writer of Techfrugal. I have been played games for over 18 years, and I like to share my gaming knowledge with People.
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