Best Controller for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 2022

Super Smash Bros has come a long way since its first release on the Nintendo 64 in 1999. With each new iteration of the game comes new characters and new adventures. The latest, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, welcomes a fresh batch of fighters that can perform even more actions. So, with the addition of Min Min from Arms, you might want to think about the controller you're using to master her unique, two-armed fighting style. Maybe you should focus on independently controlling each arm with the A and B buttons rather than having a combination of smash and special attacks. But, it can cost you the match if you don’t have the right controller.

While you can casually play Super Smash Bros. on just about any controller your Nintendo Switch supports, it takes some serious finesse to play at a high level, especially when you're using a character with a unique fighting style like Min Min. All of those actions can be hard to manage when using anything but a quality controller for the game. If you're trying to master new moves, speed up your combos, or improve comfort through long play sessions, a good Smash Bros. controller is super helpful. How about taking it back to simpler times? You might want to play with legacy controllers from the GameCube or Nintendo 64. We've tested loads of options and picked out those that are ready for the task.

TL;DR – These are the Best Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Controllers:

GameCube Controller

A Legend For a Reason

Who doesn’t love a good throwback? Let's be real — since Melee, an all-around better Super Smash Brothers controller has yet to come along. And coming in under $50, it manages to remain relatively cheap by controller standards. The classic GameCube gamepad is so well designed for Smash Brothers because a good chunk of moves in the game were built with it in mind. The prominent A button is a boon for quick jabs or smash attacks, while the C-stick hangs out of the way unless you need it to pull off a directional attack and struggle with switching directions on the left stick. The tiny B key reminds us that Special attacks are indeed special and not spam. Never mind how easy it is to roll off the A button to hit either the X or Y for a quick jump to get right over your opponent's head.

Now, there are a few faults with the GameCube controller. The triggers may be a bit deep and the Z button a touch squishy, but most of us have learned how to compensate for that over the years. Unfortunately, you can't directly plug into the Nintendo Switch, but all you need is a simple and affordable adapter to get fighting. That's a small price to pay, considering you get a low-latency wired connection for up to four controllers, don't need to worry about battery levels, and can use the old GameCube controllers you've had for the last 20 years.

PDP Wired Fight Pad Pro

A Great Budget Option

We get it — not everyone feels like throwing down a good chunk of change on a controller that’s been around for two decades and requires a special adapter just to plug into your Switch. PDP solves this with the Wired Fight Pad Pro. This is a slightly updated take on the GameCube controller but manages to drop the price to just $25. The 10-foot USB cable should be plenty long for you to chill on the couch, and best of all it plugs directly into your Nintendo Switch dock. By using this wired connection, latency and battery life are also not a concern.

The PDP controller makes a few changes to the original. For one, it adds an extra Z button to the left shoulder, giving you more flexibility on how you perform grabs and dodges in the air. The triggers provide plenty of space for your fingers while also offering a nice groove for them to rest in. If you never quite fell in love with the GameCube controller’s tiny C-stick, you’ll probably like the Fight Pad Pro’s taller, swappable C-stick option that’s a match for the left thumbstick. One slight downside is the controller can be a little loud, but probably not as loud as our shouts when an opponent ledge guards us.

Nintendo Joy-Cons

Surprisingly Decent (in a pinch)

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Of course, if you own a Nintendo Switch, you’re already the proud owner of a pair of joy-cons. When attached to a joy-con grip —our favorite is the Satisfye ZenGrip Pro — they make for a surprisingly effective controller for all types of games—Smash included. The tiny controller’s tinier buttons don’t inspire much confidence but are surprisingly capable. You get super clicky buttons, though the low thumbsticks and small triggers aren’t ideal. It’s especially tricky to master these controls if you’ve got bigger hands

Things fall apart a bit further when you’re forced to use a single joy-con to play. The bumper/triggers are mushy, and the buttons are finger-crampingly close together. But worst of all, a single joy-con has limited buttons. Nintendo remedies this by mapping grab to SL and shield to SR. It works, but you’re not going to be super competitive with this setup. Of course, if you don’t have any alternatives, it’s still a fun way to get in some casual two-player action. Joy-Con controllers won’t be anyone's first choice. However, a Joy-Con grip makes them more comfortable and much easier to game on.

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Expensive, But Worth It

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If you’re not a GameCube diehard, the Nintendo Switch Pro controller is an excellent option. As far as design and build quality go, it's easily the most premium-feeling device on the list. Nintendo’s $70 controller is heavy in the right way and offers rumble, too — a feature sorely missing on the PDP and Hori controllers. The uniform A, B, X, and Y buttons don’t incentivize the A button like the GameCube controller, while the thumbsticks snap back quickly. The shallow click of its digital triggers is perfect for quick air dashing and rolls. You don’t get a C-Stick, but the Switch Pro’s secondary stick is comfortable and tall enough to easily hit from side to side — just like the PDP’s attachable version.

However, if you’re into tournament play, you already know you’d be better off with a wired solution. Any wired controller has less latency than a wireless option. But, for anyone who prefers wireless—and hasn’t sunk hundreds of hours into a GameCube controller—the Switch Pro is probably your best bet. It’s versatile and feature-rich, perfect for any game you throw at it, including Smash. Unfortunately, at high levels of play, the latency may be a dealbreaker.

PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller

Best Customizable Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Controller

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The PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller is here to put the Nintendo Switch Pro controller to shame. It’s a bit beefy but accommodating with large grips, magnets for attaching components, and 20 hours of battery life over Bluetooth, though you can also opt for a wired connection. It’s also pretty affordable, coming in at just $65. This controller’s ZR and ZL buttons are digital, rather than analog, and therefore have a shorter travel. That’ll be a boon for Smash Bros. players, as you can activate your shield that much quicker thanks to the control’s quick actuation. However, you’ll find it’s a perfect partner for the majority of your Switch games.

This highly customizable controller lets you swap out the faceplate and the thumbsticks, and it has a handy trick in store on the underside. Yup, that’s right, four paddle controls that mirror the front controls are on the backside of the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller. This makes for easy actions, while your thumbs remain in position on the analog sticks. You can always remove those back paddles if you find they’re hindering your play. And, the swappable faceplates even have a handy feature; anti-friction rings that let you rotate the analog sticks smoothly.

Nintendo 64 Controller

Best Classic Smash Bros. Ultimate Controller

Everyone turns to the GameCube controller as their choice Smash controller, but lest we forget, Super Smash Bros. really got its start on the N64 way back in the last Millenium. So, if you’re looking for a true, classic throwback Smash experience while playing Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Nintendo 64 Controller is the only way to go. Nintendo has brought back this icon with a few updates, but you still get that 1999 feeling. Just note that it’s only available to Nintendo Switch Online members and is often sold out.

There’s no fiddling around with clunky accessories to get the N64 controller to work with the Switch, as it’s made to connect wirelessly like any other controller for the console. It also adds some important menu navigation buttons, making your life a bit easier. For the most part, you get all the controls you need to Smash away in a classic style. And to stay on theme, be sure to stick with one of the eight original characters, *cough Pikachu*. There are no X or Y buttons to use for jump, but you can remap your controls to use a C button for jump or just use up on the thumbstick. You also get rumble built-in — no expansion set necessary. The biggest downside is now no one can trip over the cable and unplug your controller, giving you an excuse for a rematch.

Hit Box Smash Box

Best Fight Stick Controller for Smash Bros. Ultimate

Smash Bros. Ultimate might not seem like a game that's complicated enough to need a fight stick to play, but some players prefer the form factor and tactile feel of an arcade stick. If you're in that camp, the Hit Box Smash Box might be just what you've been looking for. With this controller, you can remap any buttons and create profiles for different games. So, you won’t have to worry about losing your perfect settings for Smash Bros when you want to use this fight stick with another game.

That said, the Hit Box Smash Box is not a traditional arcade stick, as it doesn't even have a lever. Instead, you get a plethora of buttons—23 to be exact. Therefore, you're hitting these buttons to do everything, from moving left to right, jumping, and even performing smash attacks by tapping C-stick buttons. Best of all, you can pull off all your moves on the ergonomically designed Hit Box with extremely clicky Sanwa parts. However, you’re going to need an adapter to use this high-quality fight stick with the Switch.

Hori Split Pad Pro

Best Handheld Smash Bros Controller

The Nintendo Switch is extremely portable, thanks to the controllers that attach to the sides. Though convenient, those Joy-Con controllers aren't necessarily the best or most comfortable for a lot of games, especially in larger hands. So, how about replacing them? That's exactly what the Hori Split Pad Pro does. It fully replaces your Joy-Con when in handheld mode. Hori’s controllers easily slide into the same slots your Joy-Con would, but they're a whole lot bigger and way more ergonomic.

What does that boost in size offer? For one, the Hori Split Pad Pro totes larger thumbsticks for finer control over your movement and aim when going after opponents in Smash Bros. And, a larger D-Pad is much easier to use than the diminutive D-Pad on the Joy-Con. The triggers and bumpers also got a handy size increase. These controllers even add assignable rear triggers and a turbo function. Just note that the Split Pad Pro only works while slotted into your Nintendo Switch, as there's no wireless functionality.

8BitDo Arcade Stick

Best Wireless Fight Stick for Smash Bros. Ultimate

While most of us are probably content with the classic GameCube controller for any Nintendo game containing the word "Smash" in the title, there are some good reasons to consider a quality fight stick to take into battle. The 8BitDo Arcade Stick is a worthy partner on the Nintendo Switch, as you can actually use it with the console wirelessly, letting you sit back and smash in comfort. There is both Bluetooth and a 2.4 GHz dongle to get gaming with ease. This also means it’ll work great with your PC, too. However, if you prefer to be wired up, a USB-C is available.

The 8BitDo Arcade Stick features a ball-top joystick for that true arcade feel, and it puts all the buttons you need for Smash Bros in an easily mashable arrangement. You might find these highly responsive, tactile buttons give you tighter control over your character than the mushier buttons on a GameCube controller. It just may take a minute to get used to the different layout. Another perk of this controller is you're not limited to using it with your Switch. It also supports PC gaming, so you can play a lot more fighting games with it than a classic GameCube controller. The lack of analog control from the joystick could present some issues, but you always have the option of swapping components out later.

8BitDo Ultimate Controller

Best Tunable Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Controller

The 8BitDo Ultimate makes for a competent Smash Bros. Ultimate controller that you can tune to fit your tastes. With 8BitDo's Ultimate app, you can customize the button mapping, swap stick behavior, and adjust vibration levels, while you even get two extra back paddles to set up additional commands. Best of all is the custom profile switch button that allows you to store three different profiles on the pad for on-the-fly swapping.

The design of the 8BitDo Ultimate is very similar to the Switch Pro pad, though you get a slightly larger D-pad and Hall Effect Sensors in the sticks, which can be especially handy in fighting games like Smash Bros. It comes with a charging dock that also acts as the controller’s wireless connection, though you get a 2.4GHz dongle too. That makes this gamepad super versatile and not exclusively for Switch, plus you even get Bluetooth support.

Nic Vargus is a writer and tech enthusiast who thinks SSB 64 is the best in the series. He wept tears of joy when King K. Rool was announced, and you can follow him on Twitter.

Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.

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