If you’re familiar with Fortnite, then you know that the competition can be pretty stiff. With cross-play that now covers nearly every platform in existence, even PlayStation, you have an incredibly broad group of players with whom you can battle for dominance. With a player base that large you have to take hold of every advantage and remove every disadvantage possible. Unfortunately for those of us using the Nintendo Switch, the Joy-Cons can be less than ideal. Luckily, the Switch has a pretty broad ecosystem of peripherals that includes better control options.
- Best overall Pro Controller
- Best value Hori Wired Controller
- Best Features PowerA Wireless controller
- Best Retro PowerA GameCube controller
Best overall — Pro Controller
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is currently the king of the hill when it comes to button and stick input. The pro offers all the same functionality of your Joy-Cons with none of the hand cramps. It also has lots of extra’s like Amiibo support, rumble support, and a rechargeable battery.
I’m sure you’ll also find that aiming is a lot more smooth and reliable as the sticks on the Pro Controller provide a larger range of motion than the Joy-Cons.
In addition, the pro controller supports motion controls. If you want to improve your game on Fortnite, the Pro Controller is probably your best bet.
Finally, it comes with a USB-C charging cable in the box, meaning you can stay charged even if your game session runs long.
Pros
- Motion controls built-in
- Correct stick placement
- Wireless
- Comfortable grip
Cons
- The highest price
Best overall
Pro Controller
With the Pro Controller, you are getting the best, full controller experience the Switch has to offer. It is comfortable to hold and most importantly, accurate. It’s ideal for playing Fortnite on the Switch.
Best value — Hori Wired Controller
If you aren’t quite ready to throw down big money for a Pro Controller, there’s another option. This wired controller from Hori will cost you less than half that a Pro Controller with similar precision.
Precision is the most important detail in playing games like Fortnite, and having a wired controller actually helps with that and input time. Wireless controllers can be affected by outside sources, like Wi-Fi and other Bluetooth devices, but a good wired controller bypasses that issue.
This wired controller doesn’t provide rumble, Amiibo functionality, or motion control, but if you’re just in the market for improved control input at a low price, you can’t beat the Hori.
Pros
- Value for money
- Excellent wire length (10ft)
- Amazing precision for the price
- Detachable D-pad
Cons
- Not wireless
- No motion controls
- No Rumble feedback
Best value
Hori Wired Controller
The cheapest you can get
It may be the cheapest around but the Horipad is a surprisingly precise, and comfortable controller to use. The 10ft cable is really helpful, too.
Best features — PowerA wireless controller
The Power A controller has the same wireless freedom as the Pro controller, as well the excellent motion controls, but at a significantly reduced price.
It doesn’t have NFC, so no Amiibo’s, and it doesn’t have any haptic feedback, but these things are just a distraction from the Battle Royale you are in so who cares right?
The icing on the cake for the PowerA is the programmable rear buttons. They aren’t quite as comfortable as the paddles on other consoles elite controllers, but they do work. Having certain functions mapped to the rear buttons means you can up your game in online matches.
Pros
- Motion controls
- Rear programmable buttons
- 30-hour battery life
- Extremely comfortable
Cons
- Very light in the hand
- No rumble
Best features
PowerA wireless controller
Pro features
While it doesn’t have some of the thrills like rumbles, and Amiibo NFC, it does have some pro features that make it worth the purchase. Rear buttons are excellent for Fortnite
Best Retro — PowerA GameCube controller
I’m going to put this right out front. Unless you have used this type of controller before, it is going to feel weird to play Fortnite with the GameCube controller from PowerA. The button placement is strange if you aren’t used to it, but that’s part of the charm.
The controller follows the same crazy, fun, and purple layout of the original GameCube controller with some modern updates. These updates make sure you can play all the Switch games with it, not just Smash Bros.
It also has the same wireless setup and motion controls as the PowerA controller above so, despite the nostalgia, it will still work as well as any modern controller can.
If you love your retro, your nostalgia, your thoughts of youth, then this is the controller for you. It will still let you play Fortnite just fine, but you’ll look cooler doing it.
Pros
- Makes you feel the feels
- Modernized for the latest games
- Purple!
- GameCube layout for Smash Bros.
- Purple!
Cons
- Not actually a great layout for Fortnite.
Best retro
PowerA GameCube controller
Nostalgia king
Okay, so maybe it is the most efficient Fortnite controller, but it has everything you need to play and it has the retro style to make you feel good. Did I mention it was purple? So cool.
Bottom line
While there isn’t a huge selection of controllers out there, we are sure there is something in this list for you.
The Pro Controller really is the best choice if you are serious about playing Fortnite. If you are here to win and to improve your game, then the Pro Controller is a clear choice.
But it isn’t cheap, let’s be honest. The PowerA wireless controller is the next best thing. I have one and using feels just like the Pro Controller, though it is a little on the light side. Game on!
Source of the article – iMore