Best controller for Tears of the Kingdom in 2023 – Pro Controller or Joy Con?

Best controller for Tears of the Kingdom in 2023 – Pro Controller or Joy Con?
Romilly Cotta Updated on by

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Zelda Tears of the Kingdom is here! We’re going to discuss the best controller for Tears of the Kingdom – should you go Joy con or Pro for your Switch console?

To be clear, Tears of the Kindom is available to play on Pro Controller, which begs the question – should you play on the original joy-con or go for a pro controller this time round?

There’s also the issue of stock – since Tears of the Kingdom has launched, those limited edition pro controllers have been selling fast. To help you out, we’ve put together a Zelda Pro Controller stock tracker

Best controllers for Tears of the Kingdom at a glance

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kindom Edition

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kindom Edition

Motion controls

Yes

HD rumble

Yes

Amiibo functionality

Yes

Battery life

up to 40 hours

Charging time

Up to six hours

Nintendo USB Switch Pro Controller

Motion controls

Yes

HD rumble

Yes

Amiibo functionality

Yes

Battery life

up to 40 hours

Charging time

Up to six hours

TOPAD Joy Cons Controller compatible with Nintendo Switch Joy-con Zelda: Tears of the Kindom edition

TOPAD Joy Cons Controller compatible with Nintendo Switch Joy-con Zelda: Tears of the Kindom edition

Motion controls

Yes

Dual vibration

Yes

Amiibo functionality

No

Battery life

Up to 20 hours

Charging time

Up to three hours

If you’re used to playing on Xbox or PlayStation, then you’ll understand the pull of the Pro Controller. Resembling a more traditionally designed gamepad, the Pro Controller offers familiarity and the potential edge in competitive games. In other words, it’s well suited to those games that require more dexterity and speedy reflexes.

One of the drawbacks of the Pro controller has been that the original version is fairly limited when it comes to colours and design. Enter Tears of the Kindom Edition: an elegant, customised pro controller packed full of features.

Below we’ll get into the meat of things, and discuss the best controller to play Tears of the Kingdom, taking into account price, design and features.

What controller should you use for Tears of the Kingdom?

You should use the Pro Controller for Tears of the Kingdom if you value comfort and precision. The layout and position of the triggers on your controller make it much easier to explore the vast open world of Hyrule.

Though there’s nothing wrong with the original joy-cons, the Pro controller seriously makes you feel like you’re in control. The Pro controller also has a great battery life, unlike PlayStation’s DualSense Edge, meaning there’ll be little obstacle between you and playing the game.

How much is the Tears of the Kingdom Pro Controller?

The Nintendo Switch Tears of the Kingdom costs $74.99 / £69.99, just $10 more than the classic Switch Pro Controller. Since its pre-order opened in April, these Zelda Pro controllers have been selling like hot cakes, and it looks like it’ll be a challenge to get your hands on one.

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kindom Edition

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kindom Edition

Motion controls

Yes

HD rumble

Yes

Amiibo functionality

Yes

Battery life

up to 40 hours

Charging time

Up to six hours

At the time of writing, we have spotted a few retailers where you can bag yourself the controller.

It’s fair enough if the price of the Tears of the Kingdom Pro controller is a little steep. So, stick around and we’ll take you through the best controllers for Tears of the Kingdom.

Best controller for Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Tears of the Kingdom Edition

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kindom Edition

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kindom Edition

Motion controls

Yes

HD rumble

Yes

Amiibo functionality

Yes

Battery life

up to 40 hours

Charging time

Up to six hours

Pros
  • Collector’s item
  • Excellent precision
  • Comfortable grip
Cons
  • Expensive

For all you Zelda enthusiasts out there, the Tears of the Kingdom Edition controller has to be the top choice in our selection.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Pro design, it features four face buttons and four shoulder buttons, similar to that of an Xbox controller. Heck, if you’d like to see what other special editions are out there, head on over and check out the best Nintendo Switch controllers. It also has a nice weight to it that is pretty welcome compared to the joy-con. There’ll be no cheap plastic noises when you’re trying to find a wild horse in the overworld, making it a sound choice for those looking to get the most out of their Switch experience.

While you’re upgrading your Switch experience, why not consider the best gaming headset for Switch.

Best joy-con controller for Tears of the Kingdom – TOPAD Joy Cons controller Tears of the Kingdom edition

TOPAD Joy Cons Controller compatible with Nintendo Switch Joy-con Zelda: Tears of the Kindom edition

TOPAD Joy Cons Controller compatible with Nintendo Switch Joy-con Zelda: Tears of the Kindom edition

Motion controls

Yes

Dual vibration

Yes

Amiibo functionality

No

Battery life

Up to 20 hours

Charging time

Up to three hours

Pros
  • Tears of the Kingdom theme for more affordable price
  • Fully compatible with all Switch models
  • Good battery life
Cons
  • Buttons slightly less clicky

TOPAD has made an excellent alternative if you don’t fancy shelling out on a Tears of the Kingdom edition OLED Switch, or the Pro controller. It uses a three-axis sensor and boasts fast feedback, making for a responsive gaming experience.

Like the Pro controller, it features built-in dual vibration and can be used in Handheld, TV and Tabletop mode. They also charge like Nintendo’s original joy cons, so won’t require a USB.

While it’s naturally a temptation to go for Nintendo’s own branded controllers, those looking to save some buck will be happy with this option.

It might also be worth taking your Zelda experience to the next level with the best monitor for Nintendo Switch.

Best controller for Tears of the Kingdom – Joy Con vs Pro controller

Ultimately, your choice should come to what kind of gamer you are. Though the Joy Con controllers are greater for hosting game nights and general multiplayer gaming, we’re definitely leaning towards the Pro Controller for Tears of the Kingdom.

The combination of that comfortable ergonomic grip combined with that comfortable weight will make playing Zelda a breath of fresh air.

Frequently asked questions

We’ve done our best to answer some of your controller related questions below.

Does Tears of the Kingdom have Pro Controller support?

Absolutely, meaning you can play Tears of the Kingdom with an existing Pro Controller, or go all out on the Tears of the Kingdom edition. The choice is yours.

Should you buy the Tears of the Kingdom Pro Controller?

Given the seismic impact Tears of the Kingdom is expected to have in the Nintendo community, we think you’re well within your rights to treat yourself with the Pro Controller. If you’re planning to get stuck into the game for hours at a time, you’ll be grateful for that added ergonomic support and competitive edge.