What’s the Best Controller for Smash Ultimate?

Smash Bros Ultimate is one of the top fighting games around right now. it has got a huge roster and a completely unique approach to fighting games. The Smash Bros series has never had a simple relationship to controllers though, so what’s the best controller for Smash Ultimate.

Thankfully, things are a lot easier here than for Smash Melee. You won’t have to find any hyper-specific retro gamepads just to get on a tournament level. Although the default Joy-Con controls on the Switch leave a lot to be desired for Smash Bros. There’s a lot of choice in the best controller for Smash Ultimate. Most of the top contenders have the same few characteristics though. This is what’s important in a Smash Bros Ultimate Controller and what to look for.

What’s the Best Controller for Smash Ultimate?

The best controller for Smash Bros Ultimate will partially depend on your personal taste, but there are a few factors which seem to elevate some gamepads above others for the game. This is what you have to think about.

D-Pads and Face Buttons – Why the Joy-Cons Aren’t the Best Controllers for Smash Ultimate

The default Switch controller layout swaps the D-pad for 4 stand-alone buttons. While great for casual Co-Op where you can take one each, it’s terrible for smash. It can be tricky to hit your inputs with these game pads, or any controller without proper face buttons.

The Second Stick and Hex Gates

A lot of Smash Bros controller preferences are still governed by what went well in Melee. Specifically, the crazy optimized button layout on the right of the gamepad. The GameCube ditched the standard four face buttons, instead, we had the largest one for A smaller buttons around it, and crucially the C-Stick. This was locked into a hexagon gate which for Smash Bros meant more consistent inputs for aerial directions.

This Hex Gate isn’t the most important part of finding the best controller for Smash Ultimate for everyone. However, if you’ve played a lot of Melee this is going to come in handy. Any controller with a decent second stick (like a Switch Pro Controller) can be fitted with a small hex gate which recreates this gating too. Or you can go for one that has one built in.

Input Lag

The world of fighting games esports are often influenced by input lag. In many older games, players try to stick exclusively to the wired gamepads to cut down on lag, what about smash though? Wired controllers do cut back on input lag. However, the lag isn’t too terrible with wireless as long as there’s little interference. However, plugging a controller in will usually help.

Sticks

Your sticks govern quite a few of your inputs on Smash and can some things tricky to pull off without the proper setup. Shield dropping and some Smash Bros character-specific techs get tricky even on a Switch Pro controller here. This won’t be a huge factor for everyone, but proper sticks with more control than a joy cons are vital.

What Are the Best Controllers for Smash Bros Ultimate?

That’s some of the main factors to look for, but which are the top gamepads for Smash? These are the best picks available for the Switch right now.

GameCube Controller

When it comes to professional Smash, the GameCube Controller is still the gold standard. Most modern Smash Games pro gameplay builds out of what happened with Melee and those controllers have remained relevant for the platform. They are still an easy pick for the best controller for Smash Ultimate.

Surprisingly, actual GameCube controllers can be used on the Switch with Smash Ultimate. You’ll just need a bit of work to get a proper setup for the GameCube controller.

Switch Pro

If you don’t have decades of muscle memory from Melee to fall back on with Smash Ultimate, the Switch Pro-style gamepads are a perfect choice. These are standard DualShock or Xbox-style controllers. They have considerably better sticks, buttons, and proper triggers compared to the joy cons. You’re missing the Hexagon gating on the second stick and some purists have issues with the sticks. However, the Switch Pro Controller is definitely a top contender for the best controller for Smash Ultimate.

Wired Pro Style Controllers

The Switch Pro Line is Nintendo’s take on the premium Switch gamepad, but it’s not the only choice. Similar controllers in the traditional gamepad style will work fine. For third-party controllers, look for a proper wired connection, and a decent utility for sticks and buttons. The best controllers for gaming all hit these.

Sticks and Pads

Controllers aren’t for everyone. While it might seem strange to use a fight pad arcade set-up for Smash, many pro-Smash players have managed it. If you have more experience in the other fighting games, sticking with something like this can work if you get creative with your inputs.