Advantage Wireless Controller for Switch 2 Review – Third Party Power

Advantage Wireless Controller for NS2 Review

While the Nintendo Switch 2 is an excellent console, it’s a bit on the pricey side. Games and accessories can really drain your wallet if you’re not careful. Thankfully, the  Advantage Wireless Controller from PowerA is a high-quality alternative that won’t empty out your bank account. I’ve spent a couple of weeks with this pad, and it performed quite admirably across the board. It’s not quite the perfect answer to the Pro Controller, but it’s pretty close!

The Advantage Wireless has all the bells and whistles you’d hope for in a Pro Controller. The thumbsticks are built with Hall Effect modules, so they’ll last longer. You’ve got the programmable pads on the back, so you can customize your input system to your exact specifications. Plus, the C button and motion controls are included. The only thing it’s really missing is the ability to wake up the Switch 2. I’ve tested several PowerA Switch controllers, and for some reason, none of them can do this. It’s pretty high on my third-party wishlist at this point.

Once in your hands, the Advantage Wireless feels pretty great. The weight of it is quite nice. I can’t speak to all the designs, but the one I was sent looks excellent. Mario and friends show up nice and crisp, but it’s the overall color scheme that really shines. The sticks, the buttons, and the faceplate are all done over in this warm, electric set of hues that look downright tasty. My one gripe is with the placement of the secondary buttons along the bottom.

Bold Button Choices

By that, I mean the +/- buttons, the home button, and the C button. They’re all in a row along the bottom of the controller. Gaming is mostly muscle memory after a while, and making changes to these inputs can really mess you up. I eventually got used to the configuration, but this meant I was equally flummoxed when I picked up a standard gamepad. Even when I was more accustomed to the layout, I still found myself looking down whenever I needed to hit those buttons. It felt a little too easy to hit the wrong one.

Setting aside that weird bottom row, the rest of the inputs on the Advantage Wireless felt just right. The thumbsticks were smooth and responsive, and the four face buttons had a satisfying click to them. The shoulder buttons also clicked with the right amount of resistance, which I appreciated. I can’t speak to the efficacy of the extra inputs (I famously never use them), but their placement feels natural, and they give that same satisfying click. What else could you really hope for?

That Satisfying Click

My one caveat with third-party gamepads is that the reduced price comes with its own cost. I’ve tested a lot of them over the years, you see. While PowerA rigs work beautifully, they tend to give up the ghost a tiny bit faster than first-party hardware. To be fair(!), even their cheapest models didn’t fizzle out for three or four years. The Advantage Wireless is maybe the nicest one I’ve tested yet. When you’re making a purchase like this, you’ve got some calculus to do. If you don’t have quite enough cash for the real deal, buying one of these gives you several years to save up the money required. To me, this is a perfectly reasonable trade-off, but you may feel differently.

Third-party gamepads are great for many reasons. Maybe you’re a little strapped for cash, or you’re looking for extra functionality. Or maybe you just like the designs better. Either way, PowerA’s Advantage Wireless Switch 2 controller has a lot to offer. The color scheme is excellent, the inputs feel great, and the price ain’t bad. Sure, the bottom row of buttons is somewhat baffling. And I simply can’t speak to the lifespan of this rig at this time. But as far as off-brand alternatives go, this controller is a pretty high-quality choice. Whatever your reasons may be, I can easily recommend the Advantage Wireless.

***A retail version of the product was provided by the manufacturer***