Nintendo Life reviewer Ollie Reynolds has published a review of the CRKD Ult Pro Controller a $69.99 / €79.99 / £64.99 third-party gamepad compatible with the original Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. While the pad packs advanced hardware features like TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) analogue sticks and Hall Effect triggers, critical design flaws in its shoulder and bumper buttons severely hamper its performance.

Quick Facts

  • Price: $69.99 / €79.99 / £64.99
  • Compatibility: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2
  • Battery Life: Approximately 15 hours
  • Key Hardware: TMR analogue sticks, Hall Effect triggers, charging stand, and four rear buttons

Review Findings: The Positives

Reynolds noted that the CRKD Ult Pro Controller comes feature-packed for its price point. The TMR analogue sticks feature a convex shape with a thin gripping ridge, which the review found comfortable and reliable for preventing stick drift. The default circular D-pad was praised as quiet, accurate, and dependable for platformers like Super Mario World and action titles like Contra.

Additionally, the four rear mapping buttons received positive marks for usefulness in titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 or The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time though Reynolds pointed out that the exterior casing plastic feels a bit cheap and loud when clicked. Connection options include standard Bluetooth, a USB dongle stored inside the included charging dock, and a wired USB-A to USB-C connection.

Where the Controller Falls Short

The primary criticism in the review targets the shoulder and bumper buttons. While the controller allows players to adjust shoulder travel distance between short clicky inputs and full smooth triggers, Reynolds described the clicky, tactile option as 'horrible,' reporting that it feels spongy and weak, as if the internal mechanism might easily snap.

Furthermore, the extra bumper inputs ('L2' and 'R2') are positioned far too close to the main 'L1' and 'R1' buttons. This close spacing causes index fingers to accidentally cover both inputs at once, leading to unintended button presses. The reviewer also criticized the lack of bundled replacement grips, inadequate instruction manuals, and the absence of console wake-up support on Switch 2.