The Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2 arrives as a lower-cost alternative to the official Pro Controller, aiming to win back trust after Hori's disappointing Horipad for Steam. The controller delivers several welcome features, including anti-drift thumbsticks and programmable rear buttons, but its build and battery shortcomings prevent it from being a clear recommendation.

What You Need to Know

The Wireless Horipad Turbo costs $64.99, significantly less than the $89.99 Pro Controller. It includes anti-drift sticks, a turbo function, two remappable rear buttons, and a button lock switch. However, battery life is substantially shorter, the d-pad and triggers feel mushy, and there is no PC compatibility. These trade-offs make it a solid backup but not a primary controller for most players.

Feature Set and Build Quality

One of the most notable upgrades in the Wireless Horipad Turbo is the use of anti-drift thumbsticks, a direct advantage over the traditional analog sticks found in Nintendo's own Pro Controller. Hori also includes a robust turbo mode, two programmable rear buttons, and a lock switch that disables the Start, Select, Home and Capture buttons during gameplay. A dedicated GameChat button provides quick access to social sessions on Nintendo Switch 2.

  • Anti-drift sticks: Hall-effect sensors resist wear over time, unlike the Pro Controller's analog sticks.
  • Programmable buttons: Two rear buttons can be remapped to any face button input.
  • Button lock switch: Disables utility buttons to prevent accidental presses during intense play.

Build quality feels solid overall, and the controller is slightly larger than the Pro Controller, making it comfortable for bigger hands. Hori offers several colorways, including Black, Frost, Aqua, and themed editions based on Kirby and Super Mario.

Performance Drawbacks

There are several areas where the Wireless Horipad Turbo falls short. Battery life is the most glaring issue. Nintendo's Pro Controller lasts 40 to 50 hours on a charge, while Hori's controller requires far more frequent charging. The d-pad and trigger buttons feel mushy, which is particularly problematic for digital triggers in racing and action games.

Image credit: Future. In testing, the controller lacked the precision of the Pro Controller for competitive play, and the absence of PC compatibility limits its versatility. Gamers who want a single controller for Nintendo Switch, Steam, and other platforms will need to look elsewhere, such as the 8BitDo Pro 3.

Why This Matters

The Wireless Horipad Turbo matters because it highlights the trade-offs consumers face when choosing third-party accessories for new consoles. Nintendo Switch 2 owners now have a cheaper controller option that addresses some pain points like stick drift, but at the cost of battery life and control feel. This dynamic pushes buyers to decide between long-term durability and everyday performance. For Hori, the controller represents a partial recovery after the poorly received Horipad for Steam, but the remaining flaws suggest the company still has room to improve its design engineering.

The Bottom Line

The Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2 is a budget-focused controller that gets a surprising amount right. Anti-drift sticks and extra features make it tempting, but mushy controls and weak battery life keep it from greatness. It is best suited as a secondary controller for casual play or for players who prioritize stick longevity over all else.