When it comes to the Nintendo Switch and more recent Nintendo Switch 2, there have been a surprising number of game controller options for players. Unlike the old days where third-party options were relegated to the player who drew the short straw, many modern controllers do look rather good.
Aesthetic appeal is exactly what the Snakebyte GamePad S2 controllers radiate at first glance. Out the box and the S2 controllers complement the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware well. Sleek in form factor, with a layout that is comparable to the highly praised Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. The standard black model comes in a slick, contemporary finish, whilst the S2 RGB variant sports a transparent plastic look – harkening back to the translucent ’90s tech that millennials swear by. Yes, Nintendo, there is copious amounts of disposable cash that fans are willing to spend on a translucent accessory. Make it happen.
In a nutshell, it’s all there and ready for play when out the box, or is it? The initial setup is where the Snakebyte GamePad S2 controllers falter. It is a shame as, once they work, these can be a viable third-party alternative. First, they do not connect to the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware out the box. Yes, despite a badge saying “for Nintendo Switch 2”, they simply do not connect. Ah, there’s an included dongle in the box, perhaps that’s the issue? Nothing.
A firmware update is required to get the controller to hook up to the Nintendo Switch 2, to pair it, if you will. This isn’t uncommon in the world of accessories, especially when some manufacturers race to hit a launch window and may have physically produced the goods ahead of launch. It does make it a little tedious for those without a Windows computer or laptop, though. Right, firmware downloaded and both the controller and dongle updated. A little fiddly, but needs must. Still nothing. What the S2 setup guide doesn’t quite make clear is that the controller needs to be connected to the console with a cable before attempting a wireless connection and after the firmware update. Yes, it’s that specific.
Fortunately for this review, this specific process was done with one of the two test controllers. It’s cumbersome and it did eventually connect with no drops. For the other controller, though, a wireless connection attempt was tried before connecting the controller with a cable. Despite many resets (via a hidden button), firmware applications and wired attempts, the second controller did not want to play ball for an extended period. The connection would drop out mid-game (not ideal for online play) and there would be a significant amount of latency as the controller sits in a limbo period of trying to connect. The mixed connectivity is something a fair few users are reporting online.
There is some solace, though. The second controller did work eventually. It took a battery drain and recharge for it to come to its senses – connecting and maintained connectivity during a full play session. Crisis over. But for many consumers it’s an incredibly tedious and precise means of getting started. Some reports do suggest Snakebyte have plonked a sticker on the retail box, urging customers to download firmware first. But, be honest, how many of you actually read the box? Anyone? Bueller? Most players may well just open it and immediately try to just hook it all up.
An unaware gift-giver who spots the Snakebyte GamePad S2 controller could well mistake it for Nintendo’s official offering. The layout is similar, though borrows elements from the Xbox line with a circular button plonked dead centre. There are four standard face buttons, each with a satisfying “thock” as you press down, together with two hall-effect analogue sticks in an asymmetric formation. A slightly spongy d-pad, plus, minus, game chat and capture buttons round off the face layout.
Control sticks have been a particular gripe when it comes to the Nintendo Switch, and the hall effect style ones in the S2 are a positive for longer term use. It may not match the buttery highs of Nintendo’s own offering, but there’s a good amount of give, weight, and a slightly textured finish for extra grip. In most games, the sticks performed well – particularly ones where a rapid shift of direction isn’t required, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. In games with more demanding movement, like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, there were times where sticks registered a walk instead of a run. Not ideal. The d-pad is another mushy affair seen in a lot of similar controllers, including Nintendo’s. It’s not quite the fighting game companion, but it is present.
Along the back, the Snakebyte GamePad S2 controllers sport dual sets of shoulder triggers, the lower half set to analogue by default. The analogue triggers are smooth to the touch, with a good amount of resistance, though perhaps physically set a little bit too high. It can be especially noticeable in games like Mario Kart World, where a drift turn requires a little bit more pressure to activate. That said, the controllers do have the option to swap these out for a click trigger – a neat little toggle that turns the shoulder triggers into shoulder buttons instead. The trade-off, though, is that they end up feeling like the click of a computer mouse – so some trial and error maybe needed to discover the sweet spot per game.
To round off the controller specs – the S2 models sport a growing third-party controller trend: RGB strips. Yep, these things – especially the clear translucent variant – sport all the lights. There are a few modes and colour options to toggle through, and they do look neat. A dedicated turbo button, plus mapping features for the grip triggers, do boost the number of extras to the core functionality. The grip triggers can also be locked in place, too, for those who just don’t want to be reminded that they’re available or a misclick. Finally, there’s no gyro for motion control, nor an NFC reader – not out of the ordinary for budget controllers.
The Snakebyte GamePad S2 controllers also can be played via a wired connection (given the whole need to connect via a cable, it is a given) – for those wanting minimal input latency. It also hooks up to a computer as a controller easily, too. It’s a lot quicker to start to game on a computer than an actual Nintendo Switch 2. Go, figure!
