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Nov 03, 2024

The Best Zelda-Themed Controller Designs For Nintendo Switch - GameSpot

By Steven Petite , Darryn Bonthuys , and Brendan Hesse on October 31, 2024 at 7:00AM PDT GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from

By Steven Petite , Darryn Bonthuys , and Brendan Hesse on October 31, 2024 at 7:00AM PDT

GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

It's a great time to be a fan of The Legend of Zelda. The two most recent entries in the iconic Nintendo franchise couldn't be more different, yet each pushed the series forward in notable ways. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom garnered widespread acclaim for its unique spin on the classic formula, while Tears of the Kingdom set a new gold standard for the 3D side of the series. If you haven't played one or both of these gems, Woot has awesome limited-time deals you should consider before they expire at the end of the month.

Along with those terrific new games, there's also a ton of themed merchandise out there, including a huge lineup of Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch controllers to pair with your trips to Hyrule. We've rounded up a bunch of the coolest Zelda controllers that have released over the years below, including the Tears of the Kingdom Pro Controller and Hori Split Pad Pro, our favorite Switch controllers for docked and portable play, respectively.

Before we dive in, we should note that third-party Switch controllers do not have NFC, so you won't be able to scan Amiibo figures while using them. Some third-party controllers also drop motion controls and rumble--and none of them have "HD rumble" like Nintendo's official controllers. On the positive side, most of the third-party Zelda controllers on this list have remappable back buttons, which is more useful than the omitted features for many games.

$210

The Nintendo Switch Lite is a console, sure, but it's also a controller, which means it's necessary to lead this list off with the Hylian Edition Switch Lite, which released alongside The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom in September. It doesn't come with the game, but it does include one-year of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, which is notable because it unlocks access to the first 10 Zelda games--every adventure for NES, SNES, N64, and the Game Boy family.

Nintendo Switch Lite consoles typically come in a range of soft colors, but this model is going all in on a golden finish with a small Triforce below the right analog stick. The Hylian Crest is emblazoned on the back of the handheld.

If you'd prefer a Switch console you can use on the go and at home, then this is the one for you. The OLED model is the best Switch in Nintendo's current lineup, and with its Tears of the Kingdom-inspired finish, this one is an attention-getter as well. Like the Switch Lite, it has gold controllers, but with symbols from the game on the bottom half of each Joy-Con. These controllers are not sold separately, sadly.

Prices for this special-edition Switch OLED fluctuate, but you can usually still find it for around list price ($360). You can sometimes save money by opting for the Japanese version, which works the same, or a preowned model from Amazon Renewed.

The royal blue Skyward Sword Joy-Con controllers, on the other hand, were released as a normal two-pack for $80 in 2021 to celebrate the launch of the remaster. The eye-catching shade of royal blue matches the Link's Hylian Shield and the hilt of the Master Sword, and the inputs are surrounded by Zelda symbols. The Hylian Crest from the shield is imprinted on the left controller, while the Triforce from the Master Sword is on the right.

Like all special-edition Switch Joy-Con controllers at this point, the Skyward Sword-themed controllers are long gone at retail price. That said, if you're willing to pay a premium--over $100--you can find them on the reseller market with relative ease.

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller remains our top pick on our best Switch controllers list, and the Tears of the Kingdom-themed special edition offered fans the chance to get official themed accessories without buying the Switch OLED. Unsurprisingly, this controller is rarely available for its $75 retail price these days, so you'll need to shop on the reseller market. Like the Switch OLED, though, you can sometimes save by opting for an international edition or Amazon Renewed.

still a fantastic peripheral seven years after launch, and this Tears of the Kingdom version makes it look as good as it feels to use.

$20 ($28)

Hori's D-pad controller is a nifty addition to any Switch owner's controller collection, as it fixes a fairly significant problem with the default Joy-Con: the lack of a real D-pad. Nintendo's choice to not include a normal D-pad on the left Joy-Con controller actually makes sense: Multiplayer games can be played with single Joy-Con, so you and a friend can race in Mario Kart without needing to buy additional controllers. As a result, each controller needed four face buttons. Nice for multiplayer support, not so much for handheld gaming.

Hori's D-pad controller is exactly that: a single left Joy-Con with a D-pad. A handful of themes are available, including this Zelda one featuring a design that's on par with the Zelda Joy-Con controllers above. Keep in mind it only works in handheld mode, and if you use an ergonomic grip, like the one. below, there's a good chance it won't be compatible with that. Even though it's officially licensed by Nintendo, the Hori D-pad controller has a slightly different shape.

If you prefer playing your Switch in handheld mode but want a more robust, ergonomic grip, then you should look into Satisfye's ZenGrip and Ronin Grip accessories. Rather than being separate controllers, these grips attach onto the Switch while in handheld mode, adding extra space for holding the console without adding much extra weight. Satisfye offers unofficial Tears of the Kingdom-themed versions of its ZenGrip Pro 3 and Ronin Grip, which are the best ergonomic grips for Nintendo Switch. These significantly improve the ergonomics of the Joy-Con controllers.

Both grips have a gold and green color scheme with Tears of the Kingdom-esque patterns on the back. The Ronin has green front grips and the gold on the back, and the ZenGrip Pro 3 is the reverse. The Ronin is also available in a bundle with a matching black case adorned with symbols nodding to Tears of the Kingdom. Buying the Satisfye grip with a case is a good idea, because then you don't have to worry about packing your console and grip separately.

The grips are nearly identical in terms of feel, but the newer Ronin allows Switch OLED owners to access the console's built-in kickstand and can be docked. That said, we wouldn't recommend placing your Switch in the dock with the grip attached unless you have the Switch OLED. Nintendo updated the dock design for the OLED in several ways, including making it wider. The original dock offers too snug of a fit with the Ronin.

$49 ($60)

If you want to abandon your Joy-Con controllers altogether, Hori's Split Pad Pro replaces them with a more traditional controller design featuring larger, well, everything: handles, analog sticks, face buttons, and triggers. You'll also get a pair of rear triggers that can be remapped on the fly and a turbo button. Split Pad Pro controllers do not work wirelessly, so it's strictly for handheld mode. This version of the Split Pad Pro features Tears of the Kingdom key art.

While Switch grips and third-party controllers are great for playing in handheld more comfortably, you can also outfit your Joy-Cons with Zelda-themed Joy-Con grips while playing on your TV in docked mode. PowerA has multiple Zelda Joy-Con grips available, including models featuring Princess Zelda, Link, and the Master Sword.

$45

For a budget device, PowerA's wireless controller hits a sweet spot of form and function. It sports a blue and off-white color scheme with decals of Link's iconic Master Sword and Hylian Shield on the left hand grip, and a red Hylian crest in the center. It has a pair of remappable back buttons, but you won't get rumble, motion controls, or NFC for scanning Amiibo figures. The controller runs for roughly 30 hours on a pair of AA batteries. Yes, it's battery-powered, but hey, at least it comes with a pair of batteries.

$60

This PowerA wireless controller features Link on horseback on the left handle and Zelda praying on the right handle. Like the Sworn Protector controller above, it has remappable back buttons. It's a bit pricier because it adds motion controls and a rechargeable battery.

$65

Beware the Blood Moon! This wireless controller for PowerA captures a regularly dangerous phenomenon in Breath of the Wild while Princess Zelda looks on. This is part of the PowerA Enhanced series, so it has the same features as the Midnight Ride controller above.

$45

Part of PDP's Rematch Enhanced controller series, this Link-themed controller is cool because it glows in the dark. It also has a pretty nice feature list at this budget-friendly price: two remappable back buttons, 40 hours of playtime on a full charge, and a 30-foot wireless range.

$55

The Horipad has a slightly different shape than most third-party controllers with "traditional" designs, but this is one of the prettiest Zelda-themed controllers from a third-party manufacturer.

$18.80 ($24)

A classic quote in a classic controller design, this is a cute little peripheral for any Zelda veteran nostalgic for Link's 8-bit origins. Like the wireless PowerA controllers on this list, this retro-themed "Enhanced" controller has a pair of programmable back buttons

$28

Another option featuring Link in his iconic green tunic, the Valiant Link design is part of PowerA's Enhanced series, so it also has remappable back buttons.

$28

What if Vincent Van Gogh was alive and really into Nintendo games? You'd get a controller like this, as it definitely has a Starry Night motif to it. It's a wired model in PDP's Rematch series, but it has the same remappable back paddles as the wireless editions.

$27

Another controller you can consider if you're constantly losing yours, this budget option will glow fiercely when the lights are switched off.

$30

Sometimes the simplest design is the best, and this minimalist approach to making a controller look like it came from Hyrule is an effective piece of eye-candy. Just keep in mind that the "turbo" aspect of this controller is the trigger design. The triggers move more like shoulder buttons, so you can theoretically click them faster.

$28

Sure, it looks like it has a dinner plate design, but if you really like Breath of the Wild's cover art (who doesn't?), you can stare at it all the time. This PDP Rematch has the same features as the other wired models on this list.

$19 ($28)

Just complex enough in its design, this controller features Link staring off into the horizon while flanked by a gold and black background. Once again, this is a wired model in PDP's Rematch line, so you can remap the two back buttons on the fly.

Finally, you can never have too many protective cases for your Switch! These all feature lovely Legend of Zelda prints on them, as well as enough padding and durability to survive at least a moderate amount of turbulent travel.

Most of these cases retail for around $20, but many of them are discounted by a few bucks.