Amazon Associates Program Disclosure
As an Amazon Associate, Kazazone earns from qualifying purchases.
The Switch is 8 years old. Zelda Tears of the Kingdom is still on it. Your Joy-Cons drifted 18 months ago, and you’ve been limping along pretending it’s fine. Stop pretending.
Three Switch controllers actually earn desk space in Saudi Arabia. Here they are.
Top Nintendo Switch Controllers in Saudi Arabia (2025): Pro vs 8BitDo vs Split Pad Pro
Nintendo’s Switch is the most handheld-friendly console in the world — and its controllers are the most accident-prone. Joy-Con drift is a generational bug. But when you pair a Switch with the right third-party pad, it becomes the best casual console in the house, ya salam.
Three controllers have stood out in KSA testing: Nintendo’s own Switch Pro, the enthusiast-favorite 8BitDo Pro 2, and Hori’s Split Pad Pro for handheld mode. Each for a different player.
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (299 SAR) is the default — best build, longest battery, and the one Nintendo warranty actually covers. Pay 399 SAR for 8BitDo Pro 2 if you want Hall-effect sticks (no drift forever) plus back paddles Nintendo refuses to add. Get the Hori Split Pad Pro (449 SAR) only if you play 90% in handheld — it replaces the Joy-Cons with full-size Xbox-sized grips. That’s the actual matrix, bas.
1. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
The Switch Pro Controller is what Nintendo should have bundled with every console from day one. Proper D-pad (unlike the 4-button mess on Joy-Cons), grippy ergonomic shell, 40+ hour battery life, NFC reader for Amiibo, HD Rumble, and a six-axis motion sensor for Zelda aiming. Available at Jarir, Amazon.sa, and noon at 299 SAR — watch for noon flash sales where it drops to 269 SAR.
In actual use, it’s the controller you use when Zelda Tears of the Kingdom needs 40 hours of your life. The grips fit adult Saudi hands (small, medium, and large), the D-pad actually feels like a D-pad for 2D Mario or fighting games, and Bluetooth pairing is Nintendo-simple. One click and you’re playing.
The elephant: Joy-Con drift can still happen on the Pro, though less frequently than Joy-Cons. Expect it around year 3 of heavy use. Nintendo KSA replaces drifting Joy-Cons for free within warranty (12 months); Pro Controllers they’ll repair for 150 SAR out-of-warranty. Less than a new one, at least.
- Real D-pad (finally)
- 40+ hr battery
- NFC for Amiibo
- Nintendo warranty in KSA
- Stick drift year 3
- No back paddles
- Only works on Switch (no Lite)
- Expensive at launch — wait for sales
| Connection | Bluetooth 3.0 / USB-C |
| Battery | ~40 hours |
| Special features | NFC (Amiibo), HD Rumble, Motion |
| Warranty KSA | 12 months (Nintendo KSA) |
You play Switch mostly docked, you want the reliable first-party option, and Amiibo support matters for your Splatoon or Zelda collection. This is the default Switch controller.
2. 8BitDo Pro 2
8BitDo Pro 2 is a love letter to the SNES controller shape with modern guts. Hall-effect analog sticks (zero drift), two customizable back paddles, a chunky D-pad that fighting game players swear by, a mode switch for Switch/PC/Android, and USB-C charging with ~20-hour battery. At 399 SAR on Amazon.sa it’s 100 SAR more than Nintendo’s Pro, and worth every riyal if drift scares you.
The 8BitDo Ultimate app lets you save three profiles, adjust stick sensitivity, and remap any button — including the back paddles to A/B for Smash players who live on shield grabs. Build quality is excellent: the SNES-inspired shell feels premium, buttons are clicky without being loud, and it survives Eid grandkid hand-offs.
Downsides for Switch use: no NFC reader, so Amiibo is out. HD Rumble support is slightly weaker than first-party (games fall back to standard rumble). Motion controls do work, but setup in some Switch games is finicky — you may need to recalibrate manually. Not a dealbreaker, but the stock Pro is more “plug and forget.”
- Hall-effect = no drift ever
- 2 back paddles
- Best D-pad for fighters
- Works on Switch, PC, Android
- No NFC (no Amiibo)
- Weaker HD Rumble
- ~20 hr vs 40 hr on Pro
- 399 SAR = 33% premium
| Stick tech | Hall-effect |
| Back paddles | 2 (remappable) |
| Battery | ~20 hours |
| Platforms | Switch / PC / Android |
You play Smash Bros or Tekken on Switch, you’re paranoid about drift, and you don’t care about Amiibo. Also cross-compatible with PC and Android for extra versatility.
3. Hori Split Pad Pro
If you play your Switch 90% undocked — on flights to Abha, at the majlis, in bed — the Joy-Cons are fine until they’re not. Hori Split Pad Pro solves this by giving you two large Xbox-style halves that slot where your Joy-Cons go. Suddenly your hands aren’t cramping during a 3-hour Tears of the Kingdom run. Worth every riyal of 449 SAR if handheld is your default.
The grips are genuinely excellent: a full-size D-pad on the left (finally), programmable back triggers, turbo buttons for grinding in Pokemon, and the shoulder buttons are proper Xbox/DualSense depth. Hori is a Nintendo-licensed manufacturer, so compatibility is bulletproof — no pairing quirks, no firmware updates, no surprises. It works.
Caveats: wired to the Switch (no Bluetooth for Split Pad Pro), no HD Rumble, no NFC, no motion controls, and no battery — it draws from the console directly. Also, it only works in handheld mode. Undocked only. If you mostly play on TV, get the Pro or 8BitDo and skip this entirely. Also: the Pad Pro makes the Switch too big for standard cases — you’ll need an oversized sleeve.
- Full-size grips end hand cramps
- Real D-pad + turbo buttons
- No battery = no charging
- Hori = bulletproof compatibility
- Handheld only (no TV docking)
- No HD Rumble, NFC, motion
- Makes Switch too big for cases
- Drains console battery faster
| Mode | Handheld only |
| Connection | Direct slot (Joy-Con rails) |
| Battery | None (draws from Switch) |
| Warranty | Amazon.sa Protection |
You play 90%+ in handheld mode, your hands hurt after 2 hours of Joy-Con use, and you don’t care about Amiibo or motion controls. Also great for Switch Lite owners who can’t use Joy-Cons separately.
Hidden Costs Saudi Switch Players Forget
- Joy-Con drift repair: 150 SAR at شارع الثمامة or Haraj Saudi sellers. Nintendo KSA is free in warranty, 280 SAR out.
- Oversized case: Hori Split Pad Pro doesn’t fit standard cases. Add 85 SAR for an oversized travel case.
- USB-C cable (Pro): Comes with a cable but it’s short. Long braided replacement: 45 SAR from Amazon.sa.
- Amiibo compatibility: If NFC matters, you can’t skip the Pro — 8BitDo and Hori lack it.
- Switch Online: 30 SAR/month or 140 SAR/year. Required for online play. Budget it.
Things Saudi Switch Players Should Know
Amazon.sa vs Jarir vs noon: Nintendo Pro at 299 SAR across all three — noon sometimes drops it to 269. 8BitDo Pro 2 is Amazon.sa near-exclusive. Hori Split Pad Pro at Amazon.sa and select Jarir locations.
Mada + STC Pay + Tabby: All accepted on Amazon.sa for Switch accessories. For 449 SAR Hori, Tabby’s 4× 112 SAR is useful.
Saudi summer and Switch batteries: Same as every lithium device — don’t leave your Switch in a hot car. At 45°C, battery degradation is permanent. Indoor-AC storage doubles lifespan.
Haraj resale: Nintendo Pro holds 65-75% value at 12 months (195-225 SAR used). 8BitDo Pro 2 holds ~50% (200 SAR) due to brand unfamiliarity. Hori Split Pad Pro holds 45% — niche product.
Warranty reality: Nintendo KSA honors 12 months on Pro. 8BitDo and Hori route through Amazon.sa Protection — slower but real. Save receipts.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you play docked or more than 2 hours in a sitting, yes — absolutely. Joy-Cons are fine for short Mario Kart sessions but cause hand cramps on longer play.
No — no NFC reader. If Amiibo matters, only the Nintendo Pro works. Or use Joy-Cons as NFC readers and play with Pro 2 simultaneously.
No. It physically plugs into the Switch’s Joy-Con rails — handheld only. If you want docked use, you need the Pro or 8BitDo.
شارع الثمامة shops replace the stick module for 150 SAR in 30 minutes. Or DIY with a replacement stick (65 SAR on Amazon.sa) if you’re handy with a triwing screwdriver.
Yes, via Bluetooth. Switch Lite supports pairing wireless controllers same as full Switch. Great option for Lite owners who hate the built-in controls.
8BitDo Pro 2 — the SNES-inspired D-pad is the best on any Switch controller. Smash players universally prefer it over the Pro.
As an Amazon Associate, Kazazone earns from qualifying purchases. When you buy through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep creating honest, independent reviews for Saudi gamers.
