Nintendo has never been known for generosity when it comes to hardware pricing. The Switch 2 Pro Controller launched at $89 and has barely budged since. For context, the original Switch Pro Controller took years before retailers started shaving anything meaningful off its MSRP, and history appears to be repeating itself.
For Switch 2 owners who want a traditional gamepad feel without spending nearly $90, the timing on this deal is worth paying attention to.
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The $89 wall that Nintendo refuses to knock down
The Switch 2 Pro Controller sitting at $89 is not a surprise to anyone who has watched Nintendo hardware pricing over the years. What most players miss is that Nintendo rarely needs to discount its first-party accessories because demand stays consistent, especially with a console that has sold as strongly as the Switch 2. Joy-Con come in the box, sure, but they are tall, narrow, and not built for extended docked-mode sessions or multiplayer setups where you need extra controllers fast.
That $89 price point is a real barrier when you need a second or third gamepad for local co-op. Titles like Mario Kart World make that need obvious immediately.
PowerA Advantage drops to $17.99 for Prime Day
The PowerA Advantage Wired Controller for Switch 2 normally floats between $20 and $25 at retail. This week, Amazon has it down to $17.99 as part of its early Prime Day deals, which is its lowest price yet. That is a $22 discount off the $39.99 list price.
At under $20, the value math here is hard to argue with. You are spending roughly 80% less than the Pro Controller's MSRP. The tradeoff is real, but so is the savings.
What you actually give up (and what you keep)
Here's the thing: testing both controllers side by side makes the differences obvious immediately. The Switch 2 Pro Controller has a satisfying heft, soft-landing thumbsticks with tight tolerances, HD rumble, wireless connectivity, motion controls, and wake functionality. The navigation buttons sit exactly where your thumbs expect them.
The PowerA Advantage is lighter, noticeably more hollow in the hands, and the thumbsticks click louder with a looser feel. The navigation buttons have been moved to the bottom of the controller, which takes adjustment. There is no rumble, no wireless, no motion controls, and no wake support.
What the PowerA does bring that the Pro Controller does not: onboard button mapping, a headphone jack with volume controls and EQ settings, extra grippy side panels, and hall effect sticks that should resist drift better over time.
Who this deal actually makes sense for
Anyone building out a local multiplayer setup on a budget will find the PowerA Advantage at $17.99 genuinely useful. Four Pro Controllers would run you $356. Four PowerA Advantage controllers at this price comes to $72. That is a real difference for families, shared gaming setups, or anyone who just wants a spare controller for couch sessions.
The 8Bitdo Ultimate 2 at $69.99 and GameSir options sit in the middle ground if you want more features than the PowerA without paying full Nintendo prices. But neither of those are hitting sub-$20 right now.
For players diving into Switch 2 exclusives, check out our Switch 1 vs Switch 2 comparison guide for Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream to understand exactly what the hardware difference means for specific titles, which helps frame how much controller quality actually matters for your play style.
The PowerA Advantage is not a controller you buy because it is the best option available. You buy it because $17.99 solves a real problem, and for casual multiplayer or as a backup gamepad, it absolutely does that job. The Pro Controller remains the right call if budget allows. But at this price gap, the PowerA earns its place in the drawer.
For more Switch 2 hardware and accessory coverage, the gaming guides hub has everything you need to get the most out of Nintendo's latest console.
