I put off buying these things for way too long. For years I have loathed playing the Switch in handheld mode because the joy-cons were uncomfortable to play with for more than ten minutes. I purchased other, bulkier solutions, such as the zen grip and one of those gamecube style slip in grips.
I found that the zen grip was comfortable, but too bulky for travel, and left these little smears on the back of my switch where the rubber bumpers rubbed. The gamecube style grip was fine, but even bulkier and absolutely shredded my thumbs. Neither were dockable (which gets to you after a while) and neither were good in terms of space saving while traveling, which I do a lot.
Enter the Split Pad Compact. To put it bluntly, I'm in love with these things and I've easily played my Switch in handheld for hours with them.
HORI has always had a very tight relationship with Nintendo. Their products have the Nintendo seal of approval and HORI has generally made the kinds of accessories Nintendo wouldn't make themselves but at the same level of quality.
As such, I find the feel of these things incredible. The sticks feel satisfying and the buttons are all the right amount of clicky. The stick length is somewhere between the original joy-con and the pro controller so that it's satisfying to use. The shell is lightweight but not cheap and hollow feeling like so many other options. The ergonomic grip hits the sweet spot between comfort and bulkiness. I will have no problem slotting this thing into my luggage or pulling it out on a flight. I immensely appreciate that I can just slide my switch into my dock with no hassles and I like the look of them overall.
As to the effectiveness of the added rear buttons, they are easily assignable and relatively easy to access (even if I can't train my brain to use them). I personally have no use whatsoever for turbo functionality, but it seems to be fine.
I can't speak to how these compare to the Pro models other than what I've seen, but I personally prefer the medium-sized sweet spot of this design. In my opinion the Compact model gives the Switch a much more portable and slim profile. I also am not a fan of the rubber buttons on the Pro model, as rubber tends to break down as it ages, resulting in sticky, oily feeling buttons.
My only minor gripe is that the color schemes on offer are a little bit weird. The colors don't really fit in with the bright, poppy look of the Nintendo Switch brand. In fact, you might mistake a Switch equipped with these for some kind of PC based handheld at first glance. I understand that Japan got a plethora of different choices and designs, and I hope HORI considers bringing these to America (even if it's too late for me).
For anyone looking to travel with their Switch, I recommend also picking up the Tomtoc slim case designed to accommodate these along with the switch.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Add to your order
-
Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary) -
24/7 support when you need it. -
Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
Cover this product:
2-Year Protection $5.99
3-Year Protection $7.99
Cover all of your eligible devices:
Asurion Complete Protect: One plan covers all eligible past and future purchases (Renews Monthly Until Cancelled) $16.99/month
Select a plan
Add to your order
- Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary)
- 24/7 support when you need it.
- Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
Cover this product:
Select a plan
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Frequently bought together
$58.57
Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16
In Stock
Nintendo Switch
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the manufacturer
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
0:16
Click to play video
HORI Nintendo Controllers Cases Pokemon Eevie Gengar
Tiffany
Videos for this product
0:44
Click to play video
Review for Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Controller
Tyanna
Videos for this product
1:08
Click to play video
WOW! Complete Changes the SWITCH! Comfort for HOURS!
Daniel Romero
Videos for this product
0:46
Click to play video
Nice Joy Cons to Upgrade Your Gaming Experience
Jacque H
Videos for this product
1:22
Click to play video
Review of Nintendo switch split pad pro
Suzette and Jacob
Reviews with images
Compact Pika 🥰
***NOTE: These are strictly for handheld mode use only. It has no internal battery for wireless (is why they are so light weight), no hd rumble or any rumble, no gyro and no amiibo functions. Home button is also finicky when it comes to waking up the Switch from sleep mode.***Hori products offers great 3rd party officially licensed Nintendo products! Been buying their stuff for previous devices like DS and PS Vita.These controllers are a slightly slimmer version of Hori Split Pad Pro which are also my favorite for playing in handheld mode when it comes to the Nintendo Switch. These can only be played in handheld mode as they don’t have internal batteries to play wirelessly.I find regular Switch joycons causes fatigue, hate the analog on them and I always need a full body grip to use them more comfortably. The Hori Split Pad controllers both Pro and Compact have solved a lot of my issues with the official Nintendo joycon controllers. Other third parties just can’t compare to the Hori controllers quality, even if some say they feel cheap due to how light weight they are. They don’t have dead zones when it comes to the analog sticks!These are lightweight with backstand “nubs” on each controller to help counteract the weight of the device as you play. Removing these backstand “nubs” will cause a slight dipping when you hold the whole Switch unit as one. So removing them would defeat the purpose of these nubs, I highly suggest keeping them as they are to prevent the controllers from snapping off the Switch controller rails.The controllers are responsive with assigned key buttons you can keybind yourself. Just remember that you can’t cross keybind between the controllers meaning if you want X button on the right controller it can only be assigned to that controller, not to the left. Wish Hori would find a work around for this in the future.I haven’t had any stick drift on my Hori controllers both Pro and the white/yellow Compact versions that released way before these Pokémon themed ones. The buttons on these Compacts are more mushier than the Pro versions which I still very much like as I like clicky and mushy buttons. So it’s all personal preference.I love anything Pikachu and was so happy this version released in USA. The matching Hori Pouch also fits with these controllers attached to the OLED version. The print on the controllers are nicely detailed while being toned down vs the more bold themes of the Pro versions. Here’s hoping they don’t fade with use overtime.A tad overprice when you can easily buy a Nintendo Switch Pro controller for a bit more, but again it’s great for handheld users like myself :)
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023
Color: (Light Gray & Yellow)Size: (Light Gray & Yellow)Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024
Color: (Light Gray & Yellow)Size: (Light Gray & Yellow)Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024
Color: (Apricot Red)Size: (Apricot Red)Verified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Semiramis
Excelente calidad
Reviewed in Mexico on May 4, 2024Color: (Sonic the Hedgehog Edition)Size: (Sonic the Hedgehog Edition)Verified Purchase
Ricardo h
Buen. Producto
Reviewed in Mexico on April 20, 2024Color: (Apricot Red)Size: (Apricot Red)Verified Purchase
Jackie Rooibos
So pretty and nice to use!!
Reviewed in Canada on March 30, 2024Color: MulticolorSize: (Gengar)Verified Purchase
Jackie Rooibos
Reviewed in Canada on March 30, 2024
Images in this review
Wanderlyn Cetauro Raposo Junior
Controle excelente
Reviewed in Brazil on February 28, 2024Color: MulticolorSize: (Pikachu & Mimikyu)Verified Purchase
Alonso L.
Excelente para jugar en portátil
Reviewed in Mexico on January 17, 2024Color: (Light Gray & Yellow)Size: (Light Gray & Yellow)Verified Purchase
