Topic: Is the pro controller d-pad terrible?

I didnt notice this right away, it was after sometime playing other consoles and coming back to it. I play mostly platformers and shmups where the d-pad is fundamental. I feel that i need to press quite hard so when running right for eg it gets quite sore on the thumbprint but also the strain on the thumb/hand. Not when i play platformers or shmups on the switch i use the mayflash and plug in the 360 or xb1 controller. I have not used another switch pro controller so it might be something wrong with mine. I loved the wii u pro controller, no problems there. I heard that the xenoblade pro controller had an improved d-pad, can anyone share thoughts on this?

Ive read this complaint but I either got lucky or something but I even try to get the wrong inputs on Zelda or Street Fighter 2 and I cant up is up down is down left is left and right is right

I have the Splatoon pro controller and I don't have the same problem. However on my pro controller, sometimes when I press left or right, the up button also gets pressed somehow, which can be annoying for certain games.

I've used my brother's pro controller and it was awesome all-around.

Everyone has their opinion but yet none wants to re-design or make one. This is what I find amazing.

Really based on what? So unless you were part of their QC team don't make baseless assumptions here.

They you left out Keyboard as primary input devices along with mice-example. If this is your mindset you shouldn't play any console device be it xbox, ps, vita, 2DS/3DS and NS because they are all bad.

What...?

You seem to have misunderstood their post. Or maybe took it a bit too personal.

Goes to the old adage don't like it don't use it. Plain and simple enough here. Doesn't get more simple then this.

Terrible, no. The D-pad is far from terrible.
I have used far, far worse D-pads than the Switch Pro controller. I have noticed no real problems with the Switch Pro controller.
However, I do prefer things to be symmetrical. So I prefer the layout of the Wii U Pro controller because the the analog sticks are in line. Same with the D-pad and the 4 buttons are in line. This would be the same with the PS3/4 controller, but flipped. But the even though I prefer controllers to be symmetrical, I find the Switch Pro controller to be just fine for gaming.

My Switch Pro D-pad is pretty crap, worst one Nintendo have ever put out by quite some margin and there are countless others who would back that up. Just Google the words Switch Pro D-pad and you'll find numerous complaints, how to fix videos etc. It's fine for some games but games like shooters, fighting games, overhead RPG it's bad. Push U/D/R/L and 30% of the time you'll get a diagonal direction. Even navigating the Eshop with it is a challenge. Easy way to check, just rock the D-pad slightly within the Eshop and see where it takes you.From what I understand though this issue has since been fixed with newer models. Plus many with older models seem to be happy with theirs, but the issue was widespread and the fact Nintendo have now fixed it shows it was an issue. I love the controller otherwise but for retro games I bought an 8bitdo SF-30 Pro and it's superb. Far better D-pad that the Switch Pro

My PC D-pad isn't bad at all in my opinion. It's not the best ever - (I think the GC Wavebird is the best) but it works. Mind you, I don't play a lot of fighting games, but I do play games that use it a lot. And I don't hate it.

Not discounting the possibility that some games might need a better one. But also, it's one flaw in an otherwise beautiful controller.

I have 3 Pro-controllers(standard, Spla2oon, Xeno) and have had no issues, but I don't use the d-pad on them all that much. If you dislike it, I highly suggest the 8bitdo Pro-controller for Switch(it also works with PC and android)

IMO, the Wii U Pro Controller will go down in gaming history as the best controller hardly anyone used. Great all-around controls, ridiculously light and comfortable, and 80 hours of play off of a single charge.

I didn't like the first iteration of the Wii Classic Controller but enjoyed the remake with the handles. That said, in my opinion, the Wii U Pro is better than the Wii CC in every way.

I'm not sure if there's a psychology thing happening here, but I didn't even notice my d-pad was hokey until this thread popped up. Why did y'all do this to me.

Maybe because a lot of gamers don't have an education in circuitry, electronic manufacturing, and product design? And even then, for more people who do it's not worth the time/effort/money/headache to do it. For me, even knowing the process you'd have to go through and not even the minutia of it, I wouldn't go near this endeavor with a 10ft pole.

It is by far the worst d-pad Nintendo has ever made, which is ironic since it’s also the most expensive controller Nintendo has ever produced. At such a premium price, everything should be top notch.

For all my 2D platformers I use the SF30 Pro, which has an outstanding d-pad, HIGHLY recommended!
I will also buy a Hori arcade stick in the future, for fighting games and shmups.

I tend to agree, it's a seriously underappreciated controller. Though I will say the Switch Pro Controller improves on it in most aspects. I don't like the Switch Pro Controller's D-Pad quite as much for sure but the inclusion of Motion Controls, improved rumble, NFC and moving from Micro-B to Type C? All positive steps forward.

.... but the Wii U Pro Controller is still my go-to controller for games that warrant a controller on PC

@Burning_Spear
If you read my post above, you will know that I would completely agree with your opinion that the Wii U Pro controller is the best. It is by far my favorite dual analog controller. I only wish the Wii U Pro controller had motion controls.

But about the Switch Pro controller, I have never had any issues that others are describing about the D-pad not working properly.
I even did what another poster said and I went to the eShop menu and pressed U/D/L/R and I had no errors at all. It did exactly what I wanted it to do. Maybe I got a good one, but I did not experience the problems.

If it was possible to use the Wii U Pro on Switch without an adapter I probably wouldn't have bothered with the SF-30 Pro. Or if I did buy it it would have been for the novelty factor. Glad I did though as I've grown really attached to it! The Wii U Pro had a great D-pad and as others have said the battery life is phenomenal. As well as the extra features it has I do like the weight and the build quality of the Switch Pro better though, it feels like a real premium controller.Shame about the D-pad, otherwise it would be my all time favourite.

@Yorumi Yep that would have been a great option to have. I believe the Xbone One Elite controller has that option? It has swappable something anyway. It can't be that Elite though as my mate dropped it from bed height and it broke.

I know there is a Hori controller that can do that so it can't be something that's expensive to implement.

Do you think Nintendo will release any new colors/themes for the Pro Controllers this year?