Steam beta adds support for the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

By Gabe Gurwin May 3, 2018

Switch Pro Controller

Steam already gives you several options when it comes to game controllers, including Xbox and PlayStation gamepads, but if you have your heart set on using Nintendo’s Switch Pro Controller, instead, it’s your lucky day.

If you have opted into the Steam client beta, you now have the ability to enable Switch Pro Controller support in the “controller settings” section of Steam. Additionally, if you prefer to keep the swapped-button layout of the Switch controller instead of the format used by the Xbox and other generic gamepads, there is a “use Nintendo button layout” option on this page.

Once this is done, all you have to do is connect your Pro Controller to your PC. Register it to your account, and you can also calibrate its internal gyro sensor in order to make it more accurate for PC games. You can fully remap the buttons based on the games you play, and preset configurations designed by the community are available as well.

“We think [the controller] is a great device with a great feature set that pairs nicely with your Steam catalog,” the Steam controller team said in an update post. “The d-pad is ideal for fighting games and platformers and your gyro enhances aim in your action [and] first-person shooter titles.”

The d-pad is certainly more reliable than the one on the Xbox One, which can be a little imprecise to handle the delicate movements needed in fighting games, and the subtle motion controls seen in games like Splatoon 2 could be great enhancements to PC games. The controller’s “triggers,” however, are much less springy than those on either the Xbox One controller or the PlayStation 4 controller, making it a less-than-ideal choice for shooters.

If you don’t have a Nintendo Switch, the Pro Controller probably isn’t the best choice for your PC games. Its $70 price tag is higher than its competitors, and though its battery lasts longer than the PlayStation 4’s DualShock 4, it can’t hold a candle to the Xbox One. If you don’t like any of them, you can always try the Steam Controller, which makes use of trackpads in addition to an analog stick.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…

Gaming

Fortnite Artifact Axe: how to destroy stones and best location

Animated image showing Fortnite Artifact Axe

Anyone who plays Fortnite long enough will come to love its yearly summer festivities, and as usual, this year's Summer Escape Event has proven to be a great time for players looking to engage in fun quests and earn new cosmetics. This week provides a new quest that tasks you with destroying 10 stones in battle royale mode, which offers you the reward of a new harvesting tool known as the Artifact Axe. If you're wondering what qualifies as a stone and how to destroy them, we'll give you the details below.
How to destroy stones in Fortnite to earn the Artifact Axe
First of all, you've probably hidden behind some of these stones before because, well, the game is actually just referring to the large rocks you can find scattered all across the map. Some are larger than others, but they're all easily identifiable and can be destroyed by smacking them repeatedly with a harvesting tool. In other words, you're quite likely to run across plenty of them playing naturally, especially if you spend any time in forests or along the coast.

If you're wanting to know of a spot that will help you knock the quest out quicker, you can try heading to the beach to the south of Kenjutsu Crossing at the bottom of the map.

Gaming

The best indie games for 2023

darkest dungeon ii preview 2 storms early access

The best indie games push the boundaries of what's possible in a video game. From party experiences like Among Us to wonderfully unique narrative adventures like Lake, there's an endless sea of excellent indie games to choose from. Sorting through the massive pile is a chore, though, which is why we rounded up the top indie games you should play in 2023.

From gritty detective dramas to farming simulators, there's an indie game for everyone. If you're shopping for a specific platform, make sure to read our dedicated guides:

Gaming

The best Nintendo Switch games for adults

bayonetta

At first glance, the Nintendo Switch seems like a kid's system. The platform has, historically, been considered for children. However, as Nintendo has grown, so has its fan base. The company has worked to change this perspective and try to garner adult viewership. They've primarily done this by focusing on creating games and bringing in ports that focus on adult audiences.

Although the system may not have all the capabilities of the PlayStation or Xbox, the Nintendo Switch can still bring any adult joy. Adults can, and should, pick up the switch, not just for its portability but also for the awesome games you can play. If you're looking for a more grown-up-centered game for your Nintendo Switch, you've come to the right place!