Customer Ratings & Reviews

As someone who loves the Switch Pro controllers, I was excited to see how this officially licensed controller from PDP/Turtle Beach compared. Turns out, if you don’t need the rumble you get with the official Nintendo controllers (Joy-cons and the Pro controller), then you may be better off saving yourself some cash and picking up one of these Afterglow controllers. In the box you’ll get the controller and a USB-A to USB-C cable to charge the controller. There is no user manual in the box, rather there’s a small QR code on the back of the controller that is supposed to link you to a user manual, however I didn’t have luck reaching the site when I tried scanning it. I ended up pulling up the manual with a quick google search. I charged the Afterglow completely before its first use. The controller’s lights will illuminate from red (low charge), to green (medium charge), to white indicating a full charge. Once charged up I connected it to my switch and immediately changed the LEDs to a nice cool shade of blue. You can set it to any color you’d like, or have it flow through them all. Then it was time to fire up some Donkey Kong Country, followed up by some Mario Kart, and a little bit of Super Mario Odyssey. Overall, I had not a single issue with this controller. It performed essentially as well as the Pro controller I’m used to. One thing I did notice off the bat is that the Afterglow feels lighter to me than the Pro controller, so do with that info what you will. Also, a feature the Afterglow has that the Pro controller does not is mappable buttons on the back of the controller. I haven’t set these up yet, but I like that I have the option.

Initial Inquiry & Decision: As a Nintendo fan, I was excited to upgrade my gaming experience with an officially licensed controller compatible with Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, OLED, and even Nintendo Switch 2 (minus the C Button). Custom RGB lighting, long battery life, and motion controls seemed perfect for my setup. Unboxing, Build Quality, & Testing: The controller looked fantastic, featuring eight RGB zones and a comfortable, ergonomic grip that felt great for long play sessions. Wireless connectivity was solid, and the rechargeable battery provided plenty of playtime. Motion controls and the quick-action mappable buttons added a lot to games like Mario Kart and Mario Party, making gameplay more immersive and personalized. The vibrant lighting really made my gaming space pop. However, I quickly ran into a major issue—stick drift. After just a few sessions, the analog stick started registering movement even when untouched, making precise control nearly impossible. This was disappointing, especially from an officially licensed product. Ultimately, the stick drift became too distracting and frustrating, forcing me to return the controller despite its many appealing features. Overall Impressions and Recommendation: While this controller offers fantastic lighting, comfort, and versatile features, the annoying stick drift seriously undermines its usability. Returning the controller was disappointing, and I wouldn’t recommend it unless build quality issues are resolved. Gamers should look elsewhere for a reliable controller experience.

Love this controller! The RGB lights look awesome and give it a unique vibe compared to the standard Switch controllers. It connects wirelessly with no issues, feels solid in the hands, and the buttons are responsive. Battery life has been good so far, and the purple color really pops. Great option if you want a reliable controller with some style.

This is the controller you want to buy if you're looking for an alternative to Joy-Cons. I'm not a gamer, I'm a dad that plays every now and then with the kiddos. The weight and size of this controller is perfect for adult hands and my kids prefer using the PDP controller over the Joy-Cons and the PowerA controller we have. The battery life gives us hours of gaming. The waves are a bit bright but you only notice them if you're not holding onto the controller. I would highly recommend the PDP controller over the Joy-Cons and PowerA, however, some games, like Mario Party, require users to use Joy-Cons. You may pay a little more for this controller but it's worth it. When you find a deal, don't hesitate and buy the PDP controller.

Great controller overall! My kid absolutely loves it... the design is fun and eye-catching, and it’s been a hit right out of the box. The buttons feel responsive, and the controls are smooth and accurate during gameplay. It connects easily and has been reliable so far with no issues. Comfort-wise, it fits well in smaller hands but still feels solid enough for longer play sessions. Definitely a great option if you’re looking for something that performs well and keeps kids excited to play.

This control is so aesthetically pleasing, I love the rgb lights. Also, it doesn’t have drift and is very easy to use!

This was my first controller of this type that I've used with my Nintendo Switch and I was looking forward to seeing how it compared to my other controllers. Pros: - The set-up for this controller is made to be very simple. There is a QR code on the back of the controller itself that takes you to set-up instructions that are very helpful. The instructions provide great detail for getting the controller connected, customizing the lighting features, and programming the controller buttons. - The controller is rechargeable so you don't have to keep replacing batteries. You just charge it up every so often via USB-C. - Being able to customize the controller buttons is always a great feature for gamers that like to personalize their game play, or even gain an advantage in multiplayer games. Cons: - The controller didn't feel as comfortable in my hands as other controllers with this design type. - The extra buttons on the underside of the grip constantly get clicked accidentally. While I am able to disable them from doing anything, it's still annoying to be clicking buttons non-stop with my middle/ring fingers on both hands during regular gameplay. Overall, I liked the precision of the joysticks and responsiveness of the controllers buttons. The only thing I was not a fan of was the placement of the extra buttons and the overall grip feel, partly due to those buttons. Despite these concerns, it's still an excellent game controller.

The PDP Afterglow Wave Wireless Pro Controller with Motion is… okay. I cannot say that it will ever be my favorite controller. It works….mostly. The glow effect is pretty. The additional buttons on the back of the controller got in my way and I eventually turned them off. But, hey, if you need an extra controller for a game night and the price is right, it does work. However, this will never replace the original Pro as my controller of choice. Setup: Inside the box, you get the controller and a short USB-C to USB-A cable for charging. You will not be able to reach the cable from your console to your controller very easily if you want to charge and play. When you plug the controller in to charge, the controller will glow red while charging and the lights will glow green once charging is complete. Experience: It took me a bit to get used to the controller. Buttons are a bit mushier than I expected. The directional sticks are rougher and feel a bit higher than I am used to. D-Pad works well. The home, screenshot, start, and select buttons are flipped a bit from the standard controller. I thought I noticed a bit of drift on idle, but I could not replicate it enough to say for certain there was a problem. I am assuming there is no Amiibo support as I could not get Amiibos to work. The big selling point is the lights and the buttons on the back. I did not care for the buttons in the back as they just got in the way. The ability to map those buttons to macros might have been more useful, but the function button customization is so clunky it took me forever just to get the buttons turned off. Using the function button and the d-pad to adjust the lighting effects was a much simpler process. I wish there were an application or game in the Nintendo store that allowed one easier access to lighting customization. There is no battery indicator for the controller from within the Switch interface that I could see. Official Nintendo controllers have battery indicators, but I guess you must hope for the best with the Afterglow Wave Wireless. Also, there is no rumble feature with the controller. Motion / Gyro controls work well enough. I was able to use the controls with Zelda: BotW and Immortals Fenyx Rising. Conclusion: It is impossible to talk about the PDP Afterglow Wave Wireless Pro without referencing the controller that the PDP Afterglow Wave is attempting to replicate. The Nintendo Pro is the better option. The PDP Afterglow Wave works as an additional controller to have around, but it will never be my go-to controller for the Switch. Maybe if PDP had forgone the buttons on the back and included Amiibo support, rumble functionality, and integrated software battery indicator, the controller would be an easier sell. As is, the controller is just “okay.” And hey, maybe that is good enough. I cannot say the experience is broken, but it just feels incomplete. 2.5/5

Decided to switch to a Mario controller. Good work!

A lot of third party controllers with sponsors are usually not the best working as they get stick drift pretty fast sometimes but this controller is perfect.

Super cool and sleek design. It fits great in your hand, so gameplay lasts longer. I don't get hand fatigued like I used to. The lights are super cool and changeable, which makes sitting in your living room in the dark playing a game a little extra.

Purchased as a Christmas gift and it was a huge hit. Love the lights, it works great, and my son is thrilled to finally have his own controller. Pairing was easy, and it came partially charged so he could play right away. Definitely recommend!

This controller is great. Lights up different colors and perfect to hold

Bought this for my son and he really loves it. It was easy to connect, works as expected and the lighting effects are really cool

The controller is a great mix of style and performance. The design with customizable RGB lighting looks amazing, and the ergonomic build is super comfortable for long gaming sessions. It pairs easily with my Nintendo Switch, offering responsive buttons and lag-free wireless connectivity. The customization options through the PDP Control Hub app are a nice bonus, letting you map buttons and tweak the lighting to your liking. Battery life is decent but could be better for extended play. Overall, it’s a solid controller that combines aesthetics and functionality. Highly recommend it!

The controller was quick to set up and easy to charge using USB-C. It quickly comnected to my Nintendo Switch and has 2 buttons on the back to map. The colors are fun also and my kids love using it.

Bought this as a gift for my wife. She loves using it! Says it fit her hamds very well, is easier to hold than the individual joycons, and tshe loves the color and lights. Our kids like the led lights so much we ultimately bought a second to avoid arguments.

Got this because I don't like the small controls on the switch. Very easy to connect and ergonomics are very good one this controller

Lightweight but durable. It lights up when in use and also when charging. It shows red when charging and green when it has full battery. Overall pretty good purchase.

Nice controller, a little bit getting used to with the colors. But it holds a nice charge, and was easy to connect to my switch.