Early in December 2025, we reviewed the PlayTrek™ Travel Case. It was a charming case for your Switch 2 that boasted stylish lenticular Donkey Kong art and kept your fresh gear safe and secured. It also has a companion Switch Pro controller with the same lenticular design emblazoned across the face plate.
We’ve come a long way from the days of crappy, unreliable third-party controllers, but worry not! This one is licensed by Nintendo, ensuring their trusted level of quality. Feel like the cost of Switch 2 Pro Controllers is absurd? Why not find something somewhere in the middle with Turtle Beach’s Rematch wireless controller!
Rematch Donkey Kong Wireless Controller – Nintendo Switch
Manufacturer: Turtle Beach
MSRP: $59.99 USD
Turtle Beach’s Rematch wireless Switch Pro controller makes a strong first impression with the returning Donkey Kong graphics and cheeky cherry red accents seen in the analogue sticks. The button layout and form factor are almost identical, but with some minor changes that took me by surprise.
The sync button no longer hides next to the USB port; it’s now a noticeably larger, easier-to-press button on the front of the controller, sitting comfortably on the lower left of the right stick. It’s a smart position since you are very unlikely to press it by accident, yet you also won’t be scrambling for a toothpick or paper clip if you need to push it.
The overall feel of the build quality and plastics feels premium, on par with the likes of the standard Nintendo Switch Pro controller. The main difference is the glossy faceplate with the Donkey Kong lenticular graphic. Sadly, the lenticular effect is so shallow that it’s almost nonexistent. I wish it were stronger with a lot of depth.
The underside paddles bridge the gap of this being somewhere between a Switch Pro controller and a Switch 2 Pro controller; a Switch 1.5 Pro controller, if you will. Obviously, the rumble and gyroscope inside won’t be on the same caliber as the Switch 2 Pro, but the trade-off is something that costs almost half as much and is every bit as reliable. The paddles themselves work about as well as you’d hope and can be mapped for easy use.
The inputs are satisfyingly clicky and have a sumptuous spring that keeps buttons tapping nicely and loudly. The only irregularity is that the thumbstick bevel is steep and sharp, which feels like I’m riding my thumb on a round razor’s edge. It can feel especially raw when frequently pressing them in. These puppies needed to be rounder and not cut into my soft and squishy thumbs.
Apart from the handy paddle, the best feature about this controller is still the unparalleled battery life. Like all of the other Pro controllers Nintendo has been putting out since the Wii U, even with a modest charge time, these controllers last weeks.
While it may resemble a Switch 2 Pro controller and be compatible with the hardware, this is still a Switch 1 controller, so don’t expect to be able to turn on your Switch 2 from the couch. Aside from this minor quibble, you can’t go wrong with this affordable alternative.
The Rematch Donkey Kong Wireless Controller was reviewed using a review unit provided by Turtle Beach. You can find additional information about Niche Gamer’s review/ethics policy here. The Rematch Donkey Kong Wireless Controller can be purchased from Turtle Beach for $59.99.
