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¶ A Note About The Controller Research Guide
If you don't see the controller you own in the list at the bottom of this page, please check to see if it's in the Controller Research Guide. Our Controller Research Guide is a comprehensive database of Nintendo Switch first and third-party controllers; if you have a question about a controller, it's very likely the Guide will be able to answer it.
¶ Welcome
Welcome! If you’re here, you’re probably asking yourself "what controller should I use to speedrun this game?" With this Research Guide, we hope to provide the information you need to make an informed decision.
Please post in the help-and-troubleshooting forum on the Metroid Dread Speedrunning Discord server if you have any questions or concerns.
It is the responsibility of the runner to ensure that they are using a legal controller and turbo speed setting in their runs. If a run is found that is breaking the cap, regardless of the reason, that run will be removed from the leaderboard. Options for self-verifying turbo speed can be found here.
¶ Legend
✅ Recommended Controller (learn more)
💚 Budget Pick (learn more)
🧲 Controller has Hall effect sensor analog sticks
⭐ Granular (fully adjustable) turbo function
🎯 Controller has exceptionally accurate analog sticks (fine tracking, minimal snapback, no jitter, 3% circularity error or less)
⏬ Requires firmware downpatching for optimal turbo
Controller is subject to shot fire throughput falloff that brings its average fire rate under the leaderboard cap
¶ List of allowed controllers
Last updated December 21, 2024
If your controller is not listed here, please look for it in the Controller Research Guide before submitting controller feedback to the Discord Server.
- All non-turbo controllers
- All turbo controllers where the turbo is turned off
- All turbo controllers not on this list where the raw beam fire rate is less than 21Hz as measured using frame counting
- 8BitDo Pro 2 ✅⏬
- 8BitDo Pro 2 Hall Effect Edition
- 8BitDo SN30 Pro+
- 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller (BT Turbo Boost not allowed)
- 8BitDo USB Wireless Adapter 2
- Binbok / Doyoky YS32
- Binbok / Doyoky YS32-2 ✅🧲🎯💚
- CEHENSY 8592 💚
- CuleedTec Wireless Switch Controller
- EasySMX Bayard 9124 Pro 🧲
- EasySMX ESM-9110
- EasySMX X10 Mechanic Master (slow speed setting ONLY) 🎯✅
- ELISWEEN Wireless Switch Controller (slow and medium speed settings ONLY)
- EUROA Wireless Pro Controller (slow and medium speed settings ONLY)
- FlyDigi Vader 3 Pro (allowed speed settings: custom values from 1-22Hz ) 🧲⭐
- FlyDigi Vader 4 Pro, Bluetooth Mode (allowed speed settings: all speed settings ) 🧲⭐
- FlyDigi Vader 4 Pro, Wired USB (allowed speed settings: custom values from 1-21Hz ) 🧲⭐
- FunLab Firefly ✅🎯
- HORIPAD Wired Controller ✅💚
- HORIPAD+ Wired Controller
- HORI Split Pad Compact Joycons
- Hyperkin Nuchamp
- Isenpenk GYCHEE Switch Controller
- KMD Wired Pro Controller with Turbo
- KMD Wireless Pro Controller with Turbo, Wired USB Mode (slow and medium speed settings ONLY)
- KMD Wireless Pro Controller with Turbo, Bluetooth Mode (all speed settings )
- MOBAPAD M9-HD Wireless Switch Controller 🎯
- NYXI Chaos Pro, Bluetooth Mode (all speed settings ) 🧲⭐
- NYXI Chaos Pro, Wired USB Mode (allowed speed settings: "Slow", "Medium", "Fast", custom values from 1-20Hz) 🧲⭐
- NYXI Hyperion Pro, 🧲
- Sefitopher Wireless Switch Controller (slow and medium speed settings ONLY)
- Terios T17 Wireless Pro Controller
- Terios T23 Wireless Pro Controller
- Terios Winkey 🧲
- ThinkUp HY-6215 Adapter
- Zakgbxbig Wireless Switch Controller
These controllers have been recommended by the Controller Research Guide. Learn more.
"Best-in-Class" controllers are the best controllers you can buy at that pricing tier. They may or may not be recommended, but each controller should have at least slightly positive sentiment. All prices are in United States Dollar (USD).
¶ Less than $25
- All form factors: Binbok / Doyoky YS32-2
¶ $25 - $40
- All form factors: FUNLAB Firefly
¶ $40 - $50
- "Pro" form factor: EasySMX X10 Mechanic Master
- "Dual Shock" form factor: 8BitDo Pro 2 Hall Effect Edition
- "Joycon" form factor: HORI Split Pad Compact Joycons
¶ $50 - $70
- All form factors: FlyDigi Vader 3 Pro
¶ More than $70
- All form factors: FlyDigi Vader 4 Pro
"Recommendation" comes with a high bar to clear, as it requires at least three community members to achieve. These controllers are not officially recommended, but they have been tested by at least one person in the community who found them to have no major defects.
These controllers have demonstrated poor construction and operation according to at least one community member.
¶ Wanted Board
We're looking for more information on these controllers:
- EasySMX T-37 (and variants)
- GuliKit KingKong 3 Max
- HORI Split Pad Pro
- Mytrix MTNSPC-M01 Hall Effect Controller
- NexiGo Hall Effect Controller
- NexiGo Potentiometric Controller
¶ Turbo Speed Cap Information
¶ Current Turbo Speed Caps
Last updated December 21, 2024
| Feature | Max Hz |
|---|---|
| Boss Rush | 21Hz or less |
| New Game / Continue | 21Hz or less |
| Competitive Randomizer | 21Hz or less |
| Boss Rush Practice ILs | 21Hz or less |
¶ Restricted Turbo Tricks
Last updated December 21, 2024
There are currently no restricted turbo tricks.
¶ Frequently Asked Questions
¶ Is there an easy way to compare the turbo speeds of multiple controllers?
¶ Where can I view a history of turbo governance decisions?
Check out the Governance section of the wiki.
¶ If a controller has both a wireless mode and a wired mode, which one produces faster turbo?
It depends on the controller. For most controllers that are manufactured and programmed well, there is usually no difference. However, for certain controllers that suffer from Bluetooth packet loss, the wired mode produces more stable turbo, allowing a controller with an inconsistent fire rate in wireless mode to better approach its manufacturer-tested fire rate in wired mode.
In addition, research indicates that the shorter the USB cable, the more consistent the turbo, so if you are having trouble with inconsistent turbo speed, try switching to wired mode with a short cable, less than 3ft/1m.
¶ Can other Bluetooth devices interfere with a controller's turbo function in wireless mode?
Certain lower-latency Bluetooth devices, such as speakers, have been known to interfere with the turbo functions of the following controllers:
- 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller [source]
- Terios WINKEY
In the case of the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller, the Hz of the turbo function was boosted from its normal 16.8 Hz all the way to 20Hz.