PowerA’s New Advantage Wireless Controller Brings Motion Controls to the Switch 2

The controller market for the Nintendo Switch 2 has been fairly barren when it comes to affordable third-party wireless options, but PowerA just watered that desert with its latest offering: a wireless version of the officially licensed Advantage controller. Building on the design of the wired model that made waves earlier this year, the new PowerA Advantage Wireless brings motion control support and a much-requested freedom from cables, while keeping most of the familiar ergonomics and quirks of its predecessor.

At first glance, you could almost mistake it for the same controller.

The form factor, button layout, and overall aesthetic are nearly identical. The key upgrade, of course, is its wireless capability – a major leap for players tired of tangling cords. PowerA claims up to 30 hours of playtime on a single charge, which is more than enough for marathon gaming sessions. The controller now includes motion controls, a feature many Nintendo fans consider essential for games that rely on tilting and gyro aiming. Interestingly, PowerA removed the dedicated Audio button found on the wired version but retained the familiar ‘PRGM’ button, used to remap the AGR back buttons located just beneath it.

At $69.99, this new model sits neatly between affordability and performance. It’s considerably cheaper than Nintendo’s own $89.99 Switch 2 Pro Controller but pricier than the $39.99 wired Advantage version. Despite the increased price, the wireless Advantage continues to use high-quality Hall Effect joysticks, which are known for their resistance to drift and extended durability. You also get a 10-foot USB-C cable in the box for those who prefer to plug in for competitive or low-latency play.

PowerA hasn’t abandoned its playful designs either – the controller will launch in three colorways: classic black, a bright and whimsical ‘Mario and Friends’ edition, and a striking ‘Pokémon: Mega Evolution’ variant that’s bound to appeal to collectors. But as with the wired edition, there are still a few caveats. The controller lacks any haptic feedback or HD Rumble, which might disappoint those used to the tactile sensations of Nintendo’s first-party options. Then there’s the button arrangement issue. While the ABXY buttons, D-pad, and sticks are right where you expect, the smaller buttons – plus, minus, home, capture, and GameChat – are lined up as a row of identical rectangles at the bottom. It’s an odd and somewhat impractical design choice that’s likely to cause a few mistaken presses during gameplay.

Even so, for players who care more about battery life, comfort, and customization than fancy vibration, the PowerA Advantage Wireless might hit the sweet spot. It’s fully compatible with both the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, officially licensed, and already available for preorder through PowerA’s website and Amazon. Some users even report shipping estimates as early as next week, suggesting it won’t be long before gamers can see if this new version really earns its ‘Advantage.’