Switch SNES Controller Teardown and Review (+SNES App Review)

A look at how both Nintendo's new SNES controller and online emulation service have turned out. Put your safety gloves on now.
Patreon support: / nerrel
Discord chat: / discord
Since a lot of people are asking about it, I performed the last two tracks and the Super Metroid one is available in this pack: / texture-tutorial-28646255

[@Nerrel]

Update: BetterJoyForCemu v6 supports the controller and converts it to Xinput, so it can now be used with pretty much everything (Steam's generic configuration didn't work)

[@herbbirb3766]

do you think you'll ever do a video on how emulators are suddenly catching up to the newest consoles and making the most progress in years

[@johnsother2440]

Nerrel updating his videos w/ more longevity than Samsung updating their phones.

[@dalgusmaximus4557]

Shut up nerd.

[@tomaslobos1326]

Why dont you try "World Of Joystick". It makes any gamepad recognizable as a xbox controlller, so you only need to configure it one time. :)

[@ThePainlessGamer]

hey Nerrel wondering why BSNES? Isn't Higan, the emulator made by the same guy as BSNES more accurate? Wondering what makes you like BSNES more than other options.

[@MrFlox888]

I'm glad they eventually added button mapping to the Switch OS itself.

[@Amber-si7kx]

Yeah but you cant remap wired controllers which is a really poor decision.

[@rbrbnd]

actually you can only use it on 1st party controllers, not even on original gamecube controllers

[@mikeonthecomputer]

Can't remap on the NES or SNES controllers.

[@teneesh3376]

It's good that they did, but it's a roundabout way to fix the issue. It would have been way better to have button remapping in the emulators themselves. With certain profiles being tied to each game. So that you don't have to remap every time you change games. This goes for every game in general

[@fischermusicofficial]

I feel like you made this episode just as a convoluted way to tell everyone you “deliberately” rated link’s awakening like that

[@mrniceguy7168]

You gotta appreciate the commitment there

[@jello5508]

The quality to upload ratio on this channel is absolutely insane, a godsend for those who can never find simple to-the-point content, whilst also being entertaining and informing. simply, thank you

[@dalgusmaximus4557]

Dude is on his way to 100k for a reason. That's impressive for the small amount of content he has put out so far. I'm willing to bet he might even get close to 1 million subs in the next 2 years. And thats just a reserved guess mind you.

[@Pan_Z]

@@dalgusmaximus4557 Not to be pessimistic, but I would be surprised if Nerrel surpassed 1 million subs. This content isn't niche, but it's more focused on specific interests compared to gaming channels that appeal to topical releases. Nerrel seems to make whatever he wants with a quality work standard. This channel will have a consistent following, but it probably won't have a million sub appeal the channels that try to maintain modern relevancy do. 'Tis okay though. I like these kinds of channels more.

[@dalgusmaximus4557]

@@Pan_Z There I plenty of other youtube videos like his that get plenty of views and have plenty of subs so I get why you would say that but nerrels videos in particular are articulated in such a unique way that I genuinely feel like he is one of the best gaming related youtubers right now. That along with Him being so naturally funny in all his videos really makes him a youtube gem in my eyes. Very rarely do I ever watch 30 minute youtube videos and think that the videos weren't long enough. I'm always left wanting more and I mean that in the best way possible.

[@Pan_Z]

@@dalgusmaximus4557 Do you have any suggestions for channels like Nerrel?

[@dalgusmaximus4557]

@@Pan_Z For what exactly? I already think he is great and his sub increases speak for itself. When I found his channel it only had afew thousand subscribers but now he is near 100k. The only thing I could possibly want him to do is make an offical nerrel twitter account so we can hear more from him.

[@shamroksoldier]

"...which isn't even really a service as much as it is a ransom fee for online play." PREACH BROTHER

[@heathc148]

Bruh

[@supremechaosbeing2696]

WOOOOOO XBOX GAMERPIC

[@DougSalad]

"Here at Nerrel" I thought you were one guy

[@BurningOutBass]

He is many guys

[@imwatchingvideoz]

Nyess

[@DougSalad]

Nope, he clearly said "we".

[@DarshanBhambhani]

We are many you are but one

[@lamegamertime]

He is a collective consiousness.

[@HARTHURreal]

nerrel: “the modern d-pad is anchored just like the original - and it is really stuck on there. _More_ _on_ _that_ _later_ ” me: 😳

[@koopii]

harthur more on that that later

[@HARTHURreal]

FatKoopii shit that was the one thing i was meant to include fucks sake

[@swordandsheild1]

I love it when he says that lmao

[@SnoFitzroy]

"A ransom fee that lets you play online" finally. It's in words now.

[@ibeatmywifeandkids9084]

What the fuck is that pfp

[@MaxxyBee]

​@@ibeatmywifeandkids9084 your own name and profile pic make this comment irrelevant

[@ibeatmywifeandkids9084]

@@MaxxyBee SUSSY BALLZ 😳😳😳

[@ibeatmywifeandkids9084]

@@trustme2674 some mf don’t want to pay for something that was free

[@MaxxyBee]

@@trustme2674 imagine justifying paying any amount of money to access the servers of games you pay full price for

[@Smoofyful]

I like your dry humour. Its dryer then a desert. Or my mother's turkey.

[@Fakie420]

Exactly why I subbed!

[@dylans2088]

Have you offered to help cook with her?

[@Prodawg]

Still not as dry as British Humor

[@McDADDyK]

Than*

[@yahavshalem5692]

Women be shopping

[@T1Squid]

The Nerrel have become my favorite KZbinrs. I love listening to the the content on my first watch, then enjoy having their voice running in the background. It's comfy.

[@JoySparx]

The netcode for the online play of SNES Online is actually INSANELY good. My connection at my apartment is terrible, but when I play with friends on this, it feels like local.

[@theobserver4214]

JoySparx Super Mario Maker 2 on the other hand...

[@JoySparx]

Blank Blank Why they thought delay based netcode was a good idea for a platformer is beyond me

[@thegrayghost1786]

@@JoySparx They thought it was a good idea because they suck at online and they always have.

[@GacMan47]

Oh it's great. I just wish Nintendo made more games available. Big missed opportunity. Too bad the regular Switch Online games suck.

[@vorbo01]

@@JoySparx because Nintendo actively and virulently despises you, and all other consumers. I have no idea how anyone can bring themselves to willingly give them money.

[@Moshugaani]

The d-pad feeling "worryingly stiff" is just because it's brand spanking new! I changed the rubbers inside my original SNES controller and it too felt too stiff at first, especially in comparison to the worn out mush that the original rubbers had turned into, but after a couple of years of playing intermittently it now feels right.

[@brockgan8941]

I have a snes classic controller that I have barely used and it has a much softer dpad than the dpad on my wireless controller. The wireless dpad is unpleasant to use out of the box unlike the ones with the snes classic.

[@Moshugaani]

@@brockgan8941 I know what you mean. I just hadn't used an original controller in good condition so I didn't remember that it was soft. But the 8bitdo Pro 2 controller I bought recently has a really nice soft d-pad! That's the controller I use now to play SNES.

[@evilphil]

This was everything I've come to expect from a Nerrel video with the added bonus of a teardown channel parody. 10/10 surgical gloves.

[@user-nu2jv7gr5h]

Two videos in less than 5 days? I feel like we've been blessed by the gods this week.

[@OrangeIsBorange]

Glad to have helped! I certainly hope to help in future videos wherever I can. Also, I learned something new about the SNES controller which is an added bonus. :)

[@theorangecandle]

A fellow orange I see

[@OrangeIsBorange]

@@theorangecandle Indeed, hello other fellow orange. May I help you?

[@LEXICON-DEVIL]

10:25 Great Ending haha. Poor Yoshi, all those years of getting punched in the back of the head by Mario has finally taken its toll.

[@emmettturner9452]

One of the first things I noticed when I got my 1993 SNES was that it didn't have printed L & R buttons like my friends' 1992 SNES. The 1997 controller revised for the SNS-101 consoles also lacks the printing. I was keenly aware throughout the life of the SNES and it seems to me that the vast majority of SNES controllers have no printing on the L & R buttons. That said, there are at least two revisions with the printing. You can often find the earliest ones with their cords pulled out exposing the wires inside. That's because the posts that the cable winds through often break, allowing the cable to back out of the controller. Later controllers added a ridge that connects the posts together, strengthening them so that they do not break as easily.

[@solid_fire9388]

man i love this guy, great content no matter what !

[@helloish12321]

Holy shit I knew there was a reason it took me 10 minutes to do a wall jump in super Metroid besides me being bad at it. Had no idea the pro controller dpad sucked that much. Thanks for making me regret spending $70

[@jage6344]

That is the only bad thing about the d pad. Plus you can fix it yourself

[@tomstonemale]

@@jage6344 "Plus you can fix it yourself"? Maybe you didn't read the part about paying $70 for it. It's not like he's buying old hardware or software or modding his dpad for speedrunning.

[@jage6344]

@@tomstonemale yeah I didn't buy the 70 dollar controller for any of those reasons either.

[@SuperZez]

I figured out something was wrong with it the second I tried it on Hollow Knight. Its finicky diagonals made pogo slashing a nightmare.

[@pkn6569]

You are in my top 3 favorite youtubers of all time this vid proved to me that you could upload anything and I'd watch ty for putting so much hard work into your vids I am excited to see more from you!

[@leafleap]

6:22 _There goes my Alcohol budget_ ( ͡ᵔ ͜ʖ ͡ᵔ ) *...for the day* ( ͡o ͜ʖ ͡o)

[@thatguybwarch]

God, this is such a good review. Snappier than other reviews, quicker, yet containing way more information. Nerrel you're nutty good at this.

[@user-ti6us2br4x]

Hearing the last part with your voice and hearing the background music always gives me feeling of comfort for some reason.. Like.. There is this cloud of hate surrounding my home in the middle of a snowy night while I'm alone.. And that last part is the home protecting me I always get back to this video just for that part for some reason.. Love you man.. You videos bring me joy even tho I barely understand anything you are saying

[@cozycherry1790]

This review is Awesome! I would love to see more hardware teardowns and commentary from you dude!

[@Link600900]

MORE OF THESE! Such a great in depth analysis. I had no idea the Switch Pro’s dpad was so bad, but it explains why I’ve always had trouble with it. You should make more vids like this for other controllers.

[@spiral7041]

This is great, please do more teardowns!

[@boislap]

Thanks for all the recent videos and I hope you have a great day.

[@tonybamanabonitomatopowers6057]

God I love this channel so much. Never change Nerrel

[@samuelerickson1815]

You’re videos are always top notch quality, keep up the good work!

[@Degthehalls]

I’m very happy your uploading more often

[@TheForNoReason]

I could watch your content for hours. Keep up being awesome!

[@sheikhskype]

My first time catching a Nerrel video this early

[@alexoxo9008]

i love these videos. never stop, nerrel

[@marche800]

My god you've very quickly become one of my favourite KZbinrs

[@nicholasmascioni3333]

these videos are great, keep up the good work man

[@DivisibleByWaffle]

Glad to see you posting more videos! I agree, the SNES controller is really solid.

[@jonfasdifbibkonadj2457]

I love these videos so much god bless you nerrel you’re youtubes savior

[@wolyafa2566]

If they used the same silicone membrane for the d-pad as they did on the SNES Mini classic, be prepared to have it broken after a while of play! (mine actually broke, on "both" controllers) The material is just too soft, so after a while, you might actually "pop out" the contact areas by accident

[@alfo2804]

That hasn't happened to me - on either of my controllers - but the membranes and buttons are identical, even down to the slightly recessed L and R on the respective buttons over the printed text of the original. Perhaps you just got unlucky and had a couple of factory defects, or you just press the d-pad more firmly than is necessary.

[@wolyafa2566]

@@alfo2804 Or mine was simply a "Monday production" D:

[@alfo2804]

@@wolyafa2566 At least you can still either use a Wii Classic Controller or buy replacement membranes. I'd have definitely complained to Nintendo if that happened to me. It might be too late for that now, however.

[@IamAJoe]

I'm officially calling them "Howduquens" now

[@nichoalaz6235]

Honestly as someone who didn’t buy an SNES until recently, switch online has helped me through some games I wouldn’t have been able to get through otherwise. My first play-through of DKC 1 was filled with me using the rewind feature and constantly going back to understand what I did wrong. After playing through the first 2 Country games, I completed DKC 3 without needing the rewind feature even once. While Nintendo’s online legacy collection isn’t the first time players have seen this rewind idea it’s definitely nice to see them implement it officially.

[@vukcurovic2770]

40 seconds in and it's already a great video! Keep it up!

[@AXSR388]

Nerrel, you really deserve more subs. You have the quality of someone with 1mil.

[@cashnelson2306]

lol equating quality and popularity

[@NeroYui]

Some say that Yoshi is still to this day screaming in silence while stuck at that wall. Great video as always

[@lirfrank]

The Pro controller's D-pad has been improved since launch. I wouldn't recommend people to rebuy it just for the D-pad, but for new buyers, make sure you're getting the second version or later. Sidenote: It may have stopped registering down because you never stopped pressing it. Look at the gameplay and Samus is aiming down almost all the time.

[@SuperOtakuKyo]

How can you tell?

[@lpsoldin3162]

I'm questioning if this is the case as well. I held off buying one till this year because of that issue, but I haven't noticed any issues with my D-Pad when playing Puyo Puyo vs Tetris or Disgaea 5 where I used the D-Pad almost exclusively.

[@lirfrank]

@@SuperOtakuKyo Visually the controllers are identical. But on the back of the box the serial number ends on A, B, C or D. A being the oldest and D being the newest.

[@thecrusader7895]

Gloves are something that needs to be an industry-standard I feel for reviews. Makes it feel so much more professional. Wonderful touch, good video.

[@Alter292]

That Tingle joke absolutely got me in a giggling fit. Nice job

[@mphylo2296]

Your uploading schedule gives me life

[@kaicanyonellis]

How is it your technical breakdowns are so interesting to even non tech people like me? Someone give this guy a Netflix special!

[@hbsurferguy311]

Your videos are always so good

[@TruthWil]

I could honestly watch you review anything and I have no idea why

[@Coopidge]

Nerrel's subtle hilarity is just perfect. When he compared the controllers I lost my mind.

[@TarekAlShawwa]

Small tip, lock your white balance so the color temperature doesn’t keep changing

[@Nerrel]

Yeah, I'm not really experienced with recording actual video yet

[@ottoandersson2216]

You get funnier in every video! I love that outro

[@Cakeman777]

Honestly laughed pretty hard at that Play Asia bit. Great review Nerrel!

[@EricTheCleric93]

I like the CRT filter on the SNES Classic since scan lines are what those games were originally designed around.

[@STRONTIumMuffin]

Very satisfying hearing you say button mapping.

[@SmeagolTheBeagle]

Fucking love u Nerrel mate i get well hype for ur videos when u make them - keep them coming

[@cumdungeon]

Nerrel is just a ton of people in some organization who can do a spot on voice impression of the other Nerrel we heard in other videos

[@shivalah]

Wow. That was impressive and informative AF. Have an updoot and a new subscribbler.

[@JT-hs6hc]

oh my god that last song is beautiful . i hope you release it one day ❤️

[@Phayssal]

New update for the switch came out and it allows you to remap buttons! (Update 10.0.0)

[@panetierbread3510]

The rubber pad and circular shape on the plastic is what really makes or breaks a Dpad. I'm glad the new one has little to no drift.

[@hack_jammer]

I love a good teardown video : )

[@treycoomes5447]

you know the nerrel video is gonna be sweet when red brinstar starts playing

[@TheWorldEndsWithUs]

holy shit the white balance goes nuts in the first few shots of the controller on the table

[@davidsterling7570]

That Brinstar music... This is relaxing!

[@BlueClefto]

That cool shimmer is because of the machining of the mold, and yes, it is cool (sometimes)

[@HesarealNoWhereMan]

Nerrel the savage strikes again !!

[@Stinky0368]

I’m gonna be honest I love your purple gloves I like how they are a little metallic

[@delunimbus]

Thanks Siiva, very cool

[@zenatta234]

Loving the content

[@rdowg]

Here I am, two years later and I was finally able to order one!

[@Xeinok]

Great video - thank you for the comparisons to modern PC emulators.

[@antoniogooseman9637]

2 UPLOADS IN 1 WEEK?!! AWESOME!!!

[@jamesderepentigny5446]

Love your videos

[@habama1077]

What is playing when you are disassembling the controller? Great video as always. Returning to this channel is always a delight.

[@dalgusmaximus4557]

Its remixed music from super metroid.

[@n.kelati]

whats up my Nerrel oney brought me to your channel and im real happy he did

[@dalgusmaximus4557]

Where and when did he mention him?

[@n.kelati]

Dalgus Maximus oney? during the wind waker playthrough. I don’t remember the episode.

[@emmettturner9452]

L & R weren’t printed on nearly all of the original controllers. It was one of the first differences I noticed when I got my 1993 Control Deck set with Super Mario All*Stars free by mail, since by friends had L & R printed on their earlier Super Set with Super Mario World. They also stopped printing “Eject” on the console and started molding it. The SNES controller had at least two revisions with screen-printed L/R: One with reinforcement ribs on the internal cord winding posts and an earlier one that did not have those. The revised controller for the SNS-101 console (AKA SNES2, SNES Jr, SNES Mini, etc) got rid of the “Super Nintendo Entertainment System” silk-screening so that they could use the same shell for the Japanese Super Famicom SHVC-101 controller. It even has both logos on the back. That’s at least 4 North American revisions but there was also a gold version of the final controller in Central/South America.

[@Tracequaza]

epic video moon man

[@thatsruffdog]

Glad we have official button mapping customization now.

[@KevinsYeah]

Dude you really got me with the wrong scores joke and here I thought you made a mistake last video

[@bb_lou]

I've been debating getting one of these for a while after never really using my NES and SNES Classic, but I recently picked it up alongside some My Nintendo swag since I had to pay for shipping already and holy hell, I'm in love. My other controllers (Switch Pro, Xbox 360 and Series) all have terrible D-Pads for 2D games to the point where I would just use sticks instead, which really sucks. Although it doesn't have rumble which is kind of a shame, I managed to best a boss I had been struggling with for a while in Cuphead after 3 tries with the new controller. It just does what I want it to and it's really dope. Steam also added support for the classic controllers recently so now it works with most games. I had this weird issue with BetterJoy were my D-Pad inputs would be doubled since it was mapped to the stick, but not using it resolved it. I started playing Undertale, played a bit of Scott Pilgrim, even set up retroarch and started to fall in love with Earthbound and Mother 3. The extra ZL and ZR buttons are actually really useful in Retroarch as I mapped them to fast forward and rewind as well as menu when both are pressed. The concave and convex buttons are also super cool and useful, a shame more controllers don't use them. Overall it's just a great little controller for 2D games, it looks great feels great and really adds a lot to playing retro games. (Dumb example but playing Earthbound on my 3DS, getting attacked by the spore mushroom would be really annoying since the controls would just go all wonky, but using the SNES controller, I quickly realized I can just flip it to match the direction of the mushroom effect, making the grueling and annoying affair of getting rid of it more like a fun minigame where I get a little bit of cash at the end for my troubles)

[@Jayanky]

When you need to put scotch tape on the pcb of a $70 controller to get the d-pad to work

[@Scarftail]

What a coincidence. I spent last week trying to improve the D-pad on my Switch Pro Controller, which I feel would be the single best standard controller if not for it. All those suggestions online really don't address the core problem. Ultimately, I had to replace it and concluded that the culprit is the shape of the pivot rather than the design of the contacts.

[@nepdisc3722]

I like your content, friend!

[@LHSMeleeClub]

yoshi no! dude your sense of humor cracks me up rofl

[@aurum3747]

Hey, now we got button mapping for the whole system, ain't that neat

[@bobhihih]

Now they have added support to change controls to what you'd like in the switch menu!!

[@mickael486]

reviews like this showing how bad the d-pad is for a controller not even being reviewed is the reason why I subscribe to this Nerrel character. I almost bought the pro pad to literally replace another controller which has the same issue thinking Nintendo's wouldn't do that since the SNES pad is and was so good for d-pad use.

[@SuperZez]

0:52 You have no idea how impossible this made it to comfortably play Hollow Knight on the switch. The arrow buttons AND the pro D Pad made slashing down while jumping over something (not to mention pogo slashing) an absolute nightmare at times. I wound up buying custom joycons with a D pad on it. Those work great, but it shouldn't have cost me that much money to play that game comfortably on the switch.

[@peckc16]

I never heard of this product nor do I have any interest in buying one- but damn am I happy I watched this review.

[@PandamoniumBruu]

3:40 in defense of the joystick, Axiom Verge only works with an Xbox Controller

[@javi4101]

So you went from being 33 years old to 47 years old in a year

[@SkyblueStarmoon]

Originally I always went with the $5 a month option for Nintendo Online since I didn't feel like spending $20 all at once for online access and a few NES games. Once splatfests ended, the only reason I even used Nintendo Online, I pretty much ignored it unless I wanted to play Lethal League Blaze. Now that they added more stuff I may finally consider the $20 a year.

[@aortaplatinum]

I want to point out that the controller DOES communicate over USB, it's just that the included cable is only for charging and doesn't have the additional wire or two inside the cable to allow for wired communication. Get any USB A to USB C from your local Babbage's K B Toys or Toys R Us and it's PC plug and play compatible just like the Switch Pro Controller.

[@SebasPog]

I wish they actually had this in stock

[@Sonardo01]

Gonna need a twelve-hour essay on Kero Blaster now

[@hestanders]

It's fascinating how someone with such a deliberately monotonous narration actually can make me somewhat interested in something I never gave a shit about. Same thing happened with your tutorial on textures. Guess I'm saying you're doing a good job!

[@adamyohan]

Two uploads in 1 week. Oh my God.

[@Kri8aris]

Dawg super eyepatch wolf just gave you a shout out