There have been some robust third-party controllers for the Swap 2 to date, with 8BitDo’s Professional 3 proving to be notably compelling with its SNES-inspired design, TMR stick tech, and tactile (albeit noisy) D-pad. It was, for my part, the perfect various if you happen to weren’t eager on forking out on Nintendo’s personal Professional Controller.
Till now, that’s. Gulikit made headlines in 2025 by introducing the primary third-party controller with wake-up help for Swap 2. However whereas the Elves 2 definitely boasts a singular design, it is finally missing in different areas and appears considerably ‘low cost’ in comparison with different fashions.
With the TT Professional / TT Max pads, nonetheless, Gulikit has created its finest controllers but at $59.99 / £59.99 and $69.99 / $69.99 respectively; two that, for my part, simply edge out 8BitDo’s Professional 3 because the strongest third-party providing for Swap 2 to date.
One look on the Professional or Max — I am overlaying each right here — and also you’d be forgiven for considering, ‘However that is simply an Xbox controller!’ And sure, Gulikit has been leaning closely on Microsoft’s design for some time now, so the general form is far the identical. Placing it side-by-side with an official Xbox pad reveals that the Professional/Max is barely lengthier, however in any other case you’d be arduous pressed to seek out a lot distinction with the shape issue.
What’s totally different, nonetheless, is the D-pad placement, which has been swapped with the left analogue stick for a extra symmetrical design akin to the PlayStation DualSense (and, fortuitously for comparability’s sake, the Professional 3). Whether or not it is a good factor or probably not depends upon private desire, however I prefer it. Having the D-pad up excessive makes the Professional/Max a beautiful alternative for each combating and retro video games, however if you happen to do need to use it for 3D titles with each analogue sticks, this nonetheless feels actually good.
The D-pad contains two floating designs you can swap out on the fly. One is extra conventional, with a cross on its face, whereas the opposite is principally only a concave disc. After I noticed the latter in promotional pictures, I feared the worst, but it surely’s truly my go-to possibility. You possibly can nonetheless really feel the tactile response from the eight directional inputs, and it simply feels very nice to waggle about. General, the D-pad is responsive and satisfying to make use of, whereas missing the annoying ‘clicking’ sound of the Professional 3.
The analogue sticks really feel nice, too, and the TMR tech ought to hold dreaded stick drift at bay for a few years to return. Gulikit has additionally included RGB lighting round each sticks if you happen to’re into that type of factor, and you may change this by way of the controller itself to show a fundamental blue, a rainbow multi-coloured impact, or have it mild up relying on the course you’re shifting the sticks. For those who don’t need any of this, you possibly can flip it off solely.
That is additionally the place the Professional and Max differ essentially the most. The latter comprises an additional 4 stick caps of various heights. In my time testing the controllers, I didn’t actually come throughout any situations wherein a lengthier stick cap proved obligatory, but it surely’s good that these are included.
The Max additionally contains the choice to swap between 4 and eight-directional inputs on the D-pad, whereas the ‘Auto-Pilot Gaming’ (APG) performance — which helps you to report and play again particular enter combos — contains longer time choices.
The ABXY buttons all really feel precisely as you’d count on, although just like the D-pad, these are usually a bit quieter than the Professional 3. For those who fancy utilizing the Professional/Max on PC, you may also swap out the buttons for the usual Xbox format utilizing the included tweezers. Spacing is barely nearer than what you’d see on Nintendo’s official Professional Controller and the Professional 3, so the whole lot is well inside attain, whereas the convex form of the buttons themselves feels nice sufficient.
Up on prime, you’ve obtained Xbox-inspired triggers, and similar to the Professional 3, you possibly can toggle between micro-switch inputs and pressure-sensitive Corridor Impact inputs with the related switches over on the again. Each choices really feel nice, and I discovered I’ve been swapping between the 2 relying on what recreation I’m taking part in. So I’d have the total Corridor Impact triggers activated for one thing like Mario Kart World, whereas the micro-switches really feel higher on extra retro choices like Tremendous Metroid. To be clear, Mario Kart does not make use of analogue triggers; they simply really feel extra pure to me in fashionable video games.
Each pads include extra paddles you can add into the 4 slots on the again. These are almost equivalent to what you’d discover on the Xbox Elite Controller, and they also’re designed in a manner that your two center fingers relaxation comfortably on them with out unintentionally urgent them in.
Once more, mapping inputs to those is all executed by way of the controller itself by utilising the settings button within the centre of the gadget. Gulikit features a guide for any settings you would possibly need to fiddle round with, and it’s a lot preferable to loading up an app. For those who’re not eager on having the paddles, then the controllers nonetheless really feel snug with out them.
Along with all of the bells and whistles you’d anticipate finding, the Professional and Max have a plethora of extra choices. I discussed just a few already, however you’ve additionally obtained a spread of rumble settings relying on how a lot suggestions you need. I can’t stress sufficient simply how good the rumble actually is; it’s only a hair away from being on par with the official Professional Controller 2.
You can even regulate gyro sensitivity, useless zones, and extra, and there is a seize button for snapping these candy Mario Kart World wins. By way of exclusions, it lacks a headphone jack, NFC amiibo help, and a devoted chat button. I don’t personally contemplate any of those necessities, however chances are you’ll really feel totally different.
Gulikit states wi-fi latency of two.62ms with a 730Hz polling fee (the frequency at which information is distributed from the controller to the console), whereas plugging the controllers in reduces this even additional to 2.16ms. I’ve discovered them to be remarkably responsive in follow.
The retail fashions additionally come bundled with Gulikit’s personal Hyperlink 2 Adapter, so if you wish to go Bluetooth wi-fi whereas eliminating the opportunity of interference from elsewhere, that is an possibility too with a quoted polling fee of 820hz at 2.95ms (and if you happen to actually need to, you should utilize the adapter to hyperlink up a PS5 Dualsense to the Swap 2 – wild stuff).
In the meantime, I’ve used the Max particularly virtually daily for over a month and solely wanted to recharge it as soon as. Gulikit claims between 14 – 26 hours between prices relying on settings, and that sounds about proper; it simply lasted for longer than 20 hours or so in follow. It’s head and shoulders above most competitors, then, and is maybe second solely to Nintendo’s Professional Controller.
So total, the TT Professional and Max are absolute beasts. Not solely have they got wake-up help for Swap 2, however they’re simply two of essentially the most snug controllers I’ve ever grasped in my grubby mitts. The D-pad placement works properly for me, however I might definitely perceive if you happen to favor the offset strategy. And with the TMR sticks, Corridor Impact triggers, RGB lighting, and a great deal of settings to fiddle round with, Gulikit has supplied virtually the whole lot you may moderately need or want from a third-party pad.
Most folk will likely be fairly pleased with the Professional mannequin right here, with solely a minority discovering real use for the extra stick caps discovered within the Max. Heck, at $70 although, the Max supplies just about the whole lot you’d discover in Xbox’s personal Elite Controller at greater than half the worth. It is insane worth for cash, and for my part, the perfect third-party controller for Swap 2 to date.
Now, if corporations might cease utilizing the phrase ‘Professional’ to call their controllers, that’d be nice.
Beautiful design however nonetheless reasonably priced
Wonderful D-pad with two stable designs
TMR sticks and Corridor Impact triggers really feel pretty
RGB lighting
Again paddles work nicely, however are detachable if you happen to’re not eager
So many helpful settings to mess around with
Headphone jack, NFC help, and the ‘C’ button are absent
For those who favor offset analogue sticks, this is not for you
Wonderful 9/10
The samples used on this overview have been provided by Gulikit.
Nintendo Life’s resident horror fanatic, when he’s not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a superb horror ebook whereas nursing a beautiful cup of tea. He additionally enjoys lengthy walks and listens to the whole lot from TOOL to Chuck Berry.
