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[bobbychalkers]

I'm leaning towards design flaw, if I try to do it super fast I get up button readings. If I take it at a certain pace, I can do left and right consistently.

 

[NFreak]

Mine definitely has this issue. If I press right in a certain way it registers as up on the d-pad. I'm assuming this input is actually up and right aka the diagonal input but it's still way too sensitive. Definitely want to know if this is just a few controllers or all of them because I'd be willing to send it in to get fixed if it's an issue with only a few.

 

[Bronetta]

Could this be why Nintendo hasn't restocked any Pro controllers since launch?

This things sold out across in my entire city.

 

[Nostremitus]

Oh... I really hope my dpad isn't like that when I get one. That was my primary complaint about my Xbox 360 dpad. The Xbox One fixed that issue, but I've never had trouble with a Nintendo dpad (other than the GameCube one being a bit small.) Not cool whoever was in charge of quality control.

 

[Pandy]

I can't speak for the people that have a 'different' d-pad, but there's nothing wrong with mine. It's a d-pad, if you waggle it as fast as you can in two directions you will get accidental inputs in the other directions. That happens.

Note, there's no display on that screen for diagonal input. It isn't showing an erroneous up or down (depending which way you hold the pad) it's showing an additional up or down, along with your side-press.

In some games this isn't an issue at all as the different d-pad directions have no special function over each other. In games where they do, like Tetris, it's up to the devs to apply appropriate timings before an input registers as a button press. Because the joy-cons are the default Switch controller and don't suffer from this problem, and Tetris is a high-speed game which benefits from responsive controls, I guess they've cut this to the wire and made the Pro-Controller unsuitable for high level play as a result.

I know it's new hardware and everybody is getting used to it, but my friend and I both had this exact problem last year on Battlefield 1 with the Dualshock4. When selecting an item using the D-pad it's all too easy to fractionally register 'Up' on the d-pad even though your thumb is fully on the left or right 'button'. In BF1 this triggers an animation to bring up your gas mask which is super annoying when you don't want it.

 

[Waluigilicious]

I can't speak for the people that have a 'different' d-pad, but there's nothing wrong with mine. It's a d-pad, if you waggle it as fast as you can in two directions you will get accidental inputs in the other directions. That happens.

Note, there's no display on that screen for diagonal input. It isn't showing an erroneous up or down (depending which way you hold the pad) it's showing an additional up or down, along with your side-press.

In some games this isn't an issue at all as the different d-pad directions have no special function over each other. In games where they do, like Tetris, it's up to the devs to apply appropriate timings before an input registers as a button press. Because the joy-cons are the default Switch controller and don't suffer from this problem, and Tetris is a high-speed game which benefits from responsive controls, I guess they've cut this to the wire and made the Pro-Controller unsuitable for high level play as a result.

I know it's new hardware and everybody is getting used to it, but my friend and I both had this exact problem last year on Battlefield 1 with the Dualshock4. When selecting an item using the D-pad it's all too easy to fractionally register 'Up' on the d-pad even though your thumb is fully on the left or right 'button'. In BF1 this triggers an animation to bring up your gas mask which is super annoying when you don't want it.

So are you saying it's a game by game basis? I've never had this problem on any Tetris game before and I've pretty much played them all. Is that really a coincidence? I really don't think something like a rhythm game where you gavh to rapidly press different dpad directions will work with this controller. Works perfectly fine on the DS though..

Try it. Come up with a random 10 direction sequence and press it as fast as you can...

Edit: If it's possible for deva to bypass this then that would be great. Do you feel Nintendo's dpad is usually this sensitive though? What about the whole holding one side then moving it ever so slightly to register a different side (or a diagonal if you like)

 

[chekhonte]

Mine has this issue. Ups and downs show up in the calibration tool, and while playing Zelda I occasionally get the wrong menu when trying to change weapons. Shovel Knight is basically unplayable with the Pro dpad; I've started just using the joycons' split dpad because there is no chance of a misinput.

I have been playing shovel knight also and can say that my pro controller does NOT have this problem which would suggest that it is in fact manufacturing variation.

 

[Sword Of Doom]

Hmm, I've only played Zelda and Snipperclips so I haven't run into problems but it seems like this could be an issue with mine. I tried hitting left and right rapidly like you suggested and it registered either an up or down (mostly up) in between more than half the time. I can also just press down and hold it, and lean slightly to the left or right (while only touching the down section) and it will register as a left/right after down.

Edit: Though if I use it normally, just pressing one thumb back and forth as fast as I can, the inputs are right every time. Might only be a problem for me if some game actually requires alternating left/right over and over and punishes any other direction.

I have the issue playing Zelda where I press right to change a weapon and the bomb/powers menu pops up. So it's registering top when I'm pressing right. It really sucks and it feels like the design of the dpad to me where if you're not super precise with your inputs it doesn't work right.

 

[Tathanen]

Don't have a pro controller, but used one playing Tetris at a Switch event and was constantly insta-dropping pieces when I didn't mean to. I felt like a real shit blaming the controller, but I kinda pride myself on being a Tetris badass and it was really frustrating.

Hopefully a "manufacturing variance" only for early units. I wasn't ever really planning to get a pro controller anyway, but if I do some day hopefully it'll be resolved.

 

[kubev]

Having just tried this, I can see why it sucks to play Puyo Puyo Tetris with this thing. Trying to go from left to right to left to right on the d-pad is pretty bad, as either an up press or a down press seems to register nearly every time, unless you're very careful about not pressing even a bit more upward or downward than absolute center. Doing this with two thumbs to avoid potentially pressing up or down on the way over, though, I still have issues with occasional up or down presses. How hard is it do design a damn d-pad, Nintendo?

 

[Waluigilicious]

Don't have a pro controller, but used one playing Tetris at a Switch event and was constantly insta-dropping pieces when I didn't mean to. I felt like a real shit blaming the controller, but I kinda pride myself on being a Tetris badass and it was really frustrating.

Hopefully a "manufacturing variance" only for early units. I wasn't ever really planning to get a pro controller anyway, but if I do some day hopefully it'll be resolved.

Don't feel bad, it seems the better (faster) you are the more it happens. I know two people I'm quite a bit better than and it didn't happen to them but it happened to me all the time.

 

[MattKeil]

Please try the settings menu and let us know how it goes!

No wrong input indications that I can see on the settings menu. Control-wise mine has been flawless. The only issue I've had is that if I play it with the USB-C cable plugged it to charge, it has lost connection to the Switch a couple of times. It's rare but it does happen, and it definitely seems to be the power cable being plugged in from my MacBook, because it has never happened in over 100 hours of Zelda playing without the cable.

 

[Sword Of Doom]

I can't speak for the people that have a 'different' d-pad, but there's nothing wrong with mine. It's a d-pad, if you waggle it as fast as you can in two directions you will get accidental inputs in the other directions. That happens.

Note, there's no display on that screen for diagonal input. It isn't showing an erroneous up or down (depending which way you hold the pad) it's showing an additional up or down, along with your side-press.

In some games this isn't an issue at all as the different d-pad directions have no special function over each other. In games where they do, like Tetris, it's up to the devs to apply appropriate timings before an input registers as a button press. Because the joy-cons are the default Switch controller and don't suffer from this problem, and Tetris is a high-speed game which benefits from responsive controls, I guess they've cut this to the wire and made the Pro-Controller unsuitable for high level play as a result.

I know it's new hardware and everybody is getting used to it, but my friend and I both had this exact problem last year on Battlefield 1 with the Dualshock4. When selecting an item using the D-pad it's all too easy to fractionally register 'Up' on the d-pad even though your thumb is fully on the left or right 'button'. In BF1 this triggers an animation to bring up your gas mask which is super annoying when you don't want it.

Im having issues where I press right to switch a weapon and the bomb/sheikah powers pop up. I don't think it's an issue with getting used to it or the developers doing something wrong.

 

[Waluigilicious]

No wrong input indications that I can see on the settings menu. Control-wise mine has been flawless. The only issue I've had is that if I play it with the USB-C cable plugged it to charge, it has lost connection to the Switch a couple of times. It's rare but it does happen, and it definitely seems to be the power cable being plugged in from my MacBook, because it has never happened in over 100 hours of Zelda playing without the cable.

So you can alternate between left and right or up and down as fast as you can without any mis-inputs?

 

[MattKeil]

So you can alternate between left and right or up and down as fast as you can without any mis-inputs?

As long as I hit the left and right input correctly, yes. If I'm sloppy and hit diagonal it will register as up or down, but a solid left or right press never results in an incorrect input.

 

[Waluigilicious]

As long as I hit the left and right input correctly, yes. If I'm sloppy and hit diagonal it will register as up or down, but a solid left or right press never results in an incorrect input.

That's the issue though. I have never ever on any Nintendo controller have to be careful with how I pressed the dpad. It literally isn't possible to press directions as quickly as you can because you have to be careful. In something like Tetris you can't change your mind instantly from going left to right because it presses up.

I think it might be clear at this point that the people not having an issue are being careful with their button presses.

 

[MattKeil]

That's the issue though. I have never ever on any Nintendo controller have to be careful with how I pressed the dpad. It literally isn't possible to press directions as quickly as you can because enough have to be careful. In something like Tetris you can't change your mind instantly from going left to right because it presses up.

I think it might be clear at this point that the people not having an issue are being careful with their button presses.

That could very well be. I'm fairly precise with my d-padding, so I may not be the best guinea pig in this case. I guess for me the real test will come when I try to play Ultra Street Fighter II with it. I definitely get what you're talking about though. The rocker the d-pad is on is very easy to roll up or down when trying to stay horizontal.

Edit: Trying the test with Zelda I can get the glyphs (Up on d-pad) to pop up if I hit left and right as fast as I can. It's just never happened during gameplay ever. So clearly my controller does it, I just never saw it happen until I saw this thread.

 

[Ceallach]

Tried this out, no problems. Also inputs in KoF 98 are executed flawlessly, and that includes lots of sliding the pad around.

 

[Lancelot]

Mine is fine.

 

[talkingood]

Huh, just tried this out and sure enough, I'm getting all sorts of misreadings. Even just using it one handed as I would normally. Great, looks like I'll have to have this one replaced. At least I've never had problems with Nintendo fixing stuff in the past.

 

[Like the hat?]

I got two "downs" over 30 seconds when just using one thumb. When I did both thumbs as fast as possible I got a lot more but I don't know for sure if I was at any time pressing both directions at the same time.

 

[Pandy]

So are you saying it's a game by game basis? I've never had this problem on any Tetris game before and I've pretty much played them all. Is that really a coincidence? I really don't think something like a rhythm game where you gavh to rapidly press different dpad directions will work with this controller. Works perfectly fine on the DS though..

Try it. Come up with a random 10 direction sequence and press it as fast as you can...

Edit: If it's possible for deva to bypass this then that would be great. Do you feel Nintendo's dpad is usually this sensitive though? What about the whole holding one side then moving it ever so slightly to register a different side (or a diagonal if you like)

The developer has to decide how long a button has to be pressed before it is recognised by the game as a command. That's how you can have games that have different functions for 'Press' and 'Hold' on the same button. Whether the Pro-Controller D-pad is accurate enough to use for a game like that you'd have to ask the devs of the game.

The thing to remember is that the Pro-controller isn't the default controller on the Switch, the joy-con is. By default the Switch has a d-pad with 4 non-connected digital buttons that could register Left & Right or Up & Down inputs simultaneously in a way no true d-pad can. Should fast d-pad input games on Switch have their upper levels limited by the joy-cons, the d-pad, or both?

Im having issues where I press right to switch a weapon and the bomb/sheikah powers pop up. I don't think it's an issue with getting used to it or the developers doing something wrong.

It happens to me too, whenever I'm being lazy about my thumb.

Some people are talking about 'soft' d-pads, so I'm not saying there aren't any manufacturing variances out there that you might be suffering from, but doing the test in the OP I found I could very quickly get a good hit rate on 'clean' Left & Right inputs by slightly changing the way I was holding the pad. The issue with Zelda is that, similar to my issue with Battlefield 1, you're stabbing at the button with a moving thumb rather than one resting on the d-pad so mistakes are going to be more common.

A recent d-pad experience that may be relevant.
At the start of the year I was playing a lot of Street Fighter II Turbo to practice for a local competition. For a week or two beforehand, I played the game on my own and with friends on different systems using:
SNES pads,
unofficial replica SNES pads,
an official replica SNES pad for Wii,
Classic Controllers for Wii,
a WiiU gamepad,
WiiU Pro-controllers,
and an n3DSXL.

On every one of those d-pads it requires some amount of practise to cleanly and reliably execute a 'Sonic Boom' type charge move (hold one direction and then quickly move to the opposite direction) without occasionally throwing in a 'wobble' on the opposing axis, fluffing the move. I can't see that my Switch Pro-controller d-pad is incredibly unique in this, if anything it feels better than the WiiU Pro-controller d-pad, though it's still a bit smaller than I would like.
That might just be down to how it fits my hands though.

 

[Malus]

Could this be why Nintendo hasn't restocked any Pro controllers since launch?

This things sold out across in my entire city.

Well I bought one off Gamestop online on monday.

Hope this isn't a problem for me as I hardly use the d-pad for anything unless forced to. Sucks though, I don't like to be hearing issues about a controller I spend 70 bucks on lol.

 

[Waluigilicious]

GameXplain I know you browse GAF... If you see this post can you please make a video on this. You've got a lot of viewers so that should help clear some stuff up

 

[JDH]

I just tried it and the controller definitely has this issue. I'll probably use it in the meantime, and order one from Amazon.ca once available then switch it out as defective for a refund. It still works for me for BOTW.

 

[Radnom]

I have the issue playing Zelda where I press right to change a weapon and the bomb/powers menu pops up. So it's registering top when I'm pressing right. It really sucks and it feels like the design of the dpad to me where if you're not super precise with your inputs it doesn't work right.

Mine definitely has this issue. If I press right in a certain way it registers as up on the d-pad. I'm assuming this input is actually up and right aka the diagonal input but it's still way too sensitive. Definitely want to know if this is just a few controllers or all of them because I'd be willing to send it in to get fixed if it's an issue with only a few.

Yeah, I haven't done the test as described in this topic, but playing Zelda I've had this problem happen a lot. I'll press right and get the powers appearing instead. I'll close the menu, then press right, and it'll pop up the powers again. I thought maybe it was just me until I saw this topic.

 

[mindatlarge]

Tested both of my Pro controllers at a modest speed and they both performed normally when doing the input test. Increasing the speed of making inputs isn't as consistent. Though I can't say with 100% certainty that I'm just not fat fingering it, but I'm pretty sure something is flaky.

The D-Pad to me looks great and appears like it should be rock solid but when making quick inputs, the reliability breaks down and feels a bit like a 360 D-Pad.

 

[RichiRamjag]

Tried it again at a more normal to fast speed and no issue. I'll get it if I go super fast, but I don't think that's irregular at the speed I was going. Gave puyo puyo Tetris some time and shovel knight and no issues, so I'm gonna have to go back on my earlier statement.

 

[Ryan_09]

I haven't had any issue with mine. Did OP's test and only had different inputs at really fast speeds. Personally, it feels like it's due to how easy mine is to press each direction, even diagonals. It's my favorite dpad so far. Accurate, and rolls on the thumb very nicely.

 

[Dinjoralo]

Yeah, mine's got this problem too. Definitely comes up when I'm playing Puyo Tetris and pieces quick-drop when I don't want them to. It kinda feels like the D-pad doesn't have a high enough nub on the bottom that it pivots around.

 

[Waluigilicious]

I haven't had any issue with mine. Did OP's test and only had different inputs at really fast speeds. Personally, it feels like it's due to how easy mine is to press each direction, even diagonals. It's my favorite dpad so far. Accurate, and rolls on the thumb very nicely.

But you do realise this means when a game requires you to use the dpad at fast speeds it's going to screw you over... So why is it your favourite dpad

 

[Peterc]

Oh... I really hope my dpad isn't like that when I get one. That was my primary complaint about my Xbox 360 dpad. The Xbox One fixed that issue, but I've never had trouble with a Nintendo dpad (other than the GameCube one being a bit small.) Not cool whoever was in charge of quality control.

yes, well the dpad from xbox one is still bad, but I can live with it. Snes is still the best one.
Hope they can fix it for the switch pro.

 

[me0wish]

yes, well the dpad from xbox one is still bad, but I can live with it. Snes is still the best one.
Hope they can fix it for the switch pro.

What's wrong with the XBO dpad? I thought it was great, didn't use it enough to notice any issues. I doubt they'll fix this issue for the switch pro as the Wii U pro had this issue as well.

 

[Nostremitus]

yes, well the dpad from xbox one is still bad, but I can live with it. Snes is still the best one.
Hope they can fix it for the switch pro.

I've never gone up or down while pressing right or left on my Xbox One S controller. That was a constant issue with my 360 pad. I agree though, SNES gamepad was great.
I never had a launch Xbox One controller, though...

 

[Waluigilicious]

What's wrong with the XBO dpad? I thought it was great, didn't use it enough to notice any issues. I doubt they'll fix this issue for the switch pro as the Wii U pro had this issue as well.

Was it really as bad? I played games like Tetris with the classic controller or wiimote on the side and never had this problem. I do own the Wii U Pro controller but I don't really remember trying out the dpad that much.

 

[Not]

It happens to me a lot, but the worst thing I have to do is just press right on the d-pad one more time. Like double clicking. Not a huge deal.

 

[CO_Andy]

What's wrong with the XBO dpad? I thought it was great, didn't use it enough to notice any issues. I doubt they'll fix this issue for the switch pro as the Wii U pro had this issue as well.

I have only used the XB Elite dpad. It's not very good at registering special motions in Street Fighter

 

[Rookhelm]

anecdotally, wrong d-pad inputs happened to me just every once in a while in zelda.

If I was trying to swap weapons quickly, or equip something frantically, I would go to press Right on the d-pad to access my sword menu, but it would really be reading as Up, and bring up my Powers menu.

happened, maybe less than 10 times if I recall through the whole game. Something like Tetris where it's constant use of the d-pad, I could imagine being weird.

 

[Ryan_09]

But you do realise this means when a game requires you to use the dpad at fast speeds it's going to screw you over... So why is it your favourite dpad

The speeds I was testing at will likely never be a thing under normal gameplay, and so far hasn't with stuff like Blaster Master Zero and Shovel Knight.

Playstation dpads (bar the Vita's; I adore it) feel unnatural to me for anything other than menu selection, the XBOne's is nice and clicky, but a bit too flat for me. 360's is too mushy and imprecise. 3DS's (all models) has sharp edges and doesn't have enough bottom support due to it's location. DS Lite had issues with diagonals. DSi ans XL can be a bit stiff, and all of my Game Boy systems aren't as precise as I would like them to be. Apart from the Game Boy Micro, which has an amazing dpad. Wii's was nice; I have tiny hands so thr smaller dpad didn't bother me. Classic Controller Pro's was stiff on the diagonals. Wii U Pro was close, but mine was a tiny bit touchy with up inputs. Wii gamepad felt perfect. I rarely use Gamecube's outside of menu selection. It's been way too long since I've used NES/SNES/64/Genesis/Saturn/Dreamcast/OG Xbox pads, so I can't comment there.

It feels just mushy enough to be comfortable, I can hit all directional inputs including diagonals accurately, and it rolls so nicely. Heck, I'm straight up pants at King of Fighters, yet I can still pull off special attacks no problem. Maybe I got lucky with a good controller? XD

 

[RichiRamjag]

But you do realise this means when a game requires you to use the dpad at fast speeds it's going to screw you over... So why is it your favourite dpad

I don't know how fast some of you are going, but for me to get misclicks, I had to press it much faster than I've ever had to in any game.

 

[Waluigilicious]

I don't know how fast some of you are going, but for me to get misclicks, I had to press it much faster than I've ever had to in any game.

Any puzzle game that you are good at or any rhythm game that uses the dpad as inputs.

Like I said before something like Daigasso Band Brothers (Jam with the Band) on the DS would be absolutely impossible to play with this Dpad.

 

[Ryan_09]

Any puzzle game that you are good at or any rhythm game that uses the dpad as inputs.

Like I said before something like Daigasso Band Brothers (Jam with the Band) on the DS would be absolutely impossible to play with this Dpad.

Never heard of DBB/JWTB before... but apart from Persona 4 Dancing All Night, I've never played a rhythm game that uses the dpad before. Either face buttons or touchscreen.

I'm pretty good at puzzle games I get invested in, and am super hyped for Puyo Puyo Tetris soon. I feel confident I will have zero issues playing with my dpad; I really don't see how I would realistically hit the speeds I needed to for the input test.

 

[Blarg]

Mine seems to be getting worse as I use it more. It's loosening up with wear and I'm getting more misinputs. I did manage to beat Shovel Knight but killed myself several times due to the magic attack being inadvertently triggered by unwanted up inputs.

 

[me0wish]

Was it really as bad? I played games like Tetris with the classic controller or wiimote on the side and never had this problem. I do own the Wii U Pro controller but I don't really remember trying out the dpad that much.

Tbh I didn't test my Spro much as I find my joycons to be the best way to play, but when a game that requires a dpad comes out (Puyopuyo Tetris), I can't imagine it not being an issue (as stated by other users).

I had no problems with most of my Wii controllers except for one of my classic controllers (I had 4), and I didn't know this was a problem with the Wii U Pro because I used them for Smash mainly.

I have only used the XB Elite dpad.

There are two controllers I don't get how gaf keeps praising them, the elite, and 8-bitdo controllers. The regular XBO controller is superior in every way including the dpad.

 

[Waluigilicious]

I find it confusing that people want examples or seem to be in denial of when they will ever need to press buttons on the dpad so quickly or swiftly. I mean there's no limit to how fast you want to change directions.. It depends on you and the game! There doesn't need to be an example. The fact that this has never been an issue for years yet on the Switch it became an issue in the space of 10 minutes of playing speaks for itself. If you are playing a game and are holding left then change your mind and quickly want to hold right, the controller registers up. At least mine does.

The good thing about the joycon is that it doesn't have this problem, but the bad thing is it's a tad slower to change directions because rather than slide your finger (which is not possible on the Switch pro anyway) you have to kind of let go and press as they aren't connected. But it'll have to do for now.

 

[FX-GMC]

There are two controllers I don't get how gaf keeps praising them, the elite, and 8-bitdo controllers. The regular XBO controller is superior in every way including the dpad.

The paddles are MUCH better on the regular XBO controller than the Elite. Wait......

 

[Dawnbuster]

I was having a problem with my Pro controller disconnecting when reading Amiibos ... every so often. Called Nintendo Support and they hadn't heard of the issue.

Decided to swap it for another Pro controller at Best Buy and the new one is much better.

Also noticed that I haven't had any accidental up presses while pressing right. D-pad feels tighter, but that could be because it's newer.

Using the input test as OP describes, I get the occasional accidental up when rocking back and forth quickly.

I think it's more a programming problem.

For something like Tetris it should be set to:

Left or Up/Left Diagonal = Left

Right or Up/Right Diagonal = Right

Up = Up

So that it only truly triggers Up on a hard Up press.

 

[Waluigilicious]

I was having a problem with my Pro controller disconnecting when reading Amiibos ... every so often. Called Nintendo Support and they hadn't heard of the issue.

Decided to swap it for another Pro controller at Best Buy and the new one is much better.

Also noticed that I haven't had any accidental up presses while pressing right. D-pad feels tighter, but that could be because it's newer.

Using the input test as OP describes, I get the occasional accidental up when rocking back and forth quickly.

I think it's more a programming problem.

For something like Tetris it should be set to:

Left or Up/Left Diagonal = Left

Right or Up/Right Diagonal = Right

Up = Up

So that it only truly triggers Up on a hard Up press.

That would help for sure but is it the games fault that the controller is so sensitive? Were all games in the past programmed like this?

Imagine using the analog stick... If you are moving left and you then want to move right, you wouldn't set the stick to neutral and then move right. You would go straight from holding left to holding right without lifting your hand. Especially in a fast paced game. I literally cannot do this on the controller dpad without getting misinputs. And as someone stated there's the whole thing of holding a direction then rocking it ever so slightly and it registers the adjacent direction. I wish someone would actually ask Nintendo about this to see what they say, but I don't think it's become a big enough issue (yet?)

 

[Blarg]

It doesn't feel like a software issue to me. I can physically feel the dpad rock upward when moving quickly left to right due to the looseness of the design.

Could it be compensated for in software? Possibly, but that doesn't seem like a hoop developers will want to jump through.

 

[Waluigilicious]

Andre Segers from GameXplain just tweeted that he wants to do a video discussion the first month of the Switch and is asking if there is anything people would like them to talk about:

https://www.twitter.com/AndreSegers/status/848970119476686849

If any of you want this subject to be seen by many people to really get to the bottom of it and maybe even get a response from Nintendo, maybe comment on the Tweet asking them to touch upon this subject.