The
Nintendo Switch is the fastest selling console in US History as I'd pointed out
in my Geezam blog
article entitled “How
the Nintendo Switch is the hottest Gaming Console in US History”.
After all, you can connect the Xbox Controller to a PC or Mac as noted in Geezam blog article entitled “How to connect Xbox One controller to any Computer or Laptop”.
If you see an error message, move the controller and check for interference from other Bluetooth device trying to connect to your PC. So now that you have them connected, how do you use them?
One
of the great selling points about the console is its use of regular Bluetooth
Technology for its Joy-Cons and Switch Pro Controller. That potentially opens
up the possibility of using them on a computer of Apple Mac.
After all, you can connect the Xbox Controller to a PC or Mac as noted in Geezam blog article entitled “How to connect Xbox One controller to any Computer or Laptop”.
So
how do you do that, exactly?
Connecting Joy-Con or
Switch Pro Controllers - Step by Step
The
steps for connecting the Joy-Con or Switch Pro Controllers are as follows:
1. Turn
on Bluetooth on your PC or Mac.
2. Disconnect
the Joy-Con from the Nintendo Switch
3. Hold
the “sync” button on the Joy-Con, located between the SR and SL buttons, until
the LED lights start flashing.
4. Look
for the Joy-Con in your computer’s Bluetooth menu
5. Select
the option to pair it with your device.
If
you’re having difficulty, this video may help for the Pro Controller.
And
here is an alternate video for the Joy-Con.
The
pairing lights on the Joy-Con won’t stop blinking, but you can confirm that the
controller is connected. This is done by looking at your computer’s Bluetooth
settings.
If you see an error message, move the controller and check for interference from other Bluetooth device trying to connect to your PC. So now that you have them connected, how do you use them?
Nintendo Switch
Controllers - x360ce conversion of DirectInput to API XInput helps
First,
I'll explain the Switch Pro Controller. The layout for the controller is as
shown below:
The
Pro Controller connects via the USB-C port on the bottom of the controller,
similar to the Xbox controller or the PS$ Controller The sync button for the
Pro Controller is located at the top of the controller, directly to the left of
the USB-C plug.
It
has a more traditional layout and can thus be played with a wider range of
games than the Joy-Con Controllers, which are made specifically for the
Nintendo Switch. Still, there are some hiccups as the Pro Controllers works
well with some games but not with others.
This
is because the Pro Controller uses DirectInput instead of the newer API XInput,
making it incompatible with many newer games. To get around this problem you'll
need to download the freeware program x360ce.
This
program translates DirectInput commands for XInput games and was specifically
designed for Xbox 360 controllers. So it's a match made in heaven for the
Switch Pro Controller.
Things to consider -
Bluetooth issues and Older Games play well
Oh..One
more thing.
If
you connect the controller wirelessly, remember this; that you can’t charge the
Pro Controller while it’s paired via Bluetooth. The Pro Controller has
exceptional battery life, roughly 40-plus hours on a full charge. So charging
it for about 5- 12 hours before play is not a bad idea!
The
Bluetooth connection can connect and disconnect and is easily interrupted by
interfering devices, especially when playing with the Joy-Con Controllers. If
you’ve had connectivity issues with your left Joy-Con on Switch, you may run
into similar problems on other devices.
Make
sure there are no physical obstructions between you holding the Joy-Con and the
PC...even if your little sister climbs into your lap. Finally, aside from Steam
games, the Joy-Cons and Pro Controller support older DirectInput API.
Albeit
it won't allow you to play newer games, at least you can enjoy the nostalgia of
emulated games a lot better as noted in my MICO Wars blog
article entitled “How
to use OpenEmu to Play Retro Games with USB Game Controllers on your Apple Mac”.
Sharing
is caring so share this with your friends and children who have rediscovered
how awesome Nintendo is and why they are No. 1.
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