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You can connect up to eight wireless controllers to a Nintendo Switch in most circumstances, but that does not mean eight people can play every game on one console. The game and mode set the player limit. To get more than four people playing, check whether your game supports five or more players on one Switch or offers a multiplayer mode that uses additional consoles.
Connecting more than four controllers is not the same as playing with more than four people
Nintendo says that, in most circumstances, up to eight wireless controllers can connect to one console. The actual maximum can vary with controller type, controller features, and local communication. See Nintendo’s controller-pairing FAQ for the qualifications.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Nintendo Joy-Con (L/R) - Neon Red/Neon Blue | $88.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Nintendo Joy-Con (L/R) - Neon Red/Neon Blue (Renewed) | $60.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Nintendo Neon Purple/Neon Orange Joy-Con (L-R) - Switch | $87.95 | Buy on Amazon |
A game’s player limit is separate from the console’s controller limit. If a mode supports only four players on one Switch, pairing a fifth controller will not make that mode accept a fifth player. Check the game’s instructions for its player limit in the specific mode you want to use before buying more controllers.
How Nintendo counts Joy-Con and Pro Controllers
When used wirelessly, the left and right Joy-Con count as individual controllers. A player using a Joy-Con pair therefore uses two controller slots; a Pro Controller counts as one. Nintendo’s FAQ gives the example of four people each using one left and one right Joy-Con, for eight controllers in total.
#1 Best Overall
- Introducing Joy-Con, controllers that make new kinds of gaming possible, for use with Nintendo Switch.
- The versatile Joy-Con offer multiple surprising new ways for players to have fun.
- Two Joy-Con can be used independently in each hand, or together as one game controller when attached to the Joy-Con grip.
- They can also attach to the main console for use in handheld mode, or be shared with friends to enjoy two-player action in supported games.
- Each Joy-Con has a full set of buttons and can act as a standalone controller, and each includes an accelerometer and gyro-sensor, making independent left and right motion control possible.
Check the game’s player limit and multiplayer mode
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe shows why the mode matters. Nintendo lists up to four players on one console in Multiplayer, but its Wireless Play supports two to eight players across multiple consoles, with up to two players per console. LAN Play supports up to twelve players. These larger-group options are not ways to fit more than four players into one console’s Multiplayer mode; they involve multiple systems. See Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe instructions.
Super Mario Party provides a different example: Nintendo’s instructions list up to four players offline on one console. Its local play can connect up to two consoles, and each console needs a copy of the software. Check Nintendo’s Super Mario Party instructions for those requirements.
Choose the right setup for your group
- Five or more players on one console: Find a game and mode whose instructions explicitly allow that many players on a single system. The eight-controller connection limit alone does not establish that a game supports eight players.
- More than four players in a game with multi-console play: Check how many players each console can host, how many consoles are needed, and whether every console needs its own software copy. For example, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Wireless Play allows up to two players per console.
- Buying extra controllers: First check the game’s controller options and player limit. Some games let a player use one Joy-Con; others may need different controller arrangements. Extra controllers cannot raise a game mode’s player cap.
- Playing on a TV: A standard Nintendo Switch or Switch – OLED Model can use TV mode; Joy-Con need to be detached from the console to use them as controllers in that setup. Nintendo Switch Lite does not support TV mode. See Nintendo’s overview of play modes.
Pair wireless controllers with the console
- On the HOME Menu, open Controllers.
- Select Change Grip/Order to open the pairing screen.
- Pair each controller using its pairing method, then follow the on-screen prompts. For Joy-Con, press the controller’s SYNC button; for a Pro Controller, press its SYNC button. When the controller appears on-screen, complete the button prompt to confirm its grip or order.
- Open the game and select the intended multiplayer mode. Assign controllers to players as the game requests.
Nintendo’s controller FAQ also states that a Bluetooth audio device limits the console to two wireless controllers. If you cannot pair a third while Bluetooth audio is connected, disconnect the audio device and try again.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Two Joy Con can be used independently in each hand, or together as 1 game controller when attached to the Joy Con grip
- They can also attach to the main console for use in handheld mode, or be shared with friends to enjoy two player action in supported games
- Each Joy Con has a full set of buttons and can act as a standalone controller, and each includes an accelerometer and gyro sensor, making independent left and right motion control possible
If the fifth player cannot join
- The controller pairs, but the game will not add another player: Check the mode’s per-console player limit. If it is four, use a supported multi-console mode or a game that allows a larger group on one system.
- The console will not pair another controller: Check the controller limit and any configuration factors Nintendo identifies, including Bluetooth audio, controller type, controller features, and local communication.
- The group needs multiple consoles: Confirm the supported number of players per console and whether every system needs a copy of the game before setting up. The requirements differ by title and mode.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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