Eight controllers does not mean eight players in every game

On both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, up to eight controllers can generally be connected at once, wirelessly or by cable. This limit concerns controllers paired or connected to the system: it does not guarantee that every game or mode supports eight players.

Left and right Joy-Con count as two controllers when used wirelessly, including when placed in a Joy-Con grip. For software supporting eight players, Nintendo gives examples of up to seven people when one Joy-Con grip is used, or up to four people when four grips are used.

Change controller order on Nintendo Switch

1. From the HOME menu, open Controllers.
2. Choose Change Grip/Order. The label can vary with the console’s language or region.
3. Pair the controllers in your preferred order, following the on-screen instructions.

The Change Grip/Order screen lets you pair the first four controllers. For the fifth controller onwards, return to the Controllers screen in the HOME menu and press a button on each additional controller.

Change controller order on Nintendo Switch 2

1. From the HOME menu, open Controllers.
2. Open Change Grip/Order.
3. Connect the controllers in your preferred order.

On Nintendo Switch 2, the Change Grip/Order screen lets you connect the first four controllers. From the fifth onwards, use the Controllers screen in the HOME menu and press a button other than L or R on each additional controller.

If the wrong controller is connected

On Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo says to briefly switch off the incorrect controller with its SYNC button, then connect the intended controller in the desired order.

Nintendo Switch 2-specific limits

On Nintendo Switch 2, the general limit can reach eight controllers, but actual capacity depends on controller types and the features in use. Up to seven Nintendo Switch controllers, such as Joy-Con or Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers, can be connected wirelessly.

To play with eight people using Nintendo Switch controllers on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo specifies that at least one Switch 2 controller or a wired Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is needed. You still need to check the player count supported by the software.

Bluetooth audio on Switch 2

When a Bluetooth audio device is used with Nintendo Switch 2, the system limits the number of paired wireless controllers to two. This restriction applies to that particular setup; it is not the console’s general limit.

Check the order in your game

After connecting the controllers in your preferred order, launch the relevant software and check the available player count and mode. The console can handle up to eight controllers within the limits described above, but the game determines how many participants it actually supports.

Key points

• Open HOME > Controllers > Change Grip/Order to change controller order.
• The Change Grip/Order screen covers the first four controllers; additional controllers connect from the Controllers.
• The general limit of eight controllers does not guarantee eight players in every game.
• On Switch 2, wireless Nintendo Switch controllers and Bluetooth audio have specific limits.