The 9 Best Nintendo Wii Controllers
Updated by · How we research
Nintendo no longer makes Wii controllers, so these nine mix genuine remotes, nunchuks, gamepads and third-party copies. The Nintendo Wii Remote Plus is first. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Many cheap third-party Wii remotes leave out MotionPlus, the gyroscope that games like Wii Sports Resort and Skyward Sword need, and genuine remotes still have the most reliable pointer and sync. Nintendo stopped making Wii and Wii U controllers years ago, so genuine ones are mostly sold renewed. These picks are for anyone keeping an old console in play.
At a Glance
-
1
Nintendo Wii Remote Plus
$44
-
2
Nintendo Wii Remote (Renewed)
$23
-
3
TechKen Motion 2-in-1 Remote and Nunchuk Set
$35
-
4
Nintendo Nunchuk
$13
-
5
Nintendo Classic Controller Pro (Renewed)
$33
-
6
FIOTOK GameCube Controller 2-Pack
$25
-
7
Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller (Renewed)
$55
-
8
NEXiLUX Wireless Pro Controller
$39
-
9
TIANHOO Remote 2-Pack
$26
From the manual
- If MotionPlus play turns erratic after a mid-game battery swap or a move from cold to warm, recalibrate: lay it buttons-down on a flat surface. p. 35
- Play 3 to 10 feet from the Sensor Bar; sunlight, candles and space heaters near the TV can throw off the pointer. p. 34
- Nintendo recommends alkaline AAs. Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride cells can be used; lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium and carbon-zinc cells can't. p. 19
- One console remembers up to 10 remotes; syncing an 11th erases the first one you paired. pp. 22-23
Why the Nintendo Wii Remote Plus is our top pick
The deciding difference is one built-in part, the MotionPlus gyroscope. Skyward Sword won't get past its controller screen without a Remote Plus, model RVL-036, or an older remote wearing Nintendo's clip-on MotionPlus adapter.3 That adapter adds about 4 centimeters to the remote and came bundled with Wii Sports Resort and Red Steel 2.5 With the gyro inside, our pick plays MotionPlus games as it comes and still fits the Wii Wheel and Zapper.5
Our runner-up, the Nintendo Wii Remote (Renewed), shares everything else. Both use the same pointer, speaker, rumble and two AA batteries,5 both pair through the same SYNC button, and one console remembers up to 10 of either kind.1 On a Wii U, both run Wii games and the Wii U games that support a remote.2
The gyro adds one chore. After a battery swap mid-game, or after coming in from the cold, the Plus may need a few seconds face-down on a flat surface to recalibrate.1 A home that only plays Wii Sports, Mario Kart Wii or Super Mario Galaxy loses nothing with the runner-up. Either way, check the model number printed near the bottom connector: it's how Nintendo's support pages tell a licensed remote from a copy.4
| Nintendo Wii Remote Plus | Nintendo Wii Remote (Renewed) | |
|---|---|---|
| Gyroscope (MotionPlus) | Built in | Clip-on adapter needed |
| Skyward Sword | Plays as it comes | Needs the adapter |
| Power | 2 AA batteries | 2 AA batteries |
| Model number | RVL-036 | RVL-003 |
| Works on Wii U | Yes | Yes |
Sources
- Nintendo manuals 1Wii Operations Manual, Remote Plus edition (PDF, FCC filing), pp. 22–23, 35 2Wii U Operations Manual, U.S. edition (PDF), pp. 14, 26
- Nintendo Support 3Skyward Sword controller requirements 4Wii Remote not working or syncing
- 5Wikipedia: Wii Remote
From the manual
- Its SYNC button sits under the battery cover, so the jacket has to slide back and the cover come off to pair it. pp. 20, 22
- For one session on a friend's console, choose Reconnect in the HOME Menu and press 1 and 2 together; that pairing ends at power-off. p. 23
- Sticky buttons on a renewed unit can be scrubbed with a toothbrush and hot tap water, no soap, then air-dried at least two hours. p. 34
From the manual
- Don't touch the stick while plugging in or powering on. If it drifts, let it center and hold A, B, plus and minus three seconds. p. 7
- Thread the remote's wrist-strap cord through the hook on the plug, so the plug can't fly loose mid-swing. pp. 28-29
- To unplug it, squeeze the levers on both sides of the plug and pull the plug straight out. p. 29
From the manual
- It can't play GameCube discs; those need a GameCube controller in an original Wii's side ports. p. 30
- Like the Nunchuk, it plugs into the bottom of a Wii Remote, with the strap cord threaded through the plug's hook. Nintendo support
- It also plugs straight into Nintendo's NES Classic and Super NES Classic Edition consoles. Nintendo support
From the manual
- It charges from the Wii U's own USB ports with the console switched on; Nintendo warns against charging from a computer. pp. 20-21
- A full charge takes about 4.5 hours. p. 21
- After about 500 charges it may hold 70% of its runtime. The battery is replaceable: Nintendo's CTR-003 pack, behind one screw. pp. 49, 51
From the manual
- Charge it before pairing, then pair from the Wii U's HOME Menu: press SYNC on the pad, then on the console. p. 2
- Some games block turbo on purpose; the maker suggests trying a slower turbo speed, set with the turbo button and direction pad. p. 3
- If a button or turbo sticks, a paperclip held in the reset hole for 3 to 5 seconds restores factory settings. p. 4
Editor's Notes
November 4, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
We read Nintendo's Wii and Wii U operations manuals and NEXiLUX's guide, added notes from them under six picks, and added a section on why the Wii Remote Plus leads. We corrected the 2019 note's claim that Breath of the Wild needs a Pro Controller, and the guide's account of the Wii charging-dock recall, which was one 2009 recall of two Griffin docks.
October 14, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
Genuine Wii and Wii U controllers are now mostly sold renewed, because Nintendo no longer makes any of them, and the market has changed since this list's 2021 version. We kept the Wii Remote Plus, the Nunchuk, the Wii U Pro Controller and the NEXiLUX pad, switching the Nunchuk and Pro Controller to their current renewed listings, and we added a genuine renewed Wii Remote, the Classic Controller Pro, a GameCube controller pack and two third-party remote sets. We dropped the Wii U GamePad, which isn't sold on its own, the Balance Board, and four products we could no longer find.
No one has tested today's third-party Wii remotes in a lab. The best evidence we found, from Nintendo's support pages and long-running emulator and gaming forums, is that genuine remotes have the most reliable pointer and sync, and that many cheap copies leave out MotionPlus. So we rank genuine controllers first and say plainly what each third-party set lacks.
Earlier notes
January 18, 2021, by Chris Gillespie:
Since the Wii U was discontinued in 2017, due to the release of the Switch, there aren't many new options available as far as controllers are concerned. The OEM options, such as the Official Gamepad and the Nintendo Pro Controller, are still by far the best choices, with most third-party replacements often being sub-par in terms of accuracy and durability. It should be noted that many of these options are pre-owned, therefore due diligence should be shown before deciding to purchase one.
In this update, we added two aftermarket models to the ranking, as they have garnered good response from the gaming community and have shown themselves to be durable replacements. The Yudeg Remote and Nunchuck have the same design and button layout as the OEM Remote Plus and Nintendo Nunchuk and make a good backup set or a cheaper alternative. The Nexilux Wireless 3 also receives critical praise due to its classic design, layout, and coloring, and features a built-in rechargeable battery and wireless connectivity.
November 21, 2019, by Christopher Thomas:
You may notice that we have mostly OEM Nintendo products listed here, and that's for good reason. The Wii and Wii U were pretty closely associated with their various controller types, and as such, Nintendo manufactures far and away the best-quality options. In fact, every Wii U owner should have a Remote Plus and probably a Nintendo Nunchuk, and to enjoy some of the more complex titles you'll need an Official Gamepad. There are also a couple games, such as Zelda: Breath of the Wild, that require a Nintendo Pro Controller. The Pro is especially well made, but it's also absurdly expensive, so if you're not a major stickler for pristine button action you can probably get by with the CooleedTek Classic Pro, which closely mimics the OEM version but just doesn't have quite the same build quality. The PDP Fight Pad will also suffice for those games, though you will need to plug it into a Remote Plus to work properly. [2026 update: Breath of the Wild doesn't require the Pro Controller. On the Wii U it plays on the GamePad that comes with the console, and the Pro Controller is an option. The PDP Fight Pad works like a Classic Controller Pro, so it only suits games that accept a Classic Controller.]
Also worth mentioning are the Hori Battle Pad and Nintendo Balance Board. The Hori is quite affordable, though it isn't compatible with Pro Controller titles, and the Balance Board is absolutely necessary to get the most out of the Wii U's interactive exercise component. Also, take a look at our rundown of some of the best Wii U games overall as well as some of Nintendo's other consoles.
Which Wii Controllers Do You Need?
The Wii U adds two more: the GamePad that comes with the console, and the Wii U Pro Controller, which only works with Wii U games, not in Wii mode.
On the Wii, almost everything starts with a Wii Remote. Other controllers plug into the port on its bottom: the Nunchuk adds an analog stick for the other hand, and the Classic Controller Pro turns the remote into a regular gamepad (Wikipedia). So buy one remote per player first, then add a Nunchuk or Classic Controller Pro for the games that use them.
The original Wii Remote has no gyroscope. The Wii Remote Plus has Nintendo's MotionPlus built in, which Wii Sports Resort, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Red Steel 2 and Wii Play: Motion require; with an original remote you'd need the clip-on MotionPlus adapter (Nintendo Support).
The Wii U adds two more: the GamePad that comes with the console, and the Wii U Pro Controller, which only works with Wii U games, not in Wii mode. GameCube controllers plug into the ports on the original Wii only; the Wii mini, the Wii Family Edition and the Wii U don't have them (SmashWiki).
Genuine, Renewed Or Third-Party?
Genuine Nintendo controllers are the safest choice. Emulator and gaming forums report that third-party remotes vary: some work like the originals, while others have shaky pointers, won't stay synced, or have speakers that ignore the volume setting (Dolphin forums). When a remote won't sync or work properly, Nintendo's troubleshooting page says to replace any unlicensed remote or accessory with a licensed one (Nintendo Support).
Renewed means a used controller that the seller has tested and cleaned. On Amazon, renewed items carry a 90-day guarantee. Most buyers get one that works like new, but test it right away, including the pointer, rumble and every button, while you can still return it. Genuine parts have model numbers printed on them: RVL-003 for the Wii Remote, RVL-036 for the Remote Plus and RVL-004 for the Nunchuk.
If you buy third-party remotes, check whether the listing includes MotionPlus. Many cheap ones say "no motion plus" in the fine print.
Setup, Batteries And Safety
To pair a remote, open its battery cover, press the small red SYNC button, then press the SYNC button on the console (under the SD card door on a Wii). The pointer needs the Sensor Bar centered above or below the TV, and bright sunlight, candles or nearby light bulbs can confuse it (Nintendo Support).
A Wii Remote runs about 25 hours on two AA batteries when you use the pointer. Nintendo recommends fresh alkaline batteries; many players use low-self-discharge rechargeables instead. Be careful with cheap charging docks: in 2009 Griffin recalled about 220,000 four-remote charging stations, sold as Psyclone Essentials and React, because their battery packs could overheat (CPSC).
Always wear the wrist strap. In 2006 Nintendo replaced about 2 million original straps after reports that the thin cord could break when a player let go of the remote mid-swing (CPSC). Silicone jackets also protect your TV and the remote. We found no current recalls for any controller on this list.
How we researched this
We compared more than 40 Wii and Wii U controller listings and read Nintendo's Wii Operations Manual for the Remote Plus, Nunchuk and Classic Controller setup, its Wii U Operations Manual for the Pro Controller's charging and battery, and NEXiLUX's user guide for its pad. Nintendo's support articles settled which games need MotionPlus and how to tell a licensed remote by its model number, and the Dolphin emulator forums showed how third-party remotes behave. The CPSC lists only two Wii accessory actions, Nintendo's 2006 wrist-strap replacement and Griffin's 2009 charging-dock recall, and neither the CPSC nor Health Canada shows a recall for any pick here.
Sources (15)
- Wikipedia: Wii Remote
- Wikipedia: Wii U Pro Controller
- Nintendo Support: Skyward Sword controller requirements
- Nintendo Support: Wii Remote troubleshooting
- SmashWiki: GameCube controller
- Dolphin forums: third-party Wii remotes
- CPSC: Wii wrist strap replacement program (2006)
- CPSC: Griffin Wii battery recharge stations recall
- Nintendo: Wii Operations Manual, Wii Remote Plus edition (PDF, FCC filing)
- Nintendo: Wii U Operations Manual, U.S. edition (PDF)
- Nintendo: Wii U Operations Manual, European English edition (PDF)
- NEXiLUX: Wii U Pro Turbo controller user's guide (PDF)
- Nintendo Support: setting up the Classic Controller Pro
- Nintendo Support: controllers for the Super NES Classic Edition
- Wikipedia: Classic Controller
Frequently asked questions
Does Nintendo still make Wii controllers?
No. Genuine Wii and Wii U controllers are now sold used, renewed or by third-party sellers.
What's the difference between the Wii Remote and Wii Remote Plus?
The Remote Plus has the MotionPlus gyroscope built in, which some games like Wii Sports Resort and Skyward Sword require.
Are third-party Wii remotes any good?
Some work well, but quality varies more than with genuine remotes, and many lack MotionPlus. Test them as soon as they arrive.
Does the Wii U Pro Controller work with Wii games?
No. It only works with Wii U games. For Wii games, use a Wii Remote with a Classic Controller Pro.
Can I use a GameCube controller on a Wii?
Yes, on the original Wii, which has GameCube ports. The Wii mini, Wii Family Edition and Wii U don't.
Do Wii controllers work on the Wii U?
Yes. Wii Remotes, Nunchuks and Classic Controllers all work on the Wii U, both in Wii mode and with Wii U games that support them.
