Lag Comparison

Overview

Controller latency is a complex and nuanced topic.

There are two aspects that matter. Latency and Polling Rate.

Latency

Latency describes how long it takes for an action to take effect.

This is how long it takes for a button press to register on screen.

Latency is impacted by many factors, from the controller, to the console, to the display that you are using.

Polling Rate

Polling rate describes how often the controller or gamepad is read by the console. The polling rate can directly impact latency.

In the past, game consoles often had their polling rate directly correlated with their framerate.

Nintendo Switch 1 and Switch 2

Latency Chart (Smash Ultimate)

The GameCube Adapter latency assumes you are using a Nintendo brand, HHL Brand, or Lossless Adapter. Other adapters will give you worse results, often 7-8 frames or worse.

Mode

ProGCC (Wireless Model)

ProGCC (Wired Model)

Switch Pro Controller

USB

6 frames

6 frames

7-8 frames

GameCube Adapter

6 frames*

6 frames*

N/A

Bluetooth

6-8 frames

N/A

6-8 frames

Polling Rate Chart

You’ll notice that the ProGCC has a polling rate of 8.33ms when used over USB. This is intentionally done to sync up with the framerate of the Nintendo Switch.


Consider that the Nintendo Switch operates at a frame rate of 16.66ms or 60FPS. If you poll USB controllers exactly at 8ms, and you space your inputs apart perfectly, there is only a 70% chance that your inputs will be spaced perfectly.


By polling at 8.33ms, you increase this chance to 99%. Consistency is greatly improved without a major hit to latency.

Mode

ProGCC (Wireless Model)

ProGCC (Wired Model)

Switch Pro Controller

USB

8.33ms*

8.33ms*

8ms

GameCube Adapter

8ms

8ms

8ms

Bluetooth

8-24ms

N/A

8-24ms

XInput

1ms (1000hz)

1ms (1000hz)

N/A

Slippi

1ms (1000hz)

1ms (1000hz)

N/A