Nyko is back again with a new lineup of accessories for Nintendo Switch owners. At the start of the year we were able to review the company’s Wireless Core Controller and Dualies, each representing a more price efficient take on Nintendo’s Pro Controller and Joy-Cons, respectively. While the savings for Nyko’s offerings tend to be significant, it’s never at the expense of quality. Unlike the days of old when buying a third-party controller or accessory was a real crapshoot in terms of build, usability, and aesthetics, today’s peripheral makers do a great job of producing goods very similar to what first-party manufacturers churn out.
At this year’s E3, Nyko showed off its upcoming additions to its range of Switch peripherals. With this year’s crop, Nyko’s focus seems to be on expanding what it does well and filling in gaps in its lineup. The two standouts for me were the Mini Wireless Core Controller and the Retro Core Controller. Let’s break down what each of these new pads has in store:
Mini Wireless Core Controller
The Mini Wireless Core Controller is everything that the Wireless Core Controller is— but smaller! To which some might be wondering what there is to gain from the diminutive form factor. To which I say… there are actually a couple of really cool benefits that the Mini Wireless Core Controller brings in tow. For starters, I personally like to take a Pro Controller with me when I go to the houses of friends and family to play games. Whether it’s Nintendo’s own pad or others like Nyko’s full-sized Wireless Core Controller, however, part of the downside is that neither is all that small.
When bringing along a gaggle of wires and games and other goodies to play with multiple people, size matters. Any way to reduce what I have to juggle from my car to the front door is welcome. With the new Mini Wireless Core Controller, I get all of the quality of the original in a more portable package. There’s still no NFC reader, but with Amiibo functionality proving be more and more sparse as time goes by, it’s not the biggest deal. I just wish this thing came in the variety of colors that the original does!
Retro Core Controller
Was anyone else wondering when Nyko was going to offer up its own take on the GameCube controller? When Super Smash Bros. Ultimate came out last year, I was astounded by how many third-party versions of the GameCube pad were being churned out. Yet, the time was not right for Nyko, apparently… until now! The Retro Core Controller is a wired wonder that boasts a more ergonomic take on that iconic GC design, replete with a turbo function and a six-foot long cord.
That last bit might be disappointing to some fans as the Retro Core Controller is indeed wired and not wireless. The copy for the pad boasts that being wired means no lag or connectivity issues, but it also means being closer to the Switch in order to play. Knowing Nyko, it’s possible the company is waiting to see how fans embrace the Retro Core Controller before considering coming up with a wireless version, but that’s just pure speculation at this point. Either way, it’s always nice to have a new option for Smash Bros. Especially for $20!
Dpad Case
We’re closing out our Nyko preview with a fun new take on its Thin Case system protectors. The Dpad Case is ostensibly the same thing as a Thin Case, but with two key differences. First, the nominal “Dpad” is a removable piece of the accessory which allows the user to add a D-pad to either the left or right Joy-Con. It worked well in the hands-on time I had with it, although I admittedly didn’t get to test it on more intense and demanding games like Celeste or Super Meat Boy. The second difference to this case is that each of the Joy-Con sleeves can hold up to two additional Switch games. They’re held in place once the Joy-Con are slid onto the sides of the system. It’s a cool upgrade to an already dependable case that can even be docked!
Some exciting stuff heading our way from Nyko. We’ll be sure to keep you all apprised on the latest accessories for your Switch as the months roll by!