New controller brings back popular design

A gaming accessory manufacturer has announced a new controller for the Nintendo Switch that looks like a GameCube controller.

Gaming accessory manufacturer Nyxi has announced a new controller for the Nintendo Switch that takes huge design influences from Nintendo’s iconic GameCube controller.

The Nyxi Wizard Wireless Joy-pad, as it’s officially titled, features a design almost identical to Nintendo’s classic controller, with its unique face button layout and offset analog sticks. It’s got a little more going for it, however, as it’s entirely compatible with the Switch.

Like Nintendo’s own Joy-Cons, each side of the Wizard can be slid into the Switch’s Joy-Con rails and be used with the system in handheld mode. It can also be used as a single controller in docked or tabletop modes.

There’s a few extra additions to the Wizard too that bring it above and beyond a classic GameCube controller. Firstly, it’s got turbo buttons that can be assigned to act like any other button on the controller for rapid-fire inputs. It’s also got programmable back buttons, like many other high-end gaming controllers.

The biggest draw, however, is Hall effect analog sticks, which use magnets to detect the movement of the stick rather than physical potentiometers that can wear down over time. Nyxi says that this means the Wizard will never “drift”, a problem found in Nintendo’s own Joy-Con controllers.

The Nintendo Switch controllers were found to have a ‘design flaw’ by a UK consumer rights group, according to a report released late last year. The group found that Nintendo’s Joy-Cons, which come bundled with the Nintendo Switch, have an analog stick design that wears down over time, which can cause inputs on the sticks even when a player isn’t touching them.

Nyxi’s Wizard controller, which is said to be entirely immune to analog stick drift, will set players back $69 USD, or about $100 AUD, and the company offers free shipping when ordering from its website. This means that the Wizard is cheaper than Nintendo’s own controllers, which cost $119.95 for a pair of Joy-Cons.

The Nyxi Wizard Wireless Joy-pad can be used in handheld mode, too. Picture: Nyxi

It’s not the only interesting controller announced recently. Asus just announced a weird new Xbox controller that has a built-in screen, the ROG Raikiri Pro. The screen on the controller can be used to display a number of handy stats, but it comes with a big drawback: it can only be used wirelessly on PC.

Written by Oliver Brandt on behalf of GLHF.