The Nintendo Switch Online app is now available for download and will prove invaluable to anyone who wants to communicate with other players in games such as Splatoon 2, which hits stores in a couple of days.
But we hear you cry, where will you put your smartphone so you can reach it easily during splatfests? Thankfully the prolific videogame accessory manufacturer Nyko has come up with a Joy-Con grip which might be the answer to all of your prayers.
The Clip Grip Power is an ergonomic grip that allows users to easily mount their Joy-Con controllers and smartphone to better access the Nintendo Online App during play. Using Clip Grip Power, users can simultaneously charge their smartphone or Joy-Con with the integrated rechargeable battery, and interact with friends and teammates without hindering the gameplay experience.
Here's what Chris Arbogast, Nyko’s Director of Sales and Marketing, had to say about this inventive new accessory:
Since voice chat for multiplayer games on Nintendo Switch is enabled through the Nintendo Switch Online App, we anticipate players needing a convenient, hands-free way to keep their smartphones close and visible while playing. With Clip Grip Power, we’ve created a great way to interact with the app while playing, in addition to a secondary battery source and extra storage space for your game cartridges.
Clip Grip Power has an adjustable arm that securely holds most smartphones in place, and can be conveniently stored on the underside of Clip Grip Power when not in use. The additional internal 3,000 mAh battery provides extra play time by serving as a secondary battery source for the Joy-Con, smartphone, or console. Clip Grip Power also makes it easy for players to carry their games with them using a storage compartment with slots for up to seven game cartridges and two microSD cards.
North American gamers can pick up the Clip Grip Power for $24.99 directly from Nyko.com or Amazon. There is no news on a European release date for this accessory yet, but we can't imagine that the wait will be too long given Nyko's history.
Will you be picking up one of these bad boys so you can easily interact with the Nintendo Switch Online app? Let us know with a comment below.
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Comments 40
Seems Nice and all, but god, why Nintendo needed to make such a simple thing like voice chat SO FREAKING CONVOLUTED!!!
Or you could just have your phone sitting next to or in front of you.Either way you still need to take your hands off the controls to interact with it.Plus there is not a chance I'd fix an expensive phone to a controller,that's just asking for trouble.Then there is the added weight this thing will add,not to mention those extra wires for that headset.Sorry to say but anyone using this thing together with their smartphone and Hori Splatoon headphones will look absolutely ridiculous.
I've got bad news for you Nyko: It seems like the Switch Voice Chat App doesn't work in Landscape mode, only portrait. Making the accessory absolutely useless...
I just tested with the limited version we have right now.
@Wolfy76700 lol if true
@Wolfy76700 I was just about to say what a clever little solution I thought it was...but, if the app won't work in landscape mode - you're right - it's pretty useless!
NEEEEEEED!
I'm glad I'm not into online gaming. Only Nintendo can create an elegant home/portable console hybrid that has nothing but inelegant solutions for everything else.
If I'm gonna play on the TV, I'd much prefer to just stick to a Pro Controller and have my phone sit next to me or on my lap.
The most hilarious fail would be if the App doesn't run in landscape mode lol..
I can now fully confirm, now that the full app is live, that nothing in this app works in landscape mode. RIP Nyko...
Yeah, no landscape mode.
This grip is offering good value for money even without the phone grip. It is the joycon charge grip and a game case all rolled into one with different ergonomics that might suit people better. I will definitely pick one uo if they ever come UK side.
It's like Nintendo saw how crazy PSVR could get with wires and said "we could achieve something even more annoying. Yes we can! Yes we can!"
@AlbertXi It sort of makes sense when you consider the portable side. Taking the Switch outside and using your phone as a wireless hotspot to play Splatoon online, you wouldn't really bring a headset with you in most cases. But since you DO bring your phone everywhere, and would very likely be using it for the Wireless hotspot function, the app makes much more sense.
But yeah, I totally agree. outside of the portable aspect, this is kind of a travesty.
I almost want to buy one just for the game storage inside it. Plus the charging grip is a nice feature too.
Just LOL
This would be great (and I'd instantly buy it) if it supported the Pro Controller...
This seems like an awful idea, especially considering that the main app to use it right now will be Splatoon 2. Who wants to worry with dropping/throwing their phone across the room by aiming with motion controls? Even if the clip does hold everything snugly enough to withstand motion controls, it is going to drastically change the weight/balance of the controller, making it uncomfortable for motion controls.
EDIT: Maybe calling it an awful idea is a bit harsh. It's an okay idea (I guess) that had to be built around Nintendo's awful idea.
@AlbertXi agree 100% for sucj a slick system with dock etc then we get to this mess. looks likes some rubbish android controller
If the clip could hold the switch, I probably would buy one...
That's pretty cool! I need to see exactly how the chat works first.
Once again, NintendoLife lumps all of North America in to one price and one Amazon link when Canada has it's own price and it's own Amazon. So since our forebearers and fellow Monarchy-lovers can't seem to remember their former colony and choose to always side with the treacherous Yankee rebels, here's the Amazon link for those who remained loyal to the Crown...you've not been forgotten, even though NintendoLife doesn't acknowledge your existence
Amazon Canada link: https://www.amazon.ca/Clip-Power-Nintendo-Switch-Accessories/dp/B072KHSYDD/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500470372&sr=8-1&keywords=nyko+clip+grip+power
Amazon Canada price: $34.99
If the controller is chargeable, and has a game case ON it, and can extend that charge to charging whatever phone is in the cradle...yeah, I'd say this is some decent value for the money, even without the phone cradle. I will probably be picking one up eventually. As for NEEDING a set of headphones to use voice chat with...that's a personal option. You don't HAVE to have headphones hooked up to use voice chat through the phone, just use the phones speakers? (And yes, I also think this is a rather ridiculous method of "including voice chat in games" by Nintendo...even if I think the rest of Splatnet 2 sounds like a great accompaniment to the game!)
@roadrunner343 Not everyone enjoys using these motion controls for aiming in Splatoon/2. Now...if it were separate joycons and using pointer aiming in something like CoD...I'd still use that, probably (at least, I would if they'd fix the de-syncing issue and having to reset the pointer to center screen every couple of minutes...but I don't know if that's something Nintendo can overcome with this controller design).
@Wolfy76700 If the app does voice chat, why does it matter if it is landscape or portrait? You won't be looking at it; you would be talking to it.
I like the charging ability, but I think it could feel extra heavy with poor weight distribution when used with a phone.
correct me if I'm wrong, but I have Bluetooth earpiece, that I can ear everything around me with just fine. So cant I still play with the tv/console speakers and my app/ear bud in? I already do and talk on phone with people while playing. I wish my pro controller had a mic piece like my ps4 sometimes, but I also don't see an issue with with I just said if it works. Ill be trying it out with splatoon in a couple weeks.
@Highlar I hated it at first, but having motion to fine tune your aim is so incredibly useful. Major adjustments with the analog stick, but fine tuning with motion just feels great. Same thing for Zelda BotW bow/camera aiming. From what I've heard from the Splatoon community, I think the majority uses motion? Either way, if you don't, I guess it won't be a problem for you, but I don't think it will be ideal for many people.
@Donutman You're correct
Voice chat comes through the app - game sounds from the Switch...if you're happy to only have voice chat through your ear piece, a Bluetooth headset should be just fine!
As awkward as it may sound, I'm going to have ear buds coming from my phone, and over-the-ear headphones from the switch. That way I get sound from both sources. I really don't like the issues that are coming up with voice chat.
So many people hating this device, but I think ti's pretty cool. For all it does I was expecting it to be $49.99. (I watched the vid before scrolling down and seeing the $25 price.)
Ninteod is selling a charging Grip, that's it, just a charging Grip, for $30. This charges the Joycon, and your phone, and stores games and SD cards, and holds your phone. For less than the $30 Nintnedo branded charging Grip.
The Voice app not working in landscape is annoying, but is it a killer? If it's just a normal voice chat app does it matter that the phone is sideways in your Grip, if all you are doing is talking? I've turned off auto rotate in every device I've ever had, so if you can just talk by pressing a button shouldn't matter if the phone is sideways or not. Changing your gear, yeah that would suck, but that's on Nintedo, not Nyko.
I like it so much, here's the link to Amazon, for people too lazy to scroll back to the top of the page.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B072KHSYDD/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1BMZ7ALKLWQYQ&colid=5DF0ZU0H8NQN
Here's the link to the $30 Nintneod version for people who like to spend more money to get less.
https://smile.amazon.com/Nintendo-Switch-Joy-Con-Charging-Grip/dp/B01N33MFPK/ref=sr_1_2?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1500478723&sr=1-2&keywords=switch+charging+grip
@Kiz3000 Yeah, being an extra battery/charging source and capable of storing games for on the go, alone make this seem worthwhile to me.
It's also cheaper than Nintendo's own charging grip (which doesn't have a battery unlike this one).
It was nice of them to throw in the phone stand as well (it's detachable by the way).
@rjejr It also has its own battery and a charging cable. It's A LOT better value than Nintendo's charging grip with just the additional battery alone.
@Wolfy76700 that is the funniest thing I have read in weeks.
Even Nyko gets screwed over by Nintendo.
@AlbertXi ... because Nintendo. Can't live with them, can't live without them...
That thing looks like a parody/photoshop product, unbelievable that it is actually a real thing. SMH
It's kinda pathetic that Nintendo has managed to over complicate a lot of simple thing with the Switch. For 3rd party accessory sellers it must be a dream
Haha, whoops. Hopefully Nintendo updates the app, because I actually think this accessory is really cool. It's cheaper than Nintendo's charger and I love the idea of storage space in the controller.
Would it be that awkward to turn off rotation for voice chat? I haven't played with the app yet.
Well, I don't even care about voice chat, but I might get it anyway. Since Nintendo won't throw in a piece of plastic with their eighty dollar joy cons.
Utterly ridiculous as is the phone app itself.
Useless to me as I'll be using the Pro Controller!
My solution..... old 4 inch smart phone, check, joycon grip, check, glue gun, check. method. Two large blobs of glue on joycon grip, stick on phone, Done. One integrated controller with match making and voice chat built in!
Is there a way to get it in Europe?
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