Your Prayers Have Been Answered, Hori Is Making A Joy-Con With A Proper D-Pad

I'd rather just use a Pro Controller, but that's just me.

Cannot be used wirelessly? Well there goes my purchase.
Also, why would Bayonetta need a D-Pad? Those buttons are only used for items in the other games.

Nintendo should be producing these. Forcing consumers to rely on third parties for common-sense peripherals is ridiculous.

Omg this is exactly what I need. Thank you hori

I'll buy one. Not happy about lack of wireless mode, as I love tabletop play. But as pointed out, we have pro controllers for such things.

Since I use my Switch 99,9% in handheld mode I think this one could suit my needs. Another option will be to convert the original with the enclosures one can already find on the web... mmmh, dunno.

Finally! For me, a D-pad is the only way I can play fighting games with any degree of accuracy.

Will they come in different colors besides dark blue? Perhaps the Neon and grey colors, so we have a complete set.

I actually don’t mind the original joy con buttons it’s the rubbish pro controller d pad that annoys me

Seems a bit pricey for having no gyro or wireless tech inside.

@Damo Yes - exactly that. This is obviously made for handheld mode which is exactly what we need it for.

I don't get why people want this so bad lol I find using buttons is just as good if not easier... Just use a pro

This looks great! I’d rather have it without wireless and it be cheaper. It gives the option for a dpad in portable mode which is pretty swish. I just hope it’s a good dpad and the whole thing isn’t silly expensive.

I know a lot of people use the Switch as a Handheld but mine has always been primarily used as a home console so this wouldn't be much use to me unfortunately.

I will only buy one if it includes everything.

I just don't understand how people find it so difficult to use the buttons on the joy-con. It's the same 4 directions only with singular buttons instead of being attached as a pad. If anything this is actually more accurate than any dpad. Maybe I'm just too tired to think about this properly though. Ah well, lol

Yes yes yes!

90% of my time is spent in handheld mode. Awesome news

I may be one of the few that likes the default d-buttons

Anyway, the dpad kinda looks like crap and the camera button seems too close.

I'll pass.

That is a lot of caveats just to get a dpad on the Switch in portable mode. I might have bitten if you could also use the joy con in the grip but without that option I will stick with my current joy con. I find the current dpad just fine anyways!

On a side note that dpad on the wired Hori controller was so, so disappointing. All they had to do was add the dpad from the Pokken controller but they messed it up!

@TheBraveFencer I've been using hori controllers since the ps2 Era, and they have always made good dpads. Even their hori pad for the switch, as monstrous as it looks, is actually great to use. I do agree that the location of the camera button seems a bit off

Playing Street Fighter with Left Analog button feels easier than D-pad in my opinion.
Imagine when you have to Circle the Analog button to input Zangief techniques.

@Findonovan95
I think that for 2D fighting games the joy cons are useless unfortunately.

Well at least the color is nice

@Fandabidozi It is for me. I play a mean game of Tetris and it totally blows donkey balls to use the pro controller. The d-pad on it makes me drop pieces that I never intended to.

I play in handheld mode a lot, I play 2D games a lot and other than Puyo Puyo Tetris never have I felt a need to use the 4 buttons. The analogue stick on the Joy-con works great as a D-pad replacement. It's short length and small area of travel makes it a more than adequate alternative to the classic D-pad. I say this as someone who has never felt comfortable using an analogue stick for 2D games and used to swear by the D-pad.I don't like analogue controls for 2D games with the Pro either. But the Joy-con no issues whatsoever. Unless you're playing 1v1 fighters I really don't get why it such a big problem for some.

I'll stick with my pro controller for now I think.

@Galenmereth not really pointless considering there are many options for playing on a TV (Pro controller being my favouritr) but none for portable mode. This is fine for portable play, attached to the system.

If it’s cheaper than it would have been, because they removed those features I’m fine with it, as I only use the joy-con for portable mode anyway.

Great. I think it is actually a good call to reduce the features so the headline price can be lower. Makes it much more likely I would invest in this.

No wireless, I'm out. I'm not willing to lose functionality no matter how much I want a real dpad.

@kepsux I only use the joy-con for portable mode anyway (pro for tv mode), so I’m happy with it.

@Damo It's a really weird choice though. Now if I want a D-pad I have to buy 2 separate controllers to cover all modes. It would be much better value if it were more expensive but included wireless.

Cool. No wireless limits the use of it, but I have an SNES style controller if I want to play the Switch docked with a D-Pad. I've been wanting a cheap handheld mode solution, and this sounds like EXACTLY what I need.

@Damo I was more thinking I would have to buy a pro controller and this in order to use a d-pad in all modes. If it were a full joycon I wouldn't need to buy the pro. I guess it's just a case of can't please everyone.

I'm still hoping for Nintendo themselves to make a proper d-pad joy-con set (with SF/Euro SNES colours) but this is exactly the sort of thing I was hoping for as a cheap alternative. It'll hopefully make playing 2D platformers and the like more comfortable, as if the Switch were a massive GBA

Curious to see what the Switch actually reads this as though; does it mimic an existing Joy-con L? Unless things changed since I last checked, I think that for a pair of Joy-con to work together they both need to be either attached or detached from the console, so presumably this Hori one will have to read as an actual Joy-con L; if it even has an icon with the correct colour I'll be super-optimistic about Hori's collaborating with Nintendo on Switch products in future.

The horrible D-buttons are why I bought sonic mania on my PS4. Ultra street fighter was nearly unplayable with joy con. This is a good thing. Hori does what nintendont.

@OorWullie I partially agree with you, I'm not too picky either and as you know I play a lot of 2D games, SHMUPS & arcades... but while the thumbstick is more than decent for generic movements, sometimes I feel the need for a proper D-PAD to input precise single-tap steps (I know I can move my thumb down to press the single buttons, but it would be awkward... call me lazy )

Only the lack of wireless bothers me as I love to play tabletop with a joycon in each hand but will still probably pick this up if the reviews are good.

This is good news and I love Hori they are the next best thing to official products but I recently bought the wireless fighting commander for the SNES mini and had to return it the d pad was awful wouldn’t do diagonals

Are joy-cons not ALWAYS in wireless mode (even when connected to Switch) ?

@premko1 : Of course not. Why would they be? That would only drain the battery faster for a completely unnecessary function. Plus the Joy-Con would be unusable in flight mode if that were the case.

@sillygostly I belive U,but give me some facts. How do they communicate NOT wirelessly with the console ?

It's nice to see someone finally making these, but man I wish nintendo would just put one out themselves. I won't be getting this as I don't play too many games that just feel like it has to have them. But I'm glad its now an option (other than the pro controller).

@premko1 : Put your Switch on flight mode.

@Galenmereth Your definition of 'entirely pointless' seems way too broad...

@sillygostly By switching it to flight mode just REDUCES the power and range of bluetooth !!! Joy-cons AREN`T physically connected with the console !!!

looks to the left

looks to the right

I didn't ask for this

@Grawlog a lot of the twitch platformers (Celeste for example) can get tricky with having to move your finger off each button

Woooooooooooooooooooooo! I just hope it is a good d-pad.

Mixed feeling about this one. Was over the moon when I read the headline... then started reading about all the functions missing.

Hmmmm.

@Bunkerneath @Galenmereth
Why would you want to use this wirelessly? This seriously only makes sense when its on the Switch itself. This thing is designed JUST for handheld gaming.
If you want it wirelessly get a pro controller.
There is just not an option to get a dpad in handheld mode, and now there is.

I really don't mind the individual buttons...

I can definitely understand the need for a good d pad but that is a lot to sacrifice for it. Well as long as it works out for the handheld only crowd.

@sillygostly My bad:

https://www.neogaf.com/threads/how-do-the-joy-cons-connect-to-the-switch-when-in-portable-mode.1372089/

Surprisingly for me the small joycon analogue stick has worked rather well for my 2D portable gaming but I will still pick this up.

My only hope is that they offer more than one colour; that blue looks ugly in my opinion. Plus I got the grey joycons so want a grey one.

The people who bang on about a D pad, are the same people you see walking around Shoreditch using a sony Walkman....

But it's third party, isn't it going to brick my Switch?!

For that price and gimped usability, I'll pass.

Never really had the problem with the directional buttons myself.

@AcridSkull This is $25, a standard Joy-Con is $50. How is this "pricey"?

Seems like Nintendo won’t let any third parties make fully functional pro controllers or joy-con. Clever, but kind of a shame.

I've never cared about the absence of a D-pad. Or about getting a pro controller. The joycons are just fine in the grip.

I'll stick to my Hori RAP V

idk, seems interesting but I wish it had wireless at least.

A lot of limitations but I'd definitely buy one just to have a D-pad for portable mode.

I would rather just Nintendo make an official joycon pair with D-pads
That way they would:
-Be wireless
-Have motion controls

The people who don’t understand the desire for a proper d-pad are most likely not playing the types of games where one would be necessary. Analogue sticks are hard to use with 2-d games that require precision and speed. The buttons are fine if you’re playing something that doesn’t reqiure diagnal motion, like tetris. It takes more time and mental effort to cover the right combination of buttons, instead of just tilting the d-pad. It’s quicker and more intuitive. I don’t think games like Megaman are even going to be playable in portable mode without a d-pad. As for those arguing that we can just use the pro instead, 1) the pro d-pad is miserable. It makes incorrect inputs, it’s tiny, and it’s located akwardly.2) Defeats the purpose of having a Switch. I like portable mode the best.

@Thisismycomment you can get a whole controller for $20, this is half of one.
Do you actually think $50 for a single JoyCon is a good deal?

While I was initially intrigued by the announcement, after reading about all the limitations and cut features, I'll be sticking with my beautiful modified Atomic Purple d-pad joycon

Freaking finally! It's about time!

@AcridSkull Of course I don’t think $50 for a single Joy-Con is a "good deal" but that’s how much it costs for an official one from Nintendo. In that comparison, $25 for this HORI Joy-Con is half price.

A lot of sacrifices for one feature of highly questionable value.

@Thisismycomment they're not comparable then, you can't say it's "half price" when it's not official and not the same product.

@Findonovan95

it's harder for fighting games at least.

the playstation pad is the same. games like marvel v capcom are infuriating with that awful 4 button thing.

Tell that to Hideki Kamiya, someone whos not banned by him

@AcridSkull Joy-Con connect to the Switch via a small chip on the bottom, that’s what slides into a connector on the Switch to make a wired connection. I’m sure HORI got those chips from Nintendo, which would make the price higher than a simple USB controller, of which they could go to any source, even create it themselves.

You’re comparing something that is proprietary to something that’s an open standard.

Now stop this line of questioning. It’s foolish.

Is it just me that thinks its completly pointless? I don't see a need for button changes. I persnolaly like the four seperate ones on an original joy con.

Yeah i'll just stick with taking my pro controller with me when i want to play handheld it works fine until Nintendo puts out a real joycon that has all the capabilities of normal with those options.

@Thisismycomment please provide evidence that this is proprietary technology.

First I was excited, then came the fact it didn't work with wireless.

I'll just stick with the regular non-DPad for now, until Nintendo comes with one at least.

"Because this product is dedicated to the portable mode, wireless communication is not performed in "TV mode" and "table mode"."

I don't think they should be allowed to call this a Joy-con, as it does almost nothing a Joycon does. It's a "Joy-con replacement" at best. The fact that it doesn't even switch off of the tablet, it has to stay on there at all times, turns the switchiness of the Switch into a full time portable handheld.

"D-pad Attached Adapter" should be what they are forced to call it, b/c that's really all it is. It is not a Joy-con. Calling this thing a Joy-con is like calling a DS a 3DS. Maybe worse than that.

Not selling as a pair almost a deal breaker. No wireless, no deal.

Just make them full featured FFS. I'm not touching this at all because I switch back and forth in modes a lot. Yeah, not touching this thing at all.

"prayers been answered"? nah

I still think the shell mod with d-pad is the best option. You use actual nintendo joycons, so no compromise in wireless or gyro, and you can have matching joycons. But you do have to risk opening your joycons. Considering how expensive they are, I can see why some would be hesitant. I have no regrets

YES!!! I’ll be buying one! Strictly for the likes of Shovel Knight and Street Fighter, this is perfect. Sure, it’ll be nice to get an all singing, all dancing HD rumbling version at some point, but for now? This’ll do nicely!

Well now we got some options, either get this or buy one of those already modded joycons with a d-pad. The Hori one would be lacking features but cheaper however the modded ones seen below may have the full features of a typical pair of joycons but it'll cost you a hefty price. Me personally I already got mine so this Hori one is a good option for those who don't want theirs mod or don't want to get modded ones.

No tabletop/TV mode support, no HD Rumble, no gyro,...

Ehhh...at least it's cheap, but count me out.

Hmmm, maybe. I already have my 8bitdo controller for the rare occasions I get the tv to myself

This controller definitely is intriguing, to say the least. Especially since it removes all the normal functionality of an actual joy-con besides the controller part.

I reached out to HORI to figure out why that is. Unless they somehow managed to get a pivot d-pad (see GBA and before D-pad) in the controller by removing all that functionality.

I'd rather pay the $20 for replacement shell d-pad kit and do it to my existing joy-con and then I have all the functionality for the same price.

@NintyNate @Findonovan95 And I really don't get this mentality. It's fine if you like the buttons. But in the same breath that many people say the buttons are fine, they say to use a pro controller. Which is it? Are the buttons fine, or should we use the pro controller? If the buttons are so great and perfect, why aren't they on the pro controller?

As someone who has (And loves) the pro controller, and as someone who also believes the buttons are fine, I still prefer the D-Pad for certain games and Buttons for others. It's not about which is better, it's a simple matter of preference. There's currently no way to use a D-Pad in handheld mode. So why shouldn't this be a welcome addition?

That said, I don't think I'll pick one of these up, despite playing handheld 80% of the time. Missing too many features, and I still have hope a first party alternative will come around soon.

@retro_player_22
Hey, those are mine! I think these look way better than the Hori controllers. They match my old game boy color, too.

It seems like such a weird, non-problem to me. The console is so much less comfortable to play in "handheld" mode that I can't imagine anyone is playing extremely twitchy hardcore games in that mode, so if it doesn't work detached there doesn't seem like much of a point.

I have yet to see any explanation of why this is needed and solves any problem that just using a Pro Controller doesn't solve.

I play 90% in handheld mode so I will need this to play Street Fighter

@Flipbot These are everywhere on eBay, if you prefer to get them already modded it'll cost you around $120-$160. If you prefer to modded it yourself then you can get the shell with the d-pad for around $25-$30 from AliExpress I believe. Modders in Illinois and New York are making a business selling these by buying a tons of official joycons and modding them with the shell and d-pad.

@DanElectrode You don't have to look very hard to find there are plenty of people who do play primarily handheld. Yes, I find the pro more comfortable, but I have no issues playing "hardcore" or "twitchy" games portably - whatever that may mean to you. Competitive Puyo Puyo Tetris, Celeste B-Sides, SHMUPS - I play them all regularly handheld.

And what do you mean you don't see any problem it solves that a Pro Controller doesn't? It's a simple issue - People want a D-Pad for handheld play. Just because you don't, doesn't mean others don't.

@ZAK6 - Well of course you're going think this is "pointless", you admitted yourself you like the traditional joycon layout. This is (obviously?) for people who want an integrated dpad.

For everyone else saying things like "I don't need this, I never play handheld, what's the point?"-- Duh, you're obviously not the target audience. It's like saying "I don't get the point of automatic transmission, I only drive stick" because you're ignoring or dismissing the portion of population that DOES. C'mon, don't be so shortsighted and narrow-minded, people...

My blue joy-con is useless anyway(wireless connection issue), so i'm picking this up. 8BITDO does the job when docked.

@roadrunner343 Not to mention that getting a Pro Controller with a D-Pad that isn't constantly mixing up inputs is a crapshoot in the first place.

But yeah, this home console-only gamer snobbery about why anyone would play in handheld mode never ceases to be obnoxious.

@Morgan19 The real question is, what's the point of the Pro Controller and dock? I mean, I pretty much only play portable, so those two peripherals are really pointless =D

@Ralizah Yeah, that's really frustrating to me. I now have 3 pro controllers. I only bought the 3rd (Xenoblade edition) because I heard it alleviated some of those issues. Sadly, on all 3 of mine, I have the occasional accidental up-press when pressing left or right. Almost never an issue, except when playing Puyo Puyo Tetris. Unfortunately, that's my wife and my go to competitive game XD

@Flipbot Those are yours? Is it the BASSTOP brand shells, do you know? I'd like to mod my own, but I've only ever seen them in purple. Not that I hate the atomic purple, but I'm looking for an opaque color. Also, how does it feel? I assume similar to the 3DS D-Pad. Good not great.

@roadrunner343 The mediocre D-Pad is the biggest reason I'll likely never get a Pro controller. Why pay premium price for a defective product?

To be honest, PPT is the one game I can't imagine playing with anything but joycon. Those D-Buttons are PERFECT for it.

@Ralizah It was just the perfect storm of bad luck for me. I was one of the lucky few in the early days that had the de-sync issues with my Joy-Con. Nintendo support was kind enough to offer me pro-controllers at half off while I waited for my Joy-Con repairs, so I ordered two.

As for PPT, I tend to agree with you. When I play online, I always play portable with the Joy-Con. When playing on the TV with my wife though, we use the pro-controllers. Despite my joy-con being repaired, it still feels laggy/misses certain button presses at times, so I stick to the Pro when playing on the TV, but I would prefer the button layout.

@roadrunner343 Yeah they’re Basstop, and they come in several colors. I’ve seen them mostly in translucent colors and clear, but I think they might have opaque colors too. It feels really good, better than the 3ds d-pad, mostly I think because the placement is more natural. You kind of have to curl your hand akwardly to use the 3ds d-pad, which can be painful after a couple of hours. Closest thing I can compare it with is the Wiiu d-pad. It has a similar size, placement and feel.

@Flipbot Awesome, thanks for the feedback. I couldn't tell from the pictures, I assumed the size was close to 3DS. I agree with the hand pain it causes too =) Glad to hear it's closer to Wii U in feel/placement. I may just have to mod mine now. Thanks again, take care!

@roadrunner343 the buttons are fine, but I use a pro as since launch I've played with my joycon for about 15 mins lol

@roadrunner343 Exactly. I just need a D-pad to play on handheld mode. Been wanting this for a long time!

@NintyNate Does that even make sense in your head? If you've spent 15 minutes with using your Joy-Con, does it seem as if a Joy-Con with a D-Pad is even remotely targeted to you? Also, do you think 15 minutes of playtime qualifies you to say the "Buttons are just as good if not easier" ?

This is clearly targeted to people who use their Joy-Con, most likely for more than 15 minutes, especially for portable mode. If that's not you, and you have no interest in the product, that's fine - but stop spouting nonsense.

Yes. Finally. A D-pad option to play on handheld mode.

I don't need wireless in handheld mode. And in the other modes i use the Pro controller, or my 8Bitdo controllers, when I need a d-pad.

No thanks, I already have an original Nintendo Joycon with a d-pad.
Besides, that d-pad in the photo looks awful.

And why would anyone need a d-pad for a 3D game like Bayonetta? Makes no sense.

@retro_player_22 You can just buy the shell and mod it yourself, it's quite easy (apart from using the cheap screws that come with it without them breaking) and isn't expensive at all (I think I paid 15€ for a pair).

I wonder if people complaining that Nintendo should make one too have tried the D-Pad on the Pro Controller

Cool, but if it doesn't show up as blue on the controllers screen we are gonna have a problem.

@ValhallaOutcast
Yes. We have. But how does my Pro Controller help me, when I want to use a D-pad in handheld mode?

@dres it was a jab at sarcasm since so many people complained that the D-Pad sucks on the Pro and Nintendo forgot hot to make a quality D-Pad even thought they essentially invented it

You're better off just buying an official joy-con and modding it with those $20 mod-kits on Amazon. It'll be a bit more money but you'll have Nintendo's incredible build quality and won't be sacrificing any functionality. Plus, you can get some snazzy colors to replace your joy-con shells.

@shani Not all games on the Switch are 3D. We need a D-pad to play 2D games like Street Fighter in Handheld Mode.

@roadrunner343 wow I'm talking crap? I'm just saying it's pointless , end of...

@NintyNate I said you were spouting nonsense, but sure, talking crap if you prefer. If D-Pads are pointless, why not complain that the pro controller lacks directional buttons? If you've only ever spent 15 minutes with the Joy-Con, how are you remotely close to qualified to speak one way or the other?

Seems like common sense would dictate that this product isn't targeted for you. That has no bearing on whether the product as a whole is pointless. As someone who apparently plays exclusively with a controller that has a D-Pad, you'd think you of all people would be capable of wrapping your head around why some folks might prefer that control method for portable use.

EDIT: PS, saying "End of Story" after a truly asinine comment doesn't make it any more believable or correct. Just for future reference. Maybe consider the possibility of someone else having a different preference from your own.

@Biff_ARMStrong Did you even read my comment?

I already have a d-pad. For 2D games.

I never said that all Switch games are 3D, so I don't get where you got that from.

But Hideki Kamiya said he'd only make Bayonetta 3 if the Switch had a d-pad. Which makes absolutely no sense, assuming Bayonetta 3 will be a 3D game like its predecessors.

@Fandabidozi Its a good size and more than functional.

@shani I think he just wants a D-pad on a joycon in general. Not necessarily to play Bayonetta 3 with. He's like everyone else, a frustrated Switch owner who wishes to play 2D games in handheld mode with a D-pad

One thing to keep in mind: those replacement d-pad shells aren't "proper" pads. They don't have a raised center pivot of any type so its possible to just mash down on them and hit all 4 directions at once.

Amazing the amount of "well I don't need this, how stupid of a product" comments. That's the equivalent of thumbing your nose at tampons because you have a penis. People play Soul Caliber with a fishing controller but I've not seen too many tournaments with people using them.

@Biff_ARMStrong That might be, but tying it to the development of a 3D game seems nonsensical to me.

That said, anyone can just buy a mod kit (like I did) and have a d-pad on their Joycon if they really feel they need it. The shells even have a better build quality than the original Joycons (which are a cheap piece of trash anyway).

It's not even like I absolutely had to have a d-pad (I don't play a lot of 2D games). I just find four buttons to be the inferior option, so I changed it.

Instead of waiting an eternity for Nintendo (or any company) to act, people should take things into their own hands more often and just do/get what they want. It's 2018, not 1918. Why make yourself dependent on a big company?

@Azathoth Yeah but that still doesn't change the fact that with a pad on top of the buttons it would at least make directional functions more accurate than using just the four buttons. As a gamer who had experience with controllers throughout the ages, the pivot on the d-pad thing never really were an issue to me. It's more or less if the controller works properly and the input is accurate. Also on most games the directional control can also be used by the left analog stick as well which shockingly can also be press, how come we don't hear anyone complaining about that?

Hori makes good stuff but the Joycons are so specialized and so perfect in fit and finish I can't help but wonder if this will have that typical "third party controller" feel.

My dreams would be answered if someone made JoyCons for ACTUAL ADULT SIZED HANDS.

@westman98 with you 100%. Hopefully that is just a translation error. I'll take normal rumble

I would prefer a reversed layout or some larger Joy Cons. (Pro controller sized parts)

@Azathoth
You’re right that it doesn’t have a raised pivot point, but it has a slightly concave shape, so unless you’re really not paying attention or deliberately jabbing the center, it feels just as functional as some of the best d-pads I’ve used. As far as I can remember, I’ve never hit the wrong direction. With that concave shape, you’re thumbs just know where to go. I can’t say the same about using joycon buttons, or the horrible pro controller d-pad.

Only the left? I would prefer to have a full set to match the look and feel.

wait, what's wrong with the d pad on the pro controller? I'm looking to buy them soon but now I'm on the fence

@SonOfVon
I have an older pro controller, so they may have fixed this in later models, but sometimes it registers the wrong input. It doesn’t feel like you can push a direction solidly, and that can affect games where precision and timing are important.
That being said, I highly recommend the pro controller for 3d games. It’s actually the most comfortable controller I’ve ever owned, and there is no better way to play Zelda in docked mode. For 2-d games that I prefer using the d-pad with, I use an 8bitdo in docked, or just portable since I have a d-pad on my joycons.

It looks so bad...

@roadrunner343 indeed

buy a Pokken controller !!!

@Fandabidozi

1000% agree

almost but not quite #sad face

@Findonovan95 fighting games. Its Hori's pedigree. As someone who uses their Switch in handheld 100% of the time, I'll be all over this.

So it’s basically a gutted aftermarket left joycon with zero functionality other that a D-pad that isn’t even official Nintendo spec... not only is this a no for me, it’s a HELL NO. I’ll buy an extra left joycon if and when Nintendo makes an official one with ALL functionality INTACT with a Nintendo soec d-pad. I like HORI products, but this is a damn waste

With all due respect to the editors at NintendoLife, please don't spin this as it being awesome. Reading the specs for this, it seems like a lot of features from the original Joy-Con are missing just so we can get a D-Pad.

Nintendo would be better off making their own version with all the features that the official left Joy-Con has, and just add a D-Pad to that. This third-party one just seems like a waste of money. It's a no-go for me.

I'd really prefer they make a Joy-Con with a +Control Pad in place of the analogue stick. That'd make Tropical Freeze and Star Allies easier to play in my opinion.

great. getting the adapter to use my Xbox1 controller on Switch anyway - so the wireless feature is irrelevant for me.

They were always garbage as a wireless controller anyway - buttons and sticks are way to small.

If you make a Joy-Con with a d-pad, replace the left controlstick with it. That way you could use it sideways as a proper gamepad too (if it had wireless).

@mailman
I used my Joy-Cons more often as seperate gamepads, than I needed to use a d-pad so badly. In fact, I can play all 2D-games with the Joy-Con's controlstick just fine.🙂

@wasilewski agreed.ready for street fighter!

This didn't answer my prayer. I wanted an official Controller just with a D-Pad. Not a gimped third party thing.

This thing has way too many drawbacks for me. I'll pass.

I don’t think many (any?) of the drawbacks on this thing is a problem when playing in portable mode, which this is obviously made for. I will get this day 1, and I will surely enjoy my 2D platformers and fighting games a lot more in portable mode with this

@Mommar The official joycon (which can be sold in pairs or individually) goes for US$50 individually. This is half the price for an individual joycon.

@CDreams It's licensed by Nintendo so it's not just some random 3rd party device.

I guess if you're going to use the TV you may as well just use a pro (assuming you have one) but this still feels like a long list of downsides for just one upside. Unlike their pro controllers, the Joy cons come included with the system so this isn't really a cheap substitute for anything.

@Ernest_The_Crab Why do I care about that fact?

@Mommar "This didn't answer my prayer. I wanted an official Controller just with a D-Pad. Not a gimped third party thing."

It's not a 3rd party thing if it's officially licensed by Nintendo. Hori is a licensed peripheral manufacturer for Nintendo.

For all the missing features it has seems over priced.

Sounds like it only works in handheld mode and doens't even have all the buttons on it.

@Ernest_The_Crab Whatever bro. It isn't made by Nintendo and it's gimped. Not what I asked for.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Pro Controller ftw!

I don’t understand why this is even a thing. I’m probably the only one, but at the same time I feel like I’m not missing out. I have a 4-button wannabe d-pad and I don’t care.

I know I can trust Hori as they proved to be the best third party for Nintendo peripheals and accesories but a proper D-pad is a huge task to accomplish with honours.

You're right that the extra Joy-con motion features being left out isn't a big deal, but why is it only for portable mode? Gamers would appreciate being able to play 2D games in TV mode with just the Joy-cons, and there are even some 2D multiplayer games like "Kirby Star Allies" that would be beneficial for using table top mode without needing to drag along a couple of pro controllers.

@Bunkerneath I think it's more a personal thing for Kamiya as the games he plays are probably retro games. I couldn't imagine playing Ninja Gaiden without a d-pad, for instance.

cool

I might get one becuase I pretty much always play portable but most of these peripherals are missing a lot of functionality. I wish Nintendo would release a wider range of official peripherals with all the features

@JTMnM "no wireless", yeah common sense lol, also I have no problems with the d-pad, but maybe it's just me.......

@sillygostly They are connected with magnets, so they are "wireless" in a way.

@wasilewski my son recently got ultra street fighter 2 and I find that the small analog stick is great for it. I am able to hit moves accurately with shorter motions than a typical analog.