The Nintendo Switch has proven to be groundbreaking on a number of levels, but, as with many consoles, accessibility has continued to be one of the main features on which it can improve. A 2017 console evaluation by The Able Gamers Charity confirmed just this, commenting on the Switch's 'zero accessibility features' at launch. Since then, Nintendo introduced system-level button remapping and the ability to zoom, but there's still much more that could be done, and YouTuber Akaki Kuumeri has created a Joy-Con adaptor to begin moving these problems in the opposite direction.
Kuumeri's design (shown in the video above) works to combat certain dexterity issues some gamers experience as a result of the console's traditional two-handed approach to gaming. Flipping one Joy-Con into an upside-down position, the adaptor lets you play the console's two-handed control system from the button inputs of a single controller.
Beginning with the basic design of the Switch's Comfort Grip, Kuumeri tweaked the standard handle depth to account for one-handed play and added extensions to allow the use of the Joy-Con's button D-pad even when the controller is in an inverted state.
The adaptor allows for full joy-stick manoeuvrability through the movement of the accessory on a surface beneath (the video demonstrates this capability on a table, but the design is also suited to sit on top of your legs). This accounts for both Joy-Con, with the accessory available in both left- and right-handed editions.
No design of this calibre would be complete without a full working demonstration, and Kuumeri's video shows the device in action — beating up Moblins in Breath of the Wild and even besting his opponent in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — now that's some serious skills on display.
Accessibility issues in gaming aren't solved with a singular solution, but this device appears quite versatile. Kuumeri has made this adaptor — and many for other consoles — available on his Etsy store and it is currently racking up a large number of five-star reviews.
What do you make of this one-handed controller? What else can the Switch do to improve accessibility? Let us know in the comments below!
Further reading:
- Feature: Just How Accessible Are Switch Games Like Xenoblade, Pokémon, And Mario Odyssey?
- Video: Meet The Hori Flex, A Nintendo Switch Controller Built With Accessibility In Mind
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 30
Well that’s the kind of ingenuity that Nintendo would be fools not to embrace. Really impressive stuff.
"When I move the block, Zelda - she runs forward."
I was seriously wondering if something like this existed and now it does. Just had hand surgery and have just been playing visual novels until I can get use of both hands again. Brilliant idea.
I can imagine a lot of people will be really helped by this invention. Very creative and maybe this is the true secret behind Sakurai's famous 2 controller playstyle!
Ooooooooo Bayonetta!
@prismt :
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⠿⠟⠛⠛⠛⠻⠿⠟⠛⠛⠛⠻⠿⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⡿⠟⠛⠁⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠈⠉⠛⠿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⠇⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠈⣿⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⣆⡀⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⢹⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣦⡤⠄⣠⣤⣤⣤⣤⣤⣤⣤⣄⡀⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⢸⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠄⣼⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡆⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⣸⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡀⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⢟⣫⣭⣿⣿⠃⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⢠⣿⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣧⠄⠩⢿⠯⣓⠛⣻⣿⣿⣿⣿⣄⣀⠐⠄⠄⠄⠄⢀⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⠦⠄⣰⡒⠶⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠿⣿⣿⣭⣤⠄⠄⢀⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣁⣀⡉⠁⠤⠄⠒⠛⠛⢋⣉⣵⣾⣿⣿⣿⡇⢠⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣯⡀⢲⣶⣶⠿⠿⠿⠿⠿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡇⠸⠿⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣷⣶⣶⣶⣾⡿⠋⠉⠄⠄⠉⠛⠛⠉⠉⠄⠄⠄⠈⢹⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠃⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⢠⡄⢀⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡇⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⢸⡇⢸⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠇⢀⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄⣸⡇⢸⣿⣿⣿
"Yeah, me too. Mmm-hmm-heh."
@prismt Hitting on the REAL TALK.
Now my left hand is free to do whatever I want!
** grabs drink of lemonade **
@Scarko that’s pro-level trolling right there.
You can tell from all the other jokes in the video he knew exactly what he was doing. 😂
Perfect for the waifu games.
@Kienda Yeah I think you're right, at first I thought "noob" but with all the other jokes I think he knew exactly what he was doing
Accessibility is always welcome, fantastic stuff!
It's really nice that someone took it upon themselves to think and help gamers with disability. I was worried about the viability of the business model but I guess Etsy is a good option
Seeing his process was really cool; and if this helps someone with a disability enjoy video games more, then I'm all for it!
“This accounts for both Joy-Con, with the accessory available in both left- and right-handed editions.”
I am not left-handed, but glad that left-handed gamers were remembered too. 😊
I'd rather stop playing most games before I use something this complicated and confusing.
@MichaelP People who are disabled are never thought about in comments like these. There are plenty of disabled gamers who only can use one hand. This is perfect for them. It's not meant for people like us who are able-bodied.
This reminded me of the Ben Heck show. He would mod controllers into one-handed controllers, although I don't think he tackled Nintendo controllers.
Gives those with some disability to start enjoying some of the games on Switch. Good that there's right and left design something we don't see often.
@BinaryMessiah
What are you talking about? If, for whatever reason, I would only be able to play games with only one hand, I'd rather stop playing "complicated" games, because THAT looks like stressful hand work and not really fun. I find many current games and controller unnecessary complicated and button-overloaded, but the method in this video takes it even further. 🤷♂️
Also, don't fool yourself and think you can play every game with this with no problems.
@MichaelP I think BOTW is a good measure to test but no one said it's for every game. So unless you seen how one's disabilities has prevented them from enjoying like the rest of us- I think you need to stop before you dig yourself a bigger hole.
@SwitchForce
What the f? Why do I have to repeat myself for a third time?
If I would have an accident and lose a hand or would, for whatever reason, need to perform even more finger acrobatics than even now with many games, I would just quit playing "complicated" games. End of story.
@MichaelP that is kind of one sided. Maybe you would quit playing complicated games. But imagine born with one hand and you never had the choice. Now you can play botw with one hand, you have a choice now, vs before you did not. That is a huge deal
looks pretty sweet... but how
@BadTango Guess some people never really think about those that can't do what normal two handed person takes for granted everyday.
@MichaelP I work with terminal disabled teens for a living. You're able-bodied. Once you're disabled you have a totally different mindset. You learn to adapt and overcome stuff and things like this become second nature. I have a patient who plays Halo with just his mouth and eyes. You learn. He started out as a young kid fully able-bodied and over time he lost all movement. I've set up several controller setups for him over time as he lost the ability to use certain fingers, and then his hands altogether. He only has a few years left and it's inventions like this that make their short existence fun and gives them things to forget about in their depressing world.
So yeah, I know exactly what I'm talking about. This setup isn't designed for you.
Removed - flaming/arguing
I had hand surgery on my right hand twice in 2019 (and due for a third one soon), so was unable to use that hand for a while after each one. I 3D printed a thing someon had designed specifically for one handed Switch playing. They had made a right handed one and a left handed one. I remember playing Tetris 99 with just my left hand.
@MichaelP I myself was lucky to only be one-handed for a couple of months, but some people are like that for life. Telling them they can't play what you call complicdated games isn't fair at all. Gaming should be for everyone.
@jirizarr1231 There are some cool 3D printable ones, if you c=an access a 3D printer. Definitely worth a try. I was able to access one at a place where I volunteer, so went in after my hand surgery with the files downloaded and printed them. Definitely worth it to keep up with gaming.
Tap here to load 30 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...