
When the Switch launched, its new Joy-Con controllers were dreamy little wonders stuffed with neat tech and surprises.
Unfortunately, the biggest surprise was an unwelcome one - with time, the sticks were prone to drifting on their own accord, and the widespread problem caused many a Switch gamer's opinion to sour. The pads' small size also created problems for anyone with larger hands, with some of us forking out for a Pro Controller or switching to a grip or third-party alternative for handheld play.
However, non-Nintendo alternatives always come with compromises. Our beloved Hori Split Pad Pro lacks motion sensors, for instance, meaning stick-based aiming only in games like BOTW or Splatoon. It's fine, but after you've experienced the precision of gyro aiming, it's tough to go back.
Enter NYXI with its updated Hyperion 2 Joy-Con pads, pitched as "the ultimate replacement" for the real Mc-Con. They don't quite match the official feature set, but they add a few things Nintendon't and, pound for pound, these could well suit you better, depending on your priorities.
NYXI Hyperion 2: Design
Having found NYXI's Warrior pad for GameCube and Switch to be a quirky but quality bit of kit, this new pair of Joy-Con released earlier in January and we were curious to see how they compared to Nintendo's. The Hyperion 2s are, in fact, the third entry in the Hyperion range, with the originals offering similar functionality with an asymmetric grip design, and a Pro variant adding Hall Effect joysticks that are also present here.
These pads split the difference between the chunkier grips of previous models and the straight sides of official Joy-Con. The backs here bulge out for comfier handheld play, but they feel less unwieldy when you slide them off the rails. They're around a centimetre wider than Nintendo's Joy-Con, though, and feel much more substantial - 80g each compared to Nintendo's ~50g, but with the extra grip they give you, it's hard to discern the added weight.
What's missing compared to the official Joy-Con, then? Well, there's no IR sensor in the right controller, nor an NFC reader for your amiibo. These Joy-Con have rumble (which can be cycled between three intensity settings) but it's not the HD variety, so you won't be able to count balls in a box in 1-2-Switch (we tried).
In place of those features, however, you get turbo options, programmable back buttons, removable magnetic faceplates, and natty LED lights around the analogue sticks. And most importantly, they've got those Hall Effect sticks, meaning they shouldn't suffer from the dreaded Joy-Con drift.
At $79.99 (£64.39 / €76,99), they'll set you back the same as a pair of Nintendo's Joy-Con, and they're pricier than NYXI's Hyperion Pro ($65.99) and the original Hyperion ($56.99). They come with a plastic case if you're looking to keep them pristine between play sessions, but that and a manual are all you get in the box otherwise.
NYXI Hyperion 2: Performance
Let's get the lights out of the way first. Each to their own, but this reviewer has never been a fan of I'M-A-GAMER paraphernalia. However, we did warm to the subtle RGB detailing here, which feels classier than your typical screaming neon.
You can have the lights pulsing in rainbow hues, or click the tiny buttons on the back to pick a solid colour from a choice of seven - we ended up with blue on the left and red on the right to duplicate the classic Switch feel. Keeping the lights on halves the 10-hour battery life between charges, but realistically you'll be sliding the controllers back on the console before they run out of juice.
Fashion-Con aside, these feel great in the hands. Face button placement is good, the grips give you plenty of purchase, the sticks are responsive, and the back buttons fall in a nice, natural position. Firing up some Hades on the sofa, any failures when facing the monstrous hordes of Tartarus, Asphodel, and Elysium were down to our being out of practice.
Years ago, a combination of drift and hand cramps led to migrating to a Pro Controller almost exclusively for TV play, so it's been a minute since we sat on the sofa playing with crossed arms. We didn't realise how much we'd missed that feeling, that freedom!
Moving onto TOTK, our go-to controller-tester these days, we started to feel that these could be our default Switch controllers from now on. Other third-party pads have six-way gyro, of course, but the Hyperion 2 feels like the happiest medium that retains the basic shape and functionality of the official Joy-Con but enhanced for larger-handed players.
After we'd turned down the rumble intensity to preserve our fillings, we quickly forgot about them — always a good sign with any input device — and just cracked on assembling Mineru's Construct. A blast of Splatoon 2 was similarly pleasurable and uneventful. A quick dip into 1-2-Switch confirmed that you'll need to keep your OG Joy-Con handy for high-def rumble (and IR functionality and scanning amiibo) but, for us, the added benefits here far outstrip the lost features.
Detaching and holding them sideways for multiplayer, they're more or less the same as the official Joy-Con comfort-wise. 'SL' and 'SR' are similarly tiny and awkward to find, and the grip bulge on the back makes resting the pad on your third fingers (rather than your middle fingers) more natural. This needs-must multiplayer control method has never been optimal, not for long periods, but it's no worse than the standard Joy-Con if you're sitting down to some couch co-op.
In addition to the lights, detachable faceplates can be easily swapped on and off, although we only had the one set and it seems that NXYI hasn't started selling them separately yet. Honestly, with the customisable lights, there's not a huge need for them, but they're harmless fun and we like the efficiency of the magnets covering and attaching to the pad's screw heads.

Personally, we would have preferred a D-pad on the left, but that's a nitpick given the intent here to more closely replicate the look and functions of Nintendo's official offering. Our only real criticism comes down to button preference — clicky microswitches wouldn't be our first choice. They're perfectly accurate and playing in the living room on a TV is fine, but it's worth considering if you like to play in bed while someone's sleeping in the same room.
We're on the brink of a generation's end, with Switch 2 and its magnetic, mouse-like Joy-Con on the horizon, and it's a shame that NYXI's delivering this genuine improvement to the real deal so late in the day. If you're going to pick up Switch 2 on day one later this year, you're best off sitting tight - hopefully Nintendo's next-gen Joy-Con will solve the endemic drift problem. But if you intend to stick with Switch '1' for a while yet, these are definitely worth a look.
NYXI Hyperion 2 - The Verdict
So are these really "the ultimate replacement" for your knackered old Joy-Con, as NYXI claims? You know, they're pretty damn close. It really depends on the control functions you use and value most; for us, the loss of HD rumble, the IR sensor, and the NFC reader was more than countered by improved sticks, optional back buttons, and ergonomics that better suit our larger, adult hands.
The lights, magnetic faceplates, and turbo functions are fun but superfluous extras and we might have ditched them in favour of a more competitive price point - these cost the same as Nintendo's own Joy-Con. However, if you're looking for a serious alternative that isn't plagued by drift issues and the other features sound appealing, the Hyperion 2 are absolutely worth considering.
Ultimately, our Hori Switch Pad Pro and official Joy-Con have gone in the drawer and these have become our default Switch controllers; as recommendations go, we feel that's a pretty strong one.
The sample used in this review was supplied by NYXI.
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Comments 47
if they were slimmer and ditched the LEDs, I'd probably be more interested.
They could be the best controllers in existence, but the timing is unfortunate. I'm not getting any controllers for Switch when Switch 2 is right around the corner.
I really like the slightly offset design/use of the face buttons on the right joy-con. Having these buttons directly above the left thumbstick is annoying imo. If they'd turn the left d-pad buttons into a proper one, we would have a deal. But....too little too late for this current Switch.
Mobapad is still my pick for the best joycons easily. Never have had issue with them and they don’t look stupidly “gamer” like these.
Wait you can ride giant bears in botw????
Nice they work well but they look hideous.
@PinballBuzzbro I'm pretty sure you can ride any animal, bears, deers etc but you can't register them at stables
Not interested in these personally as they lack several features of the Joy-Cons and even more so considering that Switch 2 is coming as already mentioned here but still, I hope those getting them will enjoy them!
Lights are never unnecessary!!! NEVA!!!!
So these have pretty much the same features as the Mobapad M6 HD, except with the Mobapads you get HD rumble and an NFC reader for the same price (80 bucks)? Can't imagine they'll replace the Mobapads as the best Joycon alternatives then, unless you really want to have some shiny LED lights in your controller.
The riming is unfortunate; if this were a year ago, I'd jump at these. As it stands, I'll be waiting for the Switch 2 before making any major purchases!
Yeah, ever since the Switch 2 rumors started ramping up about a year or so ago, I completely stopped buying Switch accessories. Just waiting for the new console.
To the reviewer... how does size/shape compare with the HORI Split Pad Compact? (NOT Split Pad Pro)
I currently use a great TomToc case which is made for the HORI Split Pad Compact, wondering if it would fit the Hyperion 2?
The timing is an issue sine many people who otherwise might like these will wait. But the Switch sold so many units and may even persist as a value offering like the PS2 did that there may still be a good market for these controllers. Especially with hall-effect sticks, this could be something that those who intend to stick with the original Switch would consider as a long-term fix for JoyCon issues.
@Polvasti Is this what you mean?
https://www.mobapad.com/products/mobapad-m6-hd
They look pretty good, maybe I will get some eventually!
@JS_Comics This is false. You cannot ride squirrels.
@Not_Soos haha you got me there, or maybe we haven't tried hard enough? 🤔
@CJD87 I don't have the Compacts and I'm having trouble finding reliable measurements online. They look wider than these, so that shouldn't be an issue.
These measure around 37mm deep from the face to the back of the grip (excluding the stick on top) and stick out around 47mm from the Switch when attached.
"it's been a minute since we sat on the sofa playing with crossed arms." 🤔
I have some of the older ones and they've been great for me, though I liked my binboks more. I don't see a need to upgrade especially at this point in the switch's life
These look like the answer to mobapad's M6 HD joycons. They seem to be pretty cool but I'm super happy with M6 HD, they're terrific so I'm good thanks
So - IDK.
I've thought about getting new controllers B/C the Switch 2 is releasing.
I have a LOT (100+) of games on my Switch that IDK if they will move to Switch 2, but if not all or not some - they are stuck on my Switch.
...but that leads us to Drift.
I've sent in my controllers 2x.
All of them.
I have 5 sets, which equals 10 individual controllers.
They've all gone in 2x.
I've got 2 sitting waiting for me to send them in a 3rd time.
What happens when Switch 2 releases and Nintendo stops fixing them or starts charging to fix Switch controllers?
I have games I cannot play.
That seems terrible.
I hope they may all transfer to Switch 2, but I expect not - some of my Wii games didn't transfer to my WiiU (3 were stuck on the old Wii).
A controller that continues to work after Nintendo stops supporting them seems like something I'll wish I had in 10 years if I don't get it now.
...but then I sort of wish these worked on regular batteries instead of rechargables. I have 4 GBA SPs (backlit) that I cannot use at all b/c you can't replace the batteries with anything that works - all the replacements are crap that swell within weeks.
...it's just another take.
@CaleBoi25
Yes that's the thing. I've bought these about 6 months ago. They're awesome and I agree with Polvasti that even just looking at the specs, they are a better alternative.
Would have bought these two years ago. Or even some months ago but not anymore. It's suprisingly hard to find replacements that actually have all the necessary features.
Split Pad Pro is great but no gyro. I also bought Steelplay Twin Pads but those have the gyro working in weird steering wheel style which doesn't really work in fps games. Weird decision.
All in all, I'm already fully entered the Switch 2 train to hypeville so no new accessories for the OG.
RE: Timing . . .
Yes. For some this is bad timing. But . . .
. . . for some with Switches that are still in good shape, this could be a great way to get another set of controllers that will let us keep playing table-top / docked mode with friends for years. And get a better handling Switch for handheld at the same time.
@dartmonkey great review! Quick question: in terms of ergonomics, are these more comfortable than the Hori Split Pad Pro?
Gamesir G8+....
Works for joycon replacement (with easily changable x and b buttons), on pc, on ps 4/5, will hold android phones and tablets, same for apple....
Unbeatable proposition for the compatibility range
@dartmonkey same, I had a look online and difficult to find reliable measurements for either...! thanks
@MegaWatts I wouldn’t say they’re MORE comfortable. I’ve found them practically as comfortable and I like that they’re much closer in form to the OG Joy-Con.
I have a set of Hori Pros, and am a bit disappointed in them. They feel kinda cheap, and the d-pad sticks in the down position at times. They work, but meh. There's a near zero chance I'll get a Switch 2 at launch, so a replacement set is possibly in the cards.
Did I miss this or do these fellas in fact have gyro control? It mentions another set's gyro, but these just by implication.
Edit: Never mind, confirmed from their site.
I may pick up these or the Nitrodeck for the inventible future where I decide to play on the Switch 1 and the Joycons are borked.
Plus, I'd be shocked if Switch 1 pads don't work wirelessly on Switch 2
@CaleBoi25 worth it, best controller I own. Reading this review, mobapad still seems better. Has NL reviewed them?
I don't know about these but I'm super happy with my Mobapads! They are really hand-friendly and the way they hold on to the main unit is super tight. For the first time I have a feeling that my Switch is a single unit, it feels tight as a brick!
@dartmonkey thank you for replying, that's great to know. I have a weakened wrist from an accident a few years back and so I find it very hard to play with standard joy-cons in handheld mode for very long. I was thinking of getting the Hori ones but would really like gyro still, so these sounds really ideal.
I've been using my Power A wireless GameCube controller for going on 8 years!
I never use joycons and I never use my pro controller.
I HATE the button layout!
Here's to hoping they make one for Switch 2
I’ve had my Hori pros for some time now and love them. Like others have posted, it’s too late in Switch’s life to get new now.
The Switch 2 has to have good joycons. The Switch 2 has to have good joycons. The Switch 2 has to have good joycons.
I almost exclusively use my Hori Split Pad Compact even though they're missing some key features, because these days I don't really play anything with gyro and NFC anyway. I also own a pair of NYXI Wizards (the Wavebird-style joycons), but I only occasionally use them in TV mode, because I don't like the weird angle they give to the screen in portable mode.
Overall I would say that I like what NYXI is doing here, but if I was shopping for a new joycon alternative (which I'm not), I think I would go with their Hyperion Pro for the real D-Pad and lower price.
+1 for MobaPad M6 HD. I picked one up last Fall and really like it. I had two different Hori Split Pad Pros previously and it is nice to have rumble and gyro in a comfortable controller for handheld mode. I have found that the D-Pad takes a bit of getting used to on the MobaPad.
I gotta confess, I actually prefer the joycon's split buttons over a D-pad for a lot of games. Split buttons are great in precision platformers like Celeste, cuz they make it impossible to accidentally hit a diagonal input. You can totally accidentally input a diagonal on the pro controller D-pad even if your thumb is only on the Up or Down if you press it at a funny angle.
@-wc- Right? I was looking for this comment before posting my own. Glad someone else thought, "What now?"
The best third party replacement offerings have a D-pad.
@Moistnado Agreed. That's one of the reasons why I think the Mobapad M6 are the best Switch controllers, because they have a really, really good D-pad. Playing 2D platformers and action games is such a joy with that D-pad.
@Polvasti very glad you posted this. I have been living under a rock when it comes to Switch and didn't know about the Mobapad. Have ordered one today and looking forward to it. Thank you!
@MegaWatts No prob, it's nice that more people learn about the best Joycon alternative on the market.
While these look good they feel a bit late to the market, i primarily play my switch in handheld and have 3 other "joy cons" ; the original split pads, which have no features whatsoever, a great pair of chinese binboks that have gyro, wireless and rumble and a smaller pair of the split pads which are my go to, now with switch 2 on the horizon no way am i investing anymore into my oled switch
So I like the fact they are good for larger hands. I take it you don't have to keep them attached to the Switch to play with them? Also I didn't quite get whether they had gyro or not?
NYXI makes good products but be prepared to wait a really long time for them to arrive. Despite what their website claims, they do not have any distribution centers in the US. All their products regardless of what they claim, ship from China. I've ordered from them twice and both times it took almost 3 months for the products to arrive. Some of the best controllers and cases I've ever owned but an extremely long wait time.
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