12 January 2023 , 13:02
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The new Wizard controller for the Nintendo Switch not only looks like a GameCube controller but also may fix the biggest problem Nintendo has had with its own Joy-Cons.
I hate my Nintendo Switch. I mean I love it, but I hate the controllers and their incessant drifting. As a keen retro-gamer, most of the things I play tend to be old-school shoot ‘em-ups or platforms from yesteryear – generally, games that require a much greater degree of precision than Nintendo’s wonky Joy-Cons do.
The fact that we are this far down the line and it still seems impossible to fix is unacceptable to me. I remember scooping out the joystick on my N64 controller and having to replace it when that started getting a mind of its own. This is not new news guys, come on.
So when the news popped up today about a new Gamecube (great machine, massively under-rated!) style Joy-Con that claims to have fixed the drift issue finally – I am all over that.
Third-party Nintendo Switch joypad manufacturers Nyxi is seemingly set to ride to the rescue with a £57.66 / $69 / AU$101.56 wireless joypad called the Wizard – a purple homage to my beloved Gamecube, and with a stick that is without drift. I’ll be the judge of that. It’s sold out already, but my pre-order on the next batch is in already.
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The fact it sold out quickly shows the market is there for a stick without problems – even one that we haven’t even had the chance to test yet. The claim alone is enough to get people reaching for their wallets. And it's cheaper than Nintendo's official Joy-Cons!
Can it be true?
Part of me remains sceptical about it still, but I have faith that somebody has actually solved the problem that seemed unsolvable and the reward has been to instantly sell it out; such is the demand for an adequate solution. Nyxi explains that the controller's Hall Effect joysticks are why – in theory– the Wizard Wireless Joy-pad sticks won't develop drift over time. Components in Hall Effect sticks don't physically touch so they shouldn't ever have the opportunity to develop drift.
There's a ton of other features aside from the drift, and nostalgic aesthetic that'll appeal to stalwart Nintendo fans. The ZL/ZR triggers are designed to offer less resistance, with a shorter trigger distance of just 0.3mm). They're also quieter, and lighter.
The ABXY buttons apparently feel more comfortable, in keeping with the ergonomic theme, and even have a fun white light effect. It's not quite full RGB, but it's a nice touch. You can also swap out the joystick rings, flitting between a circle for genres like racing, while the octagonal ring is ideal for fighting games, to help with accuracy. It's clear that the Wizard controller is already a must-have for Smash players, and the additional two back buttons that you can remap for more efficient, faster inputs, is the icing on the cake.
The bigger question remains though, that if a third-party peripheral company can fix the issue why can’t Nintendo? The company was embroiled in a class-action lawsuit around this very issue, which Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa apologised in a 2020 financial Q&A (translated by Kotaku). And as it stands, console owners can get their Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons fixed for free. This apology is now two years old and still, our pointers drift off into the distance beyond our humble control.
The Nyxi Wizard however uses Hall Effect Joysticks and Nyxi promises that they will never drift in a lifetime. Quite the claim and one that could solve the heartache of many a Nintendo player. Let's hope it's accurate.
Even if you take away the drift issue, I still really like the look of the Wizard which means I can relive some of my GameCube dreams without dusting off the old hardware. Playing the kinds of retro games I do with a retro-themed controller fits in with my overall Nintendo Switch plan, and I cannot wait to get my hands on one when they come back in stock. You can order the controller on the Nyxi site when uit's back in stock.