NYXI has just announced its new controller for Nintendo Switch: the Wizard. A device that is largely inspired by the GameCube controller, except that it has all the main features of the Joy-Con.
Nintendo is known as the great creator of the D-pad (thanks Gunpei Yokoi), and also one of the first to adopt joysticks on the N64 controller. But if we are talking about a legendary controller from the manufacturer, there is no photo: it’s that of the GameCubestill used especially in the competitive environment of Super Smash Bros, which wins the jackpot.
When the Nintendo Switch was announced, the fantasies around Joy-Con taking over the ergonomics of this legendary controller were immediately born. But no one came out from the talented Shank Modshad really looked into the matter without making too big sacrifices…until now.
NYXI turns GameCube controller into Joy-Con
The manufacturer NYXI, which is already known for its ergonomic Joy-Con Hyperion, took advantage of the enthusiasm of CES 2023 to announce at the back of the pack his new Wizard controller. Everything is more or less said when you watch the video presentation of it.
And yes: it is definitely a GameCube controller. Or at least inspired by the GameCube, but which includes all the features that we are entitled to expect from Joy-Cons, in particular the possibility of separate them to use them directly on the console or combine them to create a wireless controller. You can even connect it by wire afterwards, i.e. 3 connection modes in total. The autonomy of the Wizard is announced at 8 o’clock and 30 minutesfor a recharge of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
One of the biggest selling points for this pad is that it uses hall effect joysticks. That is to say that it uses magnets to determine its position, which means that the controller will not be affected by the stick drift problems encountered on the Joy-Con. In addition, these two joysticks can change guard between an octagonalas was the case at the time of the Cube, and a round.
On the back, the triggers are very different: ZR and ZL are immediately activated. No pressure gradation between 0 and 255 therefore, but unparalleled responsiveness for fighting games and FPS. You even have the right to two new programmable FL and FR buttons to create custom macros.
On the front, we find the original organization of the Nintendo buttons, with a small additional feature: they light up. There is however a big difference: the yellow joystick is clearly full frame, and not tiny like the original C-Stick was. A sacrifice had to be made: the Wizard does not offer vibrationbut most competitive players disable the feature anyway.
No doubt: NYXI knows exactly who it is targeting with this product: Super Smash Bros Ultimate players. The NYXI Wizard is already availableonly on the brand’s official website for the moment (but with international delivery) priced at $69 (i.e. approximately 65 euros excluding tax).
