Joycons with a different layout

[ciro64]

This is the Switch's biggest missed potential imo (both officially and from third parties), because it was the perfect opportunity for controller modularity specially when playing in handheld mode, yet everyone makes the same boring ass left stick at the top, right stick at the bottom and four standard face buttons.

As someone who likes using his Switch as a portable emulation machine, this would have gone along perfectly. I'd like to at least have an option to use the D-pad at the top.


Anyway, here's the two that I know about:

I first heard about this one in this modding video, but there are a few made by third party manufacturers if you search it up.

STK-i5: For those who are more of a fan of the Wii U's layout, or those who are into Splatoon like this person who reviewed it

 

[emcintosh]

View attachment 540983

STK-i5: For those who are more of a fan of the Wii U's layout, or those who are into Splatoon like this person who reviewed it

I've been using the NitroDeck+ to play Xenoblade X, and it's pretty good. It has the sticks on top and the four back buttons that make it unnecessary to reach for ABXY. But, as the controller is meant to get power from the Switch slotted into it, using it with the Switch docked is a pain, as the controller needs USB-C power. And it's the size of a Switch and doesn't have the GamePad screen. And won't have gyro or be be practical for gyro aiming.

I too would be interested in fancier Wii-U-layout joycon, but now the Switch 2 is out, it doesn't seem likely anyone will make them commercially. And I don't feel confident enough at hardware hacking to make / modify a controller like this - wiring up microswitches to test points to add fixed-layout back buttons is about my limit.

 

[cearp]

I really like the joycons - not because of their feel (I agree not the best lol), but because you can use them in separate hands, apart, as "one controller".
I'm not disabled or anything, I just find it comfortable to NOT have my hands together like a traditional controller.

Can I do this with the nyxi wizard (2) controller, or any other good 3rd party switch controllers?
I looked at the product page and tried to search online, but couldn't see much about it.
People seem to use them attached to the switch, or have them connected to the "center piece" thing.
I think I'd really like having a split gamecube controller, but want to be sure that it's possible before I buy.

-

I read through a bunch of reviews, one of them specifically mentioned it's possible (nyxi wizard), cool

 

[emcintosh]

I really like the joycons - not because of their feel (I agree not the best lol), but because you can use them in separate hands, apart, as "one controller".
I'm not disabled or anything, I just find it comfortable to NOT have my hands together like a traditional controller.

Can I do this with the nyxi wizard (2) controller, or any other good 3rd party switch controllers?
I looked at the product page and tried to search online, but couldn't see much about it.
People seem to use them attached to the switch, or have them connected to the "center piece" thing.
I think I'd really like having a split gamecube controller, but want to be sure that it's possible before I buy.

-

I read through a bunch of reviews, one of them specifically mentioned it's possible (nyxi wizard), cool

I played Pikmin and Metroid Prime this way! Fauxstalgia for the non-existent GC gyro aiming…

Can confirm this works on Wizard2 and MobaPad M6HD (as well as all my many previous fatjoycon). It's pretty standard with joycon unless they're batteryless ones like the Hori d-pad joycon or Split Pad, which will work only when attached or with Hori's new centre piece that turns them into a wired controller. I'm only aware of one other joycon that gets extra functionality with a centre piece - it was on AliExpress and looked like the original MobaPad M6 / Coiorvis ones - the centre piece took AA batteries and turned the unpowered joycon into a Pro Controller.

 

[cearp]

Can confirm this works on Wizard2

Thank you! and for the detailed reply.
I'm hoping it's not too "heavy" having half a gamecube controller in each hand?
Not sure what the balance will be like, I think I want it but in practice it might feel weird? Regular joycons are thin and light.

Will be cool to use it like that on the actual gamecube too, assume it works split for that also.