Japan’s fairly way of life model made an ultra-cheap Switch controller, however is it any good?

3 Coins’ Switch controller is lower than half the worth of Nintendo’s Pro Controller, however is it value even that a lot?

Gather ’spherical, youngsters, and hearken to a narrative of the times of video gaming yore. It was a time earlier than microtransactions, when flagship franchise releases didn’t require a day-one patch to play, and when, consider it or not, controllers weren’t costly.

Yes, it could be onerous to consider when trying on the present panorama of the passion, however for the primary a number of generations of consoles, online game controllers value someplace round half the worth of a recreation. Nowadays, although, controllers can simply equal or exceed new recreation costs, particularly since, not like software program, online game {hardware} not often will get deep-discount gross sales.

The scenario is particularly irksome for Nintendo followers, because the hybrid design of the Switch means you don’t even get a single conventional gamepad as a part of the bottom bundle, simply the removable Joy-Cons. But each time our game-loving Japanese-language reporter Udonko discovered herself wanting a Pro Controller for her Switch, she’d keep in mind that Nintendo needs 7,678 yen (US$52) for the factor, sufficient for not less than one brand-new main writer recreation, and possibly two or three indie or retro video games.

But Udonko just lately stumbled throughout a ray of gamer hope in an surprising place: 3 Coins.

3 Coins is a Japanese way of life model that will get its identify from its unique idea of all gadgets being priced at 300 yen (US$2). You can consider it as a kind of a substitute for Daiso, however with larger high quality and extra fashionable design whereas nonetheless being very inexpensive, which has made the model particularly well-liked with younger girls.

▼ Some of the kitchen organizer gadgets 3 Coins produced in collaboration with Marie Kondo.

But along with elegantly understated dishware, tote baggage, and beauty pouches, 3 Coins additionally sells online game controllers.

Now, as you’ll be able to most likely guess, there’s no option to make a working recreation controller that retails for simply 300 yen, so that is certainly one of 3 Coins’ premium merchandise that prices greater than the chain’s namesake value (like their one-person rice cooker cup or dwelling cotton candy-maker that we fell in love with.) Still, with the three Coins Wireless Game Controller priced at simply 2,750 yen (US$18.60), this can be a fraction, or rather less than 36 p.c, of the price of Nintendo’s Switch Pro Controller.

When seeking to maintain prices down, one of many best corners to chop is to eliminate wi-fi connectivity and require the controller to be plugged into the console (or dock, within the case of the Switch) always. However, identical to its identify signifies, 3 Coins’ Wireless Game Controller works wirelessly, although it does embody a twine for charging and instantly pairing the gadget to the Switch.

Size-wise, it’s a pleasant, wholesome medium, not too large, and never too small. In retaining with 3 Coins’ aesthetic sensibilities of understated class, the button structure is clear and uncluttered, and along with the ivory shade of our mannequin, the controller additionally is available in pastel blue, yellow, or pink, in addition to a chocolatey brown. In a departure from Nintendo’s professional controller, the analog sticks are adjoining to one another, with the D-pad taking the higher place on the controller’s left half.

There’s a pleasant contact proper under the house button within the heart of the controller, the place you’ll discover a row of LED lights which mild as much as correspond with which controller quantity you’ve synched to the Switch as.

Reliability is at all times a priority when shopping for third-party controllers, however Udonko’s thoughts was put comfortable when she noticed that included within the field is a six-month guarantee card.

After firing up her Switch, Udonko had no issues synching the controller, after which it was time to see the way it dealt with by enjoying some video games.

Starting with the great things, the three Coins controller dealt with Mincraft like a champ. Whether gathering, constructing and even in life-or-death battles with hostile monsters, Udonko skilled no hiccups, undesirable inputs, or lag.

▼ This zombie was no match for Udonko’s sword and classy funds controller!

Udonko additionally liked that the three Coins Switch controller has a rapid-fire button, a characteristic the Nintendo Pro Controller doesn’t present. Granted, speedy button-mashing is a much less important a part of online game play mechanics now than it was, however rapid-fire nonetheless turns out to be useful for menu-driven video games like Pokémon, the place it saves you the difficulty of getting to hit affirm time and again to pick your primary assault, for instance.

So by way of controlling, Udonko is totally glad with the three Coins controller. There have been, although, two drawbacks she feels she ought to point out, with the primary being one thing she seen whereas enjoying Animal Crossing.

Like we mentioned earlier, even at this low value, the three Coins controller continues to be wi-fi. It retains rumble assist too. However, it doesn’t boast the identical refined, multi-strength rumbles that the Nintendo Pro Controller commonplace Switch Joy-Cons. Instead, it seems to have solely a single, all-purpose rumble energy. 99 occasions out of 100, this isn’t going to trigger you any issues, however along with making the rumbles really feel rather less immersive, this additionally created a difficulty when fishing in Animal Crossing. The recreation is programmed to offer you light vibrations when a fish is nibbling on the road you’ve forged, then a stronger jolt when it chomps down on the bait. Playing with the three Coins controller, these incremental steps have been flattened out, which made it a bit of tougher to inform when to start out reeling the fish in.

▼ Not that that stopped Udonko from touchdown this aji (horse mackerel), although.

Another quirk of the three Coins controller is that it could possibly’t be used whilst you’re charging its battery. Sure, you’ll be able to press the buttons and wiggle the sticks, however they received’t register as recreation inputs, so that you’ll wish to bear in mind to cost it up after you finish your play session. On the intense aspect, Udonko felt just like the battery life is fairly good, so she doesn’t see this as being a serious sticking level.

Finally, we will’t affirm, presently, whether or not or not the three Coins Wireless Game Controller is suitable with the Switch 2. Theoretically, it ought to work. The Switch 1 Joy-Cons and Pro Controller work simply advantageous with Nintendo’s new system, and we’ve seen studies of different fashions of third-party Switch controllers being suitable with the Switch 2. However, since Udonko doesn’t have a Switch 2 to check this specific controller on, we haven’t been in a position to take a look at it but.

▼ You hear that, boss? This is why we’d like a Switch 2 for the workplace convention room (and in addition in order that we will sneak in and play video games on it throughout our shifts).

But for now, Udonko can say that she’s extraordinarily glad with each the standard and the worth of three Coins’ controller.

Marie Kondo collaboration photograph: PR Times
All different photographs ©SoraNews24
Screen pictures：MINECRAFT（Nintendo swap)、あつまれ どうぶつの森（Nintendo Switch）、ポケットモンスター バイオレット（Nintendo Switch）、(C)2022 Pokémon. (C)1995-2022 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
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