I’ll be the primary to confess, the iMP Gaming Mini Arcade Pro arcade-style controller dock was one thing I used to be anticipating to be a cool novelty, nothing extra. I’m joyful to report that, whereas that’s nonetheless the case, the iMP Gaming Mini Arcade Pro For Nintendo Switch is a surprisingly competent piece of package that goes past a easy gimmick.
Announced earlier this 12 months, the Mini Arcade Pro is a battle or arcade-style stick designed to be used with each the Nintendo Switch OLED and the Nintendo Switch 2 completely in tabletop mode. iMP has gone the additional mile in making a product that looks like a high quality arcade stick to be used on the Switch household of consoles. Starting with its clicky and tactile-feeling stick, which feels prefer it makes use of micro-switches for its round gate, though not precisely Sanwa-grade, actuating the diminutive arcade stick on the Mini Arcade Pro feels stable and responsive.
The eight accessible face buttons, which embody all of the face buttons and triggers, equally really feel responsive and clicky. Indie and arcade-style releases on the eShop are notably nice to play utilizing the Mini Arcade Pro dock. In different phrases, video games that don’t require two analogue sticks or each the d-pad and a stick all really feel implausible on the Mini Arcade Pro dock.
Additionally, the Mini Arcade Pro additionally options plus, minus, and chat buttons, which make it absolutely suitable with Nintendo Switch 2 methods. Players also can toggle the operate of the stick on the Mini Arcade Pro to be both the left, proper, or d-pad, respectively, which may turn out to be useful for video games that solely play good with, say, the directional pad. Unfortunately, the Mini Arcade Pro doesn’t embody each single button, with each the L3 and R3 capabilities and seize button seemingly absent.
Although not a deal breaker, the dearth of L3 and R3 might be a difficulty, particularly in sport compilations, such because the Capcom Arcade Stadium sequence, which requires urgent R3 to simulate inserting a coin in lots of its emulated arcade ROMs. Even nonetheless, having a Joy-Con 2 or one other controller on standby isn’t the tip of the world, however it’s nonetheless value mentioning.
Unboxing the Mini Arcade Pro for the primary time, customers will obtain the unit in a couple of items, however fret not, as placing the dock collectively is an easy course of that doesn’t require exterior instruments or an excessive amount of effort. The Mini Arcade Pro ships with two plates designed for each the Nintendo Switch 2 and the OLED legacy console, which your console of alternative can simply slide into earlier than being inserted into the controller docking unit itself.
The again of the Mini Arcade Pro additionally options 12 slots the place you’ll be able to home your bodily Switch 1 and a couple of cartridges. Although fairly safe, the cartridge holder on the again of the dock isn’t as cosy as one thing like a devoted carrying case or holder, however it ought to suffice for those who’re planning on not shifting the Mini Arcade Pro round too typically.
One remaining be aware concerning the total design and aesthetics of the Mini Arcade Pro dock that I need to point out earlier than shifting on to some impressions and testing of the controller dock is the garish use of AI-generated artwork on the aspect panel of the unit, one thing that not solely makes the machine look low cost, however may have simply been averted by merely choosing a easy two-tone color scheme.
“…the iMP Gaming Mini Arcade Pro For Nintendo Switch 1/2 is a surprisingly competent piece of kit that goes beyond a simple gimmick.”
Actually sitting down and enjoying some video games whereas the Switch 2 (and the OLED), when related to the Mini Arcade Pro, was fairly enjoyable, with video games like Street Fighter 6 feeling as responsive as ever, whereas promoting the phantasm of a minute arcade cupboard reasonably properly. Perhaps not the perfect technique to play, however even combating video games that make the most of full 3D motion, corresponding to Pokkén Tournament DX, felt recent and thrilling once more, at the least from somebody who performs casually.
Of course, the true winner on the subject of utilizing the Mini Arcade Pro is the deluge of retro arcade titles launched by the likes of Capcom and Hamster, to not point out the in depth catalogue of basic Nintendo video games made accessible on the NSO platform. In different phrases, the Mini Arcade Pro is a match made in heaven on the subject of retro arcade releases and indie video games that solely require a single stick.
Finally, for those who’re somebody like me, who nonetheless has a Switch OLED kicking round, the Mini Arcade Pro generally is a excellent resolution to dedicate Nintendo’s final technology {hardware} to. Made higher if you think about that the majority arcade and indie video games run completely effective on the older {hardware}, whereas wanting higher because of using the OLED panel of the Nintendo Switch 1.
“…the Mini Arcade Pro is a match made in heaven when it comes to retro arcade releases and indie games that only require a single stick.”
On that be aware, potential consumers ought to know, if it wasn’t apparent already, that the Mini Arcade Pro is made particularly to work with the Switch OLED and Switch 2 consoles. However, technically talking, there may be nothing stopping you from seating different fashions into the USB-C lead of the dock, for those who forgo using the included bracket, however that is one thing I don’t suggest.
The Mini Arcade Pro dock is a surprisingly sturdy bartop arcade expertise for Nintendo Switch house owners, making it a stable alternative for sport rooms and mancaves wanting so as to add that little additional little bit of aptitude. With it being made particularly for the Nintendo Switch OLED and Switch 2 console, gamers aren’t restricted to solely a handful of built-in titles, which is normally the norm for related bartop-style mini cupboards, making it a compelling purchase for these searching for that hit of retro-inspired goodness.