The switch controller could end up as one of the worst designed controllers ever

So one of the things that I really dislike about the nintendo switch reveal is the controller. Im definitely no controller fetichist like some other people but this one looks just horrible and only because of gimmicks.

The two biggest things that I noticed right away are:

1. No Dpad

This one is obvious and quite schocking coming from a company has so many plattformers as their biggest IPs.

2. Joystick alignment

The joysticks are directly under or over the buttons. which could mean that you have to change your grip to have a comfortable postition with your hands to access them in quite succession. Every normal controller has a diagonal alignment for exacty that reason, even the WiiU gamepad.

There is clearly a D-pad... what are you talking about? But yeah, I would for sure stick to the pro controller with this thing.

EDIT: but I really hate that the buttons have the same labels as xbox controllers but in different places. It really fucks me up in games since I am so used to xbox controllers on PC.

If he means cross pad, then he's correct. Technically, the dual-shock doesn't have one either, as its d-pad buttons are broken up. The d-pad buttons on the left controller should work exactly the same as any other d-pad, but I'm sure it will feel odd at first.

It has a Dpad, it's a split Dpad. The joysticks are asymmetric, which is especially useful in controller mode.

You do realize the controller is modular and has at least three separate forms?

Plus hey, if this bothers you so much, get the Switch Pro controller.

Good catch on the analog sticks. That can definitely be problematic. I can already feel the incoming "Buy the regular controller then" crowd storming in.

Edit: They already did.

A d-pad is not just 4 buttons, you know that right? You cant design them like that.

duh, it's Nintendo, they're obviously going to sell more configurations for the bargain price of $50 a piece, excuse me $49.99

Yeah, but there really should not be a need to buy a pro controller.

@deeph:

Nintendo has been creating odd controllers since N64.

I'm not a fan of the "d-pad" either. How can I perform quarter circles on that thing? ;P As if I would play a fighting game on a handheld...but still.

The right hand analog stick does look like it's in a awkward spot when you imagine holding the device in a normal manner. Like you would have to tilt your hand slightly to make using it practical. It's not awful just a bit wonky and I can imagine some cramping going on.

Minor complaints when you consider the Pro controller.

Yeah I'll be gaming with the pro switch controller. But the split controllers are cool forvon the go when u forget the pro controller.

I agree but as you have read from your fellow gamers paying more for the pro controller is minor. Incoming price creep. :)

Sony does it that way... I'm not hard into fighters so I guess it just doesn't matter to me.

It does look a little wonky. I'm not a fan of having to buy an additional controller just to have a good one, so I'll hope the Switch base model feels great.

We'll just have to see though. I wonder what this one is like with the wings on the back? I hope it comes with the base system.

Evidently Nintendo can.

That's interesting. I didn't notice the diagonal configuration, but now that you think about it, every controller with traditional analog sticks has had that (even cheap Gamestop store knockoffs). This is probably the first time they were aligned this way.

I also don't like how absurdly small everything is (both the screen and controllers) when two people are using it. Ars Technica estimates the screen to be barely 6.5" (bigger than the 6.2" of the Wii U GamePad though).

I like the idea of turning a handheld into a two-player experience on the go, but....I dunno. Apart from kids, are mainstream people really going to be doing this a lot?

• Small, uncomfortable controller (one controller has the face buttons too far inward, the other one has the analog stick too far inward). It's like playing with something the size of a stick of gum. Awkward!
• You are way off to the side and not even able to sit in that sweet center spot while Mario Karting or Smash Brothering.
• A game like Overwatch (or future ports like it) requires a lot of buttons, and controllers must go through rigorous play and endurance tests. Can these small controllers stand up to that physical test, or will they break apart faster since its clicky parts are so small? So many questions and worries here. We need some impressions from those who have used it (but we aren't going to hear anything for a while).

Nintendo does have a vision of what they'd like to see the world doing whenever they make these commercials. But just because the actors are smiling doesn't mean everyone will be doing what they portray in these ads. The controller should be okay for solo handheld play. I'm not sold on its 'breakaway form' for two players yet. I'll have to wait for impressions/reviews to see what it's really like.

uh... nintendo has been using those button labels way before Xbox was a even a twinkle on Bill Gates left nut

Also

Was this analog/D-pad configuration unconfortable because they were aligned?

Nah, one of the best. For anyone who just wanted to sit down with a friend or loved one and share the joy of playing a game with them, this makes that more accessible than ever. The way you people look at gaming is going to change radically in the next decade. VR will make the need for complexity and immediate control a top priority. For flat screen gaming, accessibility, portability, and socialness will be the lifeblood of relevance. The core and casual experience will take very different paths in the days to come. It's not like one will be better than the other, but they will evolve to become so much better.

Me? I'm a gamer. I know a good thing when I see it. Switch is going to be a huge hit. All the bases are covered and it doesn't pretend or masquerade as a master of one thing except immediacy. Generation 9 will put flat earth gamers in for for ringer.

So what? The point was that I'm used to on the Xbox controller so it's bad when I switch to the Nintendo controller. If I was more used to the Nintendo Controller it would be the opposite. Who made it first has no bearing in this situation.

Clearly Dpad. No more words.

Nintendo games are so good I'm willing to play them with my face. Just give me the games man.

First time I actually agree with you.

If your hardcore gamer regular gamer or casual gamer

if your nintendo gamer xbox gamer sony gamer or pc gamer

LOOK AT THESE CONTROLLERS

THE END

I don't need to say anything else every gamer is going to pack the 2nd one every fucking one of them

The controller reminds me of Saturn 3D gamepad.

@koko-goal said:

The controller reminds me of Saturn 3D gamepad.

I don't remember anyone talking about this Sega Saturn controller, this is the first time I'm seeing this 0_0

@davillain- said:

@koko-goal said:

The controller reminds me of Saturn 3D gamepad.

I don't remember anyone talking about this Sega Saturn controller, this is the first time I'm seeing this 0_0

It's a great controller for the Sega Saturn's 3D games like Nights into Dreams and the Panzer Dragoon series.

@davillain- said:

@koko-goal said:

The controller reminds me of Saturn 3D gamepad.

I don't remember anyone talking about this Sega Saturn controller, this is the first time I'm seeing this 0_0

For real? It's pretty much the precursor to the Dreamcast controller.

Eh, I'm not going to judge it until I actually handle it for myself. I remember many people being concerned about the Wii U gamepad and it being to bulky, and I recall having that concern too. In the end though I actually found the Wii U gamepad comfortable to use, either as a controller or a handheld.

I'll definitely pick up a pro controller though either way.

SWs and hyperbole are like PB and J.

The D pad is just like the PS4 d-pad.

The controller is once again the worst thing about the system, twice in a row Nintendo makes a horrible controller an INTEGRAL PART OF THE SYSTEM ITSELF. It's like they never learn.

At least this time we assume that games will be 100% compatible with the pro-controller, meaning we can cast aside the abomination of detachable controllers and never look at them again (or at least I would hope Nintendo is capable of at least doing this right - though my understanding was with the Wii-U you couldn't just "lose" the Tablet, so who knows. there might be some Nintendo illogic with this one too).

Unfortunately, the system itself is a tablet. That's the part we can't get away from. So at the end of the day, if you want to play Nintendo games at home using a decent controller you will have to buy a $50 controller to plug into a g**damned tablet.

I don't know. While it's true that some controllers have had a little spacing on the "contact points" of their D-pads (dualshock), I think the spacing here is much greater. It really just looks like 4 separate buttons. Fundamentally I don't know if this is different, but at least the PS4 D-bad is spaced more tightly together and has a little indentation for ergonomics to make it a traditional D-pad. This is really just 4 separate buttons. I mean if all it takes to qualify as a D-bad takes is four buttons, then I guess all these other controllers have 2 D-pads.

There's a reason why they advertised the pro controller...if you're not satisfied with the new tablet, don't use it since you're not forced to!

Then you are forced to purchase additional accessories.

@Pedro: True, but we'll see if there's a bundle and plus, many people bought the pro controller for Wii U and the classic controller for Wii to give more options.

Nintendo have been pretty spot on when it comes to controllers.

I would guess they did it because the two sides of the controller are designed to be identical since they can be used as mini individual controllers.

@uninspiredcup: "Nintendo have been pretty spot on when it comes to controllers."

Is that a joke? =(

New unidentified button discovered. Its not power or volume since those were discovered on the top left.

I hated the wii u game pad because of the non asymmetrical sticks. This is a much needed improvement imo.

Name a decent list of games where you actually use the FULL function of a dpad for anything more than extra commands in 99% of games?

I'l wait.. with popcorn.

Oh... the less relevant fighting genre... anything else?

WTF, I love the switch controller now and hope every controller manufacturer drops the d-pad!!!

Im not talking about symetrical and asymmetrical sticks placement but where they are placed compared to the d-pad/action buttons. Take a look at your thump and how you would have to move it between d-pad/action buttons and the analog stick.

Gamecube = most best traditional controller ever

Wii = most best motion controller ever

DS = most best touch controls ever ever

Nintendo lead, disgusting whore Sony and Microsoft follow.

@uninspiredcup: Gamecube = most best traditional controller ever

Wii = most best motion controller ever

DS = most best touch controls ever ever

That is even a bigger joke.

@iandizion713 said:

New unidentified button discovered. Its not power or volume since those were discovered on the top left.

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!!!

That's The Nintendo Switch SECRET SAUCE BUTTON.

When you press it, you get GRAPHICS KINGS.

I knew when I heard about the industry leader in GPU's (NVIDIA) developing Switch specs, that we'd be getting a legendary powerhouse.

I expect the Switch GPU will secretly be around 8 to 10 TFLOPS.