Nintendo Joy-Con Grips are a Must Have
I think I’ve found a good ergonomic way to enjoy some multiplayer action without cramping my fingers. For today, I’m going to talk a bit about why I feel that Nintendo joy-con grips are a must have for your gaming sessions.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about using the individual Joy-Con controllers, they are great for little hands, but not so good for adults. After playing Mario Kart 8 with my girlfriend’s 5-year old nephew, I ended up with cramped fingers and a longing for my ergonomic Pro Controller.
Now as much as I enjoy using my Pro Controller, there comes a time when portable multiplayer action calls for using the individual Joy-Cons, and Mario Kart 8 was definitely one of them.
If there’s one thing I like doing, is finding a good solution to a problem, and the HEYSTOP 3 in 1 Controller Handle Kit is the one thing I found that solves a common issue with using the Nintendo Switch’s official controllers.
Ergonomic gaming is a pretty important thing to consider, especially as we get older. If you look at the older generations of gaming consoles, you can clearly see how the design of the controllers has evolved from a “rectangular box with buttons” to the comfy, form fitting controllers of today.
As much as I love my Nintendo Switch, I have to admit that the official controller was a bit of a letdown. It’s shaped like a waffle, and to ensure that the console can be portable, the Joy-Con controllers are very small. If it weren’t for the smoothed edges, it would feel like using an old NES controller, which was probably okay for my little kid hands back in the day, but not so much now. The last thing I want is to end up with arthritis in my later years, so ergonomics is now a big thing I consider during my gaming sessions.
This is where this controller kit comes in.
I have to admit, when it comes to buying video game accessories, I have always been a little wary of buying anything from a third party. No offense, but some overseas manufacturers have products of varying degrees of quality standards. However, I’ve noticed that things have been much better than they used to be back in the day. I find that third party products are just as capable as the official ones, at a much better price.
This accessory kit has two components; a pair of rubber grips to fit individual Joy-Cons, and a grip that resembles the official “Comfort Grip” that ships with the console.
Looking at the single rubber grips, it is pretty clear that they make the controller feel much more like a modern day controller. Almost like a mini version of the Pro Controller.
It has a universal fit for both the left and right Joy-Con controllers, even the ones that are used with the OLED Switch model. It achieves this by means of 4 rubber pads that secure the controller into the inner part of the grip. You just stick the controllers in, and you’re good to go.
A big selling point for me is the feel. No longer does it feel like you are holding onto the corners of an overcooked waffle. The grip literally makes the controller fit into your hands.
Another plus is that the grip makes it easier to press the SR and SL buttons located on the top of each Joy-Con. While these buttons may not be used often, they are small and hard to press, especially if you don’t have the little fingers of a 5 year old kid. Sure, you could use the wristrap attachments to provide more tactile feedback, but they can be tedious to hook up, not to mention the risk of accidentally putting them on backwards. The rubber grips have “pass through” buttons that let you press the buttons without any delay.
The double controller grip takes what the official Comfort Grip is capable of, and simply makes it more comfortable to use. At first glance, they may look the same, but the HEYSTOP version has rubber grips on the side. The grips themselves are slightly larger than the official one, making it easier for larger hands to hold.
Honestly, there aren’t really any drawbacks I could find while using these grips. They do the job of making it more comfortable to use the Joy-Cons, and I could not ask for anything more. However, they do not address the issue of the Joy-Con’s smaller face buttons. For that, the Pro Controller does the job well.
That being said, if you could care less about the Pro Controller, and play casually, then the 3 in 1 Controller Handle Kit is an excellent way to get the “Pro” experience without breaking the bank.
Happy gaming, and have fun!