02-09-2019, 07:10 AM
We’re Getting Another Third-Party Switch Joy-Con With A D-Pad
<div><div class="media_block"><a href="http://images.nintendolife.com/52bb0ff7e683b/large.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/52bb0ff7e683b/small.jpg" class="media_thumbnail"></a></div>
<div><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/news/2019/02/were_getting_another_third-party_switch_joy-con_with_a_d-pad/large.jpg" class="ff-og-image-inserted" /></div>
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<p>While the Nintendo Switch, in most respects, is a fantastic handheld/TV combo console, it did require the sacrifice of a few features in order to achieve this hybrid state. One of those details, sorely missed by fans of handheld gaming, has been the D-pad.</p>
<p>Until now, the only real alternative on the market has been <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/08/hardware_review_hori_d-pad_joy-con_controller_for_nintendo_switch">Hori’s D-pad left Joy-Con replacement</a> – and while officially licensed and solidly-priced for its functionality, it would be nice to have more options available.</p>
<p>Shenzhen Jieruihong Electronics Co., Ltd. – a Chinese manufacturing company – saw this opportunity, and is headed in that direction. They recently filed a <a href="https://nl.letsgodigital.org/uploads/2019/02/nintendo-switch.pdf">patent</a> at the end of January in the WIPO’s Global Design Database for a set of Switch controllers. While very similar to Nintendo’s original Joy-Con in appearance – including the standard red and blue colours – it very clearly shows that the left Joy-Con features a D-pad.</p>
<p>Although we don’t know many other details about this product yet, it will be interesting to see if it includes any features currently lacking in Hori’s D-pad Joy-Con – such as motion sensing, vibration, NFC detection, IR sensor, or usability outside of handheld mode.</p>
<p>However, this is likely extremely wishful thinking, as the company has previously introduced several Nintendo Switch controllers under the brand name Vigrand – and they have all been relatively cheap, in both price and construction.</p>
<p>If these new D-pad controllers do come to market soon, it is probable that we’ll see purchasing options for them on websites like <a href="https://vigrand.en.alibaba.com/">AliBaba</a>, where Vigrand is currently selling their other controller models. Keep your eyes peeled for them.</p>
<p><em>Do you miss having a D-pad while playing the Switch? Have you tried other options currently available on the market? Would you purchase a controller not officially licensed by Nintendo? Let us know in the comments below.</em></p>
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<div><div class="media_block"><a href="http://images.nintendolife.com/52bb0ff7e683b/large.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/52bb0ff7e683b/small.jpg" class="media_thumbnail"></a></div>
<div><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/news/2019/02/were_getting_another_third-party_switch_joy-con_with_a_d-pad/large.jpg" class="ff-og-image-inserted" /></div>
<figure class="picture strip" />
<p>While the Nintendo Switch, in most respects, is a fantastic handheld/TV combo console, it did require the sacrifice of a few features in order to achieve this hybrid state. One of those details, sorely missed by fans of handheld gaming, has been the D-pad.</p>
<p>Until now, the only real alternative on the market has been <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/08/hardware_review_hori_d-pad_joy-con_controller_for_nintendo_switch">Hori’s D-pad left Joy-Con replacement</a> – and while officially licensed and solidly-priced for its functionality, it would be nice to have more options available.</p>
<p>Shenzhen Jieruihong Electronics Co., Ltd. – a Chinese manufacturing company – saw this opportunity, and is headed in that direction. They recently filed a <a href="https://nl.letsgodigital.org/uploads/2019/02/nintendo-switch.pdf">patent</a> at the end of January in the WIPO’s Global Design Database for a set of Switch controllers. While very similar to Nintendo’s original Joy-Con in appearance – including the standard red and blue colours – it very clearly shows that the left Joy-Con features a D-pad.</p>
<p>Although we don’t know many other details about this product yet, it will be interesting to see if it includes any features currently lacking in Hori’s D-pad Joy-Con – such as motion sensing, vibration, NFC detection, IR sensor, or usability outside of handheld mode.</p>
<p>However, this is likely extremely wishful thinking, as the company has previously introduced several Nintendo Switch controllers under the brand name Vigrand – and they have all been relatively cheap, in both price and construction.</p>
<p>If these new D-pad controllers do come to market soon, it is probable that we’ll see purchasing options for them on websites like <a href="https://vigrand.en.alibaba.com/">AliBaba</a>, where Vigrand is currently selling their other controller models. Keep your eyes peeled for them.</p>
<p><em>Do you miss having a D-pad while playing the Switch? Have you tried other options currently available on the market? Would you purchase a controller not officially licensed by Nintendo? Let us know in the comments below.</em></p>
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