If you’re looking for a new set of Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons but can’t stand the high price tag, options are there. In fact, there are quite a few options. A cursory search online brings you dozens of brands offering heavily discounted Joy-Con versions. They all have to be the same, don’t they?
Definitely not. In this Kinvoca Joypad Controller for Nintendo Switch review, you’ll learn why this particular model should only be a last resort.
Kinvoca Joypad Controller for Nintendo Switch Review: What is it?
Recognition: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
In fact, the Kinvoca Joypad Controller for Nintendo Switch is just like the official Joy-Con. The buttons are mostly in the same places. You can snap them to the sides of your Switch console while using it in handheld mode, or you can use them alone in tabletop / console mode. Even the colors are similar to Nintendo’s.
Connected: Nintendo Switch Buying Guide: Everything You Need To Know
However, all is not the same. Given that the Kinvoca model is almost half the price of real business, there will inevitably be some tradeoffs. It is up to you to decide whether these tradeoffs are worthwhile, but we will help you make that decision.
What is good?
Recognition: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
The best we can say about the Kinvoca Joypad Controller for Nintendo Switch is that it works. Sliding each joypad to the sides of your Switch instantly connects and lets you start playing. When you separate them, you can play with one hand or plug them into the included controller bracket.
The rumble and six-axis motion control that you enjoy with real Joy-Con are also carried over here. Unfortunately, there is no IR support, but not too many Switch games rely on it, so it’s not the end of the world.
For buyers who are really interested in the aesthetic presentation of their switch, the Kinvoca joypad offers many entertaining color options. There’s even one out there trying to recreate the color scheme of the Super Famicom (the Japanese version of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System). However, it is a pale imitation at best.
Connected: The best Nintendo Switch accessories you can buy
After all, the ergonomics of the joypads is a little better than that of the real Joy-Cons. The backs of the pads have a slightly curved handle, which is in stark contrast to the completely flat backs of real Joy-Cons.
What’s not so good?
Recognition: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Overall, the Kinvoca Joypad Controller for Nintendo Switch looks and feels cheap too. The plastic is very poor quality and the ABXY button design looks lousy. Sure, everything works as it should, but you’ll quickly understand why these controllers cost so much less than real Joy-Cons.
The biggest problem here, however, is what isn’t here. With other Joy-Con imitations, companies are trying to introduce new features that the original Joy-Cons didn’t support in order to make their product more alluring. With these, however, Kinvoca has simply thrown micro USB charging ports into every joypad. While this seems handy, everything that has to do with the Switch is USB-C based, so it becomes a burden rather than a feature.
There’s just one extra feature here, and Kinvoca made it more of a burden than anything else.
There are no additional buttons and no improvements whatsoever. The analog triggers aren’t any bigger (a really easy way to make Joy-Con alternatives better than the original), and the directional buttons on the left joypad aren’t formatted in a real D-pad. The internal batteries are smaller than those in the real store (320 mAh versus 525 mAh). The whole product just screams “missed opportunity”.
Finally, the Kinvoca Joypad Controller does not support the switch’s wake function. This means that you cannot turn on the console with the controllers. You must press the power button on the switch instead. Ouch.
Kinvoca Joypad Controller for Nintendo Switch Review: Should I Buy It?
Recognition: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
With a list price of $ 39.99, no way should you buy this. If you can find them on sale for a deep discount, or if you just need something to get the job done, then these might be worth it. But $ 40? You are better off buying the much better Esywen model or just finding used / reconditioned genuine Joy-Cons.
See also: Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Review: Worth every penny
Granted, a lot of people seek the bare minimums when it comes to Joy-Cons, so that they can be comfortable with children who use them. Even then, you could buy a set of these other imitations for $ 10 less. The price for the Kinvoca joypad controller is just too high.
With big sales days like Black Friday going around, you may find yourself able to buy these cheap. If you can, you should try. If not, your money would be better spent elsewhere.
Kinvoca Joypad Controller for Nintendo Switch Offers the bare minimum and somehow expects full price.
There are plenty of Joy-Con copycats vying for your dollars. While the Kinvoca Joypad Controller for Nintendo Switch does the basics you expect, they charge too much money compared to the competition. We recommend that you only buy these if you can get them at a high discount.