[Review] Switch Up Game Enhancer V2.0
Within the last two console generations, controller converters/adapters have become more and more prevalent. These USB accessories make it so a controller from one system can work on another. Over the years, I’ve used a number of these converters, including an eTokki PS2-to-360 converter, a COOV N-100/FastSnail controller converter, a Mayflash Magic-NS, and now Collective Minds Gaming Co. Ltd.’s Switch Up Game Enhancer V2.0. The question remains, though: From an accessibility standpoint, does the Switch Up get an upvote or a downvote?
The Nintendo Switch’s controls aren’t really accessible, for a few reasons. The first reason being the fact that when the JoyCons are attached to the Switch, there is no way a person can use them with the use of only one hand, like myself (not to mention that on the Switch Lite, you cannot detach the JoyCons). The second reason is that when they’re put into the grip attachment, the JoyCons sit at an angle on the desk, and are insanely light. The third reason is certain games require motion control, which I can’t physically do. The final reason being that the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is $69.99 USD (with additional JoyCons costing $79.99 USD).
To help me play on the Switch, I initially purchased a COOV N-100, which ultimately, I could not get to work at all. Afterward, I bought an 8BitDo F30 Pro, but have since transitioned to the Switch Up. To be clear, the 8BitDo F30 Pro is a wonderful peripheral, but at the end of the day, I noticed that it was too small for my hand, so much so, that I was getting frustrated using it. As a result, I ordered a Mayflash Magic-NS, which works beautifully, so I could, in theory, use my DualShock 4 controller with Collective Minds’ PS4 StrikePack F.P.S. Dominator attachment on my Switch. However, this was not the case, as I discovered that the Magic-NS does not support the StrikePack. As a result, I contemplated getting an Xbox Elite Controller, because of the paddles, but I decided against it in the end. Fortunately, Collective Minds had since released its Switch Up Game Enhancer V2.0 (was there a V1.0?). Due to the current state of the world, my friend, Greg Daily of PortableReview had to go buy it for me, and he just happened to nab me the last one within 100 miles.
Out of the box, you get the Switch Up Game Enhancer, and a USB-C to regular USB adapter, for if you want to plug it directly into the Switch itself, rather than into the dock. The Switch Up itself looks like a thick red flash drive with the Collective Minds logo, two buttons that look like the Switch logo, LED indicators, and a female USB port on it for a wired controller. It’s recommended that you update the adapter’s firmware. To do that, you'll need to plug the adapter itself into your computer and download/upgrade the firmware, but that's a painless process. You can also choose the specific firmware you want, and even downgrade the firmware. The other thing you need to do is make sure that Pro Controller Wired Communication is turned on in the Switch's system settings.
I’ve been using the Switch Up since March, and it’s been working without a hitch. Due to the reason that the two are from the same company, and the StrikePack’s strange requirement of the wire needing to be unplugged when you turn the console on (which they did later seemingly remove), I preemptively bought a $5 USB hub with individual power switches for each port, so I can "unplug and plug" with a press of a button. However, it seems I didn’t have to do that.
It’s not called the Switch Up Game Enhancer for nothing. It has modes for various games -- Pokémon Sword and Shield, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Fortnite, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. To access these modes, you press the Mode button on the Switch Up. Within these modes, you’re able to use Mods by pressing certain button combinations on your controller. For example, in Pokémon Mode, you can use mods like Easy Cycle, a mod that makes you ride your bike in circles until it is stopped. This can be useful for things like hatching eggs, and gaining friendship via the Soothe Bell. In Zelda Mode, there’s Rupee & Arrow Generation as well as enhanced weapon mods. However, these are neither here nor there for me, as that is not why I got the Switch Up.
The reason I got the Switch Up was the same reason I got the Magic-NS. It touts the ability to “connect almost any controller to your Switch,” and it makes good on that point. You can either connect them to the Switch Up wirelessly via Bluetooth, or wired. I’m also ecstatic to say that, unlike the Magic-NS, the Switch Up does indeed support the PS4 StrikePack F.P.S. Dominator. In fact, it’s the only controller converter I’ve found that does. Although, it’s not all that surprising as both the Switch Up and the PS4 StrikePack FPS Dominator are from Collective Minds. If anything, I’d be amazed if it didn’t.
This has opened up so many games on Switch for me. I’ve been able to play such games as Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Astral Chain, and Minecraft now. These are all games that I would have either a) had to figure out another way to play, or b) not been able to play at all, in the case of Astral Chain. That being said, the Switch Up and PS4 StrikePack F.P.S. Dominator combo has been a godsend. Now I can play so many more games
Do you remember how I said the Switch Up touts the ability to “connect almost any controller to your Switch”? In the 8-9 months that I’ve had my Switch Up, I’ve only found one controller that it does not support -- the MadCatz FightPad Pro, which is something that the Mayflash Magic-NS does support. Other than that, however, I’ve had zero problems.
Much like the PS4 StrikePack F.P.S. Dominator, the Switch Up Game Enhancer has quickly become an inseparable part of my gaming arsenal. I wouldn't be able to play half of the Switch games that I have, without it. Would I recommend it? Yes, without a shadow of a doubt, and here’s the best part: It retails for only $24.99 USD! You can purchase the Switch Up Game Enhancer from Amazon, GameStop, and of course, off the Collective Minds official website and its Switch Up website.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Accessibility Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
