The Nintendo Switch is one of Nintendo’s most successful consoles in history, and for good reason. The hybrid console has a stellar library and can be enjoyed anywhere. Still, it’s hard to ignore its downsides, especially with the Joy-Cons’ drift. Since buying Joy-Con replacements is so expensive, it’s only natural to look for alternatives, though many are simply cheap and poorly made.
NYXI’s Hyperion Pro, a wireless Nintendo Switch that is playable in both handheld and docked mode, is marketed as a nostalgic alternative to Joy-Cons. Despite being a 3rd party option, the Hyperion Pro offers many features and a comfortable design that makes this a competitive option.
Design and Layout
The NYXI Hyperion Pro, available in two color schemes, immediately draws attention. The first option is a nostalgic GameCube purple that evokes fond memories for fans of the classic console. The second is a vibrant green that could easily be mistaken for an unofficial The Legend of Zelda-themed controller. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Hyperion Pro is engineered for ease of use, adopting a layout similar to traditional Joy-Cons rather than the GameCube-inspired design of its peer, the NYXI Wizard. This makes for a familiar feel in the hands of most Switch users.
Constructed from a dense, high-quality plastic, the Hyperion Pro feels quite durable. Its heft provides a sense of reliability without compromising comfort. Despite its substantial build, the controller doesn’t feel too big, especially when compared to other bulky alternatives like the NYXI Wizard or the Hori Split Pad Pro. While it tips the scales at a weightier measure than the Hori Pad Pro, its size remains more manageable.
The Hyperion Pro’s design cleverly integrates elements from both Joy-Cons and the Hori Split Pad Pro, resulting in a hybrid shape that appeals to many. One of its standout features is the customizable LED lighting, which not only adds a cool, aesthetic flair but also allows players to personalize their controller with their preferred colors. The lights, far from appearing cheap or gimmicky, add a nice touch to the controller. While the lighting is not essential to the controller’s functionality, it offers an added layer of customization that caters to individual visual preferences.
Button Sensitivity and Ergonomics
The tactile experience of the NYXI Hyperion Pro sets a high standard for button responsiveness and ergonomics. Each button on the controller is crafted to provide the perfect balance between resistance and clickiness, ensuring that every press is both satisfying and effective. This level of feedback contributes greatly to immersive gameplay, allowing players to fully engage without second-guessing their inputs.
The Hyperion Pro shines particularly in its treatment of bumpers and triggers. Unlike the NYXI Wizard, whose triggers can be audibly loud and potentially disruptive in quiet environments, the Hyperion Pro’s triggers are more discrete and precise. They offer a smooth, consistent resistance that enables players to apply the exact amount of pressure needed for each action, without the distracting click-clack sound. This makes the Hyperion Pro an ideal choice for players who value both performance and subtlety when playing in handheld mode.
Surprisingly, the D-Pad bucks the trend of quiet buttons, offering a louder click than expected. However, this does not detract from its performance; the D-Pad feels precise and responsive, with sharp, well-defined actions that lend themselves well to games requiring meticulous control.
Ergonomically, the Hyperion Pro accommodates a wide range of hand sizes and shapes, ensuring that all buttons are within easy reach. This layout gives a comfortable gaming experience, reducing the risk of strain during extended play sessions.
Functionality and Features
The NYXI Hyperion Pro is an excellent blend of traditional and innovative features. Like most pro controllers, the Hyperion Pro includes turbo options. These programmable buttons, in particular, offer a level of adaptability that allows players to tailor the controller’s functionality to their liking.
However, the Hyperion Pro takes a more conservative approach to physical customization compared to the NYXI Wizard, notably lacking the option for replaceable joystick tops. This omission places the Hyperion Pro in a similar category to standard Joy-Cons and the Pro Controller in terms of customization, which is a little disappointing. Still, the hall-effect sticks mean that there won’t be any drift, which makes it an instant improvement over Joy-Cons.
In terms of functionality, the Hyperion Pro checks all the boxes expected from a high-quality controller. It features responsive gyro controls. Vibration feedback is also present, and although it may not reach the precise levels of the Joy-Cons’ HD rumble, it’s a welcome feature that many third-party controllers forego. The convenience of being able to wake the Nintendo Switch directly from the controller, alongside the ability to snap onto the console for handheld play or connect to a base for docked gaming is welcome. The icing on the cake is that it can recharge alongside the Switch when docked so players don’t even need to plug the controller up to charge.
The NYXI Hyperion Pro is an excellent alternative to Joy-Cons. It’s now my favorite third-party controller. The Hori Split-Pad is missing some features that the Hyperion offers, and the Joy-Cons simply aren’t as comfortable. It’s one of the best wireless options for Switch users, and the price point is perfect for what players get.
The NYXI Hyperion Pro can be purchased on NYXI’s website https://nyxigame.com/pages/nyxi-hyperion-series here.
