Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for January 10th, 2023. In today’s article, I’m reviewing a controller. Yes, that happens sometimes. Sometimes I review accessories. Usually on slow days. We also have a couple of new releases to look at, plus the usual lists of new and expiring sales. It’s a quiet one, but I’m sure things will pick up soon. January is just like that. Let’s get to it, then.
Accessory Reviews
Brook Vivid Wireless Controller ($39.99)
I’m always on the lookout for new controllers for my Switch. What can I say? The somewhat lacking nature of the included controllers pushes one to find an alternative, and some of us start sliding down slopes as soon as we set foot on them. Seriously, I have Switch controllers for miles now. So when accessory maker Brook offered to send me over one of their Vivid Wireless units for review purposes, I figured it was worth a bash. I tend to play in handheld mode most of the time, but when I’m docked I usually use an 8BitDo SN30 Pro+ or, if I’m feeling particularly frisky, an 8BitDo M30. We’re an 8BitDo household, you see.
But there are some things that those controllers don’t do. Things I would like them to do. For example, waking up my Switch console. A wireless controller that still requires me to reach over and turn the system on isn’t doing its full job, is it? I’ve also, thanks to my trusty handheld Hori Split Pad Pro, become used to turbo fire options and paddle buttons that I can map functions to. And wouldn’t you know it? These are all things that the Brook Vivid Wireless Controller can do. It also has a feature that allows you to lower the sensitivity of the sticks with the paddles, allowing for finer movements or aiming as needed. A nice set of features, to be sure. The paddles can even have full-on macros mapped to them so that you can cheat at Street Fighter or what-have-you.
Features are nice, but how does it feel? It certainly looks cute, especially with the two fun colors available. In the hands, I have to say it feels a little on the small side but not uncomfortably so. It’s a bit light and lacks that kind of deluxe feel some other controllers in this price range have, but it has held up well to the considerable punishment I have put it through over the last couple of months. The sticks are pretty good, with the right amount of travel. The directional pad passed the Hadouken test with aplomb, though its lower profile means it isn’t quite as cozy as pads on some other controllers. The shoulder buttons are fine, and the triggers actually have a bit of resistance to them that makes them feel nice to use. The face buttons are of a good size and are spread out nicely, though I find their higher profile and hard feel can be a little hard on the thumb in lengthier sessions.
All in all, while it has its flaws, the Brook Vivid Wireless Controller is a solid choice for those looking for an alternative to Nintendo’s Pro Controller. It has all of the same features except for the Amiibo reader, plus useful added functions like turbo fire and macro recording. I wish it was a little bigger and used nicer plastic, but the play’s the thing and that’s where the Vivid shines. It even comes with a clip in case you want to use it for some smartphone gaming. Not bad at all, and I’ve found myself using it over my SN30 Pro+ fairly often.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
New Releases
Lost Dream Stars ($4.99)
Play as a fox and wander around in a dreamscape searching for items and solving puzzles in this latest game in the series. It looks pretty in stills, but I can’t speak for how well it runs. Just kind of a chill game where you walk around and do some light challenges. Might be what you’re looking for if you’re in the right mood today. It has that kind of Aery vibe to it, and I know a lot of people enjoy that.
Warp 7 ($11.00)
This is a shooter that seems very insistent I do not call it a roguelite, so I won’t. It is not a roguelite. You have to make your way through each section of space, gathering helpful microchips before warping to the next section. You only have seven minutes to make seven warps, so you have to carefully consider how much time you want to spend looking for upgrade chips in each area. If you die, you’ll lose all the chips you gathered on that run, but you’ll retain some of your progress. Just like in a roguelite. Which this is not.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Well, I don’t see anything terribly exciting in that list today. Some good games, but games that go on sale so frequently that you’ve probably already bought them if you were interested in them. The outbox is a little more interesting, with titles from Taito and others wrapping up their latest discounts. Have a look through both lists, as always.
Select New Games on Sale
Xenon Racer ($5.99 from $14.99 until 1/16)
All-Star Fruit Racing ($7.99 from $19.99 until 1/16)
Shieldwall Chronicles: SotN ($1.99 from $7.99 until 1/23)
Demon’s Rise: WftD ($1.99 from $6.99 until 1/23)
Demon’s Rise: LoC ($1.99 from $7.99 until 1/23)
The Awakening of Mummies ($2.39 from $2.99 until 1/23)
Galaxy Champions TV ($1.99 from $6.99 until 1/23)
Hextones ($1.99 from $2.99 until 1/23)
OctaFight ($1.99 from $5.99 until 1/23)
Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption ($3.99 from $19.99 until 1/23)
A Day Without Me ($1.99 from $5.99 until 1/23)
There Will Be No Turkey This Christmas ($1.99 from $2.99 until 1/23)
Brotherhood United ($1.99 from $8.99 until 1/23)
Torn Tales: Rebound Edition ($1.99 from $7.99 until 1/23)
Zombo Buster Advance ($1.99 from $3.99 until 1/23)
Scrap Garden ($4.19 from $6.99 until 1/30)
Moorhuhn Kart 2 ($9.99 from $19.99 until 1/30)
Moorhuhn X: Crazy Chicken X ($5.59 from $6.99 until 1/30)
Alexio ($2.99 from $4.99 until 1/30)
Richy’s Nightmares ($2.99 from $4.99 until 1/30)
Catana ($4.19 from $6.99 until 1/30)
Devoured by Darkness ($3.59 from $5.99 until 1/30)
Cursed Island ($2.99 from $4.99 until 1/30)
Dr. Oil ($2.99 from $4.99 until 1/30)
Radioactive Dwarfs: EftS ($2.99 from $4.99 until 1/30)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 11th
Alchemic Dungeons DX ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/11)
Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX ($6.79 from $19.99 until 1/11)
Ambition of the Slimes ($2.50 from $5.00 until 1/11)
Aragami Shadow Edition ($7.49 from $29.99 until 1/11)
Buildings Have Feelings Too ($3.99 from $19.99 until 1/11)
Captain StarONE ($4.99 from $9.99 until 1/11)
Cloudpunk ($6.24 from $24.99 until 1/11)
Cronostase Electric Collection ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/11)
Curious Cases ($3.49 from $4.99 until 1/11)
Cytus Alpha ($24.99 from $49.99 until 1/11)
Dariusburst CS Core ($26.99 from $29.99 until 1/11)
Deathrun TV ($5.09 from $14.99 until 1/11)
DEEMO ($14.99 from $29.99 until 1/11)
Dual Brain Complete Edition ($18.89 from $26.99 until 1/11)
Dungeonoid ($2.09 from $6.99 until 1/11)
Escape 2088 ($2.80 from $4.00 until 1/11)
Escape First ($3.49 from $4.99 until 1/11)
Escape First 2 ($3.49 from $4.99 until 1/11)
Escape First 3 ($3.49 from $4.99 until 1/11)
Fairune Collection ($4.99 from $9.99 until 1/11)
Fishing Paradiso ($12.74 from $14.99 until 1/11)
Goodbye World ($10.79 from $11.99 until 1/11)
Headbangers in Holiday Hell ($4.79 from $5.99 until 1/11)
HunterX ($10.49 from $14.99 until 1/11)
Kamiko ($2.49 from $4.99 until 1/11)
Lanota ($7.49 from $14.99 until 1/11)
Monster Harvest ($5.99 from $19.99 until 1/11)
Morbid: The Seven Acolytes ($6.24 from $24.99 until 1/11)
Ninja Striker ($1.99 from $3.99 until 1/11)
Nowhere Girl ($2.99 from $6.99 until 1/11)
Orcen Axe ($1.99 from $3.60 until 1/11)
Ping Pong Arcade ($4.49 from $14.99 until 1/11)
Ponpu ($2.99 from $14.99 until 1/11)
Shirone: The Dragon Girl ($11.99 from $14.99 until 1/11)
Slaycation Paradise ($9.99 from $19.99 until 1/11)
Slime Tactics ($4.99 from $9.99 until 1/11)
Sparklite ($4.99 from $24.99 until 1/11)
Starlight Shores ($5.99 from $11.99 until 1/11)
Stranded Sails EotCI ($6.24 from $24.99 until 1/11)
SubaraCity ($2.50 from $5.00 until 1/11)
Super Metboy! ($5.99 from $9.99 until 1/11)
Taco Tom 2 ($2.99 from $5.99 until 1/11)
The Experiment: Escape Room ($2.79 from $3.99 until 1/11)
The Lightbringer ($4.49 from $14.99 until 1/11)
The Pizza Delivery Boy Who Saved… ($2.99 from $5.99 until 1/11)
Time on Frog Island ($12.49 from $24.99 until 1/11)
Timelie ($5.99 from $19.99 until 1/11)
Transiruby ($11.99 from $14.99 until 1/11)
VOEZ ($12.50 from $25.00 until 1/11)
Witch & Hero ($2.49 from $4.99 until 1/11)
Witch & Hero 2 ($2.49 from $4.99 until 1/11)
That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with more new releases and sales, plus whatever interesting news strolls along. I don’t think I’ll have any reviews ready for you, but surprises are called surprises for a reason. I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday, and as always, thanks for reading!
