The New Bigger Smaller JoyCon

Hori has a new Joy-Con alternative on the way with the Split Pad Compact, and I got a chance to use them early! Here’s my full thoughts on whether or not they may be right for you.
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[@yadspi]

Completely failed at no upgrading them with gyro, rumble and using them detached.

[@Guitario666]

I disagree

[@Suiax]

I agree. No rumble, no gyro, and no using them detached is an absolute joke, especially in world where Binbok, Nexigo, and other aliexpress copies exist, for the same or less money, and and had all features, the HORI's don't.

[@PoliMaster64]

I wouldn’t mind the not being to use when detached, but the no rumble or gyro is a deal breaker

[@Cesclarenas]

The original split pad pro it's fantastic without rumble and gyro. Yes while it's missing those features, buttons and the dpad are definitely the best in the market and that does it for me

[@mikiwibu]

Rumble I hate. Gyro I’ll use my procon. No wireless is an absolute joke. There are others that are probably just as good that’ll have gyro anyway so there’s no point to invest in these. Only thing others might not have is turbo.

[@Micxhxael]

I couldn’t care less about rumble, gyro, or amiibo support. My Split Pad Pro enables me to play handheld for more than ten minutes without my right hand cramping to hell. I can’t imagine anyone with hands slightly larger than a child’s not having issues with the Joy-Cons. Thought I might give the Compact a try but the regular Pro is just better in every way for my use case.

[@teamdoubleR]

Ive had these for a couple weeks and they are pretty chill. Durable too and buttons feel silky

[@nonsense1140]

The Binbok slim version is a good choice similar to this with more functionality.

[@MrLorenzoVids]

Agree, I have this too. But I trust Hori more with their quality control. I wish they would just copy's binbok slim design LOL.

[@terrytobin7714]

I really appreciate your reviews. Very good info. I have tried the full size pros, both binbok models, and neo grip. None of them are quite right for me. These seem perfect. Thanks

[@coreyrandall2753]

Wanted to use them for Splatoon 3 but still no gyro 🤦‍♂️ That’s disappointing

[@_loveableidiot]

The only controller that I've own and that actually works for my hands is the after glow wireless controller. The normal split pads don't necessarily work, they're just right and slightly off at the exact same time I'm hoping to try these out someday to see if they're the right fit for me.

[@notvictorc]

Got mine in today, way better than joycons and don’t stick out as much like the Pros

[@fupplebupple135]

Where did you get them from?

[@joelcloutier6450]

Great video Kevin. Can anyone please tell me why I can’t find a wireless Joy Con with a real d-pad??? I spent $135 on a pair of Extreme Rate with a d-pad, only to find out that the d-pad has no pivot point and is therefore useless. If anyone can point me to a good joy-con with wireless and a Real d-pad, please let me know. Everything I have seen on Amazon are cheap Chinese knock-offs, that are not worth the price.

[@tdotran]

Placed an order for one. Can’t wait.

[@CactuarKnight]

Have you tried the split pad pro adapter thing that allows you to use the split pad pro as a wired dock controller? If so, is it compatible with these new compact models?

[@That1randomguy92]

I really liked these controllers at first but then super Mario wonder came out and the stick placement basically made these unusable for me in that game. As you do in every Mario 2d platformer hold the Y button to run and jump with B but when you do that with this controller your thumb is constantly hitting the thumb stick not a fan lol I’ll stick with the Pro

[@Coco1477]

I love the form factor, and don't really care about not having gyro but not having rumble is a deal breaker, people don't realize how important haptics are in most games nowadays.

[@contytub]

.... ps3 sixaxis fiasco was too many years ago to be remembered properly hehe

[@bangersandmashism]

The HD rumble in the joycon is horrible anyway

[@malazan6004]

Lol it's not important to me at all the rumble.

[@BrandonCraig-yi7zu]

They arent at all the last time i used haptics was when playing spiderman miles morales to see what all the hype was about turned it off after 10 minutes it dosnt do anything

[@denvernaicker8250]

i like softer feel buttons

[@batman3217]

The BinBok JoyCon Slim Works awesome but there actually too big for me to use. (The back of it is the problem for me.)

[@vakral9997]

Such a shame they have no gyro.. pretty much the only thing I was really hoping for this these.

[@Refaulu]

I’m amazed by the lack of criticism in this video… This product is nothing new over the split pad pro and yet he finds almost 8 minutes to basically say nothing. Companies will get away with mediocre products when you give them mediocre reviews 😅

[@Angel-kp6gz]

Look y’all, I actually bought these and they feel very cheap. The buttons are terrible. like he said, they are squishy, very squishy. Furthermore, the joycons wobble when on the switch. I know the original joy cons wobble but not as much as the hori joycons. Overall, I rate them a 4/10 I wouldn’t recommend these, but since I’ve bought them I gotten use to them. However, they’re still trash.

[@I_SuperHiro_I]

How is this an upgrade? No rumble, gyro, wake, battery….

[@nathanieldearinger1673]

I really wish Nintendo or 8bitdo would make some full featured pro style joy-cons

[@gregorycocco9043]

How does the size of the sticks compare to the pro controller? I think they’re too big on the split pad pro. The size on the the pro controller is perfect for my hands.

[@somebutter6755]

I was really hoping that they would at least have rumble and motion controls. I’m willing to pay a little extra for at least that and getting an officially licensed product.

[@ultrasynth3482]

I’m guessing that Nintendo isn’t letting them, as I don’t know why else they wouldn’t. It might be a competition thing. If the hori controllers were fully comparable, people would definitely buy them over the standard joy cons and that would directly compete with Nintendo.

[@raulguallpa8688]

I feel like the Split Pads made the Switch have the right comfort for playing, it reminds me of the Wii U gamepad.

[@thevgmlover]

3:27 Yup. I tend to suck at FPSs or feel like I'm just not at my best without it.

[@zerorequiem42]

Love the look of the apricot version, but paying $50 for a controller with so few features feels like a rip off.

[@DPD4M0]

I had the original Split Pad Pro and I liked it a lot, but the lack of gyro was a bummer. I wish Hori added it with this new revision, but I guess no gyro yet... oh well... I must keep waiting I guess

[@malazan6004]

I will always have a spare pair of normal joycons to swap if I ever need for gyro but rarely do

[@nistral]

i imported the midnight blue split pad compacts since NA isn't getting that color at launch, and i really like them. think you summed it up real nicely - has the ergo benefits of the split pad pro but doesnt have the bulkiness or the huge ledge between the split pads and the switch screen.

[@captriskybiscuits8785]

Mind sharing where to find these?

[@tgasussy1246]

@@captriskybiscuits8785 play Asia, eBay, or if you dont mind the colors best buy although play Asia has no stock, I tried ordering the mint green to match my dock but ended up having to settle for the yellow and gray.

[@AwkwardSquirrel13]

Sigh, I have issues with my hands, and so the joycons are actually really great for me, but a little bit bigger , I was looking forward to this option, but I use joycons detached, so, yep, now I'm just gonna keep using the standards joycons. I would cock the buy now button so fast if I could use these detached!

[@rokku87]

Gyro is probably the only feature that SHOULD be included on hori's lineup. You can arguably get away with no rumble on 99% of games and situations. NFC? Same story. But no Gyro? Some games that feature is needed. NEEDED.

[@trza49er]

Really? I’ve had my Switch almost 2 years and I haven’t come across a game yet that needs it. Any games in particular? Trying to decide on joycon options.

[@rokku87]

@@trza49er Well required to beat is a little vague I suppose. But for example Zelda Breath of the Wild? Gyro is NEEDED to complete some puzzles (not needed to beat the final boss though) as well as the new Zelda TotK. Also its just really really nice to aim the bow with. Some games heavily lean on the Gyro. Splatoon is another one that does.

[@trza49er]

@@rokku87 I vaguely remember one or two shrines in BoTW where I used the gyro to roll a ball around or something, haven't come across anything yet in ToTK but I'm not that far in. I guess I'm just not into gyro aiming, especially in handheld mode. I'd rather keep the screen still and use the sticks, but that's just me. I appreciate the info either way!

[@switchtales]

Agree. I really need a gyro for aiming a little bit in zelda.

[@Supermanofearthx]

Was just wondering about your update for these. Really considering buying these or the split pad pro as a secondary handheld controller.

[@100Stratusfiedx]

This is a better look, but a shame they don’t have gyro

[@podracer35]

I'm sitting comfy with my set of Binbok Joy-cons, but I do really like the form factor of the Split Pad Compact. I just wish they'd go the little bit further to add wireless, rumble and gyro. If they added just one or two of those, it'd make them a much more appealing buy

[@Nedlius]

i also have binbok joycons. how would you rate your d-pad?

[@podracer35]

@@Nedlius I don't use the d-pad very much, so my word probably wouldn't mean much. It's been fine whenever I need it.

[@Nedlius]

@@podracer35 hmmm, mines not that good which is why i ask

[@jeromemccalla9520]

I own the binbok only issue is that the sticks start to play up after 6 months of use on my second pair atm.

[@podracer35]

@@jeromemccalla9520 yeah, mine used to drift or get stuck on a direction every once in a while. The issue stopped when I reset them and did the recalibration. The quality can definitely be hit or miss. I had some issues with the clips that lock them onto the rails getting loose. Their customer support was pretty responsive and helpful sending a replacement. This was last year after I got them, so can't speak to how good their customer support is now.

[@redscorpion9325]

I dont like the big piece sticking out on the back

[@CasepbX]

I wish Hori controllers didn't feel like such cheap crap.

[@sneslive1556]

Been in the market for new joycons for a few years now. I'll give these a go.

[@eggdude5460]

Hey, just wanted to point out that you used the compacts on the OLED dock, but if you look closely the switch doesn’t actually bottom out in some of the shots; does it work in the OLED dock or not? Just a bit confusing because that was important with the pros not working.

[@Slixro]

Great video Kevin! Been waiting to catch some videos discussing these new controllers & a lot of my pros/cons are highlighted here. Thank you for the time and effort you put in always!

[@luckylucario]

I have the split pad pro. It's great, but it's too big for my hands. So I don't use it often. I recently got the Split Pad Compact. It is really a middle ground between joy cons and split pad pro. I love them. My only complaint is that they don't work with my case. But that is on my part not the company.

[@silverbandit721]

Pretty lame Hori is making these controllers with no case to carry them with.

[@StuieHunter]

You lost me at no rumble and no gyro.....that's too much of a downgrade....

[@abcbcd7974]

Split pad pro is great for me when your sitting down or in an upright position but my it hurts my hand when lying down which is 95% time that im using it. Never had a problem with joycons when lying down so I hope this is better for me than the pro.

[@greatwhiteevox1008]

Dude you're married and still can play games and have money !?

[@JomasterTheSecond]

Real chads call it the Split Pad *FIT.*

[@SomeJohndoe]

They didnt make the grips thicker I would have loved if they made them at least comparable to the ones on the binbok v2 or mobapad m6 gemini. I have the original split pad pro and my only gripe with them is they dont have enough thickness/bulge on the grippy parts for larger hands they end up feeling like a fatter but still relatively flat version of the joycons

[@matipedia_]

I was looking for a good replacement for the joycon when playing handheld. I ended up getting a satisfye grip because for me it's important to be able to fit the switch in a carrying case. And satisfye comes with a case. But finding one that has space for the bigger joycons is close to impossible.

[@Mikeferaz]

I wanted that turbo for MH Rise playing as gunner, but the lack of gyro made them a NO NO for me

[@IDubeyI]

Goddamn the intros are just getting better and better mate! Keep it up

[@evil_yellow_ranger8346]

I preordered mine from best buy an they were just delivered by fedex. I got the grey and yellow as well and I definitely like them better than my red split pad pro.

[@CrimsonBlades31]

Lucky you! I pre ordered but am currently stuck in the reserving item phase xD

[@Night_Rider83]

Is it worth buying them if I already have the Pro?

[@redcrimson1028]

The analog doesnt have the same full 360 give as the split pad oro but a little bit more than the joycons? Seems like a step back!!!! They took years to come out with a controller only to make it a step back? Damn hurry how you have dissapointed me smh

[@letterm6656]

I wish hori got rid of the leg on the pads. Since it was design to cradle the switch, you can't use it with any modification to the switch whether it be a snap on case or anything that make the switch slightly thicker.

[@locogringo4rzl]

“ButterFox Trigger-Grips” were the most slept-on grip accessory in my mind

[@valentds]

i don't care about gyro, but goddamn why still no vibration? it's 2022 for fuck sake

[@sonicheroesenthusiast6121]

because vibration costs money and you have to pay the nintendo tax.

[@MrTreb88]

Hall sensor joycons is what i need

[@octoisalive]

I bought the split pad pro a while ago. It's pretty good for comfort

[@zZiL341yRj736]

Those bigger face buttons are a step up over the baby ones. However being unable to map ABXY to the other back button kinda defeat the purpose, why the hell integrate it for then? For any one saying it doesn't have have Gyro or gimmicky stuff, the stock Joy Cons are always there, use them.

[@sodkfniw2669]

I'm gonna be honest, this controller sounds like a stupid idea. I mean, if you want a Split Pad Pro, then just get that. Why would anyone want to buy a smaller version of it? Just get Joycons at that point.

[@puroresuraa]

No gyro no buy

[@Mikeferaz]

I wanted that turbo for MH Rise playing as gunner, but the lack of gyro made them a NO NO for me

[@rockafella2664]

Hi Kevin! Great review. By the way, did you just get married?? Noticed the ring. Anyway, your channel has great content, keep it up!!

[@marksayosmejia7251]

People conplaining for not having gyro, internal battery, rumblefeature just like split pad pro. Remember this is for the core controller market where people prefer a traditional controller for handheld mode without the bells and whistles. This is perfect for people with bigger hands but still wanted a compact shale for the switch. Im asian, so my hands arent as big as anyone from the west but id still like it, but i already have the split pad pro honestly.

[@djdnauk1977]

Really need a split pad option with batteries/wireless functionality and gyro, don't care about rumble much

[@blizmo2]

Looks pretty good Might get a set 😎👍

[@destindude1978]

Do you know if this will come in different colors? That D-pad looks comfy but I'm not a fan of the white controller.

[@scaryhours2220]

Honestly when I first got my Switch I could not play it because the Joy Cons are way too tiny. After getting the split pad pro I cannot put the Switch down lol.

[@kimikothetanuki314]

Nice to see some bigger ones, especially from HORI

[@Gammelboy29]

Couldn't you have included at least ONE actual alternative to the JoyCons? I mean something that can be used wireless, has gyro and can wake up the switch wirelessly like the RGB JoyCon from Binbok or one of the many other manufacturers. Anything that isn't this cheapo garbage with very limited use that Hori sells. And they even had the audacity to make the same garbage thing with a slightly different form AND STILL DON'T MAKE IT WIRELESS even though people have been criticizing this very point for years!

[@FaeRhanX]

Will stay with Split Pad Pro and Binbok as fallback if I need gyro or rumble. I like the Hori sticks more but too bad they don't want to add the missing features.

[@Night_Rider83]

They can't. Nintendo won't let them as otherwise it will outsell the Joy Cons.

[@mintgreen292]

Feature wise these seem like exactly what I'd want, but that shade of yellow...just...why? It looks awful. Hope they release other colors in the future.

[@mooNylou]

Bought the split pad pro and instantly returned them, because they felt so cheap… are those feel better?

[@chandlergomez1190]

Man..idk..I guess if you don’t have the switch pad pro and want something mid sized then guess this is good, I feel like they really missed out not making it better like if they just added motion control and gyro I would genuinely buy this even still owning the switch pad pro

[@maccaplays6921]

Could of atleast added rumble

[@sar1352]

Also the inner deadzones on the sticks for both feel like its 30% of the travel.

[@Dragonorder18]

I'm surprised at times that Nintendo themselves hasn't created a joycon that is bigger for those big hands, yet still works all around like the regular joycon does.

[@impasta9093]

Man, i have the old ones and i was hoping for them to be wireless and having vibration at least.

[@IzukuLuffyAsta]

Yep. I do think them having nintendo brand, have some sort of agreement that they should not put gyro or rumble in their controllers since most likely people will this over official joycons 😅

[@cc75936]

I personally always liked the official joycons but bigger ones look nice to

[@diuran1919]

All joy controller with vertical layout buttons/analog are shitty as hell. A little bit better Hori joycons but still some company need to build much wider joycons with much bigger battery and with Diagonally Layout like in Pro controller.

[@yourneighborhoodfriendlyme4242]

Aw man, no rumble? I'm instantly out. Not sarcasm. I hate the way non-rumble controllers feel (or don't feel I suppose). So unsatisfying.

[@Sirfalcon5]

Do you think it will fit the water field city slicker case?

[@coleysnark9812]

How would people even play splatoon 3 with these

[@SkateSean2125]

I play it both with and without motion controls for TV and portable mode, respectively. I know preference will vary and not everybody's gonna roll with that kind of playstyle. But one advantage I had using the Split Pad Pro vs regular joycons in portable mode, I used the assign button to map Down to the special button on the back so I can react to Booyahs without coming to a full stop to reach the bottom of the D-pad with my left thumb.

[@RPGreg2600]

Without motion controls, I'm out. The motion controls are awesome for dialing in your aiming.

[@doublecomplex4741]

Got a wired PowerA that quickly started having joystick drift. I love the feel and performance of the OG joy-cons - even more than my OLED joy-cons. Yes, there’s a difference.

[@thegamingblob7772]

What’s the difference?

[@uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh0]

@@thegamingblob7772 i think the plastics are different between old joycons and new joycons

[@thegamingblob7772]

@@uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh0 ah alr thanks

[@doublecomplex4741]

@@thegamingblob7772 They are weighted differently. The Plus, Minus and Home buttons have a slightly lower profile as well.

[@KopfdesRiesen]

@@Archkyrie11 Plastic feels different as well as the „d pad“

[@silentvalue]

There is a 20 dollar case i got off amazon that fits my oled with split pad pro's perfectly. I have 3 different sets of the split pad pros, and might end up collecting more after picking up the mega man 2 set.

[@gravewolfwood5747]

Can you please drop a link to the case?

[@noelsilva8887]

Damn no rumble or wireless? But they do look nice. I would have at least if they added rumble.

[@jeromemccalla9520]

Rumble is essential.

[@crash10310]

I turn off rumble for all of my controllers, so this not having it is fine by me.

[@jeromemccalla9520]

@@crash10310 it’s more of an immersion thing for me.

[@sonicheroesenthusiast6121]

​@@jeromemccalla9520 I dont get immersed in switch games any more. I have a laptop with a 144hz monitor and 4k TV so it's hard for me to feel like I'm connected the world with such outdated hardware. it's also that Nintendo hasn't released anything that REALLY caught my attention like odyssey. but hey, that's just how I feel

[@Faizu777]

@@sonicheroesenthusiast6121uh ok???????????? 😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@simongorelik92]

They look amazing but this is a failed product they dont have any thing special except asthetuc

[@ryozaki96]

YESSS DIRECTION BUTTONS.. still not gonna buy a switch

[@bloom-mania]

knock off steamdeck moment lol its gone full circle joycons on steam deck now steamdeck like controllers on the switch

[@m2pt5]

Jeez, another one that's wired only? Boo. Give me a pro controller that splits in half.

[@UltimaKeyMaster]

One thing that has consistently disappointed me despite loving using my normal Split Pad: I want to use normal Joycons. I. *WANT.* To use normal joycons. But I have two drifting left sticks, which scares me from getting a third proper set. But absolutely no one seems to bother to make standard sized Joycons as an alternative. It's always bigger, it's always weird sizes, it's always always always never as small. I WANT Joycons to be small. Playing on the Split Pad tires me out eventually from the system as a whole having real weight to it which I never ever want in a handheld. I might give the Compact a shot since it's *slightly* more my speed, but I hope to god some day they make handheld-only properly sized tiny Joycons. Please, Hori, just do it already. I only want Joycons for handheld anyway, my Pro Controller hasn't acted up whatsoever for TV play, I don't need wireless Joycons. I'll even implore 8bitdo to get in on that, I've been using their products for years as well and they've been consistently solid.

[@SmokeySkies]

I got no proble the pros been big and bulky, that's what I like about them.

[@s6underground]

I'd be down for this if it had rumble at least. And since its bigger I'd also hope it has a longer battery life than a regular joycon.

[@Jeno_Sinatra]

They have no batteries.

[@strawhat6676]

I got gengar and Pikachu ones today, they are a dream, just trying to map the back buttons

[@steveybiggunzgaming8118]

Would it kill them to add rumble ? There’s no name alternatives on Amazon that are nice with rumble and gyro, yet hori which is more of a respected Nintendo brand can’t seem to swing it I don’t understand. These look nice I just don’t know without the rumble.

[@droidlycodes]

Why make something that isn't able to be used just like the original Joy Cons? Glad you got these to review them, I still enjoy my Binbok Joy Cons & will never change them back to the regular hand cramping ones.

[@mbcmechachu]

They look interesting enough here's to hoping that they've alleviated the drift issue. I've went through two versions of the split pad pro over the course of the year and the left side on both pairs slowly but surely managed to get joy con drift.

[@shabberplasm32]

I have two sets of the Split Pads and neither have ever gotten drift.

[@typodont4870]

Love this set up!

[@annabrickstock]

Nice video love my oled switch

[@maxisenberg9093]

It it there a safe way to cut off the feet of the split pad compact

[@DJoka10001]

Dude for the past few years now youve been a life savor with this info and mod showcasing, thank you! 🎮🕹✊🏾❤💯

[@TekkamanBlade4ever]

Can you reassign the analog stick to the Dpad? The Link's Awakening remake forces you to move using the stupid analog stick. That is completely unacceptable! I want to use the Dpad.