Hello gentle readers and welcome to the SwitchArcade Overview on January 10, 2023. In today’s post, I’m reviewing a controller. Yes, that happens sometimes. Sometimes I review the accessories. Usually on slow days. We also have a few new releases to review, along with the usual list of new and expiring sales. It’s a quiet thing, but I’m sure things will settle down soon. January is just that. Then let’s get to work.
Accessories Reviews
Brook Vivid Wireless Controller ($39.99)
I’m always looking for a new controller for my Switch. What can I say? The somewhat lacking nature of the included controls led one to look for an alternative, and some of us began to slide downhill as soon as we set our feet on them. Seriously, I have a Switch controller for miles now. So when accessory maker Brook offered to send me one of their Vivid Wireless devices for review, I thought it was worth a try. I tend to play handheld most of the time, but when I do dock, I usually use the 8BitDo SN30 Pro+ or, if I’m particularly annoyed, the 8BitDo M30. You see, we are an 8BitDo household.
But there are some things those controllers don’t do. Things I want them to do. For example, wake up my Switch console. The wireless controller that still requires me to reach out and turn on the system isn’t working at full capacity, is it? Thanks to the reliable handheld Hori Split Pad Pro, I’ve also gotten used to the supercharged fire options and paddle buttons I can map functions to. And you wouldn’t know it? These are all things the Brook Vivid Wireless Controller can do. It also has a feature that allows you to reduce the sensitivity of the club with the paddles, allowing for better movement or aim when needed. A nice set of features, to be sure. The paddles can even have full macros mapped to them so you can cheat at street fighter or what-have-you.
The features are great, but how does it feel? It is definitely look cute, especially with two fun colors available. In my hand, I have to say that it is a bit small but not so uncomfortable. It’s a bit light and lacks the luxurious feel that some other controllers in this price range have, but it has withstood the considerable chasm I’ve had over the past few months. The stick is pretty good, with the right amount of travel. The directional keyboard has passed Hadouken tested with confidence, though its lower profile means it’s not quite as cozy as the pads on some other controllers. The shoulder buttons are fine and the trigger buttons actually have a bit of resistance which makes them feel nice to use. The buttons on the face are a good size and spread out beautifully, though I found their higher profile and stiff feel can be a bit hard on the thumb during longer sessions.
All in all, despite 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 the same features except the Amiibo reader, along with useful extras like fire acceleration and macro recording. I wish it was a little bigger and used nicer plastic, but the play is what matters and that’s where Vivid shines. It even comes with a clip in case you want to use it for smartphone gaming. Not bad at all and I find myself using it on the SN30 Pro+ quite often.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
New release
Lost Dream Stars ($4.99)
Play as a fox and roam the dreamy landscape searching for items and solving puzzles in this latest game in the series. It looks good in stills, but I can’t say how well it runs. Just a relaxing game as you walk around and do some light challenges. Might be what you’re looking for if you’re in a good mood today. It has that kind air vibe with it, and I know a lot of people who like that.
Warp 7 ($11.00)
This is a shooter that seems very insistent, I wouldn’t call it roguelite, so I wouldn’t call it. It is not a roguelite. You have to go through each part of the space, collecting useful microchips before moving on to the next. You only have seven minutes to make seven warps, so you must carefully consider the amount of time you want to spend searching for upgrade chips in each area. If you die, you will lose all the chips collected during that run, but you will retain some of your achievements. Like in a roguelite. What is this Not.
The sale
(North American eShop, US price)
Well, I don’t see anything terribly interesting on that list today. Some games are good, but the ones that are discounted so often you could have bought them if you were interested in them. Outbox is a bit more interesting, with titles from Taito and others wrapping up their latest sale. Go through both lists, as always.
Pick up a new game that’s on sale
xenon racer ($5.99 from $14.99 until Jan 16)
All-Star Fruit Racing ($7.99 from $19.99 until Jan 16)
Shieldwall Chronicles: SotN ($1.99 from $7.99 until Jan 23)
Rise of the Devil: WftD ($1.99 from $6.99 until Jan 23)
Rise of the Devil: LoC ($1.99 from $7.99 until Jan 23)
Awakening of the Mummy ($2.39 from $2.99 until Jan 23)
Galaxy is the TV champion ($1.99 from $6.99 until Jan 23)
Hextone ($1.99 from $2.99 until Jan 23)
OctaFight ($1.99 from $5.99 until Jan 23)
Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption ($3.99 from $19.99 until Jan 23)
A Day Without You ($1.99 from $5.99 until Jan 23)
This Christmas There Will Be No Turkey ($1.99 from $2.99 until Jan 23)
fraternity united ($1.99 from $8.99 until Jan 23)
Torn Tales: Rebound Edition ($1.99 from $7.99 until Jan 23)
Advanced Zombo Buster ($1.99 from $3.99 until Jan 23)
scrap garden ($4.19 from $6.99 through Jan 30)
Moorhuhn Kart 2 ($9.99 from $19.99 until Jan 30)
Moorhuhn X: Crazy Chicken ($5.59 from $6.99 until Jan 30)
Alexio ($2.99 from $4.99 until Jan 30)
Richy’s Nightmare ($2.99 from $4.99 until Jan 30)
Catana ($4.19 from $6.99 through Jan 30)
Swallowed by the darkness ($3.59 from $5.99 until Jan 30)
Cursed Island ($2.99 from $4.99 until Jan 30)
Oil Dr. ($2.99 from $4.99 until Jan 30)
Radioactive Dwarf: EftS ($2.99 from $4.99 until Jan 30)
Sale ends tomorrow, Wednesday, January 11
Dungeon Alchemy DX ($3.99 from $7.99 through Jan 11)
Alex Kidd in Magic World DX ($6.79 from $19.99 until Jan 11)
Slimes’ ambition ($2.50 from $5.00 until Jan 11)
Dark version of Aragami ($7.49 from $29.99 until Jan 11)
Buildings have feelings too ($3.99 from $19.99 until Jan 11)
Captain StarONE ($4.99 from $9.99 until Jan 11)
cloud ($6.24 from $24.99 through Jan 11)
Electric Collection Cronostase ($3.99 from $7.99 through Jan 11)
curious case ($3.49 from $4.99 through Jan 11)
Cytus Alpha ($24.99 from $49.99 until Jan 11)
Dariusburst CS . Core ($26.99 from $29.99 until Jan 11)
Death TV ($5.09 from $14.99 through Jan 11)
DEEMO ($14.99 from $29.99 until Jan 11)
Double brain complete version ($18.89 from $26.99 through Jan 11)
dungeon ($2.09 from $6.99 until Jan 11)
escape 2088 ($2.80 from $4.00 until Jan 11)
first exit ($3.49 from $4.99 through Jan 11)
Exit first 2 ($3.49 from $4.99 through Jan 11)
Exit the first 3 ($3.49 from $4.99 through Jan 11)
Fairune Collection ($4.99 from $9.99 until Jan 11)
Fishing paradise ($12.74 from $14.99 until Jan 11)
Bye world ($10.79 from $11.99 through Jan 11)
Headbangers in holiday hell ($4.79 from $5.99 through Jan 11)
hunterX ($10.49 from $14.99 through Jan 11)
kamiko ($2.49 from $4.99 until Jan 11)
Lanota ($7.49 from $14.99 through Jan 11)
monster harvest ($5.99 from $19.99 until Jan 11)
Morbid: The Seven Acolytes ($6.24 from $24.99 through Jan 11)
Striker Ninja ($1.99 from $3.99 through Jan 11)
naughty girl ($2.99 from $6.99 until Jan 11)
Orcen Ax ($1.99 from $3.60 through Jan 11)
Table tennis game ($4.49 from $14.99 through Jan 11)
Ponpu ($2.99 from $14.99 until Jan 11)
Shirone: Dragon Girl ($11.99 from $14.99 through Jan 11)
Murder Heaven ($9.99 from $19.99 until Jan 11)
slime tactics ($4.99 from $9.99 until Jan 11)
twinkle ($4.99 from $24.99 through Jan 11)
Starlight Shore ($5.99 from $11.99 through Jan 11)
Stranded Sails EotCI ($6.24 from $24.99 through Jan 11)
City of Subara ($2.50 from $5.00 until Jan 11)
Super Metboy! ($5.99 from $9.99 until Jan 11)
tom tet cake 2 ($2.99 from $5.99 through Jan 11)
Experiment: Escape room ($2.79 from $3.99 through Jan 11)
light bearer ($4.49 from $14.99 through Jan 11)
Pizza Delivery Boy Saved… ($2.99 from $5.99 through Jan 11)
Time on Frog Island ($12.49 from $24.99 through Jan 11)
time ($5.99 from $19.99 until Jan 11)
throughout ($11.99 from $14.99 through Jan 11)
VOEZ ($12.50 from $25.00 until Jan 11)
Witches & Heroes ($2.49 from $4.99 until Jan 11)
Witches & Heroes 2 ($2.49 from $4.99 until Jan 11)
That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with lots of new releases and discounts, plus any exciting news in progress. I don’t think I’ll have any reviews ready for you, but surprises called surprises are for a reason. I hope you all have a great Tuesday, and as always, thanks for reading!
