Binbokplay Switch Controller

Hardware Type: Controller

.

Review:

(Note: This product was received at no cost for review via the Amazon Vine program.)

At this point, it’s becoming difficult to think of new ways to start a review for a budget pro-style wireless Nintendo Switch controller, so… here’s one of those from the company Binbokplay. Oh, and it’s not really related to the Binbokplay Switch Controllers, which was itself pretty terribly-named as it’s a Grip and not plural as the “s” at the end of that implies. Anyway, this isn’t that – this is, as I said above, a pro-style wireless Nintendo Switch controller.

As with many of the Pro-style controllers released for Nintendo Switch, Binbokplay’s controller is pretty comparable in size and shape to Nintendo’s own Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, with a comparable button layout, and asymmetrical analog stick placement. However, Binbokplay’s controller weighs less, has slightly more concave analog sticks (not hall effect sticks, so drift may eventually become an issue), and has textured grips. However, despite this, the controller overall feels cheaper and flimsier than Nintendo’s controller.

I’m not a fan of this controller’s D-Pad or face buttons, which seem to stick and make for less precise button presses. At the very least, the shoulder buttons all feel comfortable and reasonably responsive. The secondary face buttons (plus, minus, screenshot, and home) all work well enough, though they’re all extremely clicky and loud.

When it comes to the other features of Nintendo Switch controllers, this does a decent job covering the standard stuff. It can wirelessly wake the Nintendo Switch from sleep mode, has decent gyroscopic motion control, and it has an adjustable rumble (in place of HD Rumble, something I tend to consider an even tradeoff). It doesn’t have the ability to scan Amiibo figurines, but this is rare in third-party Nintendo Switch controllers and not something you’re likely to use often.

And when it comes to extra features… there’s almost nothing.

It’s not completely nothing. There is a Turbo button on the back of the controller, which acts in the same way this button typically does on other controllers. However, there are no macro buttons, no PC or Android support, no app support, nothing. Compared to a standard Nintendo-made Pro Controller, you’re basically trading the Amiibo scanning and HD Rumble for Turbo and adjustable rumble.

If this was a year or two ago, that might almost be sufficient, given the relatively low price of this controller. However, today players have multiple better options in this same price range, including the ECHTPower Wireless Switch Controller (ES01) and Ligame Switch Wireless Controller, which offer a comparable price point but have far more features and are much better-constructed. And even if this wasn’t the case, I still think the terrible face buttons and D-Pad on the Binbokplay Switch Controller would make me hesitant to pick this up. Overall this controller’s positive qualities are few and unimpressive, and its negative is pretty significant. As such, I can’t recommend it.

tl;dr – The Binbokplay Switch Controller is a Pro-style controller that offers a low price point but not much else, and even if there weren’t multiple better controller options in this price range, the poor D-Pad and face buttons would make this a poor choice. Don’t get it.

Grade: D+

^{You can support eShopperReviews on Patreon! Please click HERE to become a Sponsor!}

^{This month’s sponsors are Jamie and His Cats, Ben, Ilya Zverev, Andy Miller, Homer Simpin, Johannes, Francis Obst, Gabriel Coronado-Medina, Jared Wark, Kristoffer Wulff, and Seth Christenfeld. Thank you for helping to keep the reviews coming!}