Moonag Switch Controllers

Hardware Type: Controller / Grip

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Review:

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

It has been a very long time since I last reviewed a Grip-style Controller for Nintendo Switch that could work both with the Nintendo Switch housed inside it and with the two disconnected, using the Grip like a standard controller. It’s not often that anyone produces something like this, and the main contender in this niche is Gammeefy, whose JC200 has thus far been my favorite controller in this style. However, with a new contender comes new possibilities. Does Moonag’s controller have what it takes to defeat the reigning champ in this division?

Like many controllers in this style, and despite the name, the Moonag Switch Controllers is just a single controller, with both sides connected by one long piece that stretches behind the Nintendo Switch console when it’s slid into place inside the controller. Unlike many such controllers, Moonag’s controller does not slide into the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Con rails, and as such it doesn’t connect to the Nintendo Switch directly in this way – the only way to connect it is via the USB-C port on its bottom-left edge, and then once synced it can connect wirelessly to the Nintendo Switch.

I should note that this is also how Moonag’s controller charges – it cannot be charged through the Nintendo Switch itself – you need to plug it into a power source via USB-C like any other controller. Or I suppose you could plug it into a Nintendo Switch dock via one of its USB ports. However, the Nintendo Switch cannot dock with Moonag’s controller attached, so charging it in this manner is impossible.

As with many similar Grip-style controllers, Moonag’s controller adds quite a bit of bulk to the Nintendo Switch when it’s attached (original or OLED model – it fits both). It’s somewhat large but fairly lightweight, and in exchange for that size you’re getting added comfort – this is definitely more comfortable to hold in the hands than a standard Nintendo Switch with Joy-Con controllers, with a nice shape and slightly-textured grips. However, since I can’t help but compare to the Gammeefy JC200, I must say the JC200 is still more comfortable by far.

The layout of the buttons and features is roughly comparable to Nintendo’s own Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, with an asymmetrical analog stick layout with concave sticks, in this case Hall Effect sticks, which should mean Moonag’s controller won’t suffer from “drift”.

In addition, this has a standard plus-shaped D-Pad and face buttons that have a feel that’s very clicky but not overly-loud. I found these buttons to be very precise and responsive, and overall I have no complaints about them.

Moving on to the rest of the standard features, on the top of the controller, we have a pair of clicky L and R bumper buttons, as well as a pair of digital ZL and ZR triggers, which is preferable for playing on Nintendo Switch, which doesn’t detect the nuance in analog trigger inputs. Again, no complaints here.

Getting back to the controller’s face, the secondary face buttons are all present, but they’ve been moved around a bit – the plus and minus buttons are in roughly the same place, but the home button and screenshot button have shifted down toward the bottom of the controller’s face, next to a new turbo button on the left side and a macro-programming button on the right. I think this layout mostly works, though the new location of the home button takes some getting used to.

When it comes to the other standard features of Nintendo Switch controllers, this controller does include the ability to wirelessly wake the Nintendo Switch from sleep mode, as well as some smooth gyroscopic motion control. There’s no ability to scan Amiibo figurines, which is easily forgiven as it’s not a common feature in third-party controllers. And since the Nintendo Switch console itself can scan Amiibo figurines, you can always use the console to do this if need be.

Flipping the controller over to look at its underside, toward the top we see four slots to store Nintendo Switch game cartridges, as well as locking slider switches on either side that are used to secure the Nintendo Switch console in place after it’s inserted, to make sure it doesn’t slide back out when held at an angle.

A little underneath that, there are lighting and vibration adjustment buttons on either side, and then you have a pair of programmable macro buttons on the grips. These macro buttons work in conjunction with the macro programming button on the front of the controller to store a sequence of commands (like a Street Fighter-style “Hadouken”), which worked very well for me.

Finally, at the bottom-middle of the controller, we have a kickstand to replace the one Moonag’s controller covers. It’s not adjustable, and actually it’s kinda’ flimsy like the original Nintendo Switch console’s kickstand, but it gets the job done.

Given that this is a Grip-style controller, there’s no additional compatibility with other platforms, but there is one other unexpected feature – Moonag’s controller can connect with the Keylinker mobile app to allow for more direct and precise adjustment of the controller’s functions, a welcome feature that’s honestly a surprise to find in a controller at this price.

When it comes to complaints about Moonag’s controller, it’s mostly a wishlist of features that aren’t present here – I wish it was dockable, or at least had a passthrough USB port so it could connect directly to the Nintendo Switch and have both be charged with an AC adapter. I wish the kickstand were better. I wish it was as comfortable to hold as the JC200. And it would have been really cool if it somehow worked with the Nintendo Switch 2 as well (technically, you can connect it wirelessly to the Nintendo Switch 2 via backwards-compatibility, but I feel like that would be missing the point of a Grip like this).

However, overall I think this is a great Grip-style Controller that manages to surpass the JC200 to become my new favorite controller in this style. While it may not be as comfortable to hold as the JC200, the Moonag Switch Controllers still provides a lot of comfort, and it does so without sacrificing quality controls (something the JC200 had some problems with), and even has a few surprises like Keylinker app support. It may be missing a few features that would propel it even higher, but for its relatively low $33 price tag, this is a fine choice for anyone who primarily plays their Nintendo Switch on the go.

tl;dr – The Moonag Switch Controllers is a Grip-style Controller (singular), that adds comfort while playing the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode and can also be used as a wireless controller when disconnected. It lacks a few important features, particularly the ability to dock the Nintendo Switch while still connected. However, it’s comfortable, controls great, and even has a few nice surprises like support for the Keylinker mobile app. The result is an overall great Grip-style Controller that, while not perfect, is the best all-around device in this style so far for Nintendo Switch.

Grade: B+

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