Hori’s Split Pad Compact adds a pop of color and customization to your Switch

theverge.com:

Hori released the crowd-pleasing Split Pad Pro in 2019, the Joy-Con alternatives that make playing games so much more comfortable. It’s basically like using Nintendo’s Switch Pro controller in handheld mode, giving you bigger buttons, analog sticks, and cozy grips to accompany your play sessions.

Now, it’s experimenting with a slightly smaller pastel-colored version called the Split Pad Compact. In the US, the Compact is releasing on October 2nd at Best Buy for $49.99 (with more retailers following later in the month), the same price as the Pro model. You’ll be able to buy it in light gray with yellow (as pictured throughout this post) or in apricot red.

It’s cute. I’ll give it that. Though, I’ll say right up top that there’s little reason to buy it if you already own the Split Pad Pro. This model has the same features and the same limitations, like being total paperweights once detached from the Switch. It lacks rumble, NFC for Amiibo, and any other Joy-Con features that rely on having an internal battery. (I haven’t tested it to see if they work with the Split Pad Pro Attachment, though I intend to do that soon).

Despite not having “Pro” in the name, the Compact comes with the same customization features as the Split Pad Pro, including assignable back paddles and the option to engage turbo mode for superfast button presses. I personally don’t get a whole lot of use out of these buttons, but they’re here if you want to have a custom experience, which is great for a set of $50 controllers even if you rarely utilize it.

As for its differences, Hori made some adjustments so the Compact fits in smaller hands. The pointed grips on the Pro model are gone here, smoothed over to sit flush with the Switch console’s design.