Review: Nintendo Switch Afterglow Wireless Deluxe Controller
When first picking up the Afterglow Wireless Delux, it is hard not to notice the high-quality hardware package in your hands. From the sleek shape and see-through case to the smooth joysticks and bright lights, this controller is great.
Let’s first talk about its main selling point, the look, the glow. The lights are bright and fill the controller very well. They can be almost too bright at times and can cause a little distraction here or there, especially in the dark. This may be counted as somewhat counter-intuitive because the controller looks far better in the dark than the light (obviously). Because the controller is completely clear, the light basically escapes the controller and other light can enter in, which partially takes away the effect during the day. Now, this very small nitpick doesn’t derail the quality at all of this controller. Because the colors are vibrant and having the ability to change at any time and users can choose any hue that you want is pretty amazing and always entertaining. I never got bored switching colors or just rotating through the vibrant LED lights.
The controller itself, as gaming hardware, is also pretty good. The battery life is great (we didn’t have a lot of time to test its battery over a long period of time, but for now, it is lasting long as it is advertised, 20 hours). The face buttons feel very responsive with a strong spring back and crisp push. The D-Pad is just as responsive and crisp feeling as the face buttons. The joysticks give a little more push back than I normally like or think feels really good, but they don’t distract at all once you start playing anything. Triggers feel good, but it would be a little difficult/awkward if you are a player that uses all four fingers for the trigger buttons. Lastly, the paddles on the back are a surprising and welcome addition. They are very crisp and clicky, they’re placement was a little off for my hands in particular, but they function well and don’t get in the way if you don’t want to use them (they can even be removed or placed back on with a super simple release).
Overall, this controller is a fine and fun upgrade from the cheaper, 3rd party models of Nintendo Switch controllers. It may not be as good as the Pro-Controller in general feel/performance, but it is pretty close and the super awesome lights make this a worth it buy.
It ships on November 26th for $49.99 and you can pick it up at PDP here.
