You possibly can simply ignore any nintendo references and give attention to the first capabilities: the rumble, analog triggers, mechanical buttons, rgb-lights, swappable ABXY buttons, included swappable thumbsticks that are available in 3 sizes.
TLDR: Out of all of the Nintendo Change controllers I at the moment personal it is most much like the Nintendo Change Professional Controller. The glossier end of the Professional Controller is smoother and appears extra enticing. It is price noting that in an actual world use the Mobapad M9-HD sits higher within the arms resulting from matte end & textured grips. In the event you worth ergonomics and just like the the Professional Controller (particularly the HD-rumble), it is probably that you’ll benefit from the the M9-HD. For the $75 retail value ($6 greater than Professional Controller) you’ll get a significantly higher HD-rumble than the Professional Controller has (this shocked me essentially the most), analog triggers with two positions, mechanical buttons, mappable backpaddles, thumbsticks in varied sizes and a number of further options.
Disclaimer: I began enjoying videogames within the early 90s (a NES clone was my first console, adopted by Gameboy, PC and so forth). Exterior of Reddit I’ve labored within the gaming tech discipline & tech journalism for about twenty years (Europe/Estonia). After offering the makers of Mobapad (Guangzhou Xinxiang Tradition Co. Ltd.) with my credentials (& examples of previous work), I requested if I may check one among their controllers with the aim of writing a overview supposed for the r/Change/ & r/NintendoSwitch/ subreddits. They despatched me the Mobapad M8 and Mobapad M9-HD. The overview is be based mostly solely on my experiences. I get to maintain the controllers and will not be receiving further compensation in every other type (no fee charges, affiliate internet marketing or ad-revenue and so forth). I haven’t got a social media presence (or followers) elsewhere. As my Nintendo Change controller assortment grows, I’d write extra opinions for our Change-related subreddits.
Cheers 🙂
The Mobapad M9-HD Controller (with the tallest thumbsticks)
What this overview is and isn’t.
There are lots of methods of masking a tech product: from a extremely technical evaluation aimed on the tech-savvy crowd to an emotional hype-piece. The Mobapad M9-HD will likely be reviewed as a controller on the Nintendo Change platform and in comparison with different Change controllers that I personal. A sensible quantity of actual life examples with a choose quantity of technical particulars will likely be included (with transient explanations which are comprehensible to individuals who may be new to gaming). This overview is not going to cowl each element concerning the M9-HD (akin to all the options, find out how to change varied settings, how the controller works on different platforms and so forth).
The package deal.
Out of all of the Nintendo Change Controllers I personal, the field of this controller is the very best wanting. The art work is gorgeous (IT’S A TIGER ON THE BOX – I believe), the field itself is sturdy. Whilst you cannot use the field to extend your purpose in a videogame, you may put it on a shelf if you’re a collector or somebody who likes packing containers.
What’s within the field?
The controller itself, a USB-dongle receiver, a top quality braided USB-cable, a guide (in English), 4 units of thumbsticks and a couple of units of replaceable buttons (Change/PC structure).
On the left: Hori Cut up Pad Professional. On the suitable: the field of Mobapad M9-HD
Lets discuss concerning the further buttons & potential for modding.
Having two units of buttons is a welcome further in the event you play on a number of platforms. The guide mentions that you would be able to change the buttons, but it surely does not clarify find out how to change them. It additionally doesn’t say that you would be able to/must take away the faceplate. Seems that it’s important to pry open the faceplate of the controller. Whereas I eliminated the largest portion of the faceplate, it actually felt that I’d break one thing whereas doing it. The faceplate is in three elements & is related to the controller with plastic connectors. I doubt that anybody who performs on a number of platforms (utilizing the identical controller) will likely be motivated sufficient to swap the buttons from the Change to PC structure and again regularly.
Word: The plastic connectors will in all probability get barely much less stiff with a couple of removals of the faceplate, so it would turn into simpler to alter it. Utilizing magnetic connectors for the faceplate would in all probability have been a better option (like on the Mobapad M8 controller). It is also price noting that for these of us who like modding their controller, the power to take away the faceplate is a pleasant further to have. Because it makes the customization course of simpler if you wish to paint the faceplate for instance.
RGB-lights!
The controller has some neat RGB-lights. They’re seen in 3 areas & in 8 completely different colours. The lights have 3 completely different modes (on, off, respiratory). Whereas altering the modes and colours of RGB-lights in a really speedy vogue, I used to be capable of trigger an error. The lights did not change shade regardless that I pressed the button mixture to alter them. After ready for about 5-10 seconds the colours began to alter appropriately once more. I used to be not capable of reproduce this bug later.
Do you want RGB-lights? Probably not. However they give the impression of being fairly and when Christmas comes round you may activate crimson or yellow lights and be in a festive temper.
Mechanical A/B/X/Y buttons.
Merely put the A/B/X/Y buttons are mechanical, they’re clicky and a pleasure to make use of. Compared to common buttons (such those used within the Nintendo Change Professional Controller, Hori Cut up Pad Professional & Nintendo Change Joycons) the mechanical buttons within the Mobapad M9-HD are extra resnposive, could be pressed with much less pressure and make a small audible click on if you press them. Nowadays there are a lot of keyboards that additionally include mechanical switches. If you have not had an opportunity to make use of a mechanical controller, you may need used a mechanical keyboard (or a mouse) which may produce the same click on and feeling when pressed.
Word: In a approach I really feel that not together with the RGB-lights within the A/B/X/Y buttons is a missed alternative.
Closeup of the D-pad, RGB-lights, textured grip and buttons on the Mobapad M9-HD
What concerning the D-pad?
It is a good D-pad. The Mobapad M9-HD D-pad has a barely lowered/concave space across the D-pad equally to the Nintendo 64 controller’s D-pad. Urgent the D-pad on M9-HD takes barely much less pressure than it does on the Professional Controller’s D-pad. On the Change I might say that to at the present time my favourite D-pad is on the 8Bitdo SN30pro (which is on the stiffer facet by way of the way it handles & the dimensions is ideal). The Nintendo Change Professional Controller’s D-pad is someplace between the M9-HD & SN30pro. I normally play handheld, however after I play with a controller, I do not normally select controllers based mostly on a style. So general, I will in all probability persist with Mobapad M9-HD for many genres. On the uncommon events after I really feel nostalgic, I might in all probability go for the 8Bitdo SN30pro as a result of it jogs my memory of my childhood & first consoles.
Word:: For the reason that A/B/X/Y and thumbsticks are swappable, I believe that it may be an attention-grabbing function to have a swappable D-pad as nicely. One of many apparent inspiration factors for M9-HD has been the Xbox One Elite controller which has a swappable D-pad.
How are the thumbsticks?
Whereas there are 4 units of thumbsticks included, the thumbsticks are available in 3 completely different heights. All of those are concave thumbsticks. The shortest thumbsticks are about 19mm huge and much like the Hori Cut up Pad Professional. The medium & excessive thumbsticks are 18mm huge (much like the Nintendo Change Professional Controller). The unique Nintendo Change joycons are about 15mm huge. Altering the thumbsticks takes a couple of seconds: you pull the thumbstick straight up and swap it to whichever of the included thumbsticks you fancy. On the technical facet it is price mentioning that these are ALPS thumbsticks.
What’s the advantage of altering thumbsticks?
It is a neat further that might make the controller extra snug to carry, eespecially if in case you have medium/massive arms or play longer gaming periods. In sure genres (like FPS) greater thumbsticks might make it simpler to carry out extra exact actions. Often controllers don’t include completely different sized thumbsticks, however you should buy thumbstick extenders that are offered by varied manufacturers with the beginning value at round $12.
Ergonomics & how the controller feels to carry.
Out of the Nintendo Change controllers that I personal, the closest comparability can be to the Nintendo Change Professional Controller. It is price noting that the Professional Controller is barely shiny and feels easy within the hand. This makes the construct of Professional Controller really feel a tiny bit higher. The Mobapad M9-HD Controller is made out of matte plastic and has textured grips. The feel is slight but aggressive sufficient to make the controller really feel very safe. The situation of backpaddles feels ergonomic. Urgent the backpaddles feels good and you may map them to numerous buttons.
The M9-HD is at the moment essentially the most ergonomic Nintendo Change controller that I’ve used. The general consolation comes from the stable construct, completely different sized thumbsticks, superior triggers, mappable backpaddles and the burden plus the marginally textured grip.
The included swappable thumbsticks & further A/B/X/Y buttons of the Mobapad M9-HD
Gyro.
Gyro is current and by default fairly delicate. On the whole gyro is not my most well-liked approach of enjoying videogames, so take my “fairly delicate” impressions with a grain of salt, as I’ve additionally used gyro on the Nintendo Change Professional Controller and in addition discovered it a bit too delicate for my liking as nicely.
Triggers, analog triggers!
One of many main options that makes the Mobapad M9-HD stand out is the truth that the triggers are analog. In sensible phrases it means that you would be able to maintain the analog set off down partially, thus giving a restricted quantity of acceleration to your automobile in racing video games. This makes makes it rather more satisfying & simpler. On common controllers (such because the Nintendo Change Joycons or the Professional Controller) you may’t do this and must always press and launch the set off to speed up, with out the choice to speed up shall we say 30% whereas simply barely urgent on the set off.
Sadly analog triggers operate as common triggers in most videogames on the Nintendo Change platform (until the developer of a sure videogame has included analog set off help to that particular recreation). So far as I do know, a really choose variety of videogames on the Nintendo Change embody analog set off help. GRID Autosport being one among them, I’ve examined it with the Mobapad M9-HD & the analog triggers work. If any of you recognize different Nintendo Change titles which have analog set off help, I might respect your remark. I need to attempt them out and make sure if the triggers work in these video games.
One other neat function of Mobapad M9-HD triggers is that they’ve two completely different positions you may select between. The shorter journey distance place has a pleasant clicky sound to it. As you may think about, the shorter distance makes it potential to press the triggers very quickly. The Nintendo Change Professional Controller set off feels barely mushy as compared. I like utilizing each controllers, however the M9-HD feels higher. The longer journey distance place of the set off can be good. When it comes to gameplay, it feels extra relaxed. In my gaming expertise the shorter distance is best for one thing like shooters or preventing video games however longer is best for racing. Nevertheless it’s Nintendo Change in spite of everything, so selecting which one is for you is a matter of choice. The nice factor is that on the M9-HD you’ve gotten a alternative relating to set off journey distance. So far as I do know 8Bitdo additionally has a controller that has analog triggers with some adjustability, however I can not touch upon these as I do not personal that particular controller.
Word: It is neat that extra corporations akin to 8BitDo and Mobapad have began to supply controllers that help you configure how the triggers work. Hopefully we’ll see corporations produce extra joycons in addition to controllers which have extra options in some unspecified time in the future. I am positive Nintendo itself may pull it off simply, however I doubt they’ve any plans to do one thing like that within the close to future.
The HD-vibration motor.
Oh boy! That is in all probability the largest draw of utilizing this controller. I nonetheless keep in mind the primary time I felt the vibration motor of Mobapad M9-HD in my arms and I wasn’t anticipating it. My beforehand favourite vibration motor of the Change platform was within the Nintendo Change Professional Controller. I used to be positive that I’ll by no means ever see one other firm produce one thing of comparable high quality for the Change console.
Mobapad M9-HD did it and really, the HD-vibration motor on Mobapad M9-HD is best than the Professional Controller’s vibration function. It is arduous to elucidate, however I will give it a shot. The rumble on Nintendo Change Professional Controller feels nice and does not rattle, so it is quiet in a approach, however feels excellent within the controller when enjoying and has some depth to the vibration. Mobapad M9-HD is a unique beast. It has extra weight & energy to it along with the opposite options the Professional Controller’s vibration motor has. You possibly can immediately really feel that it is extra highly effective than the Professional Controllers HD-vibration. You possibly can really feel the bass of rumble in your arms when enjoying. And make no mistake, the elevated energy of Mobapad M9-HD vibration does not really feel creaky like a number of the decrease priced controllers could be. It feels highly effective, nicely balanced, does not make an excessive amount of sound and if I may, I might purchase joycons with the identical HD-vibration motor.
Word: As the standard of the HD-vibration on Mobapad M9-HD shocked me drastically, I reached out to Mobapad and requested why the vibration feels completely different than in different Nintendo Change controllers. I acquired the next reply: “Our controller options linear motors, that are the most expensive half and what units it aside from different controllers.” In a approach this explains why the vibration is completely different from different third social gathering controllers, however why it feels so significantly better than the official Professional Controller’s vibration nonetheless puzzles me (perhaps a commerce secret?). Perhaps the motor is greater or has a greater place or one thing alongside these traces, who is aware of.
What else is there?
There are a number of options that I will not even try to cowl (the overview is already a protracted learn). The controller at the moment is available in black, white and purple. For the aim of the overview I requested for the purple mannequin because it appears to be like essentially the most cheerful. There’s additionally the NFC operate (I used to be not capable of check this as I do not personal any Amiibos).
Remaining ideas.
The Mobapad M9-HD is a nicely executed instance of a premium controller that appears to be primarily focused on the skilled gamer demographic. It is priced at $75 and is without doubt one of the highest priced Nintendo Change controllers on the market. When it comes to options it clearly competes with the Nintendo Change Professional Controller ($69.99-109.99$ relying on the colour scheme) & 8Bitdo Final Controller ($69.99). The value is price it for individuals who profit from the additional options (finest HD-rumble, ergonomics, mechanical buttons, further thumbsticks and so forth).
To me personally the pricing appears becoming to the options that the controller brings, nonetheless there are a couple of extra features to contemplate.
Will a skilled gamer profit from the options that include the cost? Sure, we’ll.
Will a more recent or informal gamer profit from the options? Sure, a few of them (just like the analog triggers, superior rumble and ergonomics that include swappable thumbsticks). Nonetheless I believe that since Mobapad as a model is not very well-known within the EU & US area, some may be hesitant to pay the complete retail value.
Mobapad M9-HD simply out of the field, subsequent to Mobapad M8, Hori Cut up Pad Professional, 8Bitdo SN30pro (and the suitable deal with of Nintendo Change Professional Controller Splatoon Version.
And here’s a comparability desk.
I did my finest to price varied options of the Change controllers that I personal (so as to give a type of an outline). Needless to say such comparisons are subjective and rankings would possibly differ from individual to individual (for instance somebody with very small arms would possibly discover the Nintendo Change Joycons with the grip to be the very best controller ever resulting from their dimension).
Ranking is on a scale of 1 to five (1 being the worst, 5 being the very best).
The value is for the common mannequin of any controller and relies on the official pricing I discovered/acquired. This doesn’t embody gross sales or restricted version shade schemes which will value extra.
ModelNintendo Joycons + gripMobapad M9-HDNintendo Professional Controller8Bitdo SN30proD-Pad34.545Thumbsticks354.54Triggers353.53.5Buttons353.54Build54.554.5Ergonomics3.5553Features3.553.53Included accessories3533Crossplatform support2524.5Vibration4543Price (not rated)$79$75$69$45Weight (not rated)197g254g249g112g
What might be improved upon:
Whereas the bundled gadgets (such because the completely different thumbsticks and so forth) are price the additional value to those that use them, it is probably that a number of the potential clients won’t pay a lot consideration to the included extras and/or simply do not profit from them (since they do not customise their controller in any approach and are proud of no matter configuration is shortly accessible out of the field).
A barely cheaper model of the Mobapad M9-HD that comes with much less extras (no replacable buttons or thumbsticks for instance) may be one thing that is price wanting into. Such a transfer might make it simpler to decrease the worth barely. An excellent cheaper mannequin might be nearer to the Nintendo Change Professional Controller (so one thing like the present M9-HD however with out the choice to alter thumbsticks or buttons or faceplates).
Elevated availability within the western market can be useful (akin to a US & EU official shops or resellers).
My copy of the Mobapad M9-HD had a small barely sharp nook in one of many joints the place the underside & prime a part of the controllers case meet). In the event you maintain the controller whereas gaming, it is unlikely that you’d discover it. Whereas it is a minor difficulty that may be simply mounted with gently sanding the sting with small piece of sandpaper or one thing abrasive, it is nonetheless one thing that might be mounted within the high quality management or manufacturing course of.
Extra shade schemes and designs for the controller would possibly enchantment to players. For instance the coloured (Splatoon version and so forth) Nintendo Change Professional Controllers are extremely popular. Some corporations have additionally produced controllers with a clear casing which can be one thing that is price wanting into. An upgraded model with RGB-lit A/B/X/Y buttons would even be neat.
An up to date guide that does a greater job at explaining all of the capabilities (akin to find out how to change the A/B/X/Y buttons) can be a welcome change.
The present package deal may be very nicely produced and has an general impact on the price of the merchandise. A barely smaller package deal may scale back the manufacturing value.
A semi-glossy model of the controller that makes use of comparable plastic to the Nintendo Change Professional Controller is one thing that might in all probability be nicely acquired by some players.
This is a hyperlink to all the pictures that I included on this put up.
Pictures gear used when taking these pictures: Fujifilm X-T4 mirrorless digicam, Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR lens, Fujifilm MCEX-11 macro extension tube.
Closing notes:
I hope you just like the overview 🙂
My private due to Mr. Zhang & Amy from Guangzhou Xinxiang Tradition Co. Ltd.
Edit: I forgot to incorporate this half. When you have some questions concerning the controller, be at liberty to ask. I’ll fortunately reply all of the questions I really feel competent sufficient to reply and the remainder I will acquire and attain out to the individuals who made this. So we’ll get solutions from the corporate who constructed it.
