Do we actually want colour-changing controllers on the planet? Most likely not.
Do we wish them? Hell yeah.
The NACON Professional Compact controller for Xbox is probably not our go-to gaming pad, particularly not for lengthy drawn-out classes, but it surely’s not a nasty choice to have, significantly as it’s effectively suited to those that want a smaller controller of their palms. See, because the ‘Compact’ title suggests, it is a smaller-than-the-norm Xbox controller.
So what of the Professional Compact Colorlight then? Nicely, that brings a ton of color (or colour, relying in your world location) to the celebration. And that’s one thing we are able to all the time get on board with.
It’s been some time since we have now been hands-on with a full color altering controller expertise, as a substitute having to make do with the likes of the PDP Afterglow Wave for our lighting joys. We’d not essentially name it as vital function both, often proud of a regular Xbox controller in hand. However that’s to not say that the NACON Professional Compact Colorlight controller shouldn’t be of curiosity.
What we have now right here within the Colorlight is your on a regular basis NACON Professional Compact controller, with out garments. Absolutely bare, this clear, see-through pad places every part on show, the inside workings entrance and centre, showcasing rumble motors, circuitry and every part else that makes a controller tick. A minimum of it does till it’s switched on, after which it lights up the evening sky like nothing else.
You’ll know whether or not you may get on with the NACON Professional Compact as an on a regular basis driver or not by having a look at a regular wi-fi Xbox controller and contemplating what it might be like if it was some 15% smaller. That’s the Professional Compact in a nutshell, taking part in as much as those that are on the lookout for one thing only a tad smaller to place of their palms.
Grabbing maintain and feeling the effectively contoured grips ought to imply you’ll be nice with what’s on provide, as just about every part you’d contemplate an Xbox button necessity is in place. Thumbsticks really feel good to the contact, barely concaved as ought to all the time be the case. Face buttons appear a tad bigger than the norm, until it’s the diminutive dimension of the controller which has performed with our eyes, while D-Pad, bumpers and triggers (good triggers btw!) are all current.
You’ll additionally discover the quadruple arrange of the Xbox Nexus button, the Menu, View and Share buttons all current on the entrance of the controller too. But it’s right here the place slight points come up and very like we occurred throughout in our full overview of the usual Professional Compact, we’re at a loss to know the situation placements of those. We’ll let NACON off on the decrease than regular, centre-situated Nexus button as that’s nice, and the Share button sits just under that too, however the Menu and View are far too spaced aside for our liking, a lot too close to to the face buttons and the left thumbstick than we like. It’s clearly one thing that you just finally get used to, however sticking these nearer collectively can be a choice.
In all, it’s a nifty little controller, full with 3.5mm audio jack and Dolby Atmos assist to imply that it has been one that’s completely nice for us over quick time period classes, but not able to persevering with our play into the wee hours; that small dimension finally getting the higher of our wants.
However then we get onto the principle occasion – these color altering capabilities.
The Colorlight comprises six in-built LEDs, positioned properly by way of the whole thing of the physique of the controller, permitting the consumer to customize some twenty-five totally different color choices. These LEDs shine shiny by way of the see-through outer casing of the controller, vibing when the time sees match.
Organising the controller lights couldn’t be simpler both, with a few choices located on the again of the controller – a button and a swap. A mix of those will allow you to arrange these lights to your personal want, with them pulsing, sitting stable or biking individually like a Christmas tree. We’ve been significantly taken by the cycle facet, particularly as this brings collectively all the colors as one, wanting nice at evening.
However if you happen to do want to set this up on extra stable color grounds, there are inexperienced, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue and white colourings in-house, straight out of the field. But this enables for way more customisation too, all delivered by way of the free NACON Professional Compact App from the Xbox Retailer. It’s this which ensures you possibly can go deep into just about each mild, amending it to go well with. It’s right here the place a complete host of additional color hues come to the fore, as you modify any of the twenty-five color variations, backlighting depth and extra. The method through the App is very easy too.
That very same App can be utilized to amend the Professional Compact Colorlight some extra, operating traditional and customisable efficiency response curves for the thumbsticks, set off settings and button mappings. It’s nothing that we haven’t seen beforehand from a number of third celebration producers, but it surely all works effectively right here and is tremendous simple to know. Whether or not you’ll really feel the necessity to implement a FPS or Infiltration setting to your proper thumbstick although is one other matter. For us, we’re principally proud of the default button maps.
Now, you could fear about how all these fancy lights and customisation alternatives will have an effect on battery life, however you possibly can put your thoughts relaxed because the NACON Professional Compact Colorlight is a totally wired controller. The truth is, the cable that ends with a USB-A for console or PC connectivity is completely connected right here and so worries about energy or the like will hardly come into play. After all, whether or not you possibly can deal with a wired Xbox controller on the each day is a private choice, but it surely’s good that this one is braided AND of an honest size; some three metres in size in truth.
If you happen to’ve discovered love with smaller controllers beforehand, and reckon you want some color altering cheer in your life, then you definitely’ll not go unsuitable with the NACON Professional Compact Colorlight Controller for Xbox. However these content material with customary sized pads ought to be conscious, the diminutive dimension that this embraces can carry some long run tears.
Large thanks exit to NACON for offering us with the Professional Compact Colorlight Controller for Xbox for overview. Seize one for your self from NACON direct for €54.90.
