Do we actually want colour-changing controllers on the planet? In all probability 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 periods, nevertheless it’s not a foul choice to have, significantly as it’s nicely suited to those that want a smaller controller of their arms. See, because the ‘Compact’ title suggests, it is a smaller-than-the-norm Xbox controller.
So what of the Professional Compact Colorlight then? Effectively, that brings a ton of color (or colour, relying in your international location) to the celebration. And that’s one thing we are able to at all times get on board with.
It’s been some time since we’ve 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 a must have characteristic both, normally pleased with a regular Xbox controller in hand. However that’s to not say that the NACON Professional Compact Colorlight controller is just not of curiosity.
What we’ve right here within the Colorlight is your on a regular basis NACON Professional Compact controller, with out garments. Totally bare, this clear, see-through pad places every thing on show, the interior workings entrance and centre, showcasing rumble motors, circuitry and every thing else that makes a controller tick. Not less than it does till it’s switched on, after which it lights up the night time 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 will 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 in search of one thing only a tad smaller to place of their arms.
Grabbing maintain and feeling the nicely contoured grips ought to imply you’ll be fantastic with what’s on supply, as just about every thing you’d contemplate an Xbox button necessity is in place. Thumbsticks really feel good to the contact, barely concaved as ought to at all times be the case. Face buttons appear a tad bigger than the norm, except it’s the diminutive measurement 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 similar to we occurred throughout in our full evaluation of the usual Professional Compact, we’re at a loss to grasp the placement placements of those. We’ll let NACON off on the decrease than regular, centre-situated Nexus button as that’s fantastic, 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 simply ultimately get used to, however sticking these nearer collectively could 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 fantastic for us over quick time period periods, but not able to persevering with our play into the wee hours; that small measurement ultimately getting the higher of our wants.
However then we get onto the primary occasion – these color altering capabilities.
The Colorlight accommodates six in-built LEDs, positioned properly by means 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 brilliant by means of the see-through outer casing of the controller, vibing when the time sees match.
Establishing 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 need, with them pulsing, sitting stable or biking individually like a Christmas tree. We’ve been significantly taken by the cycle side, particularly as this brings collectively the entire colors as one, wanting nice at night time.
However should you 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 far more customisation too, all delivered by means 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 regulate any of the twenty-five color variations, backlighting depth and extra. The method by way of the App is very easy too.
That very same App can be utilized to amend the Professional Compact Colorlight some extra, operating basic 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, nevertheless it all works nicely right here and is tremendous straightforward to grasp. 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 pleased with the default button maps.
Now, you might fear about how all these fancy lights and customisation alternatives will have an effect on battery life, however you possibly can put your thoughts comfortable because the NACON Professional Compact Colorlight is a totally wired controller. In truth, 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. In fact, whether or not you possibly can deal with a wired Xbox controller on the day by day is a private choice, nevertheless it’s good that this one is braided AND of a good 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 definately’ll not go mistaken with the NACON Professional Compact Colorlight Controller for Xbox. However these content material with commonplace sized pads ought to be conscious, the diminutive measurement that this embraces can convey some long run tears.
Big thanks exit to NACON for offering us with the Professional Compact Colorlight Controller for Xbox for evaluation. Seize one for your self from NACON direct for €54.90.