The Allure of the Arcade: Bringing the 80s to Your Switch
The Nintendo Switch family of consoles excels in portability and versatility, yet one specific nostalgic itch it doesn’t scratch is the authentic feel of an 80s arcade cabinet. For a dedicated niche yearning for that tactile thrill, UK-based peripheral maker iMP Tech presents a compelling, if ultimately flawed, solution: the Mini Arcade Pro.
This innovative peripheral is an arcade cabinet shell designed to house your original Switch, Switch OLED, or the upcoming Switch 2. It features an authentic eight-way joystick and an eight-button layout, mirroring the iconic controls of yesteryear. Beyond the retro aesthetics, it also incorporates modern conveniences like a mappable Turbo function. Given the Switch’s extensive library of retro titles—from Nintendo Switch Online‘s NES, SNES, and Genesis offerings to standalone classics like Namco Museum—this gadget promises a delightful, if slightly gimmicky, throwback experience. Unfortunately, its potential is severely undermined by a litany of production and design flaws, making it a challenging recommendation.
Assembly and Integration: A Hands-On Experience
Building Your Mini Arcade
The Mini Arcade Pro arrives as a flat-packed kit comprising seven distinct pieces, though you’ll only use six, as it includes separate console trays for the original Switch models and the Switch 2. Each tray is hinged, allowing for easy insertion of your console’s core tablet, which then seals magnetically to hold it securely. Assembly is largely intuitive, with components designed to snap securely into place. A rear panel not only enhances structural integrity but also cleverly integrates 12 storage slots for Switch game cards. The console tray then slides into position, establishing a power and data connection via a male USB connector. A decorative marquee strip crowns the unit, locking everything together. While the unit draws power directly from the console, a convenient USB-C pass-through port allows for simultaneous charging.
Connectivity and Compatibility Hurdles
Pairing the Mini Arcade Pro with your Switch requires a brief delve into the console’s settings to enable ‘Pro Controller Wired Communication’ mode. This necessitates toggling the setting each time for users accustomed to wireless Pro Controller play. For Switch 2 owners, the cabinet supports the console’s wake function and includes a dedicated ‘C’ button for GameChat. While external camera integration might be cumbersome given the setup, the Switch 2’s integrated microphone adequately handles voice chat.
Once assembled, the cabinet weighs a respectable 891 grams (with the Switch 2 shell) and a robust 1,200 grams once the Switch 2 tablet is inserted. Equipped with four substantial rubber feet, it ensures excellent stability on most surfaces; it would take exceptionally vigorous joystick action to dislodge it.
A significant hitch, particularly for Switch 2 users, emerged with the recent 21.0.0 system update. Mini Arcade Pro units with batch number 0925 now require a crucial firmware update to function properly. This isn’t an isolated incident; numerous third-party peripherals have faced similar compatibility challenges post-update. The update process is, regrettably, convoluted, demanding a specific cable with a female USB-C port (which iMP Tech promises to supply upon proof of purchase) and a Windows PC environment to run the .exe updater file.
Design: A Tale of Two Halves
Yet, even after navigating the assembly and update hurdles, the Mini Arcade Pro presents its most glaring flaw: its visual aesthetic. The unit’s design can be bifurcated into its physical form and its graphic presentation. The former, thankfully, holds up well.
Physical Form: Evoking Nostalgia
The finished unit successfully evokes the spirit of classic 1980s and ’90s arcade cabinets, or even contemporary bar-top mini-cabs like the Evercade Alpha. While adapting to the Switch’s widescreen display deviates from the traditional 4:3 aspect ratio of original cabinets, and its scaled-down stature is a significant departure, it nonetheless conjures a powerful sense of nostalgia on your desk. The ersatz rig’s swooping arcs and angles are aesthetically pleasing, and the eight-button layout paired with the cherry-red joystick handle perfectly captures the authentic arcade look.
Graphic Design: A Glaring Misstep
However, the graphic design is, to put it mildly, an unmitigated disaster on multiple fronts. The marquee, intended as a focal point, is a jarring juxtaposition of two egregious fonts: a ‘Comic Sans-on-acid’ style for “MINI ARCADE” and a blocky, italicized, faux-pixelated “PRO.” The result is an overly colorful, juvenile, and frankly childish mess that completely misses the mark on ‘retro’ appeal. The side panels feature a quartet of layered arrows, a concept that could have offered simplistic ’80s charm, but its execution is marred by what appears to be poorly generated, ‘AI slop’ imagery. This visual noise detracts significantly from the otherwise decent physical form, transforming a potential homage into an aesthetic eyesore.
The Verdict: A Gimmick Marred by Execution
While the iMP Tech Mini Arcade Pro offers a tantalizing glimpse into a world where your Nintendo Switch becomes a portal to classic arcade gaming, its numerous shortcomings make it difficult to recommend. From twitchy inputs (not detailed in the provided text, but implied by ‘Twitchy inputs’ in the original summary) and convoluted firmware updates to its utterly dreadful graphic design, the product struggles to deliver on its promise. For those seeking genuine arcade nostalgia, better-designed alternatives or dedicated retro consoles might offer a more satisfying and aesthetically pleasing experience.
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