Cosmox Gaming offers up a lot of arcade controllers, including the modular Hautepad X at a more premium price and the remarkably affordable Hautepad C16.

Now, the company has launched the M-Ultra Gen2, an aluminium-built leverless that sits somewhere in-between the two. If the C-16 is primarily aimed at beginners and the X is for the more hardcore enthusiasts, then the M-Ultra Gen2 is, theoretically, for everybody. It’s quite possibly Cosmox’s best controller yet.

Priced at just over £110 (or $149.99 in the US), the Gen2 is more expensive than the aforementioned C-16 and 8BitDo’s Arcade Controller, but still sits comfortably toward the more ‘affordable’ end of the spectrum. You wouldn’t think that after going hands on with it, though. With its aluminium build, the Gen2 is a solid, heavy device that feels a lot more comparable to the Hautepad X.

The surface is slightly textured, meaning it won’t attract any nasty fingerprints when handled over time. With models available in both black and blue, I can’t say for definite whether the black version also repels smudges and grime, but the blue model has remained completely spotless after my time with it.

Like the previous models, the Gen2 is compatible with the Switch and Switch 2 right out of the box – just hold down the relevant button to enable Switch Mode while plugging the device in, and you’re good to go. Naturally, you can use the controller with most modern systems, but just keep in mind that you’ll need an extra authenticator to use it with a PS5 or Xbox.

Speaking of plugs, you get a braided USB-A to USB-C cable, which can either go into the top of the controller or over on the left hand side. If you opt for the top, Cosmox has included a new security clasp to lock the cable in place. You just pull the small switch down to open it up, and the actual port is housed about an inch inside. Once the cable is plugged in and the clasp is locked, there’s no way of accidentally yanking it back out – very handy.

The 16 button layout is pretty standard, with four directional inputs, eight action inputs, and four additional programmable buttons. They utilize Shadow Hunting switches, which are comfortably the lowest-profile yet, and this makes actuation exceedingly quick. In fact, the low profile makes advanced techniques like sliding easier than ever, while they still allow for other methods like double-tapping a single button with two fingers.

So all of this combined with the relatively close spacing between the buttons themselves make general gameplay feel more comfortable than ever. Seriously, if you thought pulling off combos in Street Fighter 6 was easy on the C-16, then you’ve seen nothing yet – I wouldn’t be surprised if the Shadow Hunting switches just become the new standard going forward. It's incredibly comfortable to use, and I’ve no doubt it’ll give you an edge if you play competitively.

Taking inspiration from the C-16, all switches include customizable RGB rings which you can tinker with on the device itself via several button combinations. If you want to go even further, you can connect the Gen2 to a PC or Mac and follow the URL address displayed on the controller’s screen to reach the web configurator. Here, you can set the RGB rings to whatever color you wish and remap the inputs, setting several profiles depending on what kind of game you’re playing.

As is the standard now for Cosmox, the Gen2 also features its own OLED screen to display button-presses in real-time along with your input mode and SOCD mode (plus you can upload custom pixel art via the configurator if you want to personalise it even more). It’s larger than ever this time, which is great if you’re after a bit more clarity, though I’d probably prefer it to be situated more in the middle of the device rather than toward the left. Symmetry ‘n’ all that.

And of course, you’ve got a tournament lock switch on the top left alongside one to toggle the RGB lights on and off. Over on the right are your function buttons like start, select, home, etc. Everything’s labelled nicely, including the main face buttons, but keep in mind that when you’re in Switch Mode, the labels won’t match up with the actual in-game inputs. You’re not going to be looking at the buttons much either way, so it probably won’t matter, but if you’re sensitive about this kind of thing, it’s worth keeping in mind. If it really bothers you, then just remap the inputs via the configurator to match the labelling.

Conclusion

I can’t overstate just how nice the M-Ultra Gen2 feels to use. With each new release, it feels like Cosmox Gaming is making more and more small tweaks to achieve eventual perfection. It’s not quite there yet – the 8BitDo Arcade Controller’s ability to dynamically change the button labelling is still a marvel – but the way the buttons feel and the overall build quality of the Gen2 is incredible. Simply put, this is the company’s strongest effort yet, and one of the best leverless arcade controllers available if you’re on a budget.

Before internal storage became the norm, Sega blazed a trail with the Dreamcast Visual Memory Unit, a pocket-sized device which not only stored all of your game progress but also doubled as a tiny handheld game console.

One of the Dreamcast's more unique features, the VMU felt like a genuine innovation – but it had some serious shortcomings. Storage space wasn't great, which meant that serious collectors would either need to delete progress to free up space or invest in multiple VMUs.

Another drawback was that the internal CR2032 batteries didn't last all that long and weren't rechargeable, which led to the annoying 'beep' sound whenever you turned on your console with a 'dead' VMU inserted into the controller. Many serious Sega fans have this abrasive, discordant noise etched into their psyche.

The VMU was definitely a flawed masterpiece, then, but we've recently seen the modding community fix its shortcomings. We've already been blessed with the excellent DreamMods VM2, but 8BitMods has produced what, on paper, at least, is an even more impressive upgrade: the VMU Pro.

8BitMods VMU Pro Review: Design, Build & Battery

The VMU Pro's 1.5-inch 24-bit colour IPS TFT display is a huge upgrade on the one seen on the original VMU back in 1998 — Image: Damien McFerran / Time Extension

While the VMU Pro and VM2 share the same basic functionality – they are 'next generation' Dreamcast memory cards capable of storing almost unlimited amounts of save game data thanks to the use of MicroSD media – 8BitDo's offering boasts some significant advantages over DreamMods' VM2.

The most notable feature is the 1.5-inch 24-bit colour IPS TFT display, which boasts a resolution of 240x240 pixels. Not only does this enhance the user interface's appearance, but it also enables other interesting features – one of which is emulation, which we'll cover shortly.

Unlike the VM2, which is a fairly close match to the original VMU in terms of aesthetics, 8BitMods has designed the VMU Pro with a reasonably unique case design. I'm not sure it feels as 'solid' as the official VMU or VM2, but that could be my tactile memory politely objecting to the fact that it feels slightly different in the hand.

It features all the usual hallmarks of a VMU – a D-pad, A and B buttons, 'Sleep' and 'Mode' buttons – as well as two additional buttons located at the bottom of the unit, with the USB-C port separating them. The top of the unit features the 'Maple' connector, which not only interfaces with your Dreamcast controller but also enables data transfer between the VMU Pro and other devices, such as the VM2 and a standard VMU.

The VMU Pro has a slightly different case design to the original VMU

The two extra buttons located at the bottom of the VMU Pro enable you to switch between virtual VMUs when the device is docked in your controller, rendering the other controls inaccessible. Pressing the right-hand button (which, when the VMU Pro is connected to your controller and upside down, becomes the left-hand button) brings up a VMU browser. The right-hand button allows you to confirm your selection. Exiting the browser is achieved by pressing both buttons simultaneously.

The VMU Pro is powered by an internal 720mAh Lithium-Polymer rechargeable battery, which allows the device to remain in deep-sleep mode for a whopping 750 hours, according to 8BitMods. This can either be charged when the device is docked or topped up using a USB-C cable. If you power off the device completely, the battery shouldn't drain at all.

During actual usage, the battery lasts for around six hours, but that's very much a 'best-case' scenario; you need to turn WiFi off and have the brightness and volume set very low. A more accurate runtime would be between three and four hours, in my experience, with WiFi on and both the brightness and volume at higher, more acceptable levels.

The VMU Pro is capable of connecting to both the VMU and the DreamMods VM2 to transfer save data

8BitMods VMU Pro Review: UI & Software Features

You can play original VMU mini-games on the VMU Pro, and it even simulates the monochrome liquid crystal display

It's worth delving a little deeper into what makes the VMU Pro stand out when compared to both the standard VMU and the VM2. Unlike DreamMods' option, the VMU Pro requires a MicroSD card to function (the VM2, you might recall, could act like a standard, 200-block memory unit even if an SD card was not present).

The first time you boot up the device, another obvious selling point becomes apparent – the VMU Pro prompts you for your WiFi details. This device is not only capable of downloading firmware updates from the cloud, but it also allows you to upload your save data to your Google Drive account, keeping your progress safe in the event that your VMU Pro goes missing while you're on the road. In the fullness of time, you'll also be able to transfer data between multiple VMU Pros using WiFi (that's coming in a future firmware update, according to 8BitMods).

Like the VM2, the VMU Pro comes with GameID support, which means it can recognise the game you're playing when it's being loaded via an Optical Drive Emulator, like the Terraonion MODE. The VMU Pro creates a virtual memory card for each game you play, rather than lumping together multiple games on a single card (as is the case with an official Dreamcast VMU). It might seem wasteful, but given that just 1GB equals around 8192 virtual memory cards, this approach actually makes a lot of sense.

The VMU Pro then automatically finds and loads the game's unique virtual memory card the next time you boot up the title in question. Furthermore, you can have extra 'channels' per virtual memory card, which effectively means you can have multiple VMUs for the same game.

If you're not using an ODE, the 'DisplayID' system allows the VMU Pro to recognise the game you're playing via the image displayed on the VMU's screen. I didn't get a chance to test this as my Dreamcast has a MODE installed and there's no optical drive present, but 8BitMods admits it's not 100% accurate.

The VMU Pro features its own custom UI for browsing save game data, presenting information in a far more visually appealing manner than the VM2, which is limited by its monochrome display. The VMU Pro is able to replicate the colour save data icons which you usually only see when you're exploring the VMU via the Dreamcast's frontend – a really lovely touch. You can copy or delete data from the VMU Pro UI itself, which is very handy.

Handling Dreamcast save data is just one aspect of the VMU Pro, as we've already established. The device is capable of hosting its own native games, and 8BitMods has even created an SDK to facilitate this. Additionally, an online portal for downloading games will be created. I wasn't able to test any of this as none of it is available yet.

There's a raft of other options available when you're browsing the VMU Pro's UI, including the ability to alter the volume of the built-in speaker, change the screen brightness, swap the functionality of the A and B buttons and much, much more.

8BitMods VMU Pro Review: Emulation & MP3 Playback

The device is capable of playing Game Boy, Game Boy Colour, NES, Master System and Game Gear titles, all at 60fps. You also get save state support, which is a nice touch. Because the VMU Pro is supplied without a MicroSD card, you'll need to download all of the emulators yourself, and it goes without saying that ROMs will need to be sourced from somewhere, too.

In terms of performance, things run pretty well. I noticed some graphical issues when playing Zelda on the NES emulator, and the pixel scaling for Game Boy games makes things look a little muddy, but otherwise, the VMU Pro's dual-core 240MHz CPU is more than capable of replicating these systems without any major issues.

Emulators look pretty good in general, but the VMU Pro's controls can make actually playing anything a little tricky, especially if you have large fingers. MP3 playback, on the other hand, is more successful — Images: Damien McFerran / Time Extension

A more pressing concern is the fact that the VMU Pro's D-pad and buttons aren't the ideal interface for playing intense games like Mega Man 2 or Alex Kidd in Miracle World; the D-pad feels cheap and floaty, for example. Having said that, titles like Tetris or Mole Mania are quite playable despite the shortcomings of the interface, and I could certainly see myself wasting a few minutes each day with this device – assuming I didn't have a better gaming option to hand, of course.

The same could be said of the VMU Pro's other party trick: MP3 playback. You can either play the audio via the device's 0.7-watt mono speaker or hook up some headphones.

I tried my USB-C to 3.5mm headphone lead to connect a pair of Apple headphones, and it worked well enough – but again, it all depends on what other choices you have available. I can't imagine many people choosing to listen to music via this method when they have a smartphone to hand, but it's nice to have the option, nonetheless.

8BitMods VMU Pro Review: Summary

For the most part, then, the VMU Pro performs its duties well and offers some neat bonus features which elevate it above the competition. However, like the VM2 – which has matured into a really solid piece of kit thanks to a series of regular firmware updates – the VMU Pro at launch shouldn't be considered the 'finished' product.

During my review period, the unit froze on me multiple times, forcing a complete restart by inserting a needle in the reset hole on its right-hand side. I also encountered an issue where the VMU Pro would remain stuck in 'upside down' mode (when it thinks it is still docked in the controller, even though it isn't), and this, too, required a hard reset to recover.

It's currently only possible to have a single WiFi network stored in the VMU Pro's memory, which creates an issue for me when I'm moving between my home and the Hookshot Media office. Additionally, I couldn't find a way to connect to a new wireless network without factory resetting the entire device. Hopefully, these are points that 8BitMods can address with an update.

I also encountered some quirks with the VMU Pro's charging system when connected to a controller. According to 8BitMods, the VMU Pro requires at least 15 seconds to start charging when docked. This is because the battery is continuously monitored through two on-board battery monitoring circuits, which check current and voltage measurements. Should the initial measurement attempt fail, the VMU Pro will retry three more times, with each test separated by 10 seconds.

This system worked flawlessly with my standard Dreamcast controller, the official Dreamcast arcade stick and Retro Fighters' wireless StrikerDC pad. However, with the wired variant of the StrikerDC, the VMU Pro refused to charge. I've spoken to 8BitMods about this, and they confirmed that it's a known issue, with a fix apparently in the works.

Indeed, it's worth noting that 8BitMods has made it clear that future firmware updates will address any bugs and introduce new features – such as the VMU Pro-to-VMU Pro wireless transfer – on the horizon.

So, there's room for improvement, then – but even at this stage, the VMU Pro is a solid best memory card option for your Dreamcast, and offers some amazing improvements over the standard version. If you're an early adopter, it's worth noting that some elements of its software may be a bit rough around the edges, at least in the short term, but it's still highly recommended, and another hit from 8BitMods.

We've seen so many emulation handhelds provide robust GameCube and PS2 performance lately that it seems almost pointless to devote time to a device that doesn't have the power to replicate those consoles to a satisfying degree. However, the Mangmi Air X – which retails for $90 – proves to be the exception.

It will run GC and PS2 games, and, if you're willing to do some extra work, it will play some of them to an acceptable standard – but the dated Snapdragon 662 chipset found at the heart of this handheld really isn't up to the challenge.

Instead, I think the Mangmi Air X shines when you focus on earlier hardware; it's comfortable playing Dreamcast and N64 titles, for example, and is even capable of emulating the PSP to a decent level. Going backwards in time, 8 and 16-bit games run brilliantly, as do PS1 titles.

In terms of design, the Mangmi Air X has a real advantage over its budget rivals, in my opinion. While it doesn't sport metal bodywork, it looks great and feels well-made. The 5.5-inch 1080p LCD screen is also excellent, even looking respectable when set against OLED panels.

The controls are equally good, despite first impressions. Mangmi got the placement of the D-pad right (in my opinion, at least) by placing it above the left-hand analogue stick. While this might not be to everyone's taste, I love playing 2D games on devices like this, so I need my D-pad to be as easy to reach as possible.

The pad looks large and has a glossy texture, which is something I initially thought would be a massive mistake. However, I found it to be a joy to use; hitting diagonals is easy, and flowing motions aren't a problem, either – so, if you like one-on-one fighting games, you'll be right at home here. Sure, some texture on the top of the pad would have been welcome, but it's not as slippery as it looks.

The dual analogue sticks utilise Hall Effect sensors and are approximately the same size as those found on the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con. They have LED lighting around the base, which I really like, but others might be less enthused about (you can disable this if you wish, or select another colour – the default is orange, which matches the Mangmi logo).

The Mangmi Air X comes with Android 14 installed, which means you get access to all of the Android apps and games you already own. Compatibility is excellent thanks to that Snapdragon chipset, and while this handheld isn't a processing powerhouse, it's capable of running most 3D games on the Google Play store.

With around five hours of battery life, expandable storage via MicroSD and a super-portable design (I even got a carry case with my review sample), the Mangmi Air X certainly comes as a breath of fresh air. In a sector of the market dominated by the likes of Anbernic and PowKiddy, this is an alternative option that looks great, plays great, feels great to use, and – best of all – won't break the bank.

SCUF has a solid reputation when it comes to delivering amazing controllers, but we now have a real contender for one of their best Xbox efforts: the Valor Pro Wireless ($190 / £180).

This beast boasts customizable back paddles, mouse-click or full-press shoulder triggers, TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) anti-drift sticks, a rechargeable battery and much more. The Valor Pro Wireless really does everything as close to perfect as possible, building on the core design of Xbox's already amazing gamepad to present an utterly essential way to play.

Right out of the box, the premium feel of this controller can't be stated enough, with lovely rubber grips on the back and an eye-catching matte finish that is smooth enough to be comfortable while simultaneously feeling unlikely to slip or move.

This coat also gives the controller a very clean and premium look and feel, something that is much appreciated for fast-paced games. In addition, if you don't take too well to the matte black – or any of the color options for that matter – have no fear, as the magnetic faceplate is removable with just one pull at the top. So if you ever feel the need to replace yours, you can do so.

As much as I love the official Xbox controller, I have to admit I'm frustrated that Microsoft hasn't adopted anti-drift technology in its analogue sticks. I've had multiple pads become unusable due to stick drift, so the TMR sticks used on the Valor Pro Wireless are an absolute godsend.

They're also the most precise and responsive sticks I've ever seen on any Xbox pad, and when tested in games such as The Finals and ARC Raiders, they performed exceptionally well, feeling utterly effortless to use.

Along with the base sticks provided on the controller, there is also an additional pair of taller sticks which have a convex (rather than concave) top. I personally prefer the default concave top, and would have liked to have had some taller sticks with that option, but it's hardly a deal-breaker.

The face buttons and d-pad are both very similar to the default Xbox pad, but with SCUF's premium coat of paint; they're satisfying and responsive, providing an all-around great experience that offers a comfortable and smooth time in any game you choose.

You may have noticed two scroll wheels on the left and right at the bottom of the controller. These are separate volume controls for in-game audio and voice chat, giving you the option to get the perfect audio balance during gameplay. The 3.5mm headphone jack is located in its usual place below these dials.

Onto the back of the controller, we have the snappy mouse-click triggers, and that's not their only feature; they are adjustable to your liking. Flick the switch and you have a full-range analogue input for games that require a specific level of pressure, such as driving games. FPS titles are what I play most, so I love the 'instant' mouse-click setting, which means I can fire on foes almost instantly.

I can confidently say that the difference from full-press to mouse-click is game-changing, especially in games that call for a fast trigger finger. This is a feature that is greatly appreciated and will significantly elevate your game.

Another headline feature is not only a convenience, but also a long-term money saver: the rechargeable battery. This feature has been missing from the Xbox line of controllers for years (by default, at least), and is very welcome on the Valor Pro Wireless. With it offering a considerable 17 hours of battery life on a single charge, it's certainly a preferable option to having to buy batteries individually. The obvious downside is that you don't have the option to choose between AA batteries and a rechargeable pack, as is the case with the official controller.

Another feature that provides many more ways to play is the addition of back paddles. The Valor Pro Wireless boasts four back paddles that feel responsive and comfortable while not impeding grip and not taking up too much space. They can perform actions your thumb or finger would have had to do on the face buttons, but with the paddles, you can free up your thumb so it can stay ready on the joystick and be there to do what it needs to.

Some additional small controls on the back of the controller include a 3-point selection switch for wireless connectivity between Xbox, PC, and Bluetooth, as well as a button that links to controller profiles on the PC-based companion app. This app also allows you to fine-tune other aspects of the controller, and is currently in its beta phase.

To say that this is the best controller I've used with my Xbox Series X would be an understatement; it takes the basic blueprint of the official pad and augments it with some brilliant features, such as no-drift sticks, an internal battery, rear paddles, audio separation and more.

While the high cost might present a barrier for some, I'm comfortable with it – after all, I've gone through at least three controllers since I bought my console, and those days may well be over thanks to the arrival of the Valor Pro Wireless.

Earlier this year, PB Tails' Metal Crush Defender TMR controller caught my eye, with its Fallout-inspired, distressed yellow stylings and glistening chrome sticks. I don't usually go in for 'relic' effects on anything, but this looked a bit special. It felt artful and novel in a market where neon gamer gear dominates, screaming for attention, and 'cheapening' otherwise decent equipment. The Xbox face button layout, though, meant it wasn't specifically relevant to Switch owners.

Fast-forward several months, and there's a new model bearing Nintendo's classic button layout. Retailing for $79.99, this is the firm's familiar Crush pad but with '50s automotive stylings - specifically, it's celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Porsche 550 Spyder.

There's no official licensing on this tribute, but the finish is beautiful, if you're into that sort of thing. The red light strip along the bottom edge (you can change the colour - more on that later) looks like a tail light, while the decals and details across the face, plus the silver paint job and the 'grille', faux-number plate, and red strips on the rear, give the feel of a quality piece of retro memorabilia. The burgundy trim of the D-pad and the shoulder buttons add to the classy, retro stylings, too.

Images: Gavin Lane / Nintendo Life

Opinion among Team NL is divided — you'll need to be a classic car connoisseur or have a thing for mechanical engineering and retro design — but I love the look and feel. It's a niche aesthetic and the pad won't suit every gaming purpose, but there's a luxuriousness to the finish and the chrome accents that gets my motor running. You feel like you should be playing with leather driving gloves when you're handling this thing (and maybe I did).

In the hands, gloved or otherwise, this Crush pad feels like an old-school Xbox 360 controller, but weightier, and definitely glossier. The metal of the default sticks is just the beginning, and the slickness of the bodywork is probably a dealbreaker if you main games that give you sweaty palms.

Fingerprints were my immediate concern on taking the pad from its black and white case and removing the little foam collars around the sticks, but surprisingly, I haven't found them an issue. I assumed I'd need a microfiber cloth after every session, but it's been fine sitting on the side over the past couple of weeks, despite the dust on my TV shelf and my sticky gamer paws.

Images: Gavin Lane / Nintendo Life

A braided USB-A to C cable is included for charging (the claimed 30-hour life feels accurate, although that'll depend on your lighting intensity), plus a dongle for 2.4G wireless connection and plastic/rubber sticks if you want to swap out the zinc alloy pair.

And honestly? If you're into your online shooters or just want to be competitive in Fortnite, you'll want to switch the stick covers; channel-hopping in Blippo+ was a dream, a tense shootout in Springfield less so. I had no issue racing in GRID or unleashing ninja skills in Shinobi, but chromed metal just doesn't offer enough grip for split-second, precision inputs.

The sticks themselves are the TMR variety, so power efficient and offering commensurate performance and protection against drift to Hall Effect. Obviously, it'll take a year or two of use to thoroughly test their resilience, but there's nothing to suggest they'll start wandering. They feel robust and responsive.

Changing the sticks involves removing the magnetic faceplate, which can be tricky if you don't have decent nails, but gripping the front housing up around the shoulder buttons while pressing down on the sticks with your thumbs will eventually prise the cover away. Swap out the metal ones, clip the caps into the plastic domes, pop the cover back on, and you're away.

Images: Gavin Lane / Nintendo Life

PB sells other faceplates, although it would be weird to buy one of these and then ruin the aesthetic with a clear orange cover. Also worth noting is that the carry case's foam insert holds the two-part plastic sticks only, so you'll need to store the metal ones safely somewhere else.

Removing the chrome ones feels like sacrilege, though, like you've whacked some cheap rims on a vintage Jag. It functions well, with gyro controls, some very nice rumble (the growl it makes when it connects to the console feels, brilliantly, like a revving engine), and pleasingly springy analogue triggers. The D-pad felt fine for a blast through some NSO classics, and the whole controller has a premium-feeling heft to it.

Even the RGB lighting feels somehow sophisticated here. Holding down the 'T' (turbo) button and moving the left stick lets you pick the exact colour of the light strip, while the right stick changes the face and central Home buttons. You can tweak the intensity of the LEDs, too, and I appreciated that it's all there and selectable via the pad itself, no external software needed. You can't buy a lightbulb these days without downloading a bloody app.

Images: Gavin Lane / Nintendo Life

Face button lighting presets are selectable, as well: Super Famicom-style is the default, but you've also got PlayStation blue with the customary hues of Sony's shapes, or Xbox green and corresponding button colours. There's also a Dreamcast-style option - at least I think that's what the orange home button and this colour layout are referencing. Obviously, the Nintendo ABYX labelling remains, but it's a neat nod to other platforms.

No clicky microswitches is a big plus, personally; all the face buttons feel nicely responsive without the irritating, cheap-sounding click that makes playing in a quiet space irritating. Toggling the switch on the top edge changes from 'S' (Switch) to 'X' (XInput), and everything functioned exactly as you'd expect when testing with Steam using the included dongle (or wired if you prefer) and iOS over Bluetooth.

Images: Gavin Lane / Nintendo Life

While you get added turbo options via the aforementioned button, you don't get NFC reader for amiibo or a 'C' button for easy Switch 2 GameChat access. There's no headphone jack, either, so headset gamers should look elsewhere, and you don't get any fancy back buttons, either.

Another minor quirk is that '-' and '+' here are in the position of the Home and Capture buttons on Nintendo's controller, so prepare for some accidental screenshots at first. Also, you can't wake your Switch 2 up with this - not an issue for me as I always turn it on via the console, but some people really like the convenience of grabbing the pad down the side of the sofa and powering on.

This isn't the kind of pad you'll leave jammed down the side of the sofa, though. For $80, there are functions missing that you might hope to have. If you only get one controller for Switch 2, look at Nintendo's own option or something from 8Bitdo. You're really paying for the style here. The Crush 550 needs pairing with a high-backed, leather-studded chair and a glass of Margaux while enjoying a visual novel or a light puzzler. It's not what you want if you're in the midst of a nailbiting deathmatch, perspiring between frantic frags and Dorito downtime. You wouldn't want to rag this into the ground with twitch shooters.

Image: Gavin Lane / Nintendo Life

It really depends what kind of gamer you are, then. I find this a pleasure to play with, and I'll be using it whenever a game doesn't demand more performance than it can manage. A classic car is a perfect comparison; this is a fair-weather pad, a beautiful Sunday driver you take out only when conditions allow. If you're in the market for something for the weekend and value-for-money is less important than sophistication, this will look and feel great in your showroom.

While we've all become accustomed to using fancy analogue controllers these days, there's still a large sector of the market which loves a good, old-fashioned eight-way digital arcade experience – and to that end, accessory company iMP has produced the Gaming Mini Arcade Pro for Switch and Switch 2.

On the surface, this looks like a bartop arcade cabinet, but in reality, it's a cradle for your Switch console that allows you to use authentic arcade-style controls with games that benefit from digital input – such as old-school titles, shmups and fighting games.

The iMP Gaming Mini Arcade Pro doesn't come preassembled, but putting it together (and taking it apart) is a straightforward process. Two caddy sections are included, one for the original Switch / Switch OLED, and one for the Switch 2.

It comes with two caddies, one for Switch and one for Switch 2. It's easy to insert your console, and the caddy drops into the central unit with little effort, too — Images: Damien McFerran / Nintendo Life

Ensuring compatibility with both generations is a nice touch, but this really feels like it was designed for the newer variant; the cut-out for the screen is designed with Switch 2's larger display in mind, so the original Switch ends up looking like a toddler in a teenager's clothing.

The good news is that the Mini Arcade Pro's arcade-style controls are excellent regardless of which system you own. The clicky stick and buttons are smaller than you'd find on your typical bartop arcade cabinet, but they're a joy to use; within moments of booting up Street Fighter 6, I was pulling off special moves with the minimum of effort.

Shmups also benefit massively from this accessory — R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is a particular joy to play — and I also enjoyed romping my way through Absolum.

There's space on the rear of the unit for 12 Switch Game Cards and 12(!) MicroSD cards — Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo Life

The central panel has all of the usual inputs (including a Home button which wakes your console from its sleep mode), as well as a switch which allows you to toggle the functionality of the stick – you can choose between the D-pad, left analogue stick, and right analogue stick. There's a 'C' button to bring up GameChat, but no 'Capture' button, oddly.

Spin it around, and there's space for you to clip in 12 Switch game cards and 12 MicroSD cards – a nice touch if you want to keep your software close at hand. My only reservation with this system is that the Game Card slots don't seem to grip all that well, and it doesn't take much to knock them out of the slots by accident.

My other major issue with the iMP Gaming Mini Arcade Pro is the artwork that has been printed onto the marquee, side panels, and the main control panel. The lettering is a little too childish for my liking, and while I'm not entirely sure, I think I detect the use of Generative AI to create the art itself. This obviously has no impact on the controller's performance, but it makes it look a little cheap, in my opinion.

Images: Damien McFerran / Nintendo Life

The Switch's recent firmware update actually broke the Mini Arcade Pro's ability to wake the console via the Home button and the functionality of the 'C' button, but, in a move which hopefully shows how committed the manufacturer is to making this device a success, it has received a firmware update to fix the problem.

While I think the iMP Gaming Mini Arcade Pro's cheap-looking artwork counts against it, I can't fault the controller when it comes to delivering that old-school arcade experience. At £45, it's not likely to break the bank, either (although it's $90 in the US).

Nacon’s RIG R5 Spear PRO HS recently launched in Europe and will soon be available in the US. This officially licensed PlayStation headset presents itself as an affordable audio companion with customisable hardware that does not compromise on sound quality. We’ll take a closer look at it in this review.

Contents and specs

The Nacon RIG R5 Spear PRO HS is priced at US$69.99 / EU€79.99 / £69.99 and comes with the following items:

Specs of the headset are as follows:

• Official PlayStation licensed wired headset

• 40 mm graphene drivers for ultra-precise, high-quality sound (<0.5% THD)

• Optimized for Tempest 3D AudioTech on PlayStation

• Flip-to-mute microphone for crystal-clear voice chat (50 Hz – 15 kHz)

• On-ear volume controls for quick adjustments

• Snap+Lock magnetic customization: swap plates & cushions instantly

• Memory foam comfort on headband and ear cushions

• Lightweight, fold-flat earcups for portability

• Universal 3.5 mm jack — PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC & mobile ready

RIG R5 Spear PRO HS hardware impressions

Nacon has a solid track record when it comes to the build of its headsets, and the company doesn’t disappoint with the RIG R5 Spear PRO HS. Despite packing a plastic frame, it doesn’t feel cheap. In fact, it is very sturdy and features Nacon’s iconic highly bendable (unbreakable?) headband. 

It’s also remarkably comfortable to use. This is thanks to it being lightweight and the memory foam-padded ear cushions and headband. A nice touch is the flat-folding earcups, which make resting the headset around the neck more comfortable, especially if you are taking it on the go.

With the RIG R5 Spear PRO HS, Nacon introduces its magnetic Snap+Lock system. This is a magnetic mechanism that lets you instantly swap out modular plates and ear cushions. The company has currently released modular plates and plans for future ear cushions. The modular plates are mostly nice-to-haves as a customisation option (they also made the STL files available), but aren’t that functional. The swappable, magnetic ear cushions, on the other hand, make them more easily replaceable and washable.

For its cost, the RIG R5 Spear PRO HS is well built. However, it lacks a few premium touches you’d find on higher-tier (and pricier) headsets. For instance, the cable and mic are not detachable, and there is no wireless option. These nagging limitations, especially with the microphone and cable being fixed, impact its versatility and longevity. 

Being a wired headset, it would be handy to have more physical controls on the device itself. The RIG R5 Spear PRO HS is limited in this regard as it only has an inline volume slider. But I am not a fan of this option as the controls are not as granular as a dial or volume rocker. The latter would be more intuitive options, and I wouldn’t have to rely on my system’s volume controls as much.

The RIG R5 Spear PRO HS audio performance

While the RIG R5 Spear PRO HS is affordably priced for an entry-level gaming headset, the audio quality is more than entry-level. The 40 mm graphene drivers deliver extremely clear sound with minimal distortion. The audio fidelity stands out whether it’s for playing single-player games or multiplayer ones. 

Being custom-tuned for first-person shooters and benefiting from PlayStation Tempest 3D AudioTech optimisation, I found it to be a great companion for games like The Outer Worlds 2. Footsteps, reloads and subtle ambient cues are well defined. I could gauge direction and distance of movement better than I expected in this price range. 

The 6mm flip-to-mute boom mic, with its 50Hz–15kHz frequency range, captures voice clearly. This is enhanced by the “bendy” mic arm that you can position closer to your mouth so that it picks up your voice better over ambient noise.

As a wired headset, it is also compatible with other systems. It fleshes out atmospheric soundtracks in games like Keeper. And you can also put the quality audio output to good use with your Spotify playlist.

At its price point, some concessions have been made on the audio side. The main one is that there is no companion software for the RIG R5 Spear PRO HS. This means that you don’t have granular EQ control and are stuck with it being custom-tuned for first-person shooters. It can be a benefit if you prefer a plug-and-play experience, but audiophiles looking for more audio-level customisation, this headset will leave them wanting. 

Closing thoughts

In its price range, the Nacon RIG R5 Spear PRO HS delivers some of the best audio value out there. If you prioritise sound clarity, comfort for extended gaming sessions, and a plug-and-play experience, this headset is a strong contender for your next audio accessory. But don’t expect features and versatility of higher-end headsets, as some concessions have been made to keep the price affordable.

It's been quite the wait for Analogue's FPGA-based N64 clone.

Announced all the way back in 2023, the Analogue 3D has been delayed multiple times, leading some sceptics to claim it was slowly but surely entering the realm of vapourware.

However, having had a review unit for over a week now, we can confirm that the Analogue 3D is very real – and downright remarkable, too.

But is it worth shelling out $250 for, especially when N64 emulation is available on Switch and there are other ways to play these games in 2025? Let's find out...

Analogue 3D Review: Hardware

While the Analogue 3D retains some of the design language of Nintendo's 64-bit console, it's still very much its own thing when it comes to the details. It has a smaller footprint, for starters; for me, this is a welcome change as the N64 always felt a bit bulky.

The Power switch and Reset button are located in the same place but are angled slightly for a unique look, and the four controller ports on the front are closer together, a shift made possible by the absence of an N64 face plate.

You'll also find the power LED, which doubles as the controller pairing button (something that, I'll admit, stumped me for a few minutes until I read the instruction manual that comes with the optional 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth pad).

The bottom of the Analogue 3D has a rubber coating to prevent it from slipping around on hard surfaces (but no expansion port, so it won't work with the 64DD), while the rear of the console has an array of USB ports and a full-size SD card slot

Around the back, you'll find a full-size SD card slot, HDMI port, two USB-A ports and a USB-C socket for power. The bottom of the Analogue 3D is covered in rubber, which helps keep the console in place. There's a fan inside for cooling, and the rear of the console has vents that allow air to circulate freely.

In terms of looks, then, the Analogue 3D sits neatly beside the company's other consoles, which have always had an air of aesthetic sophistication about them. The unit I was sent is matte black (and attracts greasy fingermarks like nobody's business), but a white option is also available.

Who knows, Analogue may even follow the trend it started with the Pocket and release alternative colours in the future, mimicking Nintendo's own penchant for translucent casing.

Compared to the original N64, the Analogue 3D is slimmer and has a slightly smaller footprint

Analogue 3D Review: 8BitDo 64 Controller

The Analogue 3D doesn't ship with a controller, but the company has teamed up with long-term accessory partner 8BitDo to create a pad which is fully compatible with the console. The 8BitDo 64 is based on the company's 'Ultimate' line of pads, and diehard N64 fans will immediately notice that it lacks the iconic three-prong setup seen on Nintendo's original pad.

Despite this change, it has all of the other necessary inputs. The unique face button setup is replicated perfectly, with A and B being oversized compared to the C-button cluster, and the Start button is large and easy to find in a hurry. Above this, you'll find three additional buttons – Screenshot, Minus and Home – which offer different benefits.

Screenshot is a Switch-focused button (needless to say, this pad also works on other systems), while the Minus button brings up a sub-menu which allows you to toggle between the virtual Controller Pak and the pad's internal rumble (lest we forget that N64 controllers lacked force feedback, and an optional Rumble Pak was required).

The Home button brings up the console's '3Dos' menu, allowing you to tinker with display modes (more on that shortly), change hardware settings and exit back to the Analogue 3D's main UI.

The famous three-prong design of the original N64 pad has been replaced with a more traditional design for the 8BitDo 64, something that is also the case with some other modern-day alternatives, like those from Retro-Bit (right-hand image). Thankfully, you can use your original pads with the Analogue 3D if you'd prefer — Images: Damien McFerran / Time Extension

There's no gun-style Z trigger sitting beneath your index finger this time, either; instead, 8BitDo has placed two Z triggers at the top of the pad, behind the standard L and R shoulder buttons.

The N64's groundbreaking 'analogue wand' remains one of the more unique elements of the console, and there really hasn't been another analogue stick like it. I was sceptical that 8BitDo would be able to fully reproduce the behaviour of the wand with this new controller, and my reservations proved to be correct.

That's not to say the analogue stick used here (which boasts a Hall Effect sensor, so drift should never be an issue) is bad; it just feels totally different to what I'm used to when it comes to playing N64 games. Many of the console's best titles were built around the original pad, and the way the stick behaves is part of what makes these titles so much fun to play.

Connecting four 8BitDo 64 controllers wirelessly to the Analogue 3D is a breeze — Image: Damien McFerran / Time Extension

The stick on the 8BitDo 64 has the 'gated' notches around the base, allowing you to snap your movement in one of eight directions (just like the original controller), and, with practice, it's possible to retain your brain and become just as efficient and accurate with this stick, if not more so. To reiterate, it's not like this stick is worse than the original – it just feels a little different to begin with.

I still miss having those three prongs and having the Z trigger on the bottom of the pad. While it isn't a requirement to actually play games like Treasure's Bakuretsu Muteki Bangaiō, I always loved the fact that you could control your character with the D-pad and select your direction of fire with the analogue wand – something that isn't possible on the 8BitDo 64 (you can, of course, also use the C buttons for directional fire).

Games like Sin & Punishment (another Treasure joint, coincidentally) also don't feel quite right when played on anything but the original N64 controller, due to my muscle memory thinking the Z trigger is in a different place.

Of course, the significant benefit of the Analogue 3D is that you don't have to use the 8BitDo 64 controller if you don't want to – you can use any N64-compatible input device. So, if you already have a bunch of old N64 pads lying around, that's a quick and easy way to get connected. The minor downside here is that you'll need to input a button combination (Z + Start) to access the console's UI.

Analogue 3D Review: 3Dos

Little LEDs show how many 8BitDo 64 controllers are wirelessly connected to the Analogue 3D — Image: Damien McFerran / Time Extension

Booting up the Analogue 3D (which takes an annoyingly long 20 seconds) presents you with 3Dos, Analogue's custom user interface, created specifically for this system. The UI is divided into two sections, 'Library' and 'Settings', and you toggle between them using the shoulder buttons.

'Library' is populated by the games you boot up; thanks to the system's internal database, it is able to recognise each cartridge and give you detailed information, such as the number of supported players, region, accessory support, developer and release year. It will also track your total playtime and the time the game was first launched on the console.

As was the case with the Analogue Pocket, it's possible to add your own custom artwork so that when games are booted up, an image of the cartridge and the region-specific label is displayed. The review unit I was sent came with an SD card that included all of these images, but Analogue is keen to stress that this won't be the case with the standard retail system – you'll have to source the files yourself.

Unlike the Polymega (which uses software emulation, not FPGA), it isn't possible to download games to the Analogue 3D's internal storage – while the console will keep track of your library, you'll need to insert the original cartridge to play.

A selection of UI images taken prior to booting up a game. Note that the 3Dos has highlighted the fact that our current setup (a Genki Shadowcast 2 capture device) isn't hitting the optimal 4K setting — Images: Damien McFerran / Time Extension

The 'Settings' portion of the UI is actually less comprehensive than you might expect; you can configure your display mode between 4K60 and 4K50, as well as enable Auto Low-Latency Mode and HDR – two screen-related settings. There's also a 'Sync Mode' setting, but this is greyed out on my setup.

The 'System' sub-menu informs you of the version of 3Dos you're currently running, as well as providing the option to execute a global reset of the console's settings. 'About' contains the usual legal information, such as the EULA agreement and other relevant details, as well as a link to the User Guide, which can be accessed on your smartphone via a QR code.

When you actually load up a game, the 3Dos presents a much wider range of options, certainly when it comes to fine-tuning your visual experience. Either from pressing 'Home' in-game or via the 'Configure' option on the main menu, the resultant 'Hardware' and 'Display Mode' options are far more comprehensive.

When you're in-game, pressing the 'Home' button (or inputting the correct button combination from any other controller) brings up a more option-rich sub-menu, allowing you to tinker with the image settings — Image: Damien McFerran / Time Extension

'Hardware' allows you to configure (when applicable) your Virtual Expansion Pak and regional settings. There's also a bunch of 'Advanced Video Processing' options, including De-Blur, a toggle for 32-bit colour and a 'Disable Antialiasing' toggle.

Turning off antialiasing has the predictable effect of making straight edges appear sharper, while De-Blur is more subtle and mainly noticeable in elements such as text and in-game UI. 32-bit colour is an interesting one, as turning this off results in a dramatic drop in visual quality.

This is most obvious when playing a game like Zelda: Ocarina of Time; the grass texture becomes a muddy mess with it disabled, but when it's turned on, you can see the texture detail more clearly. It's on by default, so you probably won't want to mess with this setting unless you're really fond of the N64's famously fuzzy image quality, which the Analogue 3D manages to remedy pretty successfully.

Analogue 3D Review: 'Original Display Modes'

The 3Dos 'Display Mode' menu deals with screen filters (referred to by Analogue as 'Original Display Modes') and other options, and, somewhat annoyingly, cannot be altered on a global basis; every game you boot up will have the 'BVM' setting enabled by default, which replicates the look of a Broadcast Video Monitor.

This applies scanlines to the image, as well as introducing some CRT-style light bloom and softness, making it feel like you're playing on an old-school TV. Sadly, you can't adjust the intensity of the scanlines, but they look pretty good regardless.

The other options are PVM, which has a more dot-like filter applied rather than scanlines, and a consumer-level CRT filter. All of these options have granular settings to tinker around with; you can change the horizontal and vertical beam convergence, for example, selecting between 'Professional' and 'Consumer' settings. It's also possible to disable the 'soft' filter on the image, and force the picture to completely fill your display ('Interger+').

Launch comparison tool

There's also a pure 'Scanline' setting, which forgoes the beam convergence settings to present a more 'pure' filter, and a 'Clean' option that basically disables all of the filters. This latter introduces an exclusive 'Interpolation Algorithm' and 'Gamma Transfer' options.

Analogue's goal here is to create the look of old-school displays on a modern TV, and while I'd say that's almost impossible given the truly unique characteristics of BVM and CRT sets, these 'Original Display Modes' come pretty darn close to capturing the unique glow and warmth associated with such screens.

The sheer volume of display options is stunning, but as I said earlier, all of these image options are applied on a game-by-game basis and cannot be applied globally. I would imagine that this will be one of the first things added in a future 3Dos update. Analogue has already stated that it has a dedicated team working on 3Dos, and it stresses that it will continue to add new features based on user feedback.

Analogue 3D Review: Performance

The Analogue 3D is built on the 220k LE Altera Cyclone 10GX chip, which means it's emulating the performance of the original N64 on a hardware, rather than software, level.

On paper, this should ensure 100% accuracy, but FPGA chips, despite replicating hardware, are still programmed like any other chip – so there's always scope for minor bugs or incompatibilities (hence the fact that firmware updates follow the launch of almost every Analogue console).

During my testing period, I played over 50 different N64 cartridges on the Analogue 3D, taking the time to compare their performance on the original hardware. I wasn't able to spot any glaring issues with how Analogue's system handles these games. The console is multi-region, too, which means it will accept PAL and NTSC carts without issue – something that wasn't possible on original N64 hardware without modification.

In fact, the biggest stumbling block I encountered is arguably something that neither Analogue nor its hardware can be blamed for, and that's the passage of time. I found that more than a few of my N64 carts refused to boot on the Analogue 3D, displaying the dreaded 'Unknown Cartridge' message.

The Analogue 3D comes with two foam cartridge cleaners. The amount of dirt that was present on some of the carts I tested was enough to make me blush – and all of my games are stored in their original boxes! — Images: Damien McFerran / Time Extension

Analogue includes a pair of cartridge contact cleaning pads in the box, and I was genuinely shocked when I used one of them on the offending games; the amount of dirt that came off the contacts was alarming, and it serves as a stark reminder that these decades-old games require regular TLC to keep them in tip-top operational condition. The Analogue 3D appears to be slightly more sensitive to this issue than the original hardware, so be prepared to clean your cartridges.

For the purpose of this review, the comparison system was an NTSC Nintendo 64, which has the UltraHDMI mod installed. This is one of the best options out there for upgrading the original console to work with modern-day televisions; it is, therefore, an excellent 'best-in-class' comparison when reviewing the Analogue 3D.

In terms of image quality, the Analogue 3D is the clear winner. While the UltraHDMI-modded N64 produces a pin-sharp picture, the Analogue 3D's built-in HDR support means that everything looks brighter and punchier – and, once you dig into the aforementioned screen filters and picture options, you've got a lot more control over how games appear on your HD TV.

All of these images are taken from the Analogue 3D ('Clean' display mode enabled), captured at 1080p using the Genki Shadowcast 2 capture card — Images: Damien McFerran / Time Extension

It's worth noting that, despite outputting a 4K signal (it will also output 1080p if your TV doesn't support UHD), the Analogue 3D doesn't upscale any of the in-game imagery, as is the case with Nintendo's N64 emulation on Switch. You get the original resolution of the system, which is good news for purists, but might leave others wondering why things don't look totally pin-sharp.

While the Analogue 3D is designed to be a like-for-like replication of the original N64 hardware, I couldn't get it to run with my EverDrive 64 X7 flash cart or the first-gen EverDrive 64 from a few years back. The X7 shows as an 'Unknown Cartridge' in the console's UI (which is to be expected, as it won't be matched with a game in the database), but booting it up results in a black screen. The early EverDrive variant isn't detected at all. As these are the only two carts I have available, I can't confirm whether other models are compatible or not, but it's clear that compatibility isn't as good as it could be at this time.

Analogue, to its credit, has acknowledged that there might be some teething troubles with flash carts, at least initially, and that its focus is very much on supporting original games.

The Analogue 3D has no issue playing 'modern' N64 releases, like Xeno Crisis

I'd imagine that Krikzz, the modder behind the EverDrive range, will quickly release updates to ensure they work on the Analogue 3D, but in the meantime, it doesn't look like Analogue itself is going to invest any significant effort in ensuring compatibility – which is something to keep in mind if you were hoping to boot games from your flash cart on day one.

It's also worth noting that 'save states' aren't present – this is a feature that has become common in software-based emulation but is harder to pull off in the realm of FPGA hardware.

Analogue 3D Review: Overclocking

By far the most interesting aspect of the Analogue 3D's options menu relates to the experimental 'Advanced Hardware' setting. The system's overclock functionality is enabled by default and set to 'auto' – this means the console's internal database picks the best setting, presumably based on Analogue's internal testing.

You can also toggle it to 'Enhanced', 'Enhanced+', and 'Unleashed'. I played around with these options and found that, rather than delivering a blanket improvement across all games, the overlock settings can often lead to unpredictable results, such as games running too quickly or no discernible difference at all.

However, there are definitely some significant performance gains to be had here, especially with the console's more technically demanding titles, such as Perfect Dark, making the Analogue 3D a truly remarkable way of boosting performance on otherwise sluggish N64 titles. When you find a game which truly benefits, it feels like playing a 'Nintendo 64 Pro' – twin this with the superior image quality, and it's even more appealing.

You can, if you wish, force the Analogue 3D to run at the original hardware speed using a special toggle. This is particularly helpful if you're experiencing performance issues with specific titles.

Analogue 3D Review: Conclusion

The wait for the Analogue 3D has, at times, verged on the unbearable, but the end product was worth it.

Like all of Analogue's other FPGA-based systems, this is a premium proposition that elevates N64 software to a whole new level; games look far better than they do on original, unmodified hardware – and even surpass the visual quality of HDMI-modded N64 consoles, which sell for much more than $250 on the secondary market – and the ability to overlock performance is something unqiue to this hardware, and makes it even more interesting.

Indeed, the experimental overclocking is truly a game-changer, even if it's not quite as consistent as I'd like it to be at this stage. It's essentially giving the N64 a power boost, which enables it, in theory, to overcome and smooth out performance hiccups that prevented games from reaching their full potential back in the day.

The wide array of visual options is also a boon, although it would be nice to have global filters that apply across all games, rather than having to adjust settings on a title-by-title basis. This is a relatively minor complaint, however, and one I'm confident will be addressed in a future firmware update (to be fair, some users might actually appreciate the fact that they can establish visual settings for each title, depending on personal preference).

Outside of the poor flash cart support (again, something I'd hope will be fixed soon) and no save states (something that isn't present in original N64 hardware either, to be fair), the Analogue 3D is pretty much my dream way to revisit the console's library – and that comes from someone who has been lucky enough to have an UltraHDMI-modded N64 in their posession for a good few years.

If the original machine has been your only reference when it comes to N64 before picking up the Analogue 3D, you're going to be absolutely blown away – and, at $250, it's actually a more reasonable option in terms of pricing when compared to picking up either a modded system or fitting an HDMI kit yourself.

If you're looking for flash cart support and already have other options, then the Analogue 3D becomes a more cautious recommendation; indeed, if you already own an HDMI-modded original, you may not see a significant leap in visual quality here. Likewise, if the current standard of Nintendo Switch Online support for the N64 pleases you, then you might be better off saving your pennies.

The real issue with the Analogue 3D, like all of the company's products, will be trying to get your hands on one – the first batch of systems is now sold out, and Analogue is famously cautious when it comes to replenishing stock. While this will come as little comfort to those who wish to own one, this remains a console worth waiting for.

Following Neo Geo Arcade 1 and Neo Geo Arcade 2, Blaze has returned with another collection of classic titles in the form of this third helping.

While you might assume we're looking at diminishing returns here, any SNK fan will tell you that the Neo Geo's catalogue of games is positively bursting with excellent titles – and that is certainly true when you inspect the majority of what's included on this cart.

The King Of Fighters '97 might be one of the earlier entries in SNK's team-based fighting franchise, but it's still a solid example of the genre. Sure, its sequel might be considered one of the best in the entire series, but '97 has all the hallmarks of a classic; I'm particularly fond of its often low-key music, which creates a wonderfully ambient atmosphere during battles.

Metal Slug 3 is considered by some fans as one of the best instalments in the entire series, and is certainly a game I personally have a lot of fondness for, having played it to death back in the glory days of XBLA. The branching pathways expand its longevity in comparison to previous titles, and the humour element is also ramped up. Some might prefer Metal Slug X, but this is still a superb gun-and-gun title.

Twinkle Star Sprites is potentially the strongest title included in this package. It's like a mix between a vertically-scrolling shmup and a competitive puzzler; the screen is divided down the middle, and by defeating enemies, you can damage your rival or mitigate incoming damage. The key issue with the game is that it only really comes alive with two players, so this is best enjoyed on the Evercade VS.

Samurai Shodown II is the second one-on-one fighting game in this collection, and one of the highlights of SNK's beloved weapon-based brawling series. Again, like Metal Slug 3, this is often regarded as the best game in its respective franchise and perhaps even one of the greatest fighting games of all time. It goes without saying that playing against a fellow human is the way to go here.

Ghost Pilots, however, feels like something of a relic; an early Neo Geo release from 1991, it feels like a below-average clone of Capcom's 194X series, and is handicapped by the system's 4:3 aspect ratio – it would have made more sense with a TATE setup (something the Evercade EXP is capable of providing, but the game would have needed redeveloping).

Likewise, Super Sidekicks is another very primitive Neo Geo outing, and would be iterated and improved upon by its many sequels. It's good fun, but very basic compared to the best soccer games of the era. Even the most ardent of fans is likely to get bored with this very quickly.

Despite two of its six titles being passable rather than solid-gold classics, the remaining four games are utterly fantastic, making this a highly recommended purchase for your Evercade system.

Mobapad are a peripheral manufacturing company that began life in 2018. Since then, they have been building accessories for a number of platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PC, and Android, to name but a few.

The £79.99 Huben2 is technically the sequel item to the 2022 Huben M9 mechanical HD controller, and the first of its kind to offer third-party HD rumble a la the Nintendo Switch. Mobapad's 2025 upgrade, the Huben 2, is designed with the Switch 2 in mind, and aims to bring its transferable features to a multitude of other platforms too.

Modest Packaging, Marvelous Features

From the second you begin unboxing the controller, you get the sense that Mobapad means business. The Huben 2's packaging is somewhat of a wolf in sheep's clothing, as the cardboard facade is extremely bland and unassuming, however, the contents are anything but.

The controller comes lovingly swaddled in a protective case, a feature that most controllers, even OEM official ones always neglect to include, and it has ample space for your glistening, spangly new controller, as well as it's accompanying parts, such as the USB play/charge cable, dongle, and swappable D-pad/octagonal gated thumbstick accent ring.

Compatible with Windows, iOS, Android, Switch and Switch 2, the Huben 2 comes packed with a USB-A dongle for wireless connectivity as well as Bluetooth integrated for maximum compatibility. It's USP here is that while in use on the Switch 2, you can actually use this controller to wake you NS2 from its slumber, where the majority of third-party pads cannot.

Smooth and Silky, A Performant Peripheral

Walking around the controller, you instantly feel the sheen of the glossy plates and the tactile grips on the rear. The controller looks and feels, ergonomically, identical to that of an current Xbox controller, weighing a similar 285 grams, and it even has the same button layout. Notably, the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 have similar button layouts, but the A and B buttons are swapped, so initially I thought this might be troublesome, but it's very easy to remap this pad in the NS2 settings app (Note: you need v0.50 firmware minimum to use this one the NS2).

Across the top you have the four shoulder buttons, comprising of two bumpers and two triggers per side. The triggers have a surprisingly smooth action when depressed through their gate, and when flipped into "lockout" mode they become akin to a mouse click which is incredibly haptic and ramps up the luxury feel of this product.

You also have a USB-C socket for playing and or charging, on the top, and the face of the controller has the LED glowing logo emblazoned between the four central buttons. You can alter this logo colour and brightness in the companion app. (Note: the companion app is available for Windows/iOS and Android).

The two sticks stand prominent and proud, adorned with grip-lined edges which come in clutch when you have sweaty hands in the middle of a bout of frantic gaming. The action of the sticks are as smooth as you can imagine with equally slick and smooth precision rings encircling them. They feel incredible throughout usage, and they click delightfully too when performing their L3 and R3 functionality.

The main buttons use Omron switches so they're wonderfully clicky and feel superb and have a decent grip to their glossy finish. The d-pad also has an excellent motion to it, and it clicks satisfyingly. With the octagonal accessory, I really enjoyed using this on Ultra Street Fighter 2. There aren't enough octagonal accessories to save us avid d-pad users' thumbs on the Nintendo Switch when playing this game.

Finally, on the rear you find your 4 mappable "M" buttons (use the companion app), your wireless selector switch, and the trigger mode buttons. I appreciated the wrapping of the prongs in a grippy texture, whoever this didn't prove bulletproof. It still felt a little grip-less in practice. Once you get sweaty palms the textures don't add much in the way of purchase.

Recommendable, Difficult to Put Down

Pairing the controller is child's play, just put it in the correct mode on the rear and tap then hold the home button for 3 seconds to get into pairing. I noted that on iOS at least, the controller shows up twice in the Bluetooth settings, once as the Mobapad ML35 and then, spookily, again as a generic Xbox controller. Pro tip: you need to select Xbox controller to pair it, selecting ML35 will constantly fail

In game, the Huben 2 is superb. I honestly felt the quality and effort that has gone into this peripheral shining through, and testing this controller on the NS2, Windows and iOS predominantly, I feel like this is a great controller overall, with stunning rumble, exquisite buttons and sticks, and fantastic compatibility, but it isn't without two glaring yet small quibbles.

The first would be that the controller doesn't have the battery life that the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller does. Just 15 hours of battery is a mere fraction of the NS2's stellar 40 hour god-like capacity, which is a shame.

While this doesn't ruin the experience whatsoever, it's just one of those small things that makes you wish that Mobapad had at least attempted to equal it. Understandably, the controller uses less power in BT mode than in 2.4G, but regardless, 15-20 hours might seem like enough, but it's at least 50% less than Nintendo's official offering, and that means you'll be charging it twice as often.

The second is that the triggers have a notable dead zone. Mobapad address this one their site stating "The dead zone in the trigger is due to the physical structure design. There is a certain distance between the trigger's contact point and the microswitch on the circuit board, which is bridged by a metal spring to enhance tactile feedback. Therefore, the "large dead zone" is a result of the hardware design, not a software-related issue."

Personally, it's not a huge deal breaker for me, but I can see this being an issue for some gamers based on muscle memory preference.