I don't play every major AAA title that comes out. I usually prefer the road less traveled and spend the majority of my time playing indie and roguelike titles. That's not to say I don’t enjoy AAA games, but I appreciate a good technical challenge.
A prime example of this would be "Hollow Knight," a game in which I invested over 65 hours. I appreciate it when a developer crafts a game meant to be played in a distinct manner. That being said, I'll never forgive Ubisoft for overusing the tower/viewpoint/map sync function. This is evident in games like Hollow Knight, Metroid Dread, Hyperlight Drifter, Cuphead, Meatboy, Dead Cells, Celeste, and even Hades.
In such games, a quick response, be it a dodge, roll, jump, or shoot, often makes all the difference. My usual game pad of choice is the Nintendo Switch Pro-Controller. However, unforgiving boss fights with complex patterns can be daunting, even without the added challenge of executing moves flawlessly. On top of that, some of these games are roguelike, leading to either immense frustration or a shift to playing directly with the Joy-Cons on the Switch. For instance, I couldn't complete Metroid Dread using the Pro-Controller; I had to switch to handheld mode for the final boss. The same is true for the infamous triple grasshopper boss fight in Hollow Knight—a challenge that can deter many players.
For a time, I considered that maybe I wasn't skilled enough and needed more practice. However, this notion vanished every time I triumphed in handheld mode.
So what was happening here? Maybe the Pro-Controller was inadequate.
I've explored alternative controllers, like the original King Kong controller for the Switch. While it showed some improvement, I missed the ergonomics of the original Pro, so the switch wasn't worth it. As a modder, I looked to the modding community for solutions. Some methods, like the Membrane-Perforation technique (where you perforate the membranes under the buttons), seemed too extreme. Another idea I discovered was the tac-mod, which uses various switches, including old iPhone home buttons, for a better and more immediate response.
Inspired by the community's innovations, I procured an array of tactile switches to experiment. After multiple iterations, I was content with a fully tactile-modded Pro controller. Testing it with Dead Cells, I noticed a substantial improvement in my gameplay. My wife, an ASMR enthusiast, was more intrigued by the clicky sound the modded controller produced. To her, a controller that provides an instantaneous response, accompanied by a tactile and auditory click, made the original Pro controller seem inferior.
Consequently, our modded Pro-Controller for everyone emerged—a tool ensuring gamers could avoid gameplay mishaps due to a controller that does not keep up with their skills and technique, whether it's failing a challenging segment in Dead Cells or executing a complex move in Smash Bros Ultimate. Don’t underestimate the psychological (and environmental) effect: The upgraded clicky controller reduces the risk of frustrated gamers hurling their controllers in anger.
Our tactile button mods on Pro-Controllers have become extremely popular, with competitive gamers as well as casual ones. We've since added even more styles to this modified controller in our shop, offering customizable configurations. The design has undergone several refinements, with the current version expected to remain unchanged for some time. We've incorporated renowned Alps brown switches for the ABXY buttons, ensuring durability and longevity. The updated design has made the previously erratic D-Pad more reliable and enjoyable to use. As for the triggers, we sourced them from a trusted supplier known for their reliability.
