As NYXI continues to grow, they’re slowly becoming one of my favorite third-party peripheral makers. Their Hyperion line of Switch controllers is most impressive, especially those versatile Hyperion 2 peripherals – my new go-tos in place of the Joy-Cons. And now they’ve unleashed the NYXI Warrior, which resembles the classic GameCube pad, but with modern touches.
Available in two different colors (ours came in the traditional purple), the Warrior is something else. It has new features like HD Rumble and gyroscope support, along with near-flawless Bluetooth connection. (You can go wired too if you wish.) But it resembles the classic GameCube set-up, complete with similar buttons and even the old-school small analog stick. (Relax, you can swap it out for a bigger one, which is included.)
It’s a neat approach, and a cinch to use. That said, it does have minor setbacks. The button set-up may throw you off, especially if you’re used to the current Switch controller design. Also, it doesn’t light up, and the battery life does only last about two hours.
But its pros far outweigh its cons, especially considering it works with the GameCube and the Wii. That’s right, you can actually replace your old WaveBird with this if it’s too worn out. I just wish it had support for the Switch 2 – that would make this perfect for the returning GameCube titles. As it stands, though, the Warrior controller might just become your new favorite. Maybe.
The NYXI Warrior Delivers On Performance
I’m surprised how easy the NYXI Warrior is to grasp. This feels like classic GameCube design through and through, but with a much easier mold to hold onto. This is built for all sorts of gaming hands, and will please veterans and newcomers alike. It’s also fairly easy to use the analog sticks (with Hall effect!), as well as the classic button layout.
You can also swap around analog sticks however you please, as they’re easy to remove and install. Plus you can remove the back panel if you want to use rear buttons, or prefer the smooth layout of the classic GameCube pad. It’s a sweet option to have, and the choice is clearly yours.
All of the buttons respond nicely, and the controller is a breeze to charge. Just two minor problems though. First, the Warrior doesn’t fully light up like other Hyperion models. The front does, to indicate power is on, but that’s it. Maybe NYXI wanted to focus more on performance, which isn’t a bad thing.
Secondly, it does only last about two hours on a charge. That is slightly less than other controllers on the market. But, again, it’s simple to recharge.
One significant touch, however, is that you can use it on the Wii or GameCube. This controller feels great with classic games like 1080 Avalanche and Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. Plus it feels like a world of difference with F-Zero GX, right down to the ridges on the right analog stick.
I just wish it could be compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2. Maybe NYXI can add a patch to make that happen. I hope so, because that system’s streaming GameCube games would really benefit from this.
Sleek and Stylish, the Warrior Is
Even if it’s not as feature-laden as the Hyperion 2 we reviewed a while back, the Warrior has a lot to offer.
First off, its sleek build makes it feel just right in gamers’ hands. It’s a simple controller to grasp and use. What’s more, it’s got a sweet D-pad, so you can play old-school if you prefer. (Far cry from the buttons on other pads.)
It’s also got new features galore. The Hall effect sticks are nice. The triggers equally as such, and you can change input with switches on the back. The rear buttons aren’t bad at all, though you may prefer to use face buttons. The lights that are featured (as minimal as they are) are great indicators, such as power and connection to your system. I do wish there was a rear light-up option, but that may be asking too much for this model.
The only setback I can see is button set-up. NYXI clearly wanted to appeal to GameCube owners with this design and it shows. The ABXY could take some adjustment to those that use other game peripherals on the Switch. But others will feel right at home with the set-up.
As for performance, we had no problem with this pad. BlueTooth connected easily, and there’s barely any noticeable input lag. It came through just as we expected. And as noted above, it worked just fine on GameCube and Wii. You just have to charge it properly.
So, yeah, good controller overall. Could it have improved in some spots? Sure. But NYXI has another winner in its arsenal.
Don’t Deny the Warrior
If you can accept its old-school design and (very) small list of shortcomings, the NYXI Warrior is a solid addition to your gaming line-up. It works wonders on the Switch, and feels great on the GameCube and Wii as well. Plus the price is just right, clocking it at under $70. It may be missing fancy lighting, and the buttons may throw off some players, but these aren’t deal breakers.
I look forward to what the next model of the Warrior may bring – and, fingers crossed, that NYXI can make a model for the Switch 2. Imagine just how much butt that particular model could kick.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to NYXI for providing a review version of the Warrior. You can buy your own here on the NYXI website!
Don’t forget to check out our review of the NYXI Hyperion 2 wireless controllers as well!
