If you cast your mind back to 2021, you may keep in mind how PowerA set out to illuminate our video gaming deals with the Spectra controllerThis formally certified pad appeared similar as your basic Pro Controller on the surface area however it can placing on an LED light program while video gaming.
All in all, it was a quite cool gadget, though its wired requirements kept us connected to the television in a manner that we weren’t so crazy about. ‘A cordless variation sure would be good,’ we believed to ourselves all those years back. ‘PowerA ought to truly get on that.’
Well, would you think it, the controller wizards have actually just gone and done it. The catchily-named ‘Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch with Lumectra’ (we’ll adhere to simply calling it ‘Lumectra’ moving forward) uses all of the vibrant LED customisations of the Spectra however in a cordless plan. The concern is, were these modifications beneficial?
After going hands-on with the Lumectra over the previous week, we are happy to respond to in the affirmative. Those who have actually been trying to find a third-party controller with a little bit of pizazz require look no more than this, albeit with the understanding that the cordless world does not come inexpensively and not all of the main Pro Controller’s elegant functions exist and right.
We’ll start with the neon-glowing elephant in the space. The Lumectra illuminate in such a way that we believed was just possible for a Christmas tree. With 4 various LED zones, 24 colours to pick from, and 3 lighting modes, the controller uses actually countless colour mixes for you to establish your pad nevertheless you please.
The ‘zones’ are an especially good touch, letting you pick various colours throughout 4 unique areas of the controller. Sure, there is a specific quantity of colour ‘bleed’ in between closer locations (the left analogue stick and upper left corner, for instance), however compared to the Spectra’s single-colour-only method, the customisation choices are through the roofing system here.
We delighted in tweak our chosen colours to finest match the main combination of the video game we were playing, though you might simply as quickly choose your preferred colour or switch things as much as match a striven ambiance. If you are a fan of those boujee Phillips Hue lights that turn your living-room into the neon-soaked sidewalks of Cyberpunk 2077then this is most likely up your street too.
Establishing the LEDs is easy enough when you get to grips with things. After linking the controller, you’ll require to push the devoted LED button on the back and browse through a series of button inputs, each representing a various light command.
With numerous colour and mode mixes, it can be a lot to take in which button does what (face buttons have a matching beginning colour, the D-pad manages light zones and brightness, sets off input organizing commands, and so on). That stated, after studying the guidelines for longer than we desired, things began to end up being clearer.
It’s all a little enjoyable– something that in fact generated’Oohsand’Aahswhile we were setting it up– however, just like the Spectra, we could not assist however question who really requires a function like this. Without sounding excessive like a #ProGamer, we do not tend to take a look at the controller all that much while playing, and we ‘d bet that you do not either. It’s enjoyable to set things up and enjoy getting the best green/purple combination to match your Donatello Shredder’s Revenge runthrough, however while playing, we tended to ignore the neon light originating from the palms of our hands.
Obviously, the Lumectra isn’t simply a light program and the pad provides a good variety of functions besides its quite profile. Rear mappable ‘Advanced Gaming Buttons’ let you program inputs on the fly to more effectively manage tricksy relocations and complete movement control abilities are another welcome addition– even if it is ending up being something of an offered for third-party controllers nowadays.
The style is comfy to hold and the analogue sticks’ anti-friction rings assist keep things under control even in palm-sweating minutes. Like lots of PowerA items, the Lumectra feels extremely comparable to Nintendo’s Pro Controller in the hand. There is somewhat more resistance in the face buttons, the triggers are a little smoother and the joysticks sit partially greater from the faceplate, however in general, this is the exact same tried-and-tested style that all of us feel comfy with. We may even go as far as to state that the Lumectra’s sticks feel partially much better than the Pro Controller, with the minor height benefit making things extremely smooth– though we’re being actually particular with our individual choices there.
A Pro Controller this ain’t and those who desire the complete variety of elegant functions discovered in Nintendo’s main offering will not discover them here. Just like the Spectra, Lumectra controllers come without rumble and NFC assistance, making scanning amiibo a no-go while playing in the docked position. The 20-hour battery life is likewise relatively little to the Pro Controller’s approximated 40-hour offering– though a prolonged three-metre charging cable television does assist reduce this rather. They’re not the most game-changing functions however at $59.99 (around $25 more pricey than the wired variation), we did question whether some more additions would have made their method over.
PowerA Lumectra Review – The Verdict
PowerA’s Lumectra Switch controller provides precisely what it states on the tin (disclaimer. The controller does not can be found in a tin. This is a comfy Pro Controller option– minus a number of functions– that provides an enjoyable customisable novelty in its LED choices and mappable rear buttons. The previous, ‘heading’ function does feel a little worthless in practice, however it’s still a strong addition for those who are everything about aesthetic appeals. It’s great to see the Switch get a cordless choice after seeing the capacity in 2021’s Spectra, though the increased price does make the missing out on functions feel that bit more popular. The Pro Controller is still the method to opt for those after the complete shebang.
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