| Price | Naver |
| Release | Circa September 2024 |
| Compatibility | PC / Android |
| Dimensions | 9.1″ x 6.3″ x 3.9″ |
| Weight | 1.48 lbs |
| Cable | 2 m |
Introduction
Can we cover the Joytron EX Switch Arcade? Yes, but you may not be a Nintendo Switch player—which is why we’d rather cover the EX Switch Arcade for you… Read on!
Unboxing
The EX Arcade comes with a USB-A to C adapter. It also comes with a useful manual, which you can find a version of online as well. You can use a plugin to translate the text from Korean (if you don’t speak the language).
Performance
The EX Arcade’s silicone buttons are reminiscent of, say, the buttons of a regular console controller. This makes the buttons fun for retro games, but frankly, don’t expect to win a fighting game tournament with this arcade stick…
You see, you may find the EX Arcade buttons too heavy for your taste, and you kind of have to press them all the way down for an input to register. On the bright side, these buttons are quieter than most arcade buttons.
What about the joystick?
The EX Arcade uses a square gate joystick. This makes going up, down, left, or right easy—as well as diagonal motions. Tension-wise, it’s stiffer than your average Sanwa-like Japanese joystick, but it’s not as heavy as a Korean lever.
That said, take heed that the EX Arcade’s joystick has a larger dead zone than Japanese joysticks, meaning you have to move it a longer distance before a motion actually registers. On a side note, there’s a dust washer at the joystick’s core to prevent dust from entering that area, of course.
Now, let’s wrap up the EX Arcade’s performance section with what its option buttons are for:
- Turbo
- Home
- X|A|N
- Start +
- Back –
Hardware
While the EX Arcade is a smaller arcade stick, it does have some weight to it because of the bottom metal panel at its ABS enclosure’s base. At this base, you can also see anti-slip feet that are bigger than usual, which is cool.
The EX Arcade’s joystick bat-top is quite special. It has grooves to be more grippy for you. Another grippy component is the right palm rest area. Namely, there are three protruding squiggles to keep your right hand in place. After an hour of play, though, these squiggles may feel uncomfortable and sticky…
That aside, we’d also like to mention the two protruding lines on the buttons’ sides. Consider them almost like reading braille. In other words, you can know where your fingers are without looking down at the EX Arcade’s buttons—and taking your eyes away from the action onscreen.
The EX Arcade also has a wrist slope for your comfort as you play past midnight. In case you were wondering, the cable comes out of the arcade stick’s center back.
Appearance
The EX Arcade looks like a Sega Genesis arcade stick… Don’t it? Essentially, it’s almost like a half circle with mostly black parts. Furthermore, it has a retro vibe without screaming “retro”. Finally, it should fit the vibe of most rooms—unless your room is the super colorful type.
Conclusion
Would it be feasible for a pro gamer to win a tournament with the EX Arcade? Probably not, but it’s not this arcade stick’s target market…
Consider the EX Arcade as a fun arcade stick to play retro games with. If you like it so much, but you don’t live in South Korea, then you can entertain ordering it via the proxy service of your choice.
- Grippy joystick top
- Quieter buttons
- Square gate
- Turbo mode
- Wrist slope
- Bigger feet
- Lightweight
- ABS enclosure
- Bottom metal panel
- USB adapter included
- Palm grip hit-or-miss
- Joystick dead zone
- Heavy buttons
Rating
⭐⭐⭐