Accent maker Genki has a complete host of Change 2 equipment in the marketplace to assist the console’s launch, and the excellently named Assault Vector is likely one of the ones which caught my consideration from the get-go.
Described by Genki (which is at the moment in Nintendo’s unhealthy books) as a “modular grip case for critical handheld command”, the Assault Vector is available in three totally different components. The principle bodywork clips onto your Change 2 console, whereas the opposite two items bolt onto your Pleasure-Con 2 controllers.
On a fundamental degree, these are designed to supply slimline safety on your shiny new buy, however in actuality, they’re nowhere close to substantial sufficient to stop harm from extreme drops; you may keep away from scratching or marking the Change 2, however that is about it.
The three-piece modular design means you possibly can take away your Pleasure-Con 2 while you wish to, and the principle a part of the case is so skinny it would not stop you from docking the Change 2, which is a plus. The rear of the case additionally helps snap-on equipment due to a small MagSafe-style magnetic part; that is useful for clipping on plug-in exterior battery packs, for instance (naturally, Genki has its personal choice right here, known as the Power Pack).
Nonetheless, by far essentially the most fascinating component of the Assault Vector is the trio of swappable grips that bolt onto the again of the Pleasure-Con 2 sections of the case. The smallest set (“Feather”) provides you small bumps to grip onto, whereas essentially the most pronounced pair (“Anchor”) is fairly enormous however supplies essentially the most agreeable ergonomic expertise. The “Steadiness” set is someplace in the midst of these two extremes. To be trustworthy, except for the “Feather” set (which does not actually appear to make an enormous distinction), the opposite two grips are wonderful and actually do make the Change 2 extra comfy to play for extended durations.
The grips have a rubberised texture, so that they’re super-tactile, and there are “sweat-resistant bands” (in line with Genki) that imply they do not get slippy when the motion heats up.
Previous to getting my Change 2 this week, I have been taking part in an terrible lot on my Steam Deck OLED, and I’ve to confess the ergonomics of that gadget are a lot higher than Nintendo’s new hybrid console. Nonetheless, with the Assault Vector put in, the distinction is much less apparent.
It is a disgrace, then, that some parts of Genki’s modular case let it down. As beforehand talked about, the Assault Vector feels very flimsy, and there is quite a lot of flex and motion in the principle case, even when it is clipped onto the Change 2 itself. Whereas the Pleasure-Con 2 grips are nice for bettering general ergonomics, it seems like they add additional ‘pivot’ to the controllers. I truly suppose the magnets which maintain the Pleasure-Con 2 to the Change 2 are nice, however I’ve by no means been so conscious that they’re separate elements than after I used the Assault Vector. The quantity of ‘wobble’ you are feeling throughout use is fairly excessive.
This criticism apart, I truly discovered myself liking the Assault Vector case. It is fairly costly for what basically quantities to 3 sections of skinny plastic, however the swappable grips are genuinely helpful, and having a trio of measurement choices means you are virtually positive to seek out the grip that fits you. It is only a disgrace that extra strong safety is not a part of the bundle.
The Genki Assault Vector is obtainable straight from the producer and prices $49.99 / £42.
