Ever since Nintendo bundled the iconic Wii Wheel with Mario Kart Wii, accessory companies have brewed several wheel attachments. A simple plastic shell that allows a controller to slot neatly into place for frantic arm flailing to dodge those blue shell.
The Nintendo Switch continued the trend with the Joy-Con controllers lending themselves to a similar slot-in mechanic. With the Nintendo Switch 2 also serving up Joy-Con controllers, Jsaux have created a two-pack set of steering wheels to hit the tarmac with in games like Mario Kart World. Are these attachments useful for the mad dash to first place?
Switch 2 players can, of course, go without additional plastic shells and use standalone Joy-Con controllers. The Switch 2 upgraded variants do fix some their predecessor’s shortcomings – larger form factor for a better grip, plus larger face and shoulder buttons. However, for those needing extra support and a driving feel, the shells can come in handy (pun intended).
First impressions and the shells do look the part – shaped akin to formula-style steering wheels than the more rounded, car-like style. They feel solid with a balanced weight, wrapped up in a sleek black finish to align with the Joy-Con Switch 2 colours. It is slightly odd, though, to have a Jsaux-branded bump protruding from the middle. It looks garish and could limit wiggle room for larger fingers!
Coupled with grip bumps on the back, the wheels do sit comfortably in place for the most part. Players with larger hands, however, may struggle to find a suitable position. The shell itself doesn’t add too much horizontally – which, again, may limit its audience to smaller handed folk (like this reviewer) and younger players, however.
The controller slots neatly into the shell, re-enforced by rubber panels for a snug fit – preventing accidental flinging when dropping to last place. A small groove also allows the Joy-Con to be removed easily, too. What is an odd design choice, however, are the shoulder triggers. The triggers are standard spring plastic that press directly onto the Joy-Con’s shoulder buttons, but they’re finished with a sharp edge rather than a soft tip.
It means the plastic tip would continually hit the Joy-Con’s shoulder buttons, with the potential for longer-term scratching. A simple rubber or foam strip would have been a far better design choice. Granted, during testing on a handful of Mario Kart World races, the controllers came out unscathed, but it does leave a lingering question over longer term durability.
Button concerns aside, the shells do offer an enhanced feel and there is added value in having two wheels included in the pack. If Jsaux release an amended version with better protection for the shoulder buttons, it would certainly take the overall quality up a notch.
