For starters, let’s take a look at what you get in the RIG 900 Max HX box. You get the headset, of course, but there is also a docking station, a wireless connection adapter, and a 43” USB male to USB female cable, with a small Bluetooth receiver like the ones used for a wireless mouse. The RIG 900 MAX HX was designed to connect with Xbox (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One), but it is also compatible with Windows 10/11 PC, PlayStation, mobile devices, and, of course, Nintendo Switch.

Unlike the RIG 600 Pro HS, the 900 MAX HX is available only in basic black (more Batman approved gear).

The aforementioned docking station serves a couple of purposes. It holds and charges both the USB-A wireless adapter and the headset. There is a four point magnetic connection port on the bottom of the right can (similar to a MacBook magnetic charge port), that helps the headset sit readily, and a full charge on the dock should only take four hours. A full charge using the micro USB cable will only take two hours.

Connecting the device is handled via a Bluetooth button near the top of the left can. Press and hold this for 6 seconds and it will start the pairing process. I paired up to a couple of devices and it was pretty easy both times, but you can keep the Quick Start guide handy in case you forget the process. The left can also sports a multi-function button, the volume control knob, the power button, and the micro USB charging port.

The 900 Navigator mobile app for iOS or Android allows you to customize your sound a bit. It provides a three-band equalizer (bass, mid, treble), and the ability to adjust your mic sensitivity. The app can store three profiles, making it easy to change settings by intended use or by individual user. Dolby Atmos settings can also be adjusted via app. That doesn’t apply to the Nintendo Switch, of course, but is great if you’re also using the headphones with compatible systems.

Of course, sound is what matters most, and the RIG 900 MAX HX does a good job here. Even without the Dolby Atmos tweaks, these sound a little better than many headsets in this price range. I do suggest using the app to tweak the settings to your personal preferences. The punched up bass may be appropriate for games for action-heavy movies, but it clouds up the listening experience when switching over to music to dialogue-driven shows. Even still, the overall sound is clean, with good representation across frequencies even at low volumes.

Audio specs:

• Wireless – 2.4GHz USB-C wireless dongle and Bluetooth 5.1
• Headphone Frequency – 20 Hz–20 kHz
• Impedence – 32 ohms
• Headphone Sensitivity – 111 dBSPL/V
• Headphone Driver – 40mm bass boosted drivers
• Mic Frequency Response – 100 Hz–10 kHz
• Mic Sensitivity – -45 dBV/Pa
• Mic Pick Up Pattern – Unii-directional
• Mic to Signal Ratio – >42 dB

Visually, the RIG 900 MAX HX may underwhelm those looking for flash and high style. The only accents are some light gray (sliver-ish) pinstripes on the can housing, the word “Rig” at the ends of and across the top of the headband, and a short line under the can attachment points.

A highlight of the physical features is the retractable mic arm. In the up/closed position, the mic is muted; in the down position the mic is hot. Toggling between two produces a short pair of beeps (higher tone when hot, lower tone when muted). In the up/mute position, it looks a bit like there is an antenna on your left can, but you probably won’t care because you’re focused on blowing away the baddies in your crosshairs anyway.

The headband is a lightweight spring steel affair with a padded sleeve over a stretchy band to fit the unit to your head.

The cans have a faux leather wall and a cloth interface for your head. The grip is firm, but gentle, and the padding is very well done. Because I wear glasses, the long term comfort factor is a particular concern. I found it easy and comfortable to wear these for more than an hour or two. While the interface material doesn’t breathe well enough to keep the lobes really cool, they are also not noticeably hot. The size adjustment is accomplished by snapping the cans into one of three slots at the ends of the headband. The design indicators are only for Small, Medium, and Large, but there is a little extra wiggle room if you use different size notches between the left and right can (one M and one L works well for me).

One design feature I found less than thrilling is the port on the dock for the USB wireless adapter. There is no undercut to allow a place to grab the USB stick, and the end of the stick is even with the end of the dock. This leaves the user in a position of pulling on the stick in such a way that it may bend the connection point.

As a mid-range gaming headset, the RIG 900 MAX HX is quite capable. The drawback is that you’re paying for Dolby Atmos when that’s not available compatible with the Switch. Because of that, the RIG 600 Pro HS may be the way to go considering that unit is $150 less expensive. Or, you can spring for this higher-end model with better construction and sound with the hope that Nintendo rolls advanced audio into the new console we’re all expecting in 2024.

Update: 10/18/23 — Here is something which didn’t come up in the normal testing period. The Rig 900 has a habit of talking to itself. After the review was done, I still had the charging base connected to my Switch and the headset docked on the charger. I was doing some research, so the room was very quiet, when I heard a tiny voice calling out, “power on, battery high, do all…searching Bluetooth, searching USB…” I thought I accidentally left the headset on, so I turned it off and thought no more of it, until I heard it again an hour later. This has happened several times now so I wonder if the headset is “sleepwalking” or something. There is no connection with any other wireless device in the house. It only seems to happen when it is docked, so I don’t know exactly why it’s turning itself on, but there it is. Don’t worry, you really are hearing voices (… searching Bluetooth…).

The post Review: RIG 900 MAX HX dual wireless headset appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

The set I have for review is the black finish, but the 600 series also comes in Arctic Camo and Urban Camo. The main difference is the Arctic Camo pattern throws some white in with the various shades of gray.

The headset sports a pair of over-ear cans with cloth-wrapped padding, an adjustable headband, and a retractable mic boom in the left can. If the boom is in the stowed position (and it is very stealthy there), a white “R” indicates which way to put them on. Yes, this looks a bit like “Rig” branding in part, but we’ll give the designers props for the multi-use of good old letter “R” on this one.

Also in the box are the obligatory connector bits: a USB-C to micro USB cable (19”) for charging and connecting, a micro USB adapter/Bluetooth receiver, and a short (3”) USB-C to micro USB cable to use as an adapter for the Bluetooth receiver. With the available adapter and cables, you should be able to connect to PlayStation, a PC, or the Nintendo Switch (our personal fave, right?), as well as mobile devices (to wit, your iOS or Android phone).

When you are ready to connect to a device, there is a Bluetooth button near the top of the left can. Press and hold for 6 seconds and it will start the pairing process for your device. I paired up to a couple of devices and it was pretty easy both times. If you are in doubt, there is a handy Quick Start guide which is mostly pictures (mercifully accurate ones). Also on the left can are the volume control knob, the power button (which looks like a “slide”, but is really a “press” button), and the micro USB charging port.

What isn’t in the box, but is a handy addition to the headset, is an app. Since this device connects via Bluetooth, you can download the 600 Pro Navigator app (for either iOS or Android) and customize your sound. The app gives you a basic three-band equalizer (bass, mid, treble), and the ability to adjust your mic sensitivity. This is a good thing because the “out of the box” sound is a bit bass heavy. It’s not overwhelming or so thick as to muddy the sound, so the audio is otherwise clear and clean. The other app you can use to customize your audio experience is Dolby Atmos, but this is not compatible with the Switch.

Another handy feature with the wireless experience is what Nacon calls dual mode wireless. This gives the user the ability to connect two ways: the aforementioned USB-C adapter and Bluetooth 5.1. The upshot is that you can be connected in such a way that, while you are playing your game, the system will also play your phone’s ring tone when you have an incoming call. Speaking of phone calls, I tried out the mic on a phone call and the headset performed quite well sending and receiving. The sound on both sides was clean and clear.

I have touched on this briefly, but let’s talk more about sound. The RIG 600 Pro HS are not super fantastic, high-end, boutique headphones, but the performance is solid for the price. Without any customizing, they are a little bit bass heavy, but the extra bass doesn’t make things sound muddy, as mentioned earlier. The overall sound is clean with good representation across frequencies. Even on very low volume, the elements of the soundtrack or music are still distinguishable.

For the tech types, here are some basic audio specs:

• Microphone frequency response 100 Hz to 10 kHz
• Signal to noise ratio >42 dB with omnidirectional pattern
• Speakers are Dynamic 40mm, high sensitivity drivers with 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response
• High-quality game audio from bass-boosted 40mm high-sensitivity drivers.
• Tuned chamber acoustics for balanced audio.

Now for the looks. If you like low profile designs, these are nice. If you like something with a bit of flash and high style, these may not excite. The PC/console all black finish is just that: all black. The only exceptions are a small red power button and the white R printed on the mesh inside the right ear can. This is a style Batman would approve of.

Let’s talk about some of the physical features. As we touched on earlier, the RIG 600 Pro HS has a retractable mic arm. When it is closed, it is all but indistinguishable from the can housing. Fortunately, the base of the mic arm, where it meets the can, has a small raised section which acts as both a tactile reference point when you are wearing the headset, and the “button” you can press to make the mic swing out on the pivot point. I have used some other headsets with detachable arms, which can be handy if something goes wrong and you just need a new mic, and headsets with an external pivot arm mic. This stealthy design is actually handy, sleek, and less prone to getting snagged when not in use. The mic is also smart enough to know that when it is retracted into the can, it is muted.

The headband on this headset is one of my very few concerns. It has a cushy insert strip for comfort, but the headband itself is all plastic. The RIG 600 Pro HS is more of an economy headset (at the time I’m writing this, they are going for $99.99), so I am not surprised. I have, however, experienced failure of all plastic headbands due in large part to material fatigue. The cans have nice padding, covered in a hexagon pattern cloth. While the material doesn’t breathe well enough to keep the lobes cool, they are also not roasting or sweaty.

The headset is generally snug, but I would like to give some kudos to the padding design and material. I wear glasses, and I found it easy and comfortable to wear these for more than an hour. Some headsets pinch enough to be tolerable for about ten minutes before your ears “demand your attention” (you know what I mean). The size adjustment is accomplished by snapping the cans into one of three slots at the ends of the headband. The target is only for Small, Medium, and Large, but there is a little extra wiggle room if you use different size notches between the left and right can (one M and one L work well for me).

To top it all off, this headset is surprisingly lightweight. I found it easy to wear them for quite a while—not long enough to test the 8 hours of battery life in straight use, but more than an hour, and I didn’t feel fatigued.

All things considered, the RIG 600 Pro HS is a comfortable headset with a good retractable mic and very nice sound for Switch gaming and most other audio needs. For more information, visit nacongaming.com.

The post Review: RIG 600 Pro HS wireless headphones appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

So, I took all the bits out of the box, read the instructions (which are a combination of limited text and pictographs), and started listening. I used them with my Switch, of course, but also with my iPhone and PC. This highlights one of the nice features of the unit—they can be used across multiple platforms, wired or wireless. There is even a USB dongle/antenna you can use to plug into a device to create a wireless connection if Bluetooth is not available. The box says the dongle is low latency and it does a good job on that front.

It’s evident the engineering and construction are well thought out executed. The review unit I have is black with dark blue accents, and it looks very good. It’s easy to see the functional elements and that there was some attention paid to visual appeal. The EPOS H3PRO Hybrid headphones maintain a clean look—more professional, less flash, which I appreciate. There are three color options: white with pale gray accents…

… green with gold accents…

…and black with dark blue accents:

They all look good.

The unit is a bit on the heavy side, but the cushions on the cans—coupled with a well padded and well tensioned steel headband—offer good support and a comfortable fit. The headband adjustment is a friction fit with incremental stops; each small adjustment will click in place for stability. The band also has numbers etched on it so you can see what fits you best and reset it easily.

This brings us to one point regarding the fit which I will make happily; I wore these for about 7 hours one day at work, with only a couple breaks (oh, the lengths to which we go for our dear readers), and was pleased at how comfy they stayed. This is a significant concern for me because I wear glasses, and a set of over-ear headphones which don’t fit well can get very uncomfortable quickly. On this point, I’d like to give a special shout-out to the designers; well done!

Speaking of comfy cans, the padded interface between the unit and your head is made with a synthetic leather-like trim for the outer surface and a synthetic suede which actually makes contact with your head. I have encountered this suede-ish material before. I have a pair of nice headphones which didn’t get a lot of regular use in the past few years, and the suede-ish stuff dried out and crumbled to black candruff (see what I did there?). If the suede-ish stuff on these is the same material, be on the lookout for material degradation in a few years. On the up-side, you can get replacement pads as integrated pad and base units. So, all you have to do is pull the old pads off and snap new ones in place.

Now, let’s look at the stuff which will help all our gamer friends out there. The unit comes with the ability to connect with either a cable (3.5mm) or wirelessly via Bluetooth. The unit has built-in Bluetooth capability and comes with a dongle to bring a console or PC up to wireless connectivity if it doesn’t already have it. Here’s where we get to have some extra fun. If you are plugged into your Switch, you can still use the wireless connection with your phone to talk with your friends. You get it, right? Physically plugin into your Switch, then use Bluetooth for the Nintendo Switch Online phone app simultaneously in the same headset. Even if you’re not using the official app, this is handy if you just want to chat while you play or set up a different method of multiplayer conversation if the game doesn’t support live chat. The connection flexibility means you can connect to your Switch, your PC, phone, PS4, PS5, and others, so you may now only need one headset to rule them all.

To help your friends on the other end hear you well, the unit comes with a swivel boom mic. When you swing the mic up and out of the way, you will hear a soft “click” – this is the switch which mutes the mic so people can’t hear you softly sobbing as you get your posterior handed to you by the boss you thought you were ready for (I hate when that happens). More good news on the boom mic front is that if you don’t really need it, you can simply pull it off the headset. The connection is magnetic and it is keyed such that you can only put it on one way—the right way. If you do wish to go sans boom mic, there is a small disc you can use to cover the connection point to keep it clean and to keep the headset from looking like it’s missing a part.

Speaking of the mic, I did a couple checks with different audiences and the response was consistent; the sound quality the mic delivers is very good. The speaker comes across clear and clean. While using the multiple connections mode, I was playing a game and speaking on the phone and confirmed there is no signal bleed from the game to the conversation on the phone, so you don’t need to worry about noise muddying up your phone call.

Let’s talk about the other hardware bits you get. There is a 3.5mm cord you can use to physically plug in. The cord is sheathed with braided thread and extra reinforcement on the plug ends. One end has a 90 degree plug for connection to your audio source and a straight end for the headset. The straight end is extended and the headset connection port is deep enough to allow half of the reinforcement to seat within the can to make extra sure the small connection post and receiving port never take any lateral shock. I have experienced first hand how fast a jack/port can be damaged with a good tug in the wrong direction, so this is another point in favor of good design. You also get a handy USB charging cable so you can charge from numerous ports and charging stations. I hooked up the test unit and went from a 20% charge to fully charged in a little over an hour. That beats my phone, so not bad there. There is also the aforementioned USB A cable with a dongle to offer more connectivity flexibility. All in, this is a good kit.

Now for the most important section: “How do these things sound?” We have touched a bit on the sound quality above, but let’s take a deeper dive. I have some mixed feelings regarding the sound quality. Whether hard wired or connected wirelessly, the sound is good across a decent frequency range (not the greatest range, but good). This is if you are using the active noise canceling. The ANC also does a good job of reducing background noise and uses little enough power to let a full charge last for several hours. However, when the ANC is not engaged, the sound is a bit less full, especially the bass. Everything still sounds clear and clean, but it could really use an EQ of some sort. It does have a software suite to allow control of the audio. The suite can turn on 7.1 surround and an equalizer, but you can’t use it with either the Switch or an iPhone. Also, I was told I can (and should) quote my assistant editor on this point: “… there is no excuse these days to not have a Mac version” (of the audio extras). I will add that, given the popularity of the Switch and smart phones, not offering the audio control extras on a mobile app or for consoles seems a bit of a let-down.

When using the unit, all the controls are in easy reach on the cans. The power button is on the left and uses a simple push-and-hold for a couple seconds to actuate. On the outer face of the right can is a low-profile dial for volume control. Spin it clockwise to increase the volume. When you hit the maximum gain, the unit will give you a beep. On the side of the right can there are two buttons: one for the Bluetooth connection, the other for the ANC. Both are easy to find and distinguish while wearing the unit.

So where do I stand on the EPOS H3PRO Hybrid headphones? There are a few minus points. The wireless range is a bit shorter than a lot of Bluetooth devices (~20’). When the ANC is not engaged, the sound is a bit thin. There is no Mac/iOS/Android/Switch support for the nifty advanced audio controls. And finally, the price is a bit high (at the time I’m writing this, $279.00 on the EPOS site).

On the plus side, the design is good looking, and the hardware feels well made. This headset is comfortable to wear even for long duration sessions. They also have good connectivity and pair easily with your Bluetooth devices. When using ANC, the noise suppression is effective and the sound quality is pretty good. But most importantly, you can now connect to a wide variety of game systems/smart phones and handle your wireless headphone needs simultaneously with one unit. Even with the ANC situation, the battery can handle running with all the bells and whistles on for well over 8 hours.

This is a good bit of kit.

The post Review: EPOS H3PRO Hybrid Wireless Closed Acoustic Gaming Headset appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Thankfully, there are options for those who don’t want to wait, especially considering there’s no guarantee Nintendo will include it next time, either. The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds are such an option, and they’re tailored specifically to the Switch and to gamers.

More accurately, they can be tailored specifically to the Switch. The “Hybrid” designation applies to the model that ships with a low latency dongle that plugs into your Switch’s USB-C port to make the wireless audio connection. The dongle is very small, measuring only an inch wide, so it barely takes up more space than the elbowed mini-jack of the wired headphones I normally use. EPOS includes a protective silicone case for the dongle that can remain on when the dongle is in use.

The earbuds come paired with the dongle, so Switch users can get started very quickly. Pairing with a different Bluetooth device is a simple matter of seating the earbuds in their carrying case, opening the case, holding the pairing button, then telling your Bluetooth device to make the connection. A light on the dongle will glow purple when the connection has been made.

Sticking with the case for a moment, at about 2.5″ wide, 1.375″ high, and 1.25″ deep, it’s heftier than you may be used to with something like Apple AirPods. A USB-C port on the back is used to charge the case (which then charges the earbuds when they’re inside), and a USB-C to USB charging cable and a 4.5-foot extender are included. The front sports the pairing button and a series of LED lights to indicate battery power and pairing status. The case has a nice metallic finish, but it’s easily scuffed.

The case also provides a little over 15 hours of charging time. This is helpful, as the earbuds themselves will give you about five hours on a single charge. Twenty minutes in the case will charge about another hour of audio power.

The earbuds themselves come with four sets of silicone seals to help you get a decent fit. Two options fit my adult ears, so it was mainly a matter of how much noise isolation I wanted. A tighter fit provides more isolation, but they can become less comfortable for longer listening sessions. The earbuds have a nicely balanced weight to them that helped them stay comfortably in place. This is good because their darker color and compact design can make them hard to spot should they fall out. Note, however, that this didn’t happen once during my testing period.

A single raised strip on the left earbud provides some playback control, none of which is relevant to the dongle when using the Switch. These are Bluetooth commands, and the GTW 270 Hybrid is using low-latency aptX technology when connected to the dongle. In other words, you can’t take calls through the earbuds unless you disconnect from the dongle and reconnect to a Bluetooth device. If you do so, one press will take the call, a second press will hang up, and a three-second press will send it to voicemail. You also get Bluetooth playback controls: one press plays/pauses, two presses skips a track, and three presses rewinds.

This aptX restriction also means you can’t use the GTW 270 Hybrid for multiplayer gaming, as the mic is engaged via Bluetooth. If Nintendo does support Bluetooth with their next system, however, you’ll be good to go, game-depending. In fact, if that’s happened by the time you’re reading this review, you can save $30 and buy the GTW 270 without the USB-C dongle.

All this aside, how do they sound? As good as you’d expect from a company that’s part of the Sennheiser legacy. They’re optimized for gaming, and therefore provide deep, booming effects and clear conversation. They create a full audioscape, too, so ambient effects sound like they’re surrounding you, not being pumped directly into your ears. When using them to listen to music, however, the audio is tipped too far to the low end. That’s fair, considering the target audience, but it’s something to consider when you evaluate your use. If you’ll mainly be gaming or if you’re all about that bass, as they say, the performance is stellar.

An odd oversight, however, is that the software required for firmware updates (of which there was one during my review period) is PC only. That would make sense in 1995, but it’s just lazy in this day and age. Hopefully, EPOS corrects this omission soon.

At $200 with the dongle, the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds are at the higher range of Switch-compatible wireless headphone options. The lack of mic support with aptX is a drag, especially for serious gamers, but that’s just a limitation of the technology that won’t be a problem if Nintendo adopts Bluetooth going forward. At that point, you’re good-to-go with solid audio and excellent comfort without the need for special Switch treatment.

The post Review: EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid wireless earbuds appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Kaelyn: When I was asked to review this SD card I said ‘yes’ immediately. I’ve needed more space on my Nintendo Switch since I bought it. Games are so BIG, so many GB, so many downloads! It felt like I couldn’t catch a break. The worst part was, when friends would come over and ask to play specific games and I had to tell them if they wanted to play “Mario Kart” they had to wait like an hour for it to download again (ain’t nobody got time for that). So when I popped this beautiful, 128GB micro SD card into my Switch, the first thing I did was go to the eShop and re-download almost every game I had previously purchased. I was absolutely amazed that they all fit. Not to mention, red is my favorite color so I was more privy to this version than the original black 32GB micro SD card that I got for Christmas last year. It also couldn’t have arrived at a better time. I’m currently reviewing the Borderlands Legendary Collection for the Switch and without this 128GB card I would have had to play the first one, delete it, play the second one, delete it, you get the picture. So for me this is great! I would have just stuck with the 32GB micro SD card but now I feel a bit spoiled ha, and it’s so pretty. My favorite version is the Legend of Zelda design. It has the lowest amount of memory, but… ZELDA! Truthfully though if you’re going to buy more memory I recommend going for at least the 128GB. However if you download like, A TON of games then checkout the 256GB version instead. 

Heath: When it comes to Micro SD cards for your Nintendo Switch, decisions have to be made. At one point I had a 200GB micro SD card for my Switch and it ended up dying on me (how, I am unsure). So I decided to switch to the SanDisk 128GB Micro SD card. When I received this new Nintendo Switch MicroSD card, the first thing I noticed was how bright it is compared to the SD card I was using. My previous SD card at the time was black with a white Switch logo, which honestly felt kind of bland. Since then I have also purchased a Switch Lite; which came equipped with another “bland” 32GB SanDisk MicroSD card. But as you can see from the pictures, the mushroom and the vivid red color on this new one, is undoubtedly a solid look. Much better than the basic version. I don’t own the 64GB Legend of Zelda card or the 256GB Super Star card, yet anyway, but I can say that all three look absolutely amazing. The only problem is, they’re hidden within the console so you can’t enjoy the aesthetics. 

Product Details:

Nintendo®-Licensed for Nintendo Switch
The SanDisk microSDXC card for the Nintendo Switch game system is designed to provide dependable storage as you conquer new levels.

Room to explore
Add up to 256GB of storage to your Nintendo Switch in a matter of seconds, and rest easy knowing you have room for your favorite games.

Get in the game fast
With transfer rates up to 100MB/s, the SanDisk microSDXC card for Nintendo Switch delivers consistent high performance, so you can load games fast.

Store more, carry less
With the SanDisk microSDXC for Nintendo Switch, you’re able to keep your favorite digital games in one place so you’re ready for game time anytime.

Lifetime limited warranty
The SanDisk microSDXC card for Nintendo Switch is backed by a lifetime limited warranty so your games always have a dependable space to call home.

Full Specifications: Capacity: 128 GB.  Dimensions: (LxWxH) 0.04″ x 0.59″ x 0.43″.  Sequential Read Performance: Up to 100MB/s.  Sequential Write Performance: Up to 90MB/s

You can purchase one of these awesome Micro SD cards here. The version Heath and I reviewed sells for $27.99. The 32GB Legend of Zelda design is $18.49, and the 256GB Super Star design is $54.99. 

The post Review: SanDisk Micro SDXC Card (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

And yet if there was a way to make the Nintendo graphics just a tick better, would you try it out? Marseille is hoping so, as that’s exactly what they’re providing with the mClassic game console graphics processor.

The mClassic is meant to be the console equivalent of an upgraded graphics card, but it comes without the fuss of having to open anything up. Well, other than that port cabinet behind your Switch dock. It can work with anything that passes video through an HDMI cable, so you can also use the mClassic with your Wii U, Blu-ray player, PS4, Xbox One, and numerous other systems. This being Pure Nintendo in 2020, our review will focus on use with the Nintendo Switch—although you’re certainly welcome to connect it to your Wii U or even the GameCube with the right adapters.

In fact, let’s start with adapters. The mClassic itself looks like an oversized USB flash drive. And although it doesn’t take up too much space, it doesn’t fit in the cable compartment of the Switch dock. Thankfully, Marseille includes an HDMI adapter that’s perfectly sized to fit in that compartment and allow you to connect the mClassic just outside of it (bottom cable, below).

You then run your own HDMI cable from the mClassic to your TV. The final step involves connecting the mClassic to USB with another provided cable to power it up. This can be any powered USB port, but will likely be one on your Switch. The whole setup is pretty clunky, possibly forcing you to rearrange your hardware setup.

But do you know what? Deal with it, because it’s a very easy system. You’ll just want to make sure you have easy access to the mClassic hardware because it contains a toggle switch to enable and disable processing. It’s also used to switch between optimized settings for modern and retro games. An LED light indicates which setting you’re on (see the green indicator in the image above).

Once it’s all up and running, you may not notice a difference without searching for it. The mClassic isn’t a miracle worker that turns your Switch into a PS5, it simply smooths things out. It provides post-processing that can upscale 1080p content to 4K (at 30hz or lower). More importantly for Switch owners, it improves anti-aliasing, which removes jagged edges and provides crisper images. Indeed, if there’s a system that could really benefit from the mClassic’s capabilities, it’s the Nintendo Switch, where games often run at 720p or 1080p with no anti-aliasing. Of course, you only see the benefit in docked mode, but that goes without saying.

On smaller TVs, poor or no anti-aliasing isn’t much of an issue because the picture is too small for the jagged edges to stand out. But I have a 55″ Samsung OLED TV that can really highlight those jagged edges. The benefit was noticeable in games such as Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, helping the forefront elements in those beautiful landscapes blend in better with the environment. Conversely, background elements can become blurrier, causing some detail to get lost.

It’s surprisingly more noticeable in games such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons where the action is slower and the lines are more clearly defined. Edges of the characters and landscape elements just feel more natural.

I’ll describe the difference by saying the game’s scenery looks like it’s a single illustration as opposed to a bunch of separate items cropped out and pasted into one larger image. This slider at the Marseille site helps to highlight.

I think where I saw the greatest benefit, however, was when I went back to the Witcher III: Wild Hunt. The mClassic was able to effectively upscale the 720p resolution to 1080p and smooth out the complex graphics in a way that made the game feel much less muddy. We’re still not at native 1080p, but the forefront elements looked decidedly better with no noticeable lag.

That’s just on the Switch on my 4K TV. I was also able to test it on the Wii U with a 42″ 1080p Samsung, and the results actually felt a bit more natural here since the TV hardware was more in line with the mClassic’s capabilities. I was especially impressed with its effect on games in Wii mode. Flip the mClassic to retro mode, and all those old 480p Wii games are smoothed over. This does make them look blurrier on larger TVs, much like they used to on the old CRT TVs and screens when many of these games were originally released. Playing Shinobi, for example, in Wii mode felt much more like it did at the old arcades. And games such as The Last Story and even Wii Bowling get a nice visual upgrade that makes them easier to return to after gaming two generations ahead.

The mClassic did present two problems that are worth mentioning. First, I already covered the cable clutter it creates around your Switch. This is understandable considering the device is built to be compatible with multiple devices, but it’s still an issue. Second, with the mClassic plugged in, there were times when the Switch would display on my TV with a distinct purple tint. Turning off the Switch, TV, and receiver then turning them back on resolved the issue, but that’s something I never had to do with the Switch connected directly to the receiver.

Now, whether this is all worth it depends upon your specific setup. Your TV may already provide suitable upscaling, for example. There’s also the fact that many of us Nintendo gamers simply don’t care about jagged edges; Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey are amazing game experiences with or without advanced anti-aliasing. But if your setup is right, and if you’re willing to pay for that extra graphical push, the mClassic is up to the task.

The post Review: mClassic game console graphics processor appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

As far as third-party Nintendo Switch docks are concerned, we as a fan base have had some ups and downs with the products that have been made thus far. With a serious issue where some docks would brick Nintendo Switch units, attaching third-party items to our favorite little handheld has, at times, given us immense anxiety. I am pleased to announce that the IOGEAR Dock Pro USB-C 4K Station with Game+ Mode did not hurt my Switch in the slightest in the playtime I had with it, and as purported by the team at IOGEAR, they have finally cracked the code with this dock.

Now that we have that little nugget out of the way, we can move on to the specific offerings this unit has for your convenience.

First of all, this dock is not just for the Nintendo Switch. It can also be used with smartphones and tablets, making it quite the little piece of hardware when it comes to taking mobile platforms to the big screen. I will start by saying that I can see a lot more uses for the dock with platforms outside of the Nintendo Switch, as the handheld nature of the Switch is built into its very design, with the docking nature already implicit to the system itself. So, that takes the Nintendo Switch audience’s uses for this dock down purely to its portable nature, as well as the built-in mouse and keyboard support.  

The glaringly obvious major plus to this unit is its ability to add on mouse and keyboard support to your Switch in a nice, seamless fashion. For those competitive gamers out there, or those who simply like to play PC-style games in their intended fashion, I found this dock to be the easiest way to attach that additional hardware. Marked ports on the unit and its size allow for easy set-up and better placement in comparison to trying to get behind wherever you have placed your traditional dock. Perfect for a desk set-up, where you can place the unit behind your monitor.

After this feature, however, the dock starts to lose some of its functionality for Switch gamers. As nice as it is to have a toned-down dock for those travelers out there, you really have to ask yourself if this is worth the initial asking price. I say that because the unit’s MSRP is $79.99, which is on track with what a first-party dock costs. The portable nature and added features would instantly tell you that maybe you should consider the IOGEAR unit, especially if you’re going for a second dock, but there are a few issues that push it away from its usefulness.

You must use a first-party AC adapter with the IOGEAR unit in order for it to function at all, so you must either unplug one of your first-party docks, or purchase an entirely separate AC adapter for this dock specifically. Meaning, after the initial $80 entry point, you then would have to consider buying a $30 first-party cord. From there, the IOGEAR unit also doesn’t come with an HDMI cable, so that adds on a few more dollars as well, depending on the brand and quality of the HDMI cable you choose. Therefore, if you want a whole unit with all the pieces necessary, you are looking at more like $120-135 to kit this unit. At that price point, you have to ask yourself if the space the IOGEAR unit gives you is really worth it, as we are talking about the difference between carrying a book or a deck of cards in your travel bag, which I think most would have to spare.

Don’t get me wrong, you can 100% unplug your first-party AC adapter and HDMI cable from your docked unit in order to utilize the IOGEAR unit without those additional costs, but when the point is to have a travel dock, it defeats the purpose a bit to have to mess with your original set-up. Especially when after unplugging said cords, you could literally just grab your first-party dock and throw it in your bag instead.

With all of that in mind, I can say this dock works perfectly and as advertised. I think the IOGEAR Dock Pro USB-C 4K Station with Game+ Mode is best utilized for those gamers with the extra money who are really looking to save on a few inches of space in their travel bag, for those who also want to project mobile platforms to their TV, or for the Switch gamers out there looking for a convenient set-up for mouse and keyboard play. Outside of that, the price point and lack of distinguishing features for the traditional Switch gamer take this unit a bit outside the realm of reason.

The post Gear Review: IOGEAR Dock Pro™ 60 USB-C 4K Station with Game+ Mode appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Made of aluminum and rubber, this stand will protect your Switch while offering the necessary support. It’s easily rotateable to your ideal viewing angle and is designed so your Switch can be plugged in while playing.

The post Product Spotlight – Nintendo Switch Tablet Stand by Lamicall appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

My previous office chair had artificial leather and it was peeling off too, sadly. This became a strain for long sessions of gaming and writing – which was definitely not convenient for my work with Pure Nintendo.

Due to such unfortunate circumstances, I contacted E-Win Racing about doing a re-review of one of their Ewin Champion Series gaming chairs, and they graciously accepted.

This experience was new to me, having never been sent physical products without compensation. Thankfully, Ewin Racing made it as breezeful as ordering might be on their site. The package arrived within just three days, which was unexpected. There were a few issues setting the chair up, but these were resolved within a few hours. And I truly believe it was a user error rather than a defect. The instructions are fairly detailed, but those hex bolts are still difficult to screw into the chair.

I was able to choose a gaming chair of any color from any of their multiple series on offer. I ultimately went with the Champion series as this was the best fit for my height, and came in a black/red color variation. If black or red is not your cup of tea there is also blue, orange, pink, white, key lime green, or even “Blood” if that’s more your style. There is definitely no shortage of colors available! Whilst Ewin Racing gaming chairs are not meant to be trenchant chairs, it does fit that objective quite well… These Ewin Racing office chairs are about as sturdy as they are cool.

As I said, it’s as durable as it is stylish. Due to its memory foam, though, it also creates a very comfortable session of gaming – I’ve been able to have sessions twice as long as a result. Although being comfortable is about more than just memory foam… It is essential to be able to adjust the position of everything. Luckily, adjustments is another commodity that Ewin Racing chairs excel at. You can adjust how far back the chairs go as well as the position of the armrests (which is surprisingly more useful than one might imagine).

I found myself adjusting the armrests on a daily basis; they can be positioned to the far left, right, or just right in the middle. Unlike my previous chair, the armrests are made of PU leather. This was a good change as it helps in preventing the leather from peeling, while also remaining very soft (despite appearances, it is soft). Adjusting the armrests is useful when you want to lean back and recline in the chair whilst watching Netflix. You can’t watch Netflix without leaning the chair far back, so I’m grateful this is something I can now do. In terms of the armrests, well, It took some getting used to but it was well worth it. It’s also worth noting the pillows can be left on the chair or taken off – It is your choice, thankfully.

With all the positivity aside, I respectively have a few complaints. Firstly, the chair is very difficult to maneuver unless you are pushing it; I found myself having to put a lot of force into moving the chair even a little closer to the desk (I presume this is due to its weight). Secondly, as experienced by Kaelyn Daughtery, there isn’t a footrest… A footrest would prove useful for those long television binge sessions – I found myself using it for casual relaxation more than my previous chair, though, which is a plus either way.

Overall, despite its trivial flaws, Ewin Racing should be anyone’s go-to company for office chairs; that is, if you can afford them. The prices are quite hefty. But if you can get one, I highly recommend doing so. And if you are getting one make sure you find the right one for you; E-Win has a strong “one size doesn’t fit all” mantra. They pride themselves on finding the chair that matches your height and weight… In fact, these are as close to custom-built chairs as you can get, with chairs for all height and weights. The irony of it all is that whilst it is not exclusively meant for racing, it is perfect for long durations of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Whilst prices might not be ideal, keep in mind the comfort on offer is incomparable, making it well worth it.

The post Ewin Racing: Champions Series (Seth’s Gaming Chair) Review appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

I was contacted by E-WIN about reviewing one of their gaming chairs a couple of weeks ago and I graciously accepted. My package from E-WIN was the biggest thing I’ve ever received through the mail. It arrived on my doorstep pretty quickly after my order was placed, less than a week. Everything was padded for good measure and surprisingly nothing was damaged in this huge package. The assembly wasn’t hard at all and if you’re not good at those types of things it comes with detailed instructions.  Hopefully when my house is all together and organized I can show you a picture of me in my awesome gaming chair. But for now I put together a little slideshow so you could see some of the smaller details up close and personal. 

They let me pick any chair that I wanted from the website, along with the color. I chose a chair from their Champion series and decided on red, because red is awesome. I could have chose blue, white, orange or even pink. Each model comes in a few colors and they really do look like they were ripped right out of a race car, which is pretty freakin’ cool. The little wheels on the bottom even have hub caps to match whatever color you choose. The chair itself is made with a sturdy metal frame, memory foam and high quality leather (which I’ve had to guard constantly from my crazy cat). Overall I’d say it’s worth having an E-WIN Racing Chair just for how cool they look, but that’s not even the main appeal of this cloud-like chariot.

Not only will you be sitting in style, but as I mentioned before this really is a comfy gaming chair. I feel support everywhere I need it and I actually want to go sit at the table for once. It’s an even better alternative for long gaming sessions because it’s adjustable in so many ways. The first day I got it I said “I could take a nap in this thing, if only it had a foot rest”. That’s my only complaint so far and that’s just because I’m lazy and want to live in my new chair.You can recline to where you are almost laying flat on your back, you can also adjust the height of the chair. The armrests can be adjusted in many ways from height, to angle, to width from your body. It also comes with removable cushions for even more support. When your 5’11 like me it’s really nice to be able to adjust things. Most chairs are made for people of average height and weight so I feel like Little Goldilocks right now, because this chair is “juuusst right”. Speaking of that, E-WIN also has some wider chairs available on their website for people who need a little extra room while they’re gaming. So regardless of your shape or size, they have something for everyone.

As you can see, I don’t really have anything bad to say about my new gaming chair. The only thing that might turn some people off is the price. The chair I ordered comes in at right around $350. However, EwinRacing.com is constantly having sales on their website. For example the mid-year sale is going on right now, so this chair has been discounted to $289. You can also get an extra %10 off by entering PureN at checkout, and as an added bonus they even offer free shipping! Which is surprising considering how big the package was and how quickly it was delivered. 

Remember that the important thing when finding yourself a chair for live streaming and long game sessions is comfort and support. So if you’re going to invest your money into a quality chair that you’ll actually want to sit in, you might as well invest in one that looks good too! Head over to EwinRacing.com and checkout the mid-year sale now!

Thanks for reading everyone!

The post E-WIN Racing: Gaming Chair Review appeared first on Pure Nintendo.