Over the last few years, accessibility in video games has been growing and opening up more ways to play through better design for games and peripherals. The Nintendo Switch is the latest to receive a new adaptive controller thanks to Hori, a Japanese manufacturer known for creating third-party devices for consoles. The Switch didn't have many accessibility options initially, leaving it difficult for some to use. As time has gone on, designers and peripheral manufacturers have become more aware of the need to make it a console for everyone.
Hori's adaptive Switch controller, Hori-Flex, is just one of many accessibility peripherals on the market. The difference now is that these products are finally receiving more mainstream advertising. Xbox's Adaptive Controller is a big example of how companies are moving forward and recognizing gamers' needs. The Switch has always been advertised as a console that can be played anywhere, any time in different ways with a diverse library of games, but only recently has opened up more options to make it accessible – and Hori's new controller is contributing to that.
The Hori-Flex offers an alternative to the Switch's small and sometimes difficult to hold Joy-Cons. Unfortunately, it's currently only available in Japan, but hopefully, we'll see a worldwide release in the future. It's much more compact than other third-party adaptive controllers with ports for other accessories on the controller itself. Hori's Japanese website lists some of the switches and joysticks compatible with the Hori Flex, making it a little easier to know what to buy. It's also mountable with a spot on the back for a camera screw to fit an adjustable camera mount or anything else using a similar screw, which can be a pretty important feature. The Hori-Flex is also compatible with Windows 8.1 and 10, making it a good multi-purpose controller.
Part of the Hori-Flex's existence is likely thanks to Nintendo's 10.0.0 Switch update, which introduced button-mapping. A much-needed feature most consoles and games should have at this point. Button-mapping allows players to alter a controller's button functions to make them easier to use. In the case of accessibility, this means playing with a controller on a flat surface without needing the triggers or mapping certain controls closer together. This is huge, considering the Switch already allows gamers to play three different ways.
While this particular feature is a major one, a few other features are sorely needed on the Switch. With update 8.0, it added a zoom capability, which helps those with visual impairments and makes handheld mode viable to play on the small display. Since launch, Nintendo has added light and dark themes, as well as display options for greyscale and inverted colors, making it easier for some to read. Those who use the touch screen can also adjust its sensitivity. Nintendo is gradually taking steps to make its already flexible console more accessible to all gamers, and it will be nice to see more options become available for Nintendo fans.