[Review] Light it up with PowerA’s Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch with Lumectra -

Playing with LED power.

Product Specifications

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, Nintendo Switch Lite

Style: Black | Type: Controller

Battery Capacity (mAh): 1200 | Battery Type: Rechargeable Li-ion

Dimensions: 6.02″L x 4.41″W x 2.48″H | Price: $59.99

Since the Nintendo Switch was first released back in 2017, there have been no shortages of licensed accessories for Nintendo’s hot console and loyal supporters, PowerA, are back at it once again with one of their most stylish controllers yet.

While previous PowerA controllers have gone the distance and have proven their worth time and time again, PowerA’s Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch with Lumectra opts for not a stylish shell, befitting a hit brand or IP, but instead lights up the room with LEDs. Thanks to four individual lighting zones, three different lighting modes and a total of 24 colours, together it adds up to thousands of combinations, all at your fingertips, but more on that in just a moment.

As you would expect from a PowerA product, PowerA’s Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch with Lumectra, features the textured grips on the back of the controller, responsive analogue sticks and a button layout any Pro Controller user would be used to, except this model includes two additional buttons that can be programmed mid-game “on the fly.”

What’s more, the motion controls are just as immersive as ever before, but be warned, unlike one of Nintendo’s own Pro Controllers, this PowerA product does not have support in the controller for reading amiibo NFC tags, nor does it feature an infrared camera and HD rumble.

While the lack of those three things can be classed as a step back, at least you can still be on the go with complete wireless support that, as long as your internal battery is fully charged, for up to 20 hours and when you do need to plug it in, the PowerA’s Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch with Lumectra, comes packaged with a USB-C lead that is ten foot long.

Still, it is time for a proper deep dive into the main feature of the PowerA’s Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch with Lumectra and that is the LED lighting. Given the customisation options at play, it can be a bit daunting the first time you power it on and start playing around with the controller’s setting, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes and while in in-box instructions aren’t as informative as they could be, the online instruction manual soon makes up for it with a detailed walkthrough that explains the process clearly, so

ENTERING AND EXITING LUMECTRA PROGRAM MODE:

To enter Lumectra program mode, hold the LEDS button on the back of the controller for 2 seconds.

Zone 1 will flash 3 times to indicate the controller is in Lumectra program mode.

2. Follow the editing steps in the section below to adjust the Lumectra settings. Once complete, hold the LEDS button on the back of the controller for 2 seconds to save the Lumectra settings.

All zones will flash 3 times to indicate the settings have been saved and the controller is now out of
Lumectra program mode.

Outside of Lumectra program mode, pressing the LEDS button once will turn the Lumectra lighting off or on.

EDITING LUMECTRA SETTINGS: (INDIVIDUAL ZONE ADJUSTMENTS)

Use the following button commands to adjust the Lumectra settings for your selected zone.

+Control Pad Right: Toggle through the 4 zones. The selected zone will flash three times. After Zone 4, the next press will revert back to Zone 1.

+Control Pad Left: Change the lighting mode for the selected zone:

“Solid”

“Breathing”

“Cycle”

+Control Pad Up: Increases the brightness for your selected zone.

+Control Pad Down: Decreases the brightness for your zone.

A/B/X/Y Buttons: Changes the lighting colour when in “Solid” or “Breathing” mode for the selected zone. Each button press will toggle through the 6 color options for each button:

A: 6 shades of green

B: 6 shades of red

X: 6 shades of blue

Y: 6 shades of yellow

– Button: Changes the speed setting when in “Breathing” or “Cycle” mode. Supported speed options are:

Slow

Medium

Fast

LEDS Button: When in Lumectra program mode, a single press of the LEDS button will turn on or off the lighting for that zone.

For those who would prefer to do without the lights, it is possible to turn them off, but if you want a controller that doesn’t light up, then you will be better off getting a controller that doesn’t light up. But for those who like their greens, yellows and blues, then get ready for a gaming enhanced gaming experience, for the LED lighting compliments the likes of Splatoon 2, Splatoon 3, Ninjala and Endless Ocean Luminous perfectly.

In conclusion, PowerA’s Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch with Lumectra makes for another fine PowerA product that boasts a natural feel befitting longer play sessions, but as gorgeous as the lighting is, especially when played in a dark room, when compared to an official Pro Controller developed by Nintendo themselves, while the PowerA’s Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch with Lumectra makes for a cheaper alternative, fancy lighting is fancy indeed, but the choice is yours as to whether you want nice lights or amiibo support?