I rarely played in handheld mode due to the difficulty of using the Pro Controller that way. The Fixture S1 and carrying case set out to solve both of my problems, and thankfully, it did both with excellent results.
Fixture S1 + Carrying Case
Developer: Fixture Gaming
Price: $35 for the Fixture S1, $25 for the Carrying Case
MonsterVine was provided with the mixture S1 and Carrying Case for review.
The Fixture S1 fits snugly around the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, without getting in the way of your hands. I’ve actually just left it on even when I play the Switch in docked mode because it doesn’t inhibit the controls or comfort in any way. Once it’s attached to the controller, you slide the Switch itself into the display section that extends from the back center of the Fixture. It slides in smoothly thanks to the Joycon-esque ridges on the side, which firmly hold the Switch in place without any wobbling whatsoever. It’s easy to slide back out too when you want to switch back to docked play.
When actually using the Fixture S1, you can use it in pretty much any position you can imagine. I used it in bed for hours upon receiving it, while holding it either above me or in front of me. I used it while sitting on a couch, holding it directly in front of me, and I felt perfectly comfortable. The arm that holds the Switch is adjustable, so you can angle it any way you please at any given moment, allowing for a great range of positions. I prefer to have the screen just above the controller, but you can have it in front of the controller or high above it as well. I will definitely be using the Fixture S1 whenever I play the Switch in handheld mode, as it’s simply the best way to do so.
As for the carrying case, it’s of rather high quality. You place the Pro Controller in the bottom section, which is perfectly molded to fit it with the Fixture S1 on it. There’s a soft sectional in between the two halves of the clamshell which both lightly cover your screen when placed inside and holds up to ten game cartridges at the same time. The cartridges fit inside nicely, with seemingly no risk of them falling out without a ridiculous amount of force.
There’s a zipped pouch portion on the inside of the case to store your Joycons assumedly, as the screen itself is kept on the Fixture S1 when packed away in the case. It all fits rather snugly within the case, which has a harder shell around it to protect everything inside. The smaller size of the case (as it’s not intended to fit the Switch with Joycons attached) makes it easier to transport the console and the Fixture S1 around, which will be handy for packing it the next time I fly to an event.
The Final Word
For the price you can get the Fixture S1 and case at, I’d say it’s absolutely worth picking up if you want a better way to play your Switch on the go with a Pro Controller. After playing around with the Fixture S1 for hours, I’d have difficulty going back to the standard handheld mode. It’s just so convenient to use with a Pro Controller, and the case is a fantastic and well-sized protector for both the Fixture S1 and the Switch and Pro Controller themselves. I highly recommend both of these products, as they’ve made playing the Switch on the go feel far more ergonomic and, most importantly, more convenient.
