With all eyes on Swap 2, now would possibly look like an odd time to launch a ‘new’ model of an present Swap console, however that is exactly what boutique modding retailer GameTraderZero has finished.
You would possibly recall the identify from some notably cool customized Pleasure-Con and Professional Controller choices, however the firm has additionally expanded into consoles, having already produced a sequence of Sport Boy and Sport Boy Shade handhelds with upgraded screens and new case designs.
GameTraderZero has leveraged a variety of upgrades to provide a prototype of what may very well be described because the ‘final’ Swap Lite, and was sort sufficient to ship us a pattern of the upgraded system. The headline information is that this technique is packing Taki Udon’s SUPER5 OLED Contact show, Gulikit NS-40T Corridor impact analogue sticks and a customized shell which showcases a fetching Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom design.
As you would possibly count on, it is that display which captures your consideration the second you activate this specific Swap Lite—particularly should you’re coming from the prevailing Lite, which has an LCD panel. level of comparability, naturally, is the OG Swap and its OLED variant, however Taki Udon’s SUPER5 display is even brighter and punchier than that.
Max brightness is 600 Nits, in comparison with 400 Nits (Swap Lite’s LCD) and 370 Nits (Swap OLED), as measured by the producer, though precise brightness outcomes fluctuate between testers and consoles. The SUPER5 display is alleged to supply a powerful 150% sRGB color area, which accounts for the vibrancy of the panel in comparison with official choices.
The one draw back I can see, not less than with this early model, is an ever-so-slight discount in readability in the case of small textual content. It is solely actually noticeable whenever you place the LCD Swap Lite and the OLED Swap Lite side-by-side, however there is a tiny lack of definition on sharper on-screen objects.
One other situation to notice, not less than within the console I used to be despatched, is that the brand new display is barely raised within the bottom-right-hand nook, which I assume has to do with the mod taking on barely extra space contained in the console’s physique.
Given its standing as an aftermarket mod, it is maybe solely honest to count on some minor points—and this extends to the best way the display behaves whenever you activate the console. Early on in my hands-on testing interval, the display’s colors would seem inverted (pink being blue, for instance) once I woke it from sleep.
Having consulted GameTraderZero, I used to be knowledgeable that the SUPER5 mod permits you to select your color area as soon as put in, however evidently, on my prototype pattern, there are occasions when that setting is forgotten after which reloaded after the console wakes up. Oddly, I have never been in a position to replicate this situation since my first day with the system, so it might be a one-off downside that has since remedied itself. Nonetheless, it solely lasted a second earlier than reverting again to the proper colors.
Shifting away from the display for a second, GameTraderZero’s customized Zelda case is one other welcome improve. The print high quality is such that you just’d assume this was an official variant, and I really like the truth that it is clear, permitting you to see the Swap Lite’s inside componentary. The Sport Card and MicroSD card flaps additionally really feel sturdier than they do on Nintendo’s authentic design. Lastly, the aforementioned Gulikit sticks ought to be sure that analogue drift by no means impacts this specific console.
All in all, it is nice to see the Swap Lite get an replace, even when it isn’t from Nintendo; whereas I really like my full-size Swap OLED, the Lite mannequin is a lot extra moveable. It is simpler to chuck in a backpack whenever you’re travelling, and I really like the system’s extra conventional D-pad. It is a disgrace that Nintendo did not deem the Lite worthy of an official OLED glow-up, so I am actually completely happy the modding group has crammed the void.
Prepared for the dangerous information? GameTraderZero would not have any plans to promote this specific ‘full’ unit on its website. It would, nonetheless, fortunately add the price of the package and transport (round $90) to any Swap Lite order. Sadly, demand for the SUPER5 mod has resulted in it promoting out quickly, so provide chain points would possibly imply this dream Swap Lite can solely be skilled by a choose few in the meanwhile, not less than.
Damien has been writing professionally about tech and video video games since 2007 and oversees all of Hookshot Media’s websites from an editorial perspective. He is additionally the editor of Time Extension, the community’s latest website, which – paradoxically – is all about gaming’s previous glories.
