- MAGIC-NS Wireless Controller Adapter for NINTENDO SWITCH & PC& NEOGEO mini& PS Classic: November 11, 2020: V1.31:Betafirmware (This is a beta version to support PS5 Dualsense Controller and Xbox Series X Controller)Xbox Series X controller works well in wired MAGIC-S Wireless Controller Adapter for PS4, PS3 & PC: November 11, 2020.
- Buy it on Amazon - (affiliate link) - The Mayflash Magic-NS lets you use Sony Playstation, Xbox, and other console controllers wirelessly.
The Nintendo Switch seems to have more input options than any other home console before it. (At least it has many options whiledocked.) There are the Joy-cons used as pair, the Joy-cons used individually, the Switch Pro controller, plus Nintendo's GameCube controller adapter (originally released for the Wii U) also works here, so GameCube controllers are a go as well.
The adapter we're going to look at today is dubbed 'The Magic-NS.' This little USB dongle allows gamers to use: PS4 controllers, PS3 controllers, wired Xbox 360 controllers, Xbox One controllers and Wii U Pro Controllers on the Nintendo Switch as well as PC.
But what if you really want a D-pad? Joy-cons are out, and a GameCube controller isn't going to cut it. And what if you can't afford—or simply can't bring yourself to buy—that pricey Switch Pro controller? Well, third-party controllers, like those made by 8bitdo, do work great on Switch, so that's certainly an option.
However, let's say you already have a PS4 or Xbox One, and while the Switch Pro controller seems fine, you'd really prefer to use a controller that you already have laying around the house. Hell, maybe you actually bought a Wii U back in the day and you've got perfectly good Wii U Pro controllers just gathering dust. Well, there is a way to make any of those options work: you'll just need an adapter.
Enter the Mayflash Magic-NS Wireless Controller Adapter. This little gadget will allow you to connect a PS4, PS3, Xbox One S, or Wii U Pro controller to your Switch wirelessly, using the standard Bluetooth connection. Essentially the Magic-NS acts as a translator between devices: telling your Switch that you've connected a Pro Controller, and telling your controller that it's connected to its console of origin, like the PS4 for example.
This same adapter will also work on Raspberry Pi, PC, and even PS3 (apparently). Since the adapter is essentially just USB dongle, you can actually use it to connect any wired USB controller instead, which opens the door to using your arcade fight sticks on the Switch, whether they're from PS4, PS3, Xbox One, or Xbox 360.
Magic Ns For Switch Update
What makes the Mayflash Magic-NS such a handy device is that it's truly plug-and-play. Getting started only takes a few seconds:
First, plug the Magic-NS into your Switch dock, then connect the controller you want to use to the Magic-NS via USB cable. The device should immediately connect to the Switch as a wired controller.
Next disconnect your controller from the USB cable. It will automatically turn itself off, but it should now be paired to the Magic-NS.
Now turn the controller back on, usually done by hitting the Home button. Within a few seconds, it should connect to the Magic-NS via Bluetooth and be recognized by the Switch as a Pro Controller. That's it!
I first ordered a Magic-NS a year ago now, and I've tested it out with various controllers. As advertised, it's worked perfectly for me, with no real issues to speak of. On Switch, I've used a PS4 and a Wii U Pro controller, both worked flawlessly. On Raspberry Pi, I've connected PS4, PS3, and Wii U Pro controllers, and they've all worked great.
Using a PS4 controller on Switch has actually been so good that I immediately ordered a second adapter for two-player Street Fighter sessions. Oh, and it case it wasn't clear earlier, a single Magic-NS adapter can only sync up with one controller at a time. So if, like me, you wanted to use multiple foreign controllers on the Switch, you will need an adapter for each.
As for the downsides, the Magic-NS is just wide enough—and the Switch's USB ports set just close together enough—that plugging two adapters into my Switch dock at once made the dongles stick out at awkwardly bent angles. Everything seemed to function correctly, but the sight of the adapters forcefully jammed in there made me uncomfortable. To avoid this, I now attach one adapter directly into the dock and the other via a USB extension cord. They work just as well this way.
A foreign controller connected to your Switch will also not be able to wake up the system from sleep mode. I have to undock my Switch, wake up the system, then re-dock it again before I can get my PS4 controller recognized. It's a minor inconvenience, but some people may find it more bothersome than others. There is also no battery indicator for a PS4 controller on Switch, so if the battery is low, you might not know about it until the controller dies on you mid-game.
And another thing that might throw you off when using a PS4 controller on Switch is that the screenshot button is mapped to the touchpad in the middle of the controller, not the Share button. (The Share button is already mapped to the Minus button in this case.) Not a big problem by any stretch, but you might find yourself capturing candid moments of gameplay accidentally if you're mashing buttons vigorously enough.
All in all, I highly recommend the Mayflash Magic-NS adapter. It definitely wouldn't be my first choice for new first-party Switch games, like Super Mario Odyssey or Zelda: Breath of the Wild. However, for old-school games and 2D platformers—like Celeste, TowerFall, The Messenger, Mega Man X Collection, and the like—it really opens up a myriad of options. Honestly, I cannot play Street Fighter without a D-pad, and the PS4's D-pad is my absolute favorite, so for me this little gadget was a no-brainer.
This is going to be a quick post, because this is the end of 2020!
Not a long time ago (probably in August 2020) I wanted to use the Wii U Pro controller and play some games on my laptop. Therefore, I needed a USB-Blutooth game controller adapter. My research came up with these two adapters that are $15-20:
Support for these two adapters are still going. I recommend that if you buy any of these two adapters, then upgrade to newest firmware. One adapter had a firmware from 2019. 8BitDo adapter firmware upgrade tool looked polished while Mayflash was simple but straight to the point.
These two adapters has support for many controllers. But the main ones are PS4, PS3, Nintendo Switch Pro, Nintendo Switch Joy-Con, Wii U Pro, Wii Remote, and Xbox One S Bluetooth controllers, and many others.
For now Im using it for my laptop and Wii U Pro Controller.
Did I notice any lag? No. The inputs on my controller sync up well with the games I was playing on my laptop. If a game has Xinput and rumble support, then I could feel the feedback.
I had no problem playing Florence with the controller. I recommend you guys/gals check out this lite game, if not then try these adapters on an emulator and play your favorite classic games.
After playing for only a few hours on both adapters, I can say that both are winners and you can't go wrong buying one or both of them. Sadly, one adapter can only support one controller at a time. So, if you want to have 4 player action, they you need to buy 4 adapters.
Magic Ns Driver
As for the downsides, the Magic-NS is just wide enough—and the Switch's USB ports set just close together enough—that plugging two adapters into my Switch dock at once made the dongles stick out at awkwardly bent angles. Everything seemed to function correctly, but the sight of the adapters forcefully jammed in there made me uncomfortable. To avoid this, I now attach one adapter directly into the dock and the other via a USB extension cord. They work just as well this way.
A foreign controller connected to your Switch will also not be able to wake up the system from sleep mode. I have to undock my Switch, wake up the system, then re-dock it again before I can get my PS4 controller recognized. It's a minor inconvenience, but some people may find it more bothersome than others. There is also no battery indicator for a PS4 controller on Switch, so if the battery is low, you might not know about it until the controller dies on you mid-game.
And another thing that might throw you off when using a PS4 controller on Switch is that the screenshot button is mapped to the touchpad in the middle of the controller, not the Share button. (The Share button is already mapped to the Minus button in this case.) Not a big problem by any stretch, but you might find yourself capturing candid moments of gameplay accidentally if you're mashing buttons vigorously enough.
All in all, I highly recommend the Mayflash Magic-NS adapter. It definitely wouldn't be my first choice for new first-party Switch games, like Super Mario Odyssey or Zelda: Breath of the Wild. However, for old-school games and 2D platformers—like Celeste, TowerFall, The Messenger, Mega Man X Collection, and the like—it really opens up a myriad of options. Honestly, I cannot play Street Fighter without a D-pad, and the PS4's D-pad is my absolute favorite, so for me this little gadget was a no-brainer.
This is going to be a quick post, because this is the end of 2020!
Not a long time ago (probably in August 2020) I wanted to use the Wii U Pro controller and play some games on my laptop. Therefore, I needed a USB-Blutooth game controller adapter. My research came up with these two adapters that are $15-20:
Support for these two adapters are still going. I recommend that if you buy any of these two adapters, then upgrade to newest firmware. One adapter had a firmware from 2019. 8BitDo adapter firmware upgrade tool looked polished while Mayflash was simple but straight to the point.
These two adapters has support for many controllers. But the main ones are PS4, PS3, Nintendo Switch Pro, Nintendo Switch Joy-Con, Wii U Pro, Wii Remote, and Xbox One S Bluetooth controllers, and many others.
For now Im using it for my laptop and Wii U Pro Controller.
Did I notice any lag? No. The inputs on my controller sync up well with the games I was playing on my laptop. If a game has Xinput and rumble support, then I could feel the feedback.
I had no problem playing Florence with the controller. I recommend you guys/gals check out this lite game, if not then try these adapters on an emulator and play your favorite classic games.
After playing for only a few hours on both adapters, I can say that both are winners and you can't go wrong buying one or both of them. Sadly, one adapter can only support one controller at a time. So, if you want to have 4 player action, they you need to buy 4 adapters.
Magic Ns Driver
So why did I review these two adapters late? After all, these two appeared in 2017 and there are far better reviews in Amazon and YouTube. Because I have not played any video games in 2019-2020. I was so busy with work, school, cert prepping, etc. I think in 2021 I will relax a bit more and play my backlog of games. I still want to play the The Legend of Zelda .. you know the one from 2011...Skyward Sword!
Magic-ns Adapter
2021 will be the year I will relax more and maybe post more on my portfolio. Another resolution is to focus on my career, and maybe seek more happiness.