Very first impressions, I will update later to see how it holds up:

(update 3 years later, it hasn’t faded or anything, I use it constantly and I basically consider it essential. With the current price, don’t even think about it, in my long review I compared it to the official joycon)

Initially, this controller serves one and only purpose: it has a dpad for portable 2d gaming. Because I read various things, there is no other reason to buy a cheaper and objectively worse controller than Nintendo’s for 10 euros less. It’s called dpad controller (L), it has a highlighted dpad on the box, etc., that’s its reason for existing. So what doesn’t it have compared to a Nintendo controller: wireless use (it only works attached to the switch in portable mode), ir sensor/motion controls, vibration, basically nothing. It’s just a left "joycon" (it identifies as a controller because the term joycon is probably a Nintendo trademark) that only works on the console.

As such, it feels a bit hollow. Also: it’s noticeably cheaper construction, some secondary buttons like the screenshot button and the top left (-) feel rubbery, the back feels a bit like cardboard, something you constantly feel because your right hand touches the original. Additionally, I have the mario edition and – not to jinx it – but I’d be surprised if it doesn’t fade soon (and the color isn’t very nice and doesn’t go well at all with the usual red right joycon).

*Finally, because it doesn’t have a battery, correct me if I’m wrong but I think it "drains" battery from the console. However, with very little testing so far I didn’t notice a huge difference in operating time.

Having said all that: because it’s licensed it’s a pretty faithful clone of Nintendo’s joycon, even in details like the position of the letters on the back, etc. The whole construction is quite decent. Even its box is original with a seal, etc., which gives it some prestige. All the buttons (except for the minus and the screenshot button which don’t really matter) are functional, including the stick. It’s decent and, although noticeably off-brand, aesthetically and functionally it "fits" with the console. It doesn’t feel like it’s from a cheap store, it’s not exactly like a joycon but it comes impressively close for what it is. The only aesthetic difference I noticed compared to the original is that the button on the back that you press to detach the joycon from the console has a weird square "bump", meh. But overall it’s very close to a real joycon.

But let’s get to the selling point, the dpad. My initial impression was suspicion, as the plastic isn’t the best, but after trying a bit of Metroid, the first world of Mario World, and some Mario Maker, yes it’s a functional and perfectly responsive dpad, in Nintendo’s standards (in worse construction but still more functional than something like Sony’s for example, it’s a traditional dpad). I tried the diagonals etc. and it seems fine.

So the very existence of the dpad – which works fine – makes it more or less a necessity if you play 2d games and want to play portably and justifies the purchase. And for 3d games, a bit of Mario Odyssey I played, it’s perfectly functional (the stick is fine!). The Mario edition I got was about 22 euros and I’d say it’s easily worth it, at least for me who plays a lot of 2d, as in short the experience is superior to playing these titles with the original joycon without a dpad. Right now I feel excited as I have extra motivation to play 2d titles in bed, outside, etc.

Negatives of the dpad: at the edge of the sides of the "cross" there’s a curvature which, combined with the material it’s made of, makes my thumb feel a bit tired after some time playing 2d Mario under pressure. It’s not a better dpad than something like 8bitdo and maybe not even the pro controller’s, but it’s portable and it’s in that league. I didn’t notice any input lag or any other problem.

Also: I have no idea what else is on the market for portable 2d. But hey, it’s 20 euros. It’s just fine.

Finally, I see many are thinking of getting it because their official left joycon is drifting. I suppose that’s an extra incentive, mainly because when you play with this you feel a bit more at ease that you’re not wearing out the official stick. I have no idea if this one will drift over time like the official. However, I insist that for ten euros more I’d get an official left joycon if I wasn’t specifically interested in the dpad. (About the drifting, maybe I’m naive but maybe cd media replaces it like Nintendo does in western countries after the fiasco, check it out).

In conclusion, my first impression is that it’s a decent licensed off-brand joycon with a functional dpad, so I recommend the cheap version if you play 2d titles. I think it will always be in my bag for trips. Nintendo and dpad go hand in hand for me so this plastic thing fixes a lack. It could be a bit better built but it’s fine.