Mini Arcade Pro Delivers Authentic Cabinet Feel but Stumbles on Controls and Compatibility

The Mini Arcade Pro converts a Nintendo Switch into a single-player arcade-style cabinet, recreating a classic layout that works well for many 2D and retro-style games. While the chassis and joystick provide an authentic arcade feel, several design and performance issues limit its appeal beyond a niche of retro-focused players.

At first glance the button arrangement appears counterintuitive: the Switch’s left shoulder buttons, L and ZL, are positioned on the right side of the Mini Arcade Pro’s eight-button panel, while the right-hand R and ZR buttons sit to their left. What looks like a baffling design choice is actually a deliberate layout borrowed from other console arcade sticks. That alignment maps the typical six-button fighter configuration into rows that match traditional cabinet inputs.

This approach suits fighters that rely on a six-button scheme based on light, medium and heavy punches and kicks. In practice, the Mini Arcade Pro lines up those inputs so that titles such as Ultra Street Fighter II can be played in a manner much closer to an actual arcade cabinet. The device places the B, A and ZR buttons in one row and the Y, X and R buttons in another, preserving the flow of inputs familiar to cabinet players. For those seeking an authentic cabinet-style setup for classic fighters, that mapping is a neat and effective feature.

Despite this advantage, the Mini Arcade Pro falls short as a competitive controller. The joystick itself is described as feeling great, but the remainder of the inputs are not tournament grade. Reviewers noted intermittent control issues: single presses sometimes register multiple inputs. That twitchy behavior can cause unwanted actions in menus and during gameplay. The problem is not consistently reproducible, and it does not appear to be linked to the accessory’s Turbo feature, which can be switched on or off independently. Nevertheless, the occasional multiple input registers are an annoyance and undermine reliability for high-stakes or precision play.

As the product is designed for a single player, it is better suited to certain genres. Arcade puzzlers, shoot ’em ups and side-scrolling beat ’em ups performed well in testing. Specific collections and legacy titles were cited as good matches for the hardware, including entries from classic compilations and arcade staples. The joystick and button configuration complemented these older-style games, delivering a nostalgic playing experience closer to the original cabinets.

Examples of compatible titles that fared well include games from established retro compilations and single-arcade classics. The hardware handled these titles effectively, demonstrating the strengths of combining a cabinet-like layout with Switch software:

• Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Collection entries such as the Golden Axe games
• The Capcom Beat-’Em-Up Bundle
• Namco Museum’s Splatterhouse
• Classic arcade games including Pac-Man and Galaga

Shooters, in particular, benefit from the Mini Arcade Pro’s features. The accessory includes a Turbo function that automates rapid button presses. To enable Turbo, the user holds the Turbo button and then presses the input to which they want to apply the feature. Repeating the process turns Turbo off. This functionality makes continuous firing in shoot ’em ups more convenient and can enhance playability for games that rely on sustained button presses.

Nevertheless, the Mini Arcade Pro’s appeal is limited. It will not be a compelling purchase for most Switch owners who play a broad mix of modern titles and multiplayer competitive games. The device’s single-player orientation, intermittent input reliability issues and non-tournament-grade buttons reduce its usefulness as a primary controller.

Other factors further narrow the market. Owners who plan to use the accessory with a future console iteration will face additional steps to update it for Switch 2 compatibility. Those update hoops present an extra barrier that may discourage casual buyers. Aesthetic considerations were also criticized; the unit’s visual design, described as covered in poor-quality imagery, undermines the retro appeal for some users.

For a specific audience the Mini Arcade Pro can provide an enjoyable and authentic cabinet-like experience. Players who use their Switch primarily for old-school games or contemporary titles that emulate retro styles—examples cited include Streets of Rage 4 and Terminator 2D: No Fate—may find the accessory worthwhile. For everyone else, the combination of hardware quirks, single-player limitation and the effort required to maintain compatibility with newer hardware makes the Mini Arcade Pro a product best appreciated by enthusiasts rather than mainstream consumers.

Photograph: Matt Kamen

Key Topics

Mini Arcade Pro, Nintendo Switch Arcade Cabinet, Single-player Arcade Controller, Six-button Fighter Configuration, Arcade-style Joystick, Turbo Functionality, Input Reliability Issues, Non-tournament-grade Buttons, Retro Game Compatibility, Sega Genesis/mega Drive Collection, Capcom Beat-em-up Bundle, Pac-man And Galaga, Switch 2 Compatibility Updates, Nostalgic Cabinet Experience, Shoot 'em Ups And Beat 'em Ups