If you’re always up for gaming challenges, Square Enix may have presented an interesting one: Beat games with a bulky, slime-shaped controller. Yes, the infamous Dragon Quest slime controller is making its Nintendo Switch debut this year. It is fully functional and can be used to play as the Dragon Quest XI Hero in Smash Ultimate, or just about any other game, assuming the shape doesn’t put you off.
As seen on its Square Enix store page, the controller is based on the design of the blue slime from the Dragon Quest series. The teardrop-shaped controller sports the ridiculous smile of the slime and the controller’s rubber-coated buttons are on its underside. Being so bulky and not ergonomically friendly, it’s likely not the best candidate for a regular-use controller. However, this time around the slime comes with a cute crown and a cardboard treasure chest to display it upon. The chest also has a place for you to put your switch if you so choose.
This isn’t the slime’s first time in the controller world. Previous iterations came out for the PlayStation 2 and the PlayStation 4. This reincarnation looks more regal, though no easier to play with.
The slime announcement followed a reveal at Nintendo’s E3 conference that the Hero from Dragon Quest 11 would be one of the next characters to fight their way into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Viewers also got more Dragon Quest footage for the upcoming Switch port of Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age. With Dragon Quest getting so much love and attention, the slime’s return couldn’t have been at a better time.
The Dragon Quest slime controller will be launching in Japan on September 27, 2019, for 10,778 yen. While Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age: Definitive Edition also has a September 27 release date for the Switch, there’s no word yet on whether or not the happy slime controller will come to the West.
