All the attention may be on the Nintendo Switch 2, but the current Switch handheld is still alive and well. Even after eight years, the Nintendo Switch is still going strong and is home to plenty of new games and peripherals, including these great new Hyperkin Frieren: Beyond Journey's End accessories.
Hyperkin has teamed up with Crunchyroll to bring you this new line of accessories for Nintendo Switch based on the fantasy anime series via X/Twitter, and my anime-obsessed heart can't get enough. This is the first set of accessories to come from the brand partnership, consisting of two EVA cases and two wireless controllers featuring everyone's favorite awkward elf wizard.
The two different designs available are stunning: they show the protagonist Frieren in her adorable glory. While pricing and more details are planned for a “later date,” the controller appears to be a re-skin of the brand's existing Pixel Art controller line, and the cases are based on the brand's hard EVA cases.
If the specifications remain the same, the Frieren controllers will be compatible not only with the Switch and its OLED model, but also with Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices. The current line of Pixel Art controllers also feature an ergonomic form factor and Bluetooth support up to 30 feet from your console or gaming rig of choice. In the meantime, if previous collaborations are any indication, the cases should be available for all available Switch models.
However, while I'm in love with these designs, and licensed anime merchandise for the Switch is nothing new, there's one problem: the Switch doesn't have any Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Switch games.
In fact, there is no game port of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End on any gaming platform as of this writing. Since its anime adaptation first aired in 2023 and the original manga launched in 2020, the slice-of-life series has only seen mobile collaborations, such as its appearance in the Japanese game Monster Strike which took place in April of the year. past.
With that in mind, there's nothing Frieren-related to play while you grab the wireless controller and admire your fancy new anime case. That's not to say the accessories aren't some of the best-looking Nintendo Switch controllers and cases I've seen, but personally, I'd rather have my Switch decked out with accessories based on actual Switch games I can play.
Right now, my Tears of the Kingdon OLED Switch is protected in the PDP Slim Travel Link 8-bit case. Before that, I had a Splatoon 2 case and matching Joy-Con covers that I imported from Japan. So, as an avid reader of Frieren's manga and someone who watched the first season of the anime more than once, I can't help but wish there was a game to go with these new Hyperkin peripherals.
At least currently you can watch the anime series through the Crunchyroll app, which is available for free on the Nintendo eShop. Watching on even the 7-inch OLED screen may not be ideal, but it will mean you'll be able to match your future Frieren accessories with the perfect series to watch.
Anyway, I hope this new collaboration between Hyperkin and Crunchyroll means even more Switch anime accessories on the horizon and more that feel more inspired by the Switch's existing game library. Especially as a Spy x Family controller to use while playing SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories would be a perfect match.
If you're not a fan of anime, check out our guide to the best Nintendo Switch cases for an alternative to protect your beloved handheld. We've also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch microSD cards and the best Nintendo Switch chargers in one place so you can have more space and power for your favorite Switch games.