# Many Months Later….
So after many delays and a long time in development Satisfye is shipping their [Ryzepad thumb grips.](https://www.satisfye.com/products/ryze-pads-performance-thumb-grips-for-nintendo-switch-switch-lite) These are products designed to fit over or atop of the joycon analog sticks to improve ergonomics and grip on the controller. It’s not a new concept, there a hundred inexpensive knockoffs and even reputable manufacturers such as [Kontrol Freek](https://www.kontrolfreek.com/products/omni) and [Skull n Co](https://skullnco.com/products/thumb-grip-for-nintendo-switch-joy-cons) producing various grips.
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[Case they come in. Notch installed on my Switch.](https://preview.redd.it/f7x9279dmg181.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fd171d5c5ff65115a5ce635c48c2dfa6367b4862)
Satisfye is clearly aiming for a different level of product. They sell for far more than competing products. [These retail for $39.99 directly from Satisfye](https://www.satisfye.com/products/ryze-pads-performance-thumb-grips-for-nintendo-switch-switch-lite). That makes them at least twice as expensive as any other grips I’ve seen.
# Are they worth it? TL:DR Yes….but be careful.
The rubber reminds me of the grip found on Scuf controllers. It’s not exactly the same, but it’s that kind of pseudo sticky type of rubber. There are three different configurations of grip across five total grips. Two of them are a “notch” design where the pad of your thumb rest on a flat side of the grip. These are the ones installed on my switch. Two others are a “wave” design that feels like it wants to contour to your thumbprint. The last single grip is a swivel one where the top of the grip spins freely. Satisfye says this is for the left stick only and is supposed to eliminate resistance to the movement.
I mostly play RPG style games, some action style games. I found the notch grips more comfortable than the less expensive skull n co I’d been using and much grippier. A very good controller just sort of disappears. You don’t really think about it as you use it. These grips helped my joycons feel more like extensions of my hands. Not perfect, but better.
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[Left to Right: Swivel, Wave, Wave. Swivel is upside down to show locking hooks.](https://preview.redd.it/ttjqo73hmg181.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bdde84bc9f04e740a565c3e7ef7de9ff76eacc5c)
Of them, I found I prefer the notch grips. They felt like they held my thumbs better in my skull n co case (while I was for my satisfye case) without sliding. The much lauded swivel grip felt…less stable to me. It didn’t actually move around on the stick and with more practice I might get used to the sensation but for now the notch serves fine.
# Installation is a bitch.
Satisfye very thoughtfully included [an installation video](https://youtu.be/5VZ98YZnVbs) where they give you tips on putting these things on. The basic concept is this: The thumb grips have four hard plastic hooks that are supposed to go around the standard top of your thumbstick. The video wisely tells you not to just force the thing down on your controller but instead engage two hooks and then roll it along the stick to get the other two hooks to engage. They very helpfully display the technique in the video provided.
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[Getting the hooks all the way down can be a challenge. Like taking a good picture is.](https://preview.redd.it/2qmg84rpmg181.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a820d2c42872ecfc5e8d7d7f625bbd01cd175667)
Yeah, it doesn’t go on as easy as he makes it look.
You have to apply what I would consider to be an abnormal amount push as you roll the stick around and around to try to compress the joycon enough so that the hard plastic clips fully engage. Recognizing that the Switch Joycons are perhaps not the sturdiest piece of equipment I actively tried to be careful. Nothing snapped or broke off but the nearly new sticks on my Switch joycons DEFINITELY feel looser than they did previously. The snap back, while functional, does not feel as tight.
The installation process will absolutely result in some broken joycons for people who aren’t as careful or (god forbid) don’t want the video ahead of time.
# So are they worth it?
Well, assuming you’re willing to spend something like $40 on thumbgrips I’d say they felt worth the upgrade over the cheaper alternatives. They feel more premium, they improve the joycons, and clearly a lot of thought has gone into their unique designs. I don’t know if they were worth the “damage” or whatever I did to my sticks during installation.
Of course, as careful as I was it’s entirely possible I’m an idiot and everyone else will crow about how easily they snap on. Installation issues were my only significant gripe with this product.
F for my poor white joycons 🙁