Tyo Susilo
HORI, one of the most prominent third-party peripheral manufacturers in the gaming industry, has officially announced its latest flagship accessory: the Arcade Classic Pro. Designed primarily with retro enthusiasts, fighting game competitors, and arcade preservationists in mind, this premium peripheral aims to bridge a noticeable gap in the Nintendo Switch 2 accessory ecosystem. While the market features a robust selection of standard gamepads and conventional arcade sticks, authentic multi-format arcade cabinets controls remain scarce. The Arcade Classic Pro seeks to remedy this by offering a large-scale, highly versatile controller featuring four swappable control modules designed to replicate various historic arcade experiences.
Official licensing from Nintendo ensures that the Arcade Classic Pro maintains seamless compatibility across multiple platforms, including the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, the original Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch OLED model, and Windows 11 personal computers. According to the manufacturer’s scheduling and listings on the official HORI Japan storefront, the peripheral is slated for an official release on February 28, 2027, with a retail price of 39,980 yen, which translates to approximately $258 USD including tax. Pre-orders for the Japanese market are currently scheduled to close on October 2, 2026, though global pricing and international release dates have yet to be confirmed by the company.
Unprecedented Modular Versatility for Classic Gaming
The defining feature of the Arcade Classic Pro lies in its innovative modular system, which sets it apart from traditional single-purpose arcade sticks. Out of the box, the package includes four distinct swappable control modules: a standard eight-way arcade stick, a trackball, a paddle dial reminiscent of classic titles like Pong and Arkanoid, and a loop lever that integrates directional input with rotational movement mechanics.
These modules are engineered to be easily interchanged and can be installed on either the left or right side of the main chassis, allowing players to customize the configuration based on individual ergonomic preferences or specific genre requirements. For instance, players tackling classic trackball-centric games can swap out the standard joystick in seconds, while the paddle dial offers precise rotational inputs ideal for vintage paddle-based titles often found in digital retro archives such as Arcade Archives. Furthermore, the system permits the simultaneous use of dual disparate modules in certain configurations, reducing the need for constant hardware swaps during mixed-genre gaming sessions.
Build Specifications and Hardware Integration
Constructed with a heavy-duty, oversized layout to mimic authentic arcade cabinet feel, the Arcade Classic Pro measures approximately 50 by 29 by 11 centimeters and weighs a substantial 2 kilograms before accounting for the weight of the attached modules. This heavy-set foundation is designed to prevent sliding and shifting during intense gaming sessions, particularly in competitive fighting games or fast-paced shoot ’em ups.
Connectivity is handled via a dedicated, hardwired USB Type-A cable measuring roughly three meters in length, prioritizing a stable, zero-latency wired connection over wireless convenience. When operating on Windows 11, the controller interfaces via standard XInput protocols and supports mouse emulation functionalities. Additionally, HORI has integrated specialized software and hardware features, including an adjustable rapid-fire function capable of 5, 10, or 20 inputs per second, alongside an Assign feature that allows users to fully remap button layouts to personal specifications.
Despite its robust feature set, the controller does carry certain hardware limitations. The device relies exclusively on a wired connection and omits modern features such as haptic rumble feedback, motion gyro controls, and wireless connectivity options. On PC platforms, compatibility is strictly limited to applications supporting XInput, with Legacy DirectInput protocols left unsupported. For Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 users, the peripheral is designed primarily for use while the console is docked and operating in TV mode.
Market Context and Pricing Implications
Positioned at nearly 40,000 yen (approximately $258 USD), the Arcade Classic Pro occupies a distinct niche in the ultra-premium accessory tier. Industry analysts note that this price point places the controller well beyond the budget of casual casual players, targeting instead dedicated enthusiasts, competitive arcade purists, and collectors who heavily invest in digital retro libraries.
The launch window of early 2027 aligns with the broader hardware lifecycle expectations for Nintendo’s successor console, signaling that hardware manufacturers are aggressively preparing specialized high-end peripherals for the platform’s mature demographic. While HORI has established a strong reputation for producing reliable, officially licensed Nintendo accessories—such as their recently unveiled Zelda: Ocarina of Time themed controllers—the market viability of a high-cost, modular arcade unit outside of Japan remains an open question.
As pre-orders progress in the domestic Japanese market, consumer and industry reactions will likely dictate whether HORI expands distribution of the Arcade Classic Pro to North American and European territories. For retro gaming aficionados willing to invest in premium hardware, the peripheral represents an ambitious attempt to consolidate decades of arcade history into a single, highly customizable desktop unit.
