My original article was something very different than the one you are currently about to read as this was something I figured out while using a controller I often don't use outside of fighting games. For over a year now I have praised the leverless fight stick as a newly convert at the time.
This was during a time where many on social media argued about the "validity" of using all buttons vs using a traditional lever with buttons. In the original Snack Box Micro coverage articles, I've briefly talked about SOCD, what it is, and why it is such a big deal to this day with games like Street Fighter 6. This led to Capcom infamously changing their rule set to account for the rising controller preference, which was controversial in its own right.
This isn't what I'll be discussing this time, in fact, this will be about using your leverless controller for things other than fighting games. There are many similarities between something like JunkFood Arcades' Snack Box and a keyboard, especially for the mechanical keyboard enthusiasts out there.
I like to put my keyboard on my lap if I don't have the space for it on a table. This usually only ever occurs in hotel rooms, especially in spaces where they have a tiny coffee table for a "workspace," looking at you, airport hotel at PAX East. I find that I hold the Snack Box Micro in almost the same way as I'd hold my mechanical keyboard, even though the keyboard is obviously bigger than the Micro by a little bit.
Much like fightsticks for fighting games, keyboards matter a lot for PC gaming despite controller being the default standard for console games on PC. Keyboard and mouse reigns supreme for MOBAs, first-person shooters, and tactical RPGs as there are way more macros and movements players can store on their keyboards and the precision of a mouse is the best a player can get. However, keyboards are versatile as they are used for typing, Exhibit A. They are also used for various other genres of games, including fighting games and rhythm games.
Due to the similar layout in using fingers from both hands to control movement, using the Snack Box Micro to play rhythm games almost seems like a no-brainer. It is also certainly possible to execute although it does come with some caveats. The Micro out the box won't be the best answer to play "rhythm games" unless if players update their PCB.
Not only is this recommended in order to be up to date with the latest patches for your board, but it also enables "No SOCD" direct from the PCB. The JF app continues to be a great companion app for the controller, but updating your PCB allows the player to access these features and more.
This isn't sponsored by JunkFood Arcades btw (although again I'm willing to shill!) but any leverless controller that has access to a "No SOCD" option can benefit from this. Including those one done by my fellow non-binary buddy Dash n' Mash who builds these kinds of controllers by hand! (Shameless plug!)
Without SOCD, playing games like EZ2ON Reboot R and MUSYNX will be a challenge as the player can't press both left and right at the same time. On keyboards, this is a non-issue as SOCD doesn't "exist." With this fix, I was able to play songs of various difficulties from easy to difficult.
I also tried some songs from DJMAX Respect V although if I had to choose between the two games, I'd choose EZ2ON Reboot R as it's a straightforward rhythm game with none of the required "left and right lane" gimmicks. If only Neowiz could allow me to change the settings to allow "left and right lanes" to be mapped to other buttons.
Learning rhythm games will give the player transferrable skills that will benefit them in fighting games, specifically pressure and execution. Most rhythm games have songs with notes that come flying at the player in various rhythms. Knowing these rhythms will train the player's hand coordination when it comes to identifying audible cues.
Tapping a certain way for a combo, like say to the beat of your favorite song, can help as it's all mnemonic. It also builds stamina as the player is tapping hundreds of notes in seconds, which helps for longer sets where the player is constantly on the move. With this method, it definitely assists with breaking in your switches or testing to see if they are working properly.
Other than that, it's just plain fun using your controller in ways that wasn't intended. It's no secret that others have been using their Snack Boxes and other similar leverless controllers for other functions aside from fighting games. Tomorrow I'll have a review ready for a game I've been playing and I've been using the Snack Box Micro for that.
This segued into writing about the versatility of a leverless in hopes of getting others on board who still claim using it is "cheating." Well, "cheating" or not, it's a fun unique way to play my favorite games plus it helps me get better at fighting games. I don't know. Something to consider maybe?
