Very first impressions, I will update later to see how it holds up:

Initially, this controller serves one and only purpose: it has a dpad for portable 2d gaming. Because I read various things, there is no other reason to get a cheaper and objectively worse controller than Nintendo's for 10 euros less. It's called dpad controller (L), it has a highlighted dpad on the box, etc., that's the reason for its existence. So, what does it not have compared to a Nintendo controller: wireless use (it only plays attached to the switch in portable mode), ir sensor/motion controls, vibration, basically nothing. It's just a left "joycon" (it is self-identified as a controller because the term joycon is a Nintendo trademark, logically) that only works on the console.

Therefore, it seems a bit pointless. Also, it is noticeably cheaper in construction, some secondary buttons like the screenshot button and the upper left (-) button are rubbery, it feels a bit like cardboard on touch, something that you constantly feel because your right hand touches the original. Additionally, I have the Mario edition and - not to jinx it - but I will be surprised if it doesn't fade soon (and the color is not very nice and does not match the usual red right joycon).

*Finally, because it doesn't have a battery, correct me if I'm wrong but I think it "eats" the console's battery. However, with very little testing so far, I didn't notice a significant difference in battery life.

Having said all that: because it is licensed, it is a fairly faithful clone of Nintendo's joycon, even in details like the placement of the letters on the back, etc. The overall construction is quite decent. Even its box is original with a seal, etc., which gives it some prestige. All the buttons (except for the pause button and the screenshot button, which are not important) are functional, including the joystick. It is likable and, although noticeably off-brand, aesthetically and functionally it "fits" with the console. It is not like something from a cheap store, it is not like a joycon, but it comes impressively close to what it is. The only aesthetic difference I noticed compared to the original is that the button on the back that you press to detach the joycon from the console has a weird square shape, meh. But overall, it is very close to a regular joycon.

But let's get to the selling point, the dpad. My initial impression was skepticism, as the plastic is not the best, but having tried a bit of Metroid, the first world of Mario World, and a little Mario Maker, yes, it is a functional and perfectly responsive dpad, up to Nintendo's standards (in a worse construction but still more functional than something like Sony's, for example, it is a traditional dpad). I tried some diagonals, etc., and it seems fine.

The existence itself of the dpad - which works fine - makes it a bit of a necessity if you play 2d games and want to play them portably, and justifies the purchase. And for 3d games, a little Mario Odyssey that I played works perfectly fine (the joystick is great!). The Mario edition I got was 22 euros and I would easily say it's worth it, at least for me who plays a lot of 2d games, because in a few words, the experience is superior to if I were playing these specific titles with the original joycon without a dpad. Right now, I feel excitement because I have an extra motivation to play 2d titles in bed, outside, etc.

In the negatives of the dpad: on the edge of the sides of the "cross" it has a convexity which, combined with the material it is made of, makes my thumb feel a little tired after playing 2D Mario under pressure for some time. It is not a better dpad than something like 8bitdo and maybe not even than the pro controller, but it is portable and meets these standards. I didn't notice any input lag or any other issues.

Also, I don't have an idea of what else is available in the market for portable 2D. But hey, it's only 20 euros. It's fine.

Finally, many are considering getting it because their official left one is drifting. I suppose it's a motivation, mainly because when you play with this one, you have a little peace of mind that you're not putting pressure on the official joystick. I have no idea if this one will drift over time like the official one. However, I still insist that for ten euros more, I would get an official left joycon if I didn't specifically care about the dpad. (Regarding the drifting, maybe I'm naive but maybe CD media replaces it like Nintendo does in Western countries after the fiasco, check it out).

In conclusion, my first impression is that it is a likable licensed off-brand joycon with a functional dpad, so I recommend the cheap version if you play 2D titles. I think it will always be in my bag during trips. Nintendo and dpad go hand in hand for me, so this little plastic thing corrects a deficiency. It could have a slightly better construction, but it's okay.