There's a difference between back buttons and back paddles, and the Gulikit KK3 Max controller will prove it to you

I'm on a mission when it comes to pro controllers these days. Although I don't think there's ever been a strict definition, I believe there's a stark difference between back buttons and back paddles. To me, back buttons are integrated plastic panels, ie, what you find on the majority of the best PC controllers. Back paddles are the magnetic, metallic levers you slot into a controller's spine. There's a big difference, and Gulikit knows it.

But here's the annoying part. Outside of the official pro controllers for Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, those magnetic back paddles are nigh on impossible to find. For whatever reason, hardly any controllers opt for them over integrated, and at this point, done to death back buttons. Not only does that mean back paddles are harder to find, it means that if they're a non-negotiable for your next controller, and you're locked into paying the premium price for the DualSense Edge or the Elite Series 2.

So like I say, I'm on a mission. I want to find more controller brands that are willing to use proper back paddles, convince others that they should, and I want to find gamepads that can beat the price of those official first-party pro controllers. The Gulikit KK3 Max is one such device. Priced at only $79.99/ £75.99, you're going to struggle to find a better alternative to what Xbox and PlayStation are charging so much more for.

Design

I've been testing out the Gulikit KK3 Max in its white colorway, but there's some really nice availability here that I'm sure anyone who has been following this brand will already be aware of. You can get the KK3 Max in White, Black, or Grey, but for those who are more budget-conscious, there's the KK3 Pro, which looks like almost the exact same product, just with two metal rear paddles in the box instead of the full suite of four. The pro is also available in a different selection of colors, giving people more ways to accessorize.

The best way I can describe the feeling of the KK3's shape in the hands is that it's sort of a lovechild of the Elite Series 2 and the Original Switch Pro controller. Its size and grip shape aren't quite as overtly curved into the product's spine as the Xbox Series X controller, but there are definitely some similarities. The Switch controller's influence comes from a slightly larger, broader feeling size. The KK3 Max can also register amiibo data, so there's definitely some shared genes afoot.

The Elite Series 2 has clearly been the main inspiration, and that much is clear from the transparent face buttons, let alone the four magnetic back paddles. Where that influence wanes is in the D-pad, which is a much more simplistic four-way plastic panel instead of a circular 8-way one.

I can only speak to the model I'm testing here, but it's a thing of beauty. The White shell covering the controller's innards feels so robust - far more than is normal at this kind of price range. As good as the GameSir G7 Pro is, even it doesn't have this kind of build quality. The KK3 Max has a lovely surface texture. It somehow feels smooth and grippy all at once, and it's really tough to spot any fingerprint smudges or evidence of weakness to sweat. Whatever Gulikit is making this thing out of (probably some rare substance like controllertanium, found only on endgame planets), I wish more brands would follow suit.

Framing the controller's Hall sensor thumbsticks, there are some beautifully placed RGB rings that reflect against the white shell and give the controller some character. These also illuminate in sequence with the maglev rumble motors when you turn the KK3 Max on, which is a serotonin kick every time. Compared to the white 8BitDo Ultimate 2, which has black thumbsticks, the RGB rings here give the product a lot more life thanks to its grey and metallic thumbstick surface.

Features

The KK3 Max features a 1,000Hz polling rate and compatibility with PC, Android, Switch and Switch 2, and iOS. It can connect through a USB cable or with a wireless dongle that's provided in the box. Interestingly, you need to pair your individual controller with its USB dongle, which is a bit of a bizarre setup step I can't say I've encountered before.

The membrane buttons are swappable, so if you prefer the Switch layout or Xbox layout, there is a spare set of buttons included along with a keycap-like pincher to help you remove them. The D-pad doesn't get the same love, and there's only the provided four-way D-pad in the box.

The thumbstick tops are removable, but one thing I find a tad unfair for a controller called the KK3 "Max" is that you don't get any swappable thumbstick tops included. If Gulikit was going to emulate the Elite Series 2 and Elite Series 2 Core approach with the KK3 Max and KK3 Pro, respectively, in terms of what accessories are included, I feel like a set of taller thumbsticks would have been appropriate here.

It's particularly bad that Gulikit makes these swappable thumbsticks available to buy separately. Seriously, if this is your flagship controller, then give me all the bells and whistles it's capable of using. I honestly wouldn't mind paying an extra $10 or so to have these included. I just really don't like the idea of needing to make a separate purchase to get the full potential out of a controller like this.

Gulikit's approach to the carry case is a bit odd, too. This controller came out a little before the trend of charging stands and carry cases being more of a norm, but even so, the carrying case is more of a hard plastic shell that actually feels like more trouble than it's worth. The case won't close with the controller in it if you have the back paddles installed, so performing a teardown every time feels like an unnecessary evil. I actually don't mind a more skin-tight plastic case like this, but at least cater to the proper size of the accessory?

Thankfully, the included back paddles don't leave you wanting. There are four panels that can create a very ergonomic shape on the controller's back for where your fingers lie. There's also a smaller set of pebbles (like the ones from the DualSense Edge) if you want a bit of variety, or just want two back paddles instead of four. These are the only paddles that are included with the KK3 Pro.

Elsewhere, there are two-way trigger stops for a more snappy actuation. There's also a clever APG feature that lets you record a series of inputs for up to 10 minutes and map it to the APG button for custom commands and macros. I can't say I've used this much, but it could be huge for folks who want to control their gaming PC like a console.

Fans of gyro, turbo modes, adjustable RGB, and more will be catered to with clever button combinations that let you fine-tune these aspects without PC software. These are slightly complicated at times, but the user manual in the box will keep you right.

Performance

I'm currently revisiting GTA IV and V as this year of hype for GTA VI grows, and for the last few weeks, I've been using the Gulikit KK3 Max to drive, cheat, and steal my way through Los Santos and Liberty City. Feeling the hours slip away in both games, this controller actually surprised me a bit. I expected the KK3 max to feel really at home in competitive multiplayer and FPS games, but in truth, it's a comfort king.

The shape of the controller, its texture and build quality, and the premium-feeling back paddles make it one you can use for hours on end. I'm a big fan of back buttons on controllers, especially from brands like GameSir that have them placed exactly where you need them - but there just isn't any beating the feel of these paddles. They're snappy and responsive, but because they're quite literally just levers, actuating them is really easy. If you're not a fan, you can just remove them, and they won't intrude on your gaming. I sincerely wish more brands used them.

The KK3 Max is definitely more than just a set of back paddles, but with so few options on the shelves to rival this, I do think it stands apart and, in some ways, above other pro controllers of this price simply because those back paddles give it an unmatched premium feel.

While it's an excellent comfort controller that would play right into the hands of a cozy gamer or anyone mainly relying on a controller for PC games, the KK3 Max isn't what I expected in competitive games.

I really wanted to love this controller in FPS games, but I just couldn't. One of the reasons I'm so bothered by there not being swappable thumbstick tops included in the price here is that the stock ones aren't very tall, don't have much of an indent to keep your thumbs in place, and have quite a slippy surface texture to begin with. All three of these things make them quite tricky to use and feel confident and precise with. That's a real shame, because with Hall effect sticks, it could have really shown up the Elite Series 2's worth in today's market for PC players.

I found in my regular haunt, Hunt: Showdown, there were very few times when I felt I was getting the KK3 Max's money's worth in terms of accuracy. My thumbs were sliding just enough that the KK3 Max wasn't easy to move around the bayou smoothly. What's more, there isn't a massive travel distance when you click the sticks in, which makes being agile with L3 as a sprint button quite difficult. If you're frequently pressing that left stick in to start sprinting, you may run into the issue I did of never actually knowing if the stick was already pushed in or not. It doesn't feel super responsive coming out of its clicked-in position, so the overall FPS experience leaves a lot to be desired. Maybe a swappable set of sticks could have made all the difference.

In 2D platformers though, I felt that there was plenty of responsiveness. I'm trying to get gold skulls on all the co-op Towerfall Ascension levels as a solo player at the moment, and in just a few runs with the KK3 Max in hand, I got only a few scythe enemies away from completing another level. That's a serious challenge in a difficult game, so to me, that's the sign of a controller that can come in handy in 2D games.

I must admit though, there are a few drawbacks with the premium design. That robust, hard-shell chassis makes rumble feel a bit overt at times. The top panel doesn't feel like it's designed for lots of vibration being sent through it, so it bites at your hands as you play.

Similarly, in opting for traditional membrane buttons, this pad misses out on a snappy responsiveness from controllers that opt for some kind of microswitch. For the record, I think this does come down to preference, but in button-mashing games that require lots of speedy actuation, or in fighting games, I think the KK3 Max lacks that hyper-competitive angle of something like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro.

Should you buy the Gulikit KK3 Max?

It may not be the god-tier FPS controller I was hoping it'd be. It may not have the most speedy feel around some genres, but the Gulikit KK3 Max has a premium feel and an all-round level of comfort that very few pro controllers have, particularly at this price. This is absolutely an all-rounder to consider, and in some ways, is more worth buying than the Elite Series 2 as that legend of the market fades into old age.

I really would have liked some swappable thumbsticks included here, but there's no getting past the KK3 Max's comfort, and its back paddles set it apart in this market. This is the kind of controller that proves my point: there is a massive difference between back buttons and back paddles, and if you're looking for the latter, you'll struggle to find a better option (at least until the KK4 Max eventually hits the shelves).

How I tested the Gulikit KK3 Max

I adopted the Gulikit KK3 Max into my gaming setup for around two weeks before coming to a verdict in this review. In that time, I used it as my main gamepad, testing it in FPS games, third-person action adventures, 2D platformers, and fighting games.

I used the Elite Series 2 and DualSense Edge controllers as main points of comparison, mainly because they charge more for a similar feel. I also played around with the swappable parts and fine-tuned aspects of the device using the user manual.

For more on how we test controllers, take a look at the full GamesRadar+ hardware policy.

If you're a fan of gamepads and controllers, I'd recommend our lists of the best PS5 controllers, the best PS5 steering wheel, and the best TMR controllers.