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When it comes to controllers, I'm a bit too monogamous for my own good. By that, I tend to get too comfortable with a specific gamepad and forget to branch out. However, the Gulikit Elves Pro 2 recently entered my life, swept me off my feet, and has prompted me to essentially ditch most other gamepads I used to use, including the Switch Pro controller.
Truth be told, the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro is the only controller I'd personally buy for PC and Switch this Black Friday. Luckily, it is down to $39.99 from $49.99 at Amazon, so that'll save me full price if I end up buying a player two pad for my partner. But, even without a discount, I'm pretty head over heels for this pad and its premium perks, which include hall effect thumbsticks, a 1,000Hz polling rate, and HD haptics.
Before getting my mitts on the Elves 2 Pro, I figured it'd end up just being one of my retro controller alternatives, or at least something I'd use with the best retro consoles and an adapter. While it more than fills that brief, its compact Sega Saturn-inspired shape, d-pad, and full-size thumbsticks make it one hell of a PC controller that will work with just about every device you can think of.
Look, I get it - the Elves 2 Pro looks weird. Upon showing the gamepad to our in-house reviewer, Duncan, he dunked on it by saying, "It looks like what a non-gamer would sketch if you asked them to draw you a gaming controller. One of my retro console-collecting pals also described it as a "Sega Saturn pad on steroids," which honestly sounds like an accidental compliment.
I've spent enough time testing the Elves Pro 2 to know Gulikit shouldn't lose any sleep over those comments. Its controller feels ridiculously comfortable in the hands for something with a '90s shape, and every button press feels fantastically tactile. I've been using it to play everything from Mario Kart World on Switch 2 to even outings on Steam Deck, and I haven't once felt like I'm using something with an antiquated design.
Controllers are pretty subjective, so I completely get if you'd rather have something with modern grips. The gamepad's color palette might also be lost on those of you who've never actually seen an original Japanese Sega Saturn pad, but believe me when I say Gulikit has nailed the look and the feel of that now 30-year-old accessory. Even the texture of the d-pad is spot-on, which is funny given even exact replicas I've tried aren't quite right.
Before it starts to sound like the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro, I want to highlight some drawbacks. The first is a biggie if you're into racing games, as this gamepad doesn't use analogue triggers. Just like the Switch Pro controller, they're digital, so no pressure sensitivity or variable input. It's certainly not a dealbreaker for Ninty's console, and I would argue that unless you've got a specific preference for shooters or you love driving games with acceleration, it's not going to be a huge con.
I am still testing the Elves Pro 2, so I'll be sharing full thoughts after the Black Friday storm blows over. That said, I'm willing to call it the best controller for Steam Deck at the very least, as it's travel-friendly without compromising on full-feeling controls. For under $40, I can't think of a gamepad I've tested with better build quality, perhaps other than the 8Bitdo N64 controller that's designed to pair with the Analogue 3D, but even then, I could use this pad for every single system I own (and I do own a lot of them).
And yes, there are plenty of other controllers out there that the rest of my team will recommend this Black Friday. This just happens to be the only one I'd buy that's discounted right now, especially given the value it packs for under $40.
Searching for more Black Friday savings? Swing by Black Friday retro deals for consoles and more. You'll want to check out Black Friday Steam Deck deals, too, if you've been waiting for Valve discounts to drop.
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