It’s a familiar story: a brand unveils a new sim racing line with the promise of it expanding as an ecosystem. Nacon followed the script to a T with the release of its Revosim line last year. The RS Pure wheelbase, while an impressive debut on its own, was clear in its intentions to grow and had connections labelled shifter and handbrake sitting on its rear from day one. But that racing wheel launch came and went, and then, well, nothing followed.

The original Revosim RS Pure bundle: a 9Nm direct drive wheelbase, round wheel, and load cell pedals for £699.90, caught my eye by undercutting plenty of the established names in the space while largely matching them on build quality. It was a mighty fine debut, but a wheelbase and two pedals do not an ecosystem make, and now, almost a year on, that gap finally closes with the RS Pure Hybrid Shifter and Load Cell Handbrake.

Available on their own for £299.90 and £179.90 respectively, or in a bundle for £449.90, this is the duo that starts to mature the Revosim range. There's a £79.90 clutch pedal too, if you want to move to a full three-pedal setup, and it rounds the bundle up to a neat £499.90. There are still walls around this sim racing garden, but they’re not as high as they were before, and there are a few more plants to look at, so is it worth taking a stroll through?

Design

When I first checked out the RS Pure wheelbase last year, I was seriously impressed by the build quality Nacon had achieved, particularly given the price tag. It was professional, upmarket, and built like a tank. The new add-ons to the range are no different; they all carry the same metal construction, all-black finish, and proper heft.

The RS Pure Hybrid Shifter is relatively chunky and does the job of two gearboxes at once. Flip the side-mounted dial, and you can switch between an 8-speed H-pattern and a sequential mode on the fly. Nacon includes two separate gear knobs, too, a round knob and a foam-topped lever. Resistance is adjustable by a hex bolt on the front, so there's some scope to firm things up or loosen them off depending on how much of a workout you want your arm to get mid-race.

The RS Pure Load Cell Handbrake is simpler on paper; a 150kg load cell tucked inside quite a compact housing, with resistance courtesy of included elastomers or a softer spring that are hidden out of sight under a removable panel. It's happy to be mounted either horizontally or vertically, which is a nicely considered touch that sees it play nicely not only with different rig setups but different racing styles, too.

Both accessories ship with their own desk clamp in the box, two for the Hybrid Shifter, in fact, along with mounting points for more specialist sim racing cockpits. You’ve got a choice of connection methods around the back. You can go directly into your PC with USB-C if you’re not using the Revosim wheelbase, or you can plug into the ecosystem via RJ45 ports on the back of the RS Pure base. This in itself is a nice progression for the range because it allows either of the new accessories to fit into existing, non-Nacon setups.

Features

Both accessories are supported and configured through the same Revosim app that handles the rest of the RS Pure lineup, and it’s available on PC, iOS, and Android. This is also where firmware updates are handled, and while it’s not exactly the most exciting feature to note, I was impressed at how quick and simple this process was. I’ve had real fun and games with some other brands like Turtle Beach making firmware updates a long and drawn-out process with plenty of hoops to jump through, so this was refreshing by comparison.

There's an RS Pure Clutch Pedal joining the team too, which uses a Hall Effect sensor for precision and keeps the same fully metal construction as the rest of the range. There’s adjustable height, tilt, and travel, and two included springs let you tune the resistance to your liking. It's worth noting Nacon makes a clear point of saying this pedal is only compatible with Revosim pedal sets, so unlike the Shifter and Handbrake, it can’t be retrofitted into mixed-brand setups.

Performance

I bolted both units straight to my desk using the included clamps and ran them into my existing RS Pure base over RJ45 rather than standalone via USB-C. Once everything's connected, that strong build quality I mentioned earlier carries through into actual use. It's a proper, adult-feeling setup; the first impression isn’t one that gives away that this is Nacon’s first attempt.

Desk mounting is simple; the bar on each unit just slots straight into the clamp base, no fuss. It’s nice to see these brackets included as standard and not as paid extras, though with both the shifter and handbrake bolted to a desk rather than a rig, the mechanical forces involved were enough to set my monitors bouncing on their arms with every shift or handbrake yank. That's not the fault of the RS Pure Hybrid Shifter or RS Pure Load Cell Handbrake themselves; a proper cockpit would absorb it without issue, but if you're desk-mounting like I was, it's worth being aware of.

In H-pattern mode, the Hybrid Shifter feels noticeably hard and mechanical. It wants a firm, deliberate shove rather than a lazy nudge, which is satisfying in the right mood. The trade-off for that, however, is precision. The target area for each gear is on the smaller side, and it takes a good bit of dedicated muscle memory to consistently land the right one under pressure rather than clip into a neighbor. There's also an irritating rattle from the collar you lift to activate 7th, 8th, and reverse. I’m being picky, but a slightly loose piece that's noticeable in use really sticks out on a unit that’s so well put together elsewhere. Sequential mode is simple and effective with nothing to complain about, and swapping between the round knob and the foam lever takes seconds either way; it's really just down to personal preference.

The handbrake is where opinion is likely to split depending on who's pulling it. For newer or mid-level sim racers, the resistance on offer feels well judged; it’s controllable and forgiving. More experienced racers chasing fine, progressive braking control may find it feels overly soft as a result, though it's worth remembering that crowd probably isn't who Nacon's built this for. The included elastomers and spring are worth experimenting with, and while I ran mine horizontally given my desk-mounted setup, vertical mounting is there too if your rig calls for it.

I don’t have any major gripes with the hardware, which is commendable. Where things get frustratingly familiar is compatibility, because unfortunately, it's the same complaint I had with the original RS Pure wheelbase bundle. I tested across a range of driving titles, including Forza Horizon 5 and 6, RaceRoom, EA Sports WRC, and Euro Truck Simulator 2, and while every single one of them recognized the shifter and handbrake existed and let me bind them, not one arrived with a working preset out of the box. Even hitting the configure button and launching via the Revosim app, manual setup was required every time, and that’s beyond tedious when you don’t just play one game. I get it; compatibility is tricky because you’re working with different developers and some of that blame is shared. But I’m less inclined to continue to grant beginner’s leniency when the wheelbase has now been around for a year; you’re out of your rookie season now, Nacon.

Should you buy the Revosim Pure Add-ons?

If you're already invested in Nacon’s RS Pure ecosystem and rally or drift is your thing, this bundle starts to complete the picture and is easy enough to recommend. The build quality matches the rest of the range; the shifter in particular is satisfying to use once you've got your muscle memory dialed in, and the tool-free customization on both units makes it easy to tune things to your own preference.

Where it's harder to get fully behind is full value if you’re starting from scratch. At £449.90, it’s not the same jaw-dropping deal the original wheelbase bundle was, and the ongoing lack of out-of-box compatibility across popular titles is a recurring frustration I wish had been resolved. It’s good gear, and I hope this is a sign that Nacon is taking the idea of an ecosystem seriously, but it’s not a blanket recommendation over others if you’re chasing the full set. Give it a look, for sure, but make sure you check out others, too.

How I tested the Revosim RS Pure Add-ons

I mounted the RS Pure Hybrid Shifter and RS Pure Load Cell Handbrake to my desk using their included clamps and connected them via the included RJ45 cables to an RS Pure base. For a few days, I tested the experience across a range of titles, along with some dedicated testing and software configuration through the Revosim app.

For more on how we test controllers, check out the full GamesRadar+ hardware policy.

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Someone at Valve loves throwing Steam Controller prototypes into charity bins, as another prototype gamepad has ended up at Goodwill. If I had a Steam Machine for every time this has happened so far, I'd have two more than I currently have, but as someone who thinks the storefront giant should have stuck to its stickless design, I'd be thrilled to find one of these oddball touch controllers in the wild.

The story behind this Steam Controller prototype feels like Deja Vu, was highlighted by Waste-Set5032 on the same Subreddit seven years later (via Videocardz). This time, the Redditor says the pad was found by their father in Seattle, who has also chimed into the thread to confirm they grabbed the important piece of Valve hardware history.

"Sometimes you find things at Goodwill and you let them go, aware that although you could flip it for a pretty penny, it would make someone’s day to find something like that," admits ErbilT. "I thought about letting this go, but I know my son is a fan of everything Valve, so I picked it up." Perhaps I need to start sending my family into more thrift stores, but it sounds like OP has potentially paid a high price since their dad signs off with "I now know my son’s Reddit handle."

Seven years ago, another member of this Subreddit found a Chell Prototype in a Goodwill. Well, would you look at this, it happened twice. My dad in Seattle found one. from r/SteamController

I should be clear that this isn't a prototype of the shiny new Steam Controller. Instead, it's a Chell development unit, a prelude to the 2015 version. Rather than including one left thumbstick, though, this version only includes touchpads, meaning it was going all in on the pseudo-mouse and WASD keyboard controls of the 2010s setup.

Here's the thing: I actually think Valve should have stuck with its stickless Steam Controller design. Including a left thumbstick sort of confused the premise of the original pad, leaving players who prefer traditional controls itching for normal camera movement on the right.

I still believe we would have ended up with the same gamepad we have now, inspired by the Steam Deck OLED and its LCD predecessor, but I believe the Chell prototype makes a bigger statement about PC games in the living room. Valve's mission has changed slightly in that it's now focused on making an actual console contender with a pad that can do both mouse and full thumbstick controls rather than a desktop workaround.

Valve's original plans aside, I enjoy the idea of people holding onto dev units like this Steam Controller. When they do pop up in the wild, they spark discussions tied to hardware history and pivotal moments, and while someone didn't value this pad enough to hang onto it, it's now immortalised as an incredible Goodwill find.

This second Steam Controller isn't even the only early piece of hardware I've been mesmerized by lately. On Friday, I shared word that Sony created a battery-powered PS1 and shoved it inside a DualShock controller, and it's now spreading across the internet like wildfire.

Swing by the best Steam Deck docks if you're putting together a makeshift Steam Machine setup using Valve's handheld.

The world of third-party PS5 pro pads is expanding, and Scuf is the latest challenger in this increasingly expensive arena. The Scuf Omega looks to take on the best PS5 controllers with its Omron mechanical switches, adjustable triggers, easy mobile keybinding, and additional macro keys. At $219.99, it's nestled in among these more premium control options, matching MSRPs from Razer and coming in slightly over Turtle Beach and Nacon.

Ultimately, it has a lot going for it and, when the price is right, could topple Razer's Raiju V3 Pro for those after extra customization options. Awkward side button placement and a less-than-durable top plate hold it back, while an excellent feel in hand propels it forward. Whether it's right for you comes down to the numbers on the day and how well you can train your knuckles.

What I loved about the Scuf Omega

Super satisfying controls

I've been a fan of clacky switches on my face buttons ever since I first picked up the EasySMX X10, and the Scuf Omega delivers.

Action is incredibly fast here, with a satisfying click that makes more traditional gamepads feel spongy by comparison. It's a faster reaction, with much less travel and an immediate response to each press, but it's also just more pleasing under the thumbs. Repeat presses are far less fatiguing, quick-snap inputs are faster than ever, and the lack of pressure required for actuation makes longer sessions easier on the thumbs as well.

That's not all, though. Scuf has also outfitted its triggers with digital locks that mirror this snappy mechanical feel up top as well. The stopper system sits underneath the trigger, with a small lever setting your distance from the full free pull to an instant response. That also means they can be assigned separately, opening up a particularly satisfying bow pull and release in Horizon Forbidden West, for example.

Around the rear, we have two integrated back paddles that press into the grips - not quite the magnetic ones you'll find on the Gulikit KK3 Max, but definitely more paddle than button. There's also a higher set of angled back buttons as well.

Far from the smaller nubbins you'll find on the DualSense Edge, these raised middle clackers are actually incredibly easy to hit precisely in-game. That extra height means they're just a nudge in the right direction away, even if I'd have personally preferred a little less tension in the paddles themselves. They're easy enough to actuate in isolation, but when the heat is on, there's just a little too much force required to keep these back paddles feeling nifty.

TMR thumbsticks round out this package, with a smooth tension, speedy snap, and all the durability that comes with the updated magnet tech.

Easy customization for PS5

The Omega has been designed as a customization powerhouse, featuring a whopping 28 buttons to play with and 11 configurable inputs. Your basics are all here: swappable thumbstick tops, blanks for the side, and back buttons.

Actual keybindings are handled by the Scuf companion app, no more plugging into a PC before switching your PS5 on. It's a pretty well-trodden idea in the world of more premium third-party PS5 controllers: the Razer Raiju V3 Pro has the Razer app, but heavy hitters like the Victrix Pro BFG and Nacon Revolution 5 Pro still rely on Windows-based software. Good news for those who hate working through complex assignment button presses on the fly, though you can still enter 'Remap Mode' on the controller itself if you wish.

The Scuf app itself is uncomplicated, with a panel for your keybindings reflected in an on-screen gamepad, separate settings for firmware, polling rates, SOCD, and more, a quick start guide, and profile and battery indicators.

I was a little disappointed to find that the face and d-pad buttons aren't configurable in PS5 Mode (they're fully open when being used as a PC controller), but there's still a comprehensive roster of on-the-fly settings to tweak and save to up to three profiles.

Triggers and thumbsticks curve their deadzone on a nicely organized percentage scale, for those who aren't setting the digital stopper on the former, with a selection of five presets to choose from. Both left and right can be customized independently from each other as well.

Back and side buttons (all six of them) can run as any PS5 control, with keyboard inputs available on PC.

Five G-keys are also present along the bottom of the gamepad, a little awkwardly placed for mid-game solutions but still handy for map, quest, and inventory shortcuts. When connected to PS5, only the G1 and G5 are free for you to assign, the rest are reserved for headset volume, mute, and mic controls. Swapping over to PC, all five keys are assignable.

Comfortable in the hands

Before I had a chance to dive into any of that, though, I was impressed with the way the Scuf Omega felt straight out of the box. A comfortable 254g and with a rugged rubberized texture across the back of each grip, it's easy to wield for long periods of time without slipping or cramping.

That weight in particular is incredibly well balanced. It's lighter than a traditional DualSense, but not so as to feel cheap or hollow in the hand; there's still a satisfying sense of heft, making good on that premium price point.

What to consider about the Scuf Omega

About those side buttons

Throughout my testing, I've largely focused on Borderlands 4, running with a red-tree Chroma Accelerator Harlowe build. Since picking up the Omega, Harlowe's become a little more trigger-happy with that Chroma canon.

Try as I might, my gameplay is consistently punctuated with "oh flip," or words to that effect, as a giant energy ball rips towards an NPC mid-conversation, spreads through an empty battleground, and starts its cooldown right as the next firefight commences. In short, these side buttons are incredibly easy to accidentally hit - to the point where I wouldn't trust them in a more competitive scenario.

Scuf does include blank plates in the box to neutralize them if you're not a fan, but it's frustrating that a controller designed for competitive play, featuring additional buttons to keep your fingers on those all-important face buttons, doesn't feel trustworthy in the very arena it was built for. There's space to put just a little more resistance in these buttons as well - they naturally rest against the inside of your knuckle; there's plenty of leverage in this part of the hand for a tighter button press.

Precariously thin top plate

The Scuf Omega features one of Corsair's favorite controller upsells, a swappable faceplate. However, this time it also houses two toggles I found myself reaching for regularly. You'll need to snap that top plate off its magnetic cradle in order to access connection controls (swap between Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired) and switch between PS5 and PC mode. If that's something you'll need to do often, be warned.

This top plate feels a little too thin for my liking. It's a flexible, brittle-feeling plastic that could easily snap with too much pressure between the sides. Having to prise it off the top of the controller every time you need to swap platforms or change connections feels especially risky. Over time, that could cause problems with regular usage.

Speed over immersion

My final point is one not limited to the Scuf Omega, but more the vast majority of third-party PS5 controllers. Still, if you're a solo player who invested in the console for its immersive control system, it bears repeating here.

Because of Sony's licensing terms, third-party gamepads cannot use adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. It's something I miss whenever I'm using a non-DualSense, having grown to love the dynamic resistance of the triggers in particular. Did I miss it enough to sacrifice the mechanical switches in the Scuf? Not exactly, but it's worth noting if you're tied to these first-party features.

Should you buy the Scuf Omega PS5 controller?

The Scuf Omega is an expensive piece of kit, tickling the very top of the third-party market. We're used to the idea of spending $200 on a pro gamepad for PS5 these days, and Scuf has positioned its controller right next to the $219.99 Razer Raiju V3 Pro. That's where your biggest decision is going to be made (presuming you're not after modular control schemes, in which case you'll want to head over to the Victrix Pro BFG).

In reality, both gamepads are similar. They both pack mouse-like mechanical buttons, TMR thumbsticks, short and long-range triggers, and an easy companion app. Razer's D-pad is a little less satisfying in the hands (though 8-way rather than 4-way), and its back buttons are notably smaller (though still remarkably easy and comfortable to hit). It also, however, suffers a little more from a motor-less hollow feel than the Omega. Without that extra weight, we noted that the Raiju can feel cheap in the hands, while Scuf's model still manages to feel sturdy and solid.

By contrast, Scuf offers more customizable inputs (especially if you swap between PS5 and PC), a longer grip shape, and a better feel overall.

Razer's 2,000Hz PC polling rate is going to clinch it for those primarily on Windows, with a PS5 on the side, and its top-loaded extra bumpers will also serve those worried about accidental presses on Scuf's side buttons as well. However, as an all-round package, I'd be inclined to recommend the Omega before the Raiju, with a pricing caveat.

Razer's entry is slightly older and will therefore see more regular discounts (the record currently sits at $129.99, but it's more likely to be found between $150 and $175). At a discounted rate, the Raiju is infinitely better value - so keep an eye on prices between the two.

How I tested the Scuf Omega PS5 controller

I tested the Scuf Omega on both PS5 and PC, playing Borderlands 4 and Horizon Forbidden West on the former and Forza Horizon 6, Apex Legends, and Farming Simulator 25 on the latter. I remapped the controller for optimal control schemes across each game, adjusting deadzones across triggers and thumbsticks for a couple of titles.

For more on how we test controllers, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

We're also rounding up all the best TMR controllers we've tested so far, as well as the best Xbox Series X controllers and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers for alternative platforms.

Honeycomb Aeronautical's Echo Aviation controller sent shockwaves through the flight sim gaming community when it was revealed at the end of last year. Depending on who you ask, this thing is a Frankensteinian mess or one of the coolest gaming hardware innovations in years. One thing's for sure, it means there's no need to spend big on a massive flight sim deck or even one of the best joysticks if you play a lot of Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Now, the Echo Aviation controller is officially receiving an Xbox version for Series X and S players. Back when the pad was revealed, the initial trailer was filled with comments from excited flight sim fans saying "The coolest hardware I've seen in years", but also disgruntled console gamers who felt left out.

"Needs to be compatible with Xbox, PC, and PS5!" said one user. Even back then, Honeycomb was hinting at bringing this best PC controller for flight sim fans to console, responding to one commenter with "We are thinking of you, console community!"

Marc Küpper, CTO for Honeycomb Aeronautical, commented on the Xbox version's announcement, saying, “We’re committed to broadening the audience for flight simulation, allowing console owners to experience the thrill of flight in a more relaxed environment, and the Echo Aviation Controller XPC is our first flight into consoles but certainly will not be the last”.

Xbox players are indeed being catered to, and the CTO's remarks certainly hint that more console support is coming, but looking back at the initial comments, PS5 players are the loudest outcriers. Hints from the CTO aside, I'm not very optimistic about the Echo Aviation controller taking a quick flight over to PlayStation land. I might be wrong, and I hope I am, but there's a big difference between securing licensing for Xbox Series X controllers and Sony's console.

I know from covering licensed controllers on both platforms for over three years now and talking with insiders on the process that there are reasons we get a whole lot more on Microsoft's platform. Xbox seems to have a tiered system whereby third parties can license multiple controllers per platform, but wired and wireless options will rack up different costs.

Meanwhile, we see very few PS5 controllers launching, with rumours saying that Sony only typically allows one brand to license one controller for its platform per generation. Judging by the price that these tend to cost, Sony's licensing could be assumed to be a lot pricier for the third-party companies too. Moreover, there can sometimes be complications when a brand tries to bring one product from one platform over to the other with minimal changes. I've only ever seen that happen with the Victrix Pro BFG, and I'm still not exactly sure how it happened. Other brands like Scuf and Razer need to put out completely separate models of their products for either platform.

You never know though, Sony may be very eager to make the most of its newly acquired Microsoft Flight Sim access on its store, and with the Echo Aviation pad being such a unique product that no one else can really match, special allowance may be made. I'll be interested to hear if a PS5 version is coming in the future, but again, heading back to those initial comments, there certainly seems to be a market for it.

Either way, the Xbox version of the Echo Aviation controller is set to ship from Fall 2026. I'm not seeing a price listed in any of the press materials, but if it's got parity with the original PC model, which seems to sell out extremely quickly, it'll be $149.99.

For more on gamepads, take a look at the best TMR controllers, the best Switch 2 controllers, and the best PC racing wheels.

We're getting into the business end of Amazon Prime Day now, and that means discounts at the world's largest retailer and its competitors will all be disappearing soon. I've been scouring the shelves all week to find the best discounts that gamers should know about, but one category that's really impressed me this week is the best TMR controllers.

I've just checked through my list of favorites, as well as all of the other TMR pads I've tried, and I'm amazed to say that 7 out of the 10 are still seeing lower prices for Prime Day. You don't have long to make the most of these, however, since deals will likely vanish on the stroke of midnight tonight (Friday 26th). I've tried to localise these deals to Amazon, but not all of them are Prime-exclusive member deals, thankfully.

Before I run you through all of the options that are on offer, it might be helpful to explain which ones aren't. Of the three outliers, one is out of stock, one has been discontinued, and one is Valve's new Steam Controller, which is far too new and in demand to be seeing a Prime Day offer.

For more on controllers, take a look at the best PC controllers, the best Xbox Series X controllers, and the best PS5 controllers.

It's been a year since the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller landed on the shelves but we're still yet to see much deviation from that lofty $89 MSRP. I'm not surprised. It took years for the original Switch's gamepad to depart from its launch rate - this is Nintendo hardware we're talking about, price cuts are few and far between.

Sure, you've got your Joy-Con in the box, but those looking for a more traditional gamepad feel, away from the tall, skinny feel of the side-mounted controllers, are looking at a hefty bill for Ninty's best Switch 2 controller. Thankfully, third parties exist.

While GameSir and 8Bitdo have their own alternatives to contend with, the PowerA Advantage Wired Controller can't be beaten in the numbers department this week. As part of its early Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals, Amazon has this chunkier controller available for just $17.99 (was $39.99).

I tested this wired, cheap and cheerful, gamepad directly alongside the Switch 2 Pro Controller. I won't lie to you, the difference is immediately obvious. While the official model has a solid heft in the hands, this is a lighter, more hollow device. The soft landing and snap of the original's thumbsticks can't be matched by these larger, louder clacks. I mean, the navigation buttons have even been bumped down to the bottom of the controller.

But this isn't a luxury controller, and it's not priced as such. While I'm often hesitant to recommend it at full price (there are $40 gamepads that will take you a lot further), the value at $17.99 is indeed incredibly fair.

Anyone tired of cramping around a set of Joy-Con, or simply looking for more multiplayer options in docked mode, will be set with this budget alternative. You're making sacrifices against the full-fat Pro 2 Controller, yes, but you're also spending a fraction of its cost. Here's exactly what you keep (and even gain) and lose compared to the real deal.

Ultimately, the PowerA Advantage vs Switch 2 Pro Controller debate boils down to what you need from your gamepad. If you've got the budget and you want the best experience possible, Ninty's official device is still your best bet. Its controls feel smoother and lighter, its chassis offers up a greater level of luxury, and its extra features pack all the versatility of the console itself.

However, for the price, anyone just looking for a more convenient controller shape or a few extra sets of Mario Kart buttons will still be well served by the budget brands. After testing both, and tracking these prices, I'd say you're dropping about 60% of the features of the Pro 2 Controller, while spending 79% less than its MSRP. That's on the right side of value.

• More Prime Day controller deals at Amazon
• Switch 2 Pro Controller: $89 at Amazon
• 8Bitdo Ultimate 2: $69.99 at Amazon

We're also rounding up all the best Prime Day PS5 deals and the latest Prime Day PC deals for more options, or take a look at more of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories.

Last week, I confirmed the Prime Day pricing for the GameSir G7 Pro, as well as a few of the brand's other controllers during the sale. The most recent PC version of the G7 Pro was missing from that list of discounted products though, which is to be expected when it's only been available for a little while. Walmart has remedied that, however, jumping the gun on Prime Day and dropping the best PC controller rival down in price by almost $20.

Personally, I'm not convinced this discount will last very long, either due to the deal ending or stock levelling out. Since I can't see the offer at any other retailer, I don't think it's an official one that's come down from on high either. As in, it doesn't seem like a GameSir-approved discount that'll apply to all the variants of the G7 Pro 8K at various stores, so let's take a closer look.

Funnily enough, Amazon currently has no answer to the discount, despite Prime Day being the headline sale to look out for this week. In fact, the GameSir G7 Pro prices I reported on last week still haven't arrived at the retailer and likely won't until Prime Day officially kicks off on June 23rd. One upside of this, however, is that you don't need to take out a Prime membership or a free trial to make the most of it.

An equivalent deal doesn't exist at Best Buy either, which makes me think this could be a shorter-lived opportunity at Walmart. It also only applies to the Nioh 3 colorway, which may point to Walmart's stock of this particular model outweighing the other versions.

While you save $18 on the full price of the GameSir G7 Pro 8K, you do spend $8 more than you would on the regular G7 Pro if you were to wait for Prime Day gaming deals to officially start. For that extra money, you do unlock a much, much higher polling rate, which will absolutely be of interest for competitive players who want to rule out any chance of latency impacting their gameplay. You also get some swappable thumbstick tops that the regular version doesn't have, but you'll lose out on Xbox Series X/S compatibility.

Having gone hands-on with the 8K polling TMR controller, I can say it's definitely more responsive, but the increased polling rate doesn't present itself in the way some of you might expect. It essentially cranks the sensitivity of the thumbsticks up to 11, making them a tad unruly at first. Combined with custom deadzones and TMR technology, every tiny input on the thumbsticks will register, and register fast, so using it definitely takes some getting used to.

Personally, I don't think this model is going to be for everyone, partly because of that learning curve, but with even more ways to customize it, I'd argue PC players should really think about investing the extra $8 for it over the original. The only limiting factor might be the colorways, since the regular white/grey and black/red options aren't available for the 8K model. Besides the Nioh 3 version, you can grab a turquoise Aimlabs edition (the one in the images that I reviewed) or a Champion black and gold colorway that's tied to an Esports athlete.

Want to shop by platform? I've prepared lists of the best PS5 controller, the best Xbox Series X controller, and the best Switch 2 controller.

There's been a lot of talk about the Steam Controller in the last few months, so I don't blame you if you've started to think about renewing your own gamepad. Times are hard right now though, and I don't blame you if the price of the Steam Controller is a little steep. The good news is, there are plenty of amazing PC controllers today that come in well under Valve's price tag.

Truth be told, I'd only really recommend the Steam Controller to certain types of players: the ones on PC who want something they can play mouse and keyboard games with from the comfort of a couch, bed, or anywhere that's away from a desk. The trackpads of the Steam Controller are its best asset, and although I think it's a really comfortable gamepad to use, I can think of loads that I'd recommend that are cheaper and offer on-par or better features for less money.

With that said, I've supplied a list of budget controllers down below. All of these have "pro" level features, and they all come in under $100. That means they all have back buttons, advanced thumbstick tech that's immune to stick drift, customizable features, companion software, and/or other accessories and extras that you don't get on stock controllers from Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo. With Prime Day gaming deals happening right now, you might find that a lot of them are discounted, so your money could go even further. For more info on each one, click the "view details" button below each pick.

Don't forget too, that Prime Day is officially getting under way this week, meaning that you might be able to find some of these budget controllers for even more affordable prices. In fact, if some of the more expensive ones go on offer during the sale, you might also be able to make your money go a little further by checking out my personal list of top tested controllers to watch this Prime Day.

If you're looking to boost your Magic: The Gathering collection, then you wouldn't do wrong to wait for Prime Day to see what discounts Amazon will bring. But in the build-up, discounts are few and far between... except on one particular bundle.

For a limited time, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle bundle is down to $56 at Best Buy, marking a $14 reduction from its MSRP. This is, according to the retailer, a 'Trending Deal'. While it's not marked as such on its listing page, I found it in the site's Clearance section, which implies the stock may be limited. In other words, Best Buy is selling these until it's out, which could be any time now.

A bundle pack like this offers you over 150 cards, so it's a perfect way to bulk up your collection in a theme. It also includes a fair few theme-specific exclusives, with unique art, which you won't find by buying individual boosters.

Should you buy the MTG TMNT booster?

Best Buy's Magic: The Gathering range generally isn't seeing many discounts right now. Other than the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles bundle, I'm having trouble finding anything that's greatly reduced.

That's true across other retailers too. I'm seeing a few discounts, mostly on Amazon, but nothing that's worth writing an entire article like this one about. A few potential picks are shared below.

This is probably because we're on the eve of Prime Day, and retailers (especially, but not only, Amazon), need to sell boosters and bundles at their MSRP so that the discount prices are actually discounted from something.

If you want to peruse a wide range of discounted Magic: The Gathering bundles, you'd do well to wait until Prime Day. However, if Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is your go-to right now, this set would be well worth picking. It's unlikely Prime Day will see it go that much cheaper, and there's a good chance it'll sell out before then anyway.

• MTG TMNT Turtle Team-Up | $49.99 $41.95 at Amazon
• MTG Marvel Super Heroes beginner box | $34.99 $29.89 at Amazon
• MTG TMNT Draft Night| $119.99 $85 at Amazon

Magic: The Gathering sales aren't the only discounts we're looking forward to over the next few days. We've got round-ups of Prime Day board game deals, and if like me you're crossing your fingers for a certain White Tower, a list of Lego Prime Day deals.

Most people buying an audio gadget for their gaming set-up are trying to pick up a headset, or perhaps speaker system. However one of the best buys might be a little smaller — and, for a limited time, a fair bit more affordable.

As part of Amazon's Early Prime Day deals, the Sony Inzone E9 have been reduced to $133. That's only 11% off from the $150 MSRP, but it brings the earbuds down to their lowest-ever price. However this deal ends later today: midnight PT, which is 3 am ET in the early hours of the 22nd. So you don't have long to decide on buying the buds, although another Inzone deal lasts longer.

In just a moment, we'll look at what the Sony Inzone E9 actually are, and why they're worth the premium. But to some people, earbuds like this just aren't conducive to gaming.

Thankfully, there's another option. The Sony Inzone H9 II is also reduced, this time by 15%, bringing them down to $298 at Amazon. This is a proper gaming headset, combining drivers and tuning from the brand's WH-1000XM6 consumer headphones, with some gaming perks and a microphone.

Should you buy the Sony Inzone E9?

The Sony Inzone E9 might be considered a fringe buy as a gaming audio product, but there's a reason to pay attention.

The buds are gaming versions of In-Ear Monitors, or IEMs. This kind of audio product was initially used by professional musicians, to allow for accurate sound reproduction when on stage or in a studio but without the bulk of a headset. However they've become popular amongst audiophiles for that same reason.

Their benefit is that, unlike over-ears which hold large drivers further from your ears, their small drivers are placed as close as possible to your eardrum. They're also often designed to reduce audio compression and offer precise sound placement.

This benefit in particular is what makes the Inzone E9 a tempting option. According to Sony, the buds were tuned specifically for FPS games, in which sound stage can be useful for situational awareness. They were designed alongside Fnatic, so they're esports-approved.

Being wired buds, they'll also ensure there's as little latency as possible between your game and the audio output. They connect via 3.5mm, but a USB-C adaptor is included for use in various other gadgets.

Even if you've no aspirations to be a competitive player, a developed sound stage will be wonderful for gaming, with open-world games and narrative experiences alike improved by it.

• Logitech G522 headset | $159.99 $129.99 at Amazon
• Asus ROG Delta II headset | $229.99 $129.99 at Amazon
• HyperX Cloud III wired headset | $99.99 $57.98 at Amazon

For more suggestions, we've got a round-up of the best gaming headsets. We're also keeping tabs on all of the Prime Day gaming deals in the worlds of audio, monitors, consoles, games and accessories, to help you find whatever discount you're after.

If you look beyond the tournament's various controversies, there haven't been that many World Cup 2026 upsets — but a few disappointing results from certain games means that many fans are going to see their teams go home early.

They'll have to wait four years for a rematch, but you don't need to. You can organize repeats on your console right now, because FC 26 is 40% off at Best Buy. That saving is across consoles, so whether you're a Switch player, own a PlayStation or are gaming on Xbox, you can pick up the latest EA Sports release for just $30.

Best Buy is rolling out these savings explicitly to tie into the 2026 World Cup. As well as the discounted FC 26, it's advertising several color options of Xbox Elite Series 2 Core as part of the celebrations, but these don't enjoy any kind of discount.

The retailer hasn't confirmed when the discounts will end, but it'll likely roll into a Prime Day-rivalling reduction when those begin on June 23.

Should you buy EA Sports FC 26?

I'm far from an annual FIFA EA Sports FC buyer, but it's hard to deny that the World Cup sparks an excitement that soccer video games let you enjoy. So if you only play every few years, this is probably a year worth trying.

And there are some big Group Stage matches that I'd really like to relitigate. Maybe Scotland can claw defeat from Morocco if I'm the one heading up the attack.

As per our own EA FC 26 review, this iteration of the game has brought quite a few major changes to the formula, including a refreshed Manager mode and a revamped Ultimate Team, so there's even more reason that this could be the soccer game to try.

When Prime Day comes, we'll possibly see the game go a little bit cheaper over at Amazon, but likely only by a dollar or two. And that's still a few days out, so you'll have to wait a few more days to see who makes it to your own personal Round of 32.

• Assassin's Creed Shadows PS5 / XSX | $49.99 $34.99 at Best Buy
• Star Wars Outlaws PS5 / XSX | $29.99 $19.99 at Best Buy

We'll have loads of Prime Day gaming deals for you to enjoy from June 23, and if you want to know what else is worth buying, here are the best football games we recommend.

If you ever want to enjoy mobile gaming again, you probably shouldn't buy a mobile controller. Wireless paddles like these are so useful, and make mobile gaming so much easier, that it's impossible to go back to on-screen touch controls.

I particularly can't recommend the Scuf Nomad, which is currently $31 off at Amazon; if any controller can transform your mobile gaming experience, then who knows what'll happen when you buy one of our top-rated models. The discounted model is the one designed for iPhones, and it's compatible with Apple Arcade, Steam Link, Xbox Game Pass, PS Remote and all your favorite phone games too.

This Scuf Nomad controller works on any iPhone since the iPhone 8, up to the iPhone 16 according to Scuf (and likely the iPhone 17 too, though that wouldn't have been out when the Nomad was released).

It's a paddle-style controller, which sits around your iPhone, offering symmetrical thumbsticks unlike many rivals. Another fairly distinct trait is the lack of any physical connector with your phone; it only pairs via Bluetooth, whereas most models I've tested require being plugged in.

In our 4.5-star Scuf Nomad review we praised the way it felt to play, with a useful array of buttons, and an app that offers lots of customization. We've since recommended it as one of the best of its kind.

Should you buy a mobile controller?

Mobile games' on-screen controls can be a little fiddly when you're first starting, but generally, you get used to them. That was my experience, at least, and as someone who reviews mobile phones for a living, you can rest assured I've spent a lot of time doing so.

However when I started using mobile controllers, any illusions I had of on-screen controls being acceptable, went straight out the window.

These accessories are great for gaming. They mean you don't need to stretch your hand over a large phone screen to have the controls within reach, and can press buttons instantly instead of having to readjust your digits to hit a 'fire' or 'attack' button. When I used one for Call of Duty Mobile, it felt tantamount to cheating; there's no way people with on-screen controls could stay competitive with a controllers' reaction speeds.

The best thing about them, though, is that they're often lightweight and portable. You can fold the Scuf Nomad down and take it on the go.

Unfortunately, I have to use on-screen controls for mobile gaming; it wouldn't be fair to review a mobile without ever using it this way. And now I know how lovely controllers can be, and how much better I perform with them, it's always a chore. So if you're considering buying a controller, be warned (but do it anyway, ignore my tongue-in-cheek protests!).

The only people who genuinely shouldn't buy the Scuf Nomad are Android gamers. There are loads of options for you, but the Nomad won't work.

• Backbone One | $99.99 $64.99 at Walmart
• GameSir Super Nova | $49.99 $29.99 at Best Buy

We'll have loads of Prime Day gaming deals for you to enjoy from June 23, and our list of the best mobile controllers for gaming will help you decide which to buy. If you want a larger gaming screen, we're also rounding up Prime Day iPad deals.

It's been nearly two years since Astro Bot came out (feel old yet), and the PS5-exclusive title has done an amazing job at keeping its value. That's no wonder for a game we gave a full five-star review to, but it means you have to pick the opportune time to buy it for yourself.

Opportune times including... now? You can currently buy Astro Bot for $39 at Amazon, marking one of the most sizeable reductions we've seen from its $59.99 price point (it seems to be the lowest price Amazon's ever listed it for, but by less than $1). The price is hidden by default, but if you add the game to your basket, you'll see that new cost. With prices like that, who needs to wait for the Steam Summer Sale to get a discount?

We rank Astro Bot as the best PlayStation 5 game you can play, right at #1 position on the list, so it's well worth checking out if you haven't already.

It's a platform game akin to its four predecessors, which was designed from the ground up as a PS5 exclusive, and exhibition of some of the console's features. Notable, that means it uses the DualSense's various features in ingenious ways.

Developer Team Asobi has continued to ply Astro Bot with level packs and updates ever since release, incldding plenty of crossovers with Final Fantasy, Tekken and Rayman.

Should you buy Astro Bot?

If you're in any way interested in platformers, especially classic PS2-era ones, it's definitely worth checking out.

Multi-platform gamers might be reticent to buy any games right now, knowing that the Steam Summer Sale is due to begin on June 25. However, as a PS5 exclusive Astro Bot won't see a discount then — the question is would you rather wait to see another game discounted there.

Astro Bot's discount comes on the eve of Prime Day PS5 deals, and we'll likely see various PS5 game discounts between June 23 and June 26. If you've got a long wish-list, it may be worth waiting to see which titles get reduced. However I don't expect to see Astro Bot itself go any cheaper than its current cost.

• Sonic Superstars PS5 | $29.99 $19.99 at Amazon
• Gran Turismo 7 PS5 | $69.99 $38.49 at Amazon
• God of War Ragnarök | $69.99 $31.89 at Amazon

Don't worry, there will be more Prime Day gaming deals for you to enjoy, and plenty of Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals on consoles, games and accessories. And if you've already enjoyed Astro Bot and want to know what else to play, check out the rest of our guide to the best PS5 games you can play.

There's not much that touches the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller as a piece of kit for Switch 2 gaming, but it's not exactly a cheap buy. That's something that GameSir looked to fix with a controller that still keeps wake functionality on board, and it's now cheaper than ever before.

The GameSir Super Nova wireless controller is $20 off at Best Buy, in one of the retailer's Prime Day-rivalling discounts. That's a better reduction than Amazon has on the controller, with its own stock going for $5-$7 more, though it's worth noting that Best Buy has only the single red and white variant on offer.

Usually, the GameSir Super Nova comes in five color options, though in this case only the red and white one is discounted. It's designed for mobile, Switch, Switch 2 or PC use, connecting via cable, Bluetooth or with a USB dongle, and having a charging dock in the box.

It has an asymmetrical face layout, 1,000Hz polling rate and membrane buttons, and it offers RGB lighting too. According to GameSir, a focus for the controller was buttons that are quiet and long-lasting.

Should you buy the GameSir Super Nova?

The Super Nova is one of the only third party Switch 2 controllers we've ever seen that lets you wake the Switch 2 just using the controller. The Pro Controller does, but it'll also set you back much more than the GameSir.

It's a small feature, but one that proves itself really useful when your handheld is docked and you want to use it like a console. If this is the way you usually play on the Switch 2, it could prove a really handy feature to make the Super Nova a must-buy.

The real question, though, is whether you should wait for Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals (beginning on June 23), or stick with Best Buy's early rival.

Looking at the price, I don't imagine the Super Nova will sell for less than this any time soon. It's likely that Amazon will match this price, but far from given that it'll go lower.

So if you're happy with the color option, it's worth buying now. If you'd rather take your chance and see if another hue will go down to $30, there's a good chance, but even if not their sale prices aren't far off. And if you don't mind the waking feature at all, some other Switch 2 controllers are reduced...

• Turtle Beach Rematch controller | $59.99 $29.99 at Best Buy
• PowerA wired controller | $22.99 $17.49 at Best Buy
• 8BitDo Ultimate controller | $69.99 $54.99 at Best Buy

We've got round-ups of all the best Prime Day gaming deals, as well as a collection of all the Prime Day PS5 deals you'll want to consider. And if you're set on finding an accessory for your handheld, here are the best Nintendo Switch controllers to buy.

Demand for the newly launched Steam Controller has clearly caught Valve off guard, but it's now providing clear reservation estimates at its storefront. If you missed the proverbial gamepad boat the first time around, you'll now find yourself in one of three groups, and some of you might not receive your controller in time for the Steam Machine's arrival.

In a statement, Valve admits, "When we launched Steam Controller last month, we quickly saw that initial demand exceeded our expectations." The storefront giant also says that by switching to a reservation queuing system, it hopes to "cut down on the headaches on the customer side" and enable a process that'll ultimately lead to more gamepad orders being processed.

To "manage expectations", Valve is also now using three specific timeframes for when players can anticipate an availability email. The three windows are "by September 2026, by December 2026, or by 2027," and the date you're presented with will be based on when you initially ordered. For instance, if you were one of the first to order the pad after the initial wave dried up, you can expect to get one by the end of the Summer, whereas those of you who order today will have to wait until some point next year.

I just checked my personal reservation, and I apparently won't be receiving my Steam Controller until 2027. The gamepad queue opened back up on May 8, so if you waited until after then to log in and click the button, you'll be in the same boat as me.

Before you start panicking, just know that if the Steam Machine lands next week, it should be available with or without the controller. Naturally, you'll have to pay more for such a bundle, and since Valve hasn't confirmed any pricing, we have no idea whether buying with a pad will save you any pennies. If it does work out cheaper, that could be a bummer for those of you who picked up the accessory early, intending to unite it with the mini PC down the road, but it'd be a certified "phew" moment for those of you who have exercised patience.

Of course, you don't need a Steam Controller to play games on the Steam Machine. Biog console scene disrupting plans aside, and its dinky form factor, it's still just a tiny rig, albeit one that uses SteamOS just like the Steam Deck OLED. Therefore, you can buy cheaper PC controllers that will work fine with the box without waiting until 2027 for an official accessory.

Keep in mind that the Steam Controller also costs $99 / £85. That makes it one of the priciest standard system pads out there, so unless you're itching to play games that'd normally require a mouse with those dual touchpads, or you just want to make its haptics sing songs, there are plenty of more affordable pads for your PC out there.

That's not to say I'd argue against grabbing a Steam Controller, as it's one of coolest hardware releases of the year amid the doom and gloom of RAMageddon. Valve has confirmed that you can still reserve the gamepad despite the lengthy queues, and while the estimated date will be 2027, you could end up with the accessory earlier.

The question on my mind now is whether the Steam Machine will face the same demand as its controller. If it ends up costing substantially more than a PS5 Pro, you might have an easier time grabbing the box, and while GTA 6 pre-orders could land at the same time, that long-awaited crime caper could be a reason not to grab the mini PC over a conventional console.

• Steam Deck accessories at Amazon
• Mini PCs at Amazon

Sticking with your handheld? Swing by the best Steam Deck accessories and best Steam Deck docks to enhance your at-home and on-the-go setup.

Sony has been known to file the most bizarre controller patents on the internet, oftentimes just for the sake of it. Most PlayStation patents never see the light of day, mainly serving as a "this is mine, you can't have it" level of legal protection. But after seeing the latest one, which resembles the shape of one of the best joysticks, you might wonder why on earth Sony would want the rights to some of these ideas.

The latest published patent from the Japanese gaming giant is shaped just like a typical gaming joystick - you know, those things your uncle used to play flight sim and starfighter games with back when he was young.

I'll warn you now; it's very difficult to read you the description of this patent without my immature sense of humour forcing a giggle or two, but I'll try and keep it together and be professional for you. (If you want to have a giggle to yourself, I've put the funny bits in italics for you)

"This operation device is provided with an operation member that receives an operation from a user. The operation device is provided with: a contact part that is disposed on the surface of the operation member and receives a force applied by the user for the operation; and a hardness control unit that changes the hardness of the contact part."

I know, I know, it sounds ridiculous, but I swear to you that's the actual description of the patent. The patent was originally filed back in November 2024, but only published in May of this year under the name Operation Device, Information Processing Apparatus, Control Method Thereof, and Program. It's since been spotted by Cheat Happens, but has been reported on by numerous gaming outlets.

Beyond its very silly, slightly creepy description, I do think the product that's depicted in the patent is really just a broad example, and this patent has been filed so that Sony can explore the concept of it in the future. In fact, it could point to the brand's controller plans for the PS6.

For instance, I don't think Sony is going to be releasing a joystick with hardening and softening button actuations anytime soon. I think really, the thing Sony wants legal rights to could be a progression of the haptic feedback we've seen with the PS5 controller, the DualSense.

Imagine if there wasn't just haptic feedback in the grips of your gamepad, and imagine if that adaptive trigger resistance that feels so cool in Returnal or Astro Bot was applied to each button on your DualSense. That would open the door to so many enhanced moments of game feel and fun character bits in games.

If you were playing as Ellie in The Last of Us Part II and you were trying to crawl toward a gun on the ground during a scripted fight scene, the buttons could get harder to tap just for that moment, which might help to indicate how much of a struggle it was for the character. Your jump button could have a different actuation while playing as Astro Bot than in another game, or your axe recall as Kratos could feel even heavier. That certainly opens more interesting doors for players than done-to-death quicktime events.

If anyone's interested in the mechanics of the patent, the adaptive resistance in the buttons would function using a magneto-viscoelastic elastomer - which sounds made up. Essentially, it's a material that uses attached magnets to harden and soften resistance.

As weird as it is at first glance, this patent does really intrigue me. Not the weird joystick-sex-toy looking thing, the concept of enhanced button resistance. As a PC controller nerd, I really like when companies can push the envelope to give us a more immersive feel in video games. I also feel a tad disappointed with how haptics and trigger resistance have been implemented this generation, because I'm not sure they've lived up to their potential.

To be completely honest, I'm not sure a more conclusive suite of feedback options would be something developers would go in for next generation if the current options have gone underutilized. Even so, if the mechanics and potential are there, it could mean a future with even better feedback as we play.

Do you play on another platform? Check out the best Xbox Series X controllers, the best Switch 2 controllers, and the best TMR controllers.

Prime Day kicks off next week, and I'd normally advise picking up retro console bits and bobs during the sale. However, I figured I'd check in with a slightly hidden deal on what is my favorite retro controller overall, the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro, as there's a coupon camping out on one of its various Amazon listings.

The specific Gulitkit Elves 2 Pro listings in question brings the Sega Saturn-inspired gamepad down to $37.99 from $39.99. All you need to do is click the coupon price check box on the page, and voila! You've just bagged yourself a solid Bluetooth controller that you can pair with various classic systems via an adapter.

This isn't a massive discount on the Elves 2 Pro by any means, but it is a handy one. If you use price trackers, they aren't going to pick up on these kinds of coupon discounts, so keeping this almost hidden saving in mind before considering Prime Day offers next week will better help you assess any subscriber savings.

I've tested dozens of retro controllers for every classic console out there, and the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro remains my overall favorite. That's perhaps because I'm a sucker for a Sega-style disc d-pad, or maybe it's the white versions Saturn-inspired get-up. One thing I can say for certain is that its excellent buttons, hall-effect joysticks, and wide Bluetooth compatibility mean it pairs fantastically with everything from the SNES and Genesis/Mega Drive to later systems like the PS2, but you will need additional dongles.

Of course, if you've got a modern emulation-based setup with a gaming handheld perched on a Steam Deck dock, or even just a gaming PC at its core, you'll be able to hook straight up via Bluetooth. If you're keeping things authentic with a real retro console, though, you'll want to check out the various wireless adapters available.

I've tested most of the dongles out there by the likes of 8Bitdo and Blueretro with the Gulitkit Elves 2 Pro, and the combination is pretty effective. The gamepad synced remarkably quickly to my Sega Mega Drive via a Retro Receiver, and while using Bluetooth naturally introduces more latency compared to something like the 8Bitdo M30 2.4Ghz, I honestly couldn't really detect any lag during normal play.

I've even spent a chunk of time playing Saturn, N64, PS1, and PS2 games using the Elves 2 Pro, and it's remarkably versatile for something that looks like a 16-bit pad. That's largely thanks to its neatly placed full-sized thumbsticks, which provide controls that are well-suited to 3D outings while not hampering the inherent 2D abilities of its fantastic-feeling d-pad.

The only real caveat that comes to mind compared to using a more contemporary pad is the triggers, as they're strictly digital. That does mean you'll still have to reach for a GameCube pad if you want to, say, run and squirt in Super Mario Sunshine, and it's not ideal for shooters with modern gamepad sensitivities. However, it's still serviceable in those scenarios, and if the Elves 2 Pro was the only gamepad to hand, you'd still be able to easily play years' worth of games on old systems without a hitch.

Ergonomically, the Elves 2 Pro feels very '90s too, which could be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences. I happen to enjoy the flatter, 16-bit back of retro controllers like this, but if you're used to extended grips on new Xbox or DualSense designs, I can see why your hands might be more prone to cramping after longer sessions. That said, keeping things low profile helps this pad travel remarkably well, meaning it also makes for one hell of a controller for your backpack.

This won't be the last time I harp on about the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro, but doing so before Prime Day kicks off is important. Ideally, I'd like to see it drop under $30, and if that happens, I'll be back here filling you in on the record lows. If those discounts fail to kick in, however, and you don't want use a "wait and see" approach, you can at least grab a few bucks off right now, and that could be invaluable if you're picking up some new tech before diving into classic capers over the summer season, be it while travelling or hidden away in your retro gaming cave.

• Retro controllers at Amazon
• Retro consoles at Amazon

Looking for more ways to play the classics? Swing by the best retro handhelds for emulation devices that pack a portable punch.

If you were planning on buying yourself a new Xbox Series X controller this week, I'd hold off. It's expected that a plethora of gaming hardware will wear discount tags next week thanks to Amazon's Prime Day sale, but we can now officially confirm that that includes one of the absolute best Xbox controllers available right now, the GameSir G7 Pro.

The fan favorite TMR controller will be seeing a discount to its already affordable price next week, with a 20% discount knocking $16 off its price in the US. This deal will only stand for the original Xbox version of the controller, and not the more recent GameSir G7 Pro 8K PC model.

That brings the price of the G7 Pro down from its $79.99 MSRP in the US to $63.99 at Amazon. In the UK, there will be an even better reduction from £89.99 down to £63.99 at Amazon.

The GameSir G7 Pro already offers so many features for its price. Considering most Xbox controllers that offer wireless play, a charging stand, extra buttons, and advanced thumbstick tech tend to demand $200 from you.

The G7 Pro may not have four back buttons, a carry case, and lots of swappable parts, but its TMR thumbsticks, microswitch buttons, two back buttons (with two extra bumpers), and 1,000Hz polling rate do make it an excellent choice for under $100.

Elsewhere, GameSir will also be discounting its new GameSir Pocket Taco mobile controller. That will be the first major price cut on the GameBoy tribute accessory since it arrived on the shelves, bringing the price down from $34.99/£34.99 to $27.99/£27.99 at Amazon.

Mobile gamers can also benefit from a price drop on the GameSir G8+ MFi Type-C, which will see a cut from $79.99/£79.99 to $63.99/£63.99 at Amazon. Switch and Switch 2 gamers, or folks looking for a budget PC controller, can also grab the GameSir Nova Lite 2, which will drop from $29.99/£29.99 down to $23.99/£23.99 at Amazon.

All of these offers will seemingly run for the duration of Prime Day gaming deals, meaning from the 23rd to 26th of June. It doesn't seem as though any of them will be featured as early bird offers in the days leading up to the sale, but I'll be keeping an eye out just in case some drop their guard early.

All of GameSir's controllers tend to offer great value for money, but the best deal for gamers this year is almost certainly that G7 Pro discount. The G7 Pro holds a spot on our best Xbox, best PC and best TMR controller buyers guides, and came a close second to the Nacon RXU in our controller of the year hardware award last year.

I did expect that the GameSir G7 Pro would potentially see a discount in this year's Prime Day sale, and it's among the very best I've ever reviewed and would recommend hunting for in this year's event.

For a closer look at all of the controllers confirmed to be getting discounted in the next week, take a gander at the price comparison widget below. If you don't see the deals live yet, feel free to bookmark the page and come back, or add them to your wishlist on Amazon, ready for the start of Prime Day.

Gamers, Prime Day approaches, and with it, the chance to get some of the most highly coveted controllers for a little cheaper. But which one do you go for? Almost every pro gamepad promises the world these days, and with their prices spanning from $20 up to $200, it can be tough to know which of the best PC controller to believe in.

And it's not just PC controllers, either. Xbox controllers and PS5 pads from licensed third parties can easily set you back $200 while seeming like they're everything you could ever want. It's a lot of money to spend on something that might not suit your hands. That's why I want to help. I've been in the very fortunate position of reviewing controllers across all platforms for over three years now.

We all have strong opinions on gamepads, and I don't mean to brag, but when you see a strong opinion on one controller online, it's not all that common for people to have also tried each and every one that theirs competes against. I've been that sicko changing controllers from week to week so that I can give you the best buying advice possible, testing how each one compares with what else is on the shelves.

My hope is that this list will serve as a diving board for you. If you see one you like and you want to learn more, you can click the "view details" button to get a link to my review of that controller, some general thoughts, and a compatibility breakdown. Alternatively, you can use this as a price-checker hub to see which ones get the best discounts this Prime Day. Either way, I hope it does help, and you find the perfect gamepad for you in this year's sale. Happy hunting.

This Prime Day is a pretty open field. We've recently noticed a new influx of interest in the controller market because Valve launched the Steam Controller, and something tells me other peripheral makers are going to want to capitalize on that this Prime Day with competitive discounts. With that in mind, I've thrown together a list of some of the best controllers I've ever tested. This includes feature-rich bangers with loads of buttons and functionality, value kings, customizable magnum opus works, gamepads with screens, even a few TMR controllers. Being honest, the Steam Controller would be on par with a lot of these, but since it's got no chance of seeing a Prime Day discount, I've left it out for now.

For more on ways to play, check out the best joysticks, the best PC racing wheels, and the best gaming handhelds.

I've had my hands on the Scuf Omega for a few weeks now, having a blast in Borderlands 4 and Fallout 76. A recent weekend with the original DualSense and Resident Evil 2 Remake, however, reminded me of what I was missing with Sony's own PS5 features.

Adaptive triggers are the big one here. Even the best PS5 controllers from third parties aren't allowed to use Sony's tech in this way. If you want that extra resistance or satisfying snap release, you'll either need to sacrifice extra customization features or shell out for the full-fat DualSense Edge. Here's a thought, single player games can make use of customized controls as well.

Thankfully, the latter is undercutting most competitive pro controllers right now - perfect for my fellow single player spec-heads.

Third party pro controllers usually prioritize their competitive audiences. These customizable thumbsticks, button mappings, and trigger zones certainly do serve eSports players well, but these leaderboard climbers aren't the only PS5 fans looking for a little extra from their gamepads.

I'm not a massive competitive player, and if I am playing online it's normally with a mouse and keyboard. I do, however, spend long sessions parked in front of single player adventures. There's less at stake, sure, but being able to combine commands, remap my controls, and adjust deadzones is still just as important to me. I don't want to have to drop other immersion-focused features to get there.

The Scuf Omega, Razer Raiju V3 Pro, and Victrix Pro BFG are all top gamepads, but their third party status locks players out of adaptive triggers and lifelike rumble. Those are some of the PS5's most defining features in my books.

Not only that, but these are premium options. The Scuf Omega (the newest on the scene) is holding firm at its $219.99 MSRP (Amazon), while the Victrix Pro BFG (the oldest) is still stuck at $159.99 (Amazon).

Brand new in-box, you'll find the DualSense Edge for $169.99 right now, thanks to Sony's Days of Play sale. However, Best Buy's open box offer massively undercuts the competition this week. If you're a solo adventurer looking for a little extra control on PS5 this is absolutely where I'd be looking ahead of Prime Day PS5 deals.

• See all PS5 controllers at Amazon

We're also rounding up the best PC controllers as well as the best Xbox Series X controllers and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers for more platform options.

Before adaptive triggers and built-in microphones we were happy with a set of buttons and a capacitive touchpad. The DualShock 4 was the sweet spot for many, and its popularity continued well past the arrival of the PS5 all those years ago. These gamepads are tough to come by in the year 2026, though, which is why's Sony's latest Recertified drop is so exciting.

The brand has dumped a bunch of renewed PS4 controllers on its PS Direct site, with options ranging from the classic all-black through to slicker colorways that always seemed just out of reach back in the day. Coming in at $34, they're not priced too shabbily either - these things still go for about $50 - $60 in the packaging.

So why are fans keen to see the DualShock 4 back on the shelves? While it's easily the best PS4 controller still available, the DS4 also comes with its own set of benefits as a PC controller, even compared to the newer DualSense.

Its longer battery life, easier compatibility, and longstanding support means the DualShock 4 still has its fans among the PlayStation-to-PC crowd. It's not going to do anything notably better than the DualSense, but it's still a high quality gamepad at a far lower price. A full-fat Sony PS5 controller will set you back $54 right now (thanks to this month's Days of Play sale), and there's room for two DualShock 4's in its full $74 MSRP.

There's also the accessories.

See, back in the day, Sony didn't bring out a whole $200 controller when it wanted to stay competitive with third party features. It simply made extra gadgets you could fit onto your existing gamepad. Enter the DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment. There are a number of different after-market options at Amazon these days, and the official model is actually more expensive than the DualShock 4 right now, but it's a neat bit of history that can easily be found on the right eBay day.

At the end of it all, the DualShock 4 is still a worthwhile PC controller but it's been out of reach for bargain hunters due to dwindling supplies and ravenous resellers. Anyone longing to hold those plastic grips once again will want to get in on this refurbished batch before they're knocked off the shelves.

• See all PS4 controllers at Amazon

You can also find our guides to the best Xbox Series X controllers and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers for more options.

Static controller layouts have been the norm for so long they've come to define generations and even sway console allegiances. That rigidity is slowly bumbling out the door, though, as more and more brands add modular components to their gamepads. Yesterday, a lesser known Chinese brand revealed more details on the controller that could take this flexibility to its logical conclusion.

Dubbed by Beitong as "Lego for gamers," the fully modular PanGu controller can be swapped and changed to give you pretty much any set of controls you could ask for. A teaser shared on Twitter gives us a flashy tour through the swappable stick, face button, and even rumble motor options, with configurations ranging from standard symmetric controls to bizarre three-thumbstick layouts.

It's taking some of the best PC controllers to the next level. The Victrix Pro BFG has long been our top dog in this arena, featuring similarly hot-swappable components along its face. It can't keep up with the customizable motors and back paddles though, and its modules are more rigid, with pre-determined inputs spread across two panels.

The Beitong PanGu looks set to chop and change each input individually, rather than pairing a d-pad with a thumbstick, for example.

A total of seven modular parts are available here:

• Shoulder buttons
• Back paddles
• D-pads
• ABXY buttons
• Thumbsticks
• Grips
• Rumble motors

"Smart recognition" features also allow the Pangu to instantly update its software with the attached modules when creating profiles.

Availability is going to be key. While competitors like PDP, GameSir, and Hyperkin (who are pairing up for the release of a modular mobile controller) have wide distribution channels, not just for their controllers but for additional modules, Beitong generally sticks to marketplace systems like AliExpress. The Pangu is available for $119.99 at MiniXPC right now, though, and the brand notes in its Twitter exchange that units will be "shipping out gradually in June."

Making good on that tool-free "infinite layout" promise will certainly set the PanGu up for success, especially as it's undercutting a lot of the bigger names right now. $120 (slightly discounted from $135) is considerably cheaper than the $170 - $200 rates we often see on pro gamepads with similar features.

• See all PC controllers at Amazon

We're also hunting down the best Xbox Series X controllers and the best PS5 controllers on the market. Or take a look at the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers available now.

Overkill or not, it looks as though the future of the best PC controller arena will be fought out by gamepads that have a polling rate of 8,000Hz or more. It all started when Razer launched an 8K version of its popular Wolverine V3 Pro. But GameSir was quick to bite back, announcing an 8K version of the G7 Pro back at CES at the beginning of 2026. Now, GameSir is on the verge of launching a whole new line of Tarantula Pro controllers, and two out of the three will have 8K polling rates.

It won't be long until other brands jump on this trend to stay competitive, and I'm sure a lot of folks will be asking the same thing: whether it's actually going to be worth it. Even competitively tilted mice and keyboards that have 8K polling rates are only really serving a niche in the market that cares about latency to this extent, and it's hardly the norm for most gaming mice to ship with a polling rate above 1-2,000Hz.

I set out to test the 8K model of the G7 Pro in the hopes of finding answers. Is an 8K polling rate overkill or not? Regardless of my findings, I'm just happy to see the new "upgraded" version of the G7 Pro stay in the same price region as the original. A boost from $79.99 up to $89.99/£99.99 isn't too bad in the grand scheme of things, and I've seen other brands charging a lot more for incremental upgrades to existing products. Even the special edition colorways of the regular G7 Pro can set you back more than this, so GameSir is doing a good job of inviting players to try out the cutting edge of controller speed without raising the price of entry.

Design & Features

I've already given a full rundown of the specs and features of the GameSir G7 Pro in my original review, so I'll give a shortened version here, seeing as the 8K PC version carries over basically all of them.

Obviously, when it comes to the design, the 8K model has a bit more pzazz thanks to more dramatic colorways. At the time of writing, the 8K model has an officially licensed Aimlabs colorway, an officially licensed Nioh 3 skin, or a black and gold "Champion Edition" which is tied to Esports fighting game athlete, Xiaohai. I'm testing out the Aimlabs model, which blends some lovely light blue colors with deep blacks. There's a subtle transparency to the grips, allowing you to just about peer into the chassis and catch a glimpse of the vibration motors. All the while, the grips don't lose their rubberized texture. Speaking of which, my favorite design flourish is a 3D texture to the face button symbols, which feels really satisfying under your thumb.

Beyond that, you get the same design points as you will on the Xbox-flavored G7 Pro. It's the same controller body with two back buttons, two extra clicky bumpers, a circular D-pad, and premium-feeling microswitch buttons. There's a wireless dongle, a charging stand, decent battery life, trigger stops, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

What does differ on the 8K version is an expanse of swappable parts. It's a shame that the carrying case GameSir announced at CES for the G7 Pro isn't included as standard on the 8K model, as it would have really helped it to feel like an "upgrade". Not to mention, with more swappable thumbstick tops in the box, it'd help to ensure you don't lose them all.

I found three extra sets of thumbstick tops in my G7 8K's box. One taller pair with domed heads, one indented pair, and a shorter domed pair as well.

Naturally, the biggest feature of this gamepad versus the standard G7 Pro is an 8K polling rate to help it make the most of its TMR controller potential. Essentially, TMR thumbsticks have a much higher resolution and communication speed than Hall effect ones, and so the thinking behind 8K polling controllers that utilize this technology is presumably that you can actually make the most of their speed. If you're not such a big fan of any type of thumbstick tech these days, the G7 Pro 8K is also fitted out with gyro aim features.

Something I'm happy to report is that, despite its faster polling rate, the G7 Pro 8K doesn't lose out on its rumble motors. Razer stripped back the Wolverine V3 Pro's rumble for its 8K version, and it completely uprooted the feel of the device, making it feel cheaper and a lot less premium. The G7 Pro 8K doesn't suffer from that, and I'm really glad because an increase in performance for competitive multiplayer games through a faster polling rate shouldn't mean you need to lose out on speed.

Performance

The first question on a lot of gamers' minds when I told them about testing an 8K polling controller was, "Can you actually tell the difference?" It's a tricky question to answer, because the difference between latencies of 250Hz, 1,000Hz, and 8,000Hz isn't really about an input delay that your human reflex speeds and nervous system can feasibly interpret. The jump between 1,000Hz and 8,000Hz really presents itself through an increase in sensitivity.

Going from a 1,000Hz controller with Hall sensor sticks to an 8,000Hz one with TMR sticks, I don't think a lot of people would be able to differentiate them, if I'm being honest.

However, jumping from Valve's Steam Controller (which polls at 250Hz with TMR thumbsticks and a zero deadzone mode) to the G7 Pro 8K in full-flung 8,000Hz mode with shortened deadzones from the out-of-box experience, I absolutely felt the difference.

Where Crimson Desert's inputs felt sluggish in places before, they now felt a bit unruly as the game suddenly registered every tiny piece of my inputs on the thumbsticks at record speed. It felt like a jump up in sensitivity, not so much a removal of latency, if that makes sense. I quickly got used to this, and it became clear that shoving the camera around in an open-world action adventure was hardly going to be a test for a controller like this.

It was in FPS games that things were really going to get interesting, and boy, did they. Describing the experience of playing my go-to testing shooter for controllers, Hunt: Showdown with the G7 Pro 8K PC is tough. In some ways, it's revolutionary. In some ways, it's unlocked an entirely new level of gamepad performance in a game that demands precision aim to combat veteran mouse players. In others, it's really not going to be necessary or, perhaps more importantly, wind up as the preferred choice for a lot of gamers.

If you've kept up at all with controller tech in recent years, you might have heard chatter about Hall effect thumbsticks being a little hot to handle when they first arrived on the scene. That can sometimes be the case, and still, depending on how they've been calibrated and tuned, and the tensions used on the controllers themselves, Hall effect thumbsticks can be a bit unruly. I've actually found that TMR sticks are a bit more balanced across all the ones I've tried, maybe because of their higher resolutions, leveling out the sensitivity with more accuracy. But the G7 Pro, with its taller right thumbstick attached, deadzones shortened, and 8K mode switched on, is no short of shit-hot.

Seriously, you really have to adjust and, in some ways, re-learn how to play shooters with this controller, because some of your instincts from using lesser ones will now be absolutely no use to you. In fact, they'll actually lead you to use this one in the wrong way.

For example, in Hunt: Showdown, I overcompensate in certain shooting tactics when I use a controller vs when I'm playing with a mouse and the Azeron Cyborg II. If I need to take a quick shot and then immediately get back into cover, it's pretty easy to ADS, take a precise but flicky shot, and then almost in the same motion, flick back the other way and move my hunter out of the way. With a controller in hand, the flick out of the shot can't be as aggressive and quick, so you end up snatching one direction or the other during the shot to get as close to the same level of speed. It's almost as though you use the sensitivity differential between ADS and shoulder aim to try to make up for your inability to turn around quickly.

If you "snatch" the camera away during the shot while changing from ADS sensitivity to shoulder aim sensitivity with the G7 Pro in 8K mode, you will end up looking back over your shoulder because you no longer need to compensate as much for the speed differentials.

Similarly, a lot of controller players in FPS games will compensate for a lack of precision with the aiming stick by keeping their aim relatively still and moving their player into position so the crosshair lines up on a target instead. That doesn't need to be the case with this pad, and in fact, flies in the face of its specialty: extremely smooth tracking.

I might catch flak for this, but the G7 8K is, in this way, the closest experience I've had to using a mouse to aim. If you need to track a target that's moving across, up, or diagonally around your display, a consistent and measured move of your thumbstick on any other controller might be tough to hold onto, and if there are any speed changes in what you're tracking, it's easy to fall off the target. With the G7 Pro 8K, it's off-puttingly easy to just keep your crosshair exactly where it needs to be.

This is what I mean. In some ways, you'll need to relearn how to use a controller like this. It'll feel unwieldy because of the increase in sensitivity, and you'll likely need to really take time to get used to it. For many, that may be a step too far, and it may never be something that people get used to if they're coming from a lifetime of using slower controllers. But for the competitive controller crowd who are already dialed into their aiming skills with a gamepad, this is going to make them unstoppable forces that will have even less trouble keeping up with mouse and keyboard players.

The skill gap between the peripherals feels as though it's been considerably narrowed in recent years, but with this type of controller, it's getting narrower still. Overkill or not, I can absolutely see 8K polling rates becoming a trend that other brands jump onto.

What I will say is that I struggled to really find a lot of value to an 8,000Hz mode outside of FPS titles. Yes, there are going to be gaming genres that rely on the right stick more than others, but from my testing across lots of them, besides an increase in sensitivity, you probably aren't going to notice much. The right stick is really where you feel the majority of the difference in polling rates.

Metroidvanias felt snappy and responsive, but I wouldn't say there was a performance boost enough to say an 8K polling controller is going to be worth it for fans of that genre. Racing around the streets of Forza Horizon 6 was easy with really smooth steering, but testing directly against the Xbox G7 Pro in 1,000Hz mode, I didn't honestly feel much of a difference while exploring virtual Tokyo City.

Should you buy the GameSir G7 Pro 8K PC?

So in the end, I'd argue that the 8,000Hz polling rate unlocked by this version of the GameSir G7 Pro is the new cutting edge of the controller market, but the problem with being on the cutting edge is that questions arise over whether you're actually necessary or not. In FPS games where ultimate aiming control is needed against mouse and keyboard players, this is going to be a new final boss on the shelves you need to consider. Then again, it's going to feel too sensitive to handle if you aren't willing to make some adjustments to your playstyle.

But for your average gamer, I'm not really feeling or seeing much of a difference, or at least enough of one across the board to say that everyone should rush out and buy an 8KHz peripheral. The good news is that the upgrades the G7 Pro 8K will provide you with over the original model aren't going to set you back much more money. That means that in the same light, there's also no real reason why not to buy the 8K model. It has the upgrades available for you to use if you want them, and the futureproofing not many rivals offer. A stretch of $10 more is hardly a lot to argue with. That said, Xbox players are going to lose compatibility with their console if they buy this version, so keep that in mind.

Whether the 8K polling rate is going to be overkill or not for you and the games you play, the GameSir G7 Pro 8K PC is still an enhanced version of one of the best Xbox Series X controllers that's been released in the last few years. It's a shame that there aren't more enhancements here to really bolster it as a flagship device for GameSir, but as is, there are few controllers that are going to service competitive and enthusiast gamers quite so well - especially for under $100.

How I tested the GameSir G7 Pro 8K PC

I adopted the GameSir G7 Pro 8K PC as my controller of choice for all gaming for around two weeks before writing this review. I played with it in both 1,000Hz and 8,000Hz modes in that time to get a feel for the differences and played around with its deadzone levels in the GameSir Connect software. I also tested it against other TMR controllers and the original G7 Pro to get more of a feel for how it compares to rivals on the shelves.

For more on how we test controllers, have a peruse of our full-length hardware policy.

Diving deeper down the rabbithole? Take a look at the best PS5 controllers, the best Switch 2 controllers, and the best gaming mice.

Back at the start of the year, fan-favorite controller brand 8BitDo announced it was coming out with a refined version of one of its most well-received gamepads that's officially licensed for Xbox. It's felt like a long wait, but the 8BitDo Ultimate 3E is now available for pre-order, and its price could be divisive if you aren't up to date with the current slate of Xbox Series X controllers.

Compared to a price of $59.99 for the 8BitDo Ultimate 2, the updated 8BitDo Ultimate 3E for Xbox is available for $149.99 at Amazon ahead of its August 31 launch. For fans of this brand that are used to sub-$100 prices, that may come as a bit of a shock, but the best PC controllers can often end up cheaper when they don't need to make back licensing costs, which the Ultimate 3E will.

You may be asking what refinements could possibly mean a near-$100 markup over the 8BitDo Ultimate 2, and I'll get to them. While there are some improvements that I for one was really hoping for in a sequel to one of the best TMR controllers on the shelves, this price is actually pretty reasonable within the Xbox market. Yes, $149 does come in above wired options like the Hyperkin Competitor and the Razer Wolverine V3 TE, as well as maybe its stiffest competition, the GameSir G7 Pro.

But when it comes to other gamepads with the Ultimate 3E's features list, a price tag of $200 is the norm, so 8BitDo actually stands to be a value king for players who are looking for a new Xbox "Elite" controller stand-in.

I'm just happy that two of my biggest issues with the Ultimate 2 have been seen to here. For starters, the grips of the Ultimate 3E are marginally longer, allowing a bit more space for members of the big-hand gang to hold it comfortably. Perhaps the biggest sin of the Ultimate 2 in my eyes? Very slippery thumbstick textures which made it really hard to make use of the TMR tech beneath them.

Thankfully, the name of the game with the Ultimate 3E seems to be swappable parts, because interchangeable thumbstick tops really are just the tip of the iceberg. For clarity, you can choose between three distinct thumbstick tops, but when you also add in two styles of D-pad and different face button modules, you've got a controller with a really versatile outlook. It's not going to give the Victrix Pro BFG for Xbox a run for its money in terms of a modular design, but it's got more swappable parts than some of the $200 Xbox pads.

It looks as though you'll get a choice of two face button modules, one with "smooth silicone" and one with microswitches that 8BitDo says will give you distinct feels. On top of that, there are some trigger stop switches, and the same extra functionality from the Ultimate 2 carries over, giving you two back buttons and two extra bumpers. The controller will be locked to the 240Hz polling rate of any gamepad on Xbox, but on PC, it can boost up to 1,000Hz.

While you do get a charging stand that holds the USB-C 2.4GHz wireless dongle, I'm a little miffed that 8BitDo isn't offering a carry case of any sort here. It's by no means a necessity, but when you're offering as many swappable parts as this, it'd be very easy to lose them without a dedicated place to keep them all safe.

It's also worth mentioning that if $149.99 is a little too rich for your blood, this isn't the only 8BitDo Ultimate 3 for you to choose from. 8BitDo is no stranger to launching offshoots of its flagship peripherals, with the Ultimate 2 getting a slightly more affordable 2C option, for example. The standard Ultimate 3 (in a lovely Lavender Dusk colorway) is available for pre-order at $99 but does offer less in the way of customizable features. Interestingly, it sports adjustable thumbstick tension rings, similar to the Flydigi Vader 5S.

See also the best PS5 controllers, the best Switch 2 controllers, and the best joysticks.

I'm in the very fortunate position that I review gaming controllers for a living, but all of them today have their own dedicated companion software, so it means I'm constantly downloading new PC apps to help me test all of their features. I'm going to be honest, things are getting pretty silly. More than one brand I can think of has multiple different applications for all of its controllers. So one bit of GameSir software that works with one of its controllers might not with another. The best PC controllers certainly get a lot out of companion software like this, but downloading and using it can feel like a faff when you just want to unbox and get playing.

That's why testing out the Manba One was such a refreshing experience. A lot of controllers have tried to cut the middleman of companion software by integrating a screen and a user interface straight onto the device. But there have been so few that have managed to make one actually useful because the on-board menus end up feeling way more limited than a companion app would be. The Manba One is an outlier because its larger on-board display gives you everything you need to customize the gamepad to the finest detail.

I haven't tested a controller before or since that's felt so streamlined when it comes to customization - nor one that's made its integrated screen feel so bloody useful. In fairness, a lot of users might not even need to download companion software if they aren't interested in getting into the nitty-gritty deadzone details. Most of the time, assigning extra buttons can be done via some clever hot-key combinations, so if that's all the customizing you want to do, feel free to zone out and continue on with your scroll through the internet.

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But there's an unreal benefit of having a much more powerful customization suite literally at your fingertips at all times. Even if you wouldn't naturally think of wanting to adjust your deadzones, or even if you don't know what difference deadzones make to your gameplay, having the option to adjust them so easily accessible means you'll probably be inspired to give it a try.

If anything, this just means you can actually get the full worth out of your pro controller, so in that way, I'd argue the Manba One has better value for money than a lot of the gamepads that land on my desk.

The menu you access on the controller allows you to sort between 3 PC profiles on its on-board storage. Each profile has a sub-menu that allows you to adjust button layouts, trigger deadzones, thumbstick deadzones, and rumble levels. There's then a separate profile for when you're using it as a Nintendo Switch controller.

It'd be easy for the Manba One to coast on this one feature, allow it to be a gimmick, and call it a day, but that isn't the case. The Manba One hasn't stuck around in my shortlist of favourite controllers just because of its big screen; it's a great controller without that first and foremost.

It has microswitch buttons that feel really responsive for its sub-$100 price, it has Hall sensor thumbsticks and triggers, comes with swappable thumbstick tops, and it has four back buttons (something which more prestigious controllers from better-known brands don't even have). It even has trigger stop switches as well. In terms of aesthetics, it comes in either a transparent/white model or in a black colorway, but RGB gives it even more definition in your setup.

Obviously, the alternative on everyone's mind right now is the new Steam Controller, and for good reason. Valve's latest bit of hardware has innovative trackpads (and other features) that make it unlike any other gamepad I've tested, but even it fails at the easy convenience of the Manba One.

To customize the Steam Controller, you need to create profiles for it on a per-game basis. This means that every time you want to assign a back button or adjust one of its aspects, you need to come out of your game, enter the Steam controller menus, which really aren't the best, and adjust pretty granularly. If you want that setting to save across each game you play? Too bad, you'll need to set it up for each individual game in your library. It doesn't even have on-board profiles that you can switch between with button combinations; it's all configured by the Steam menus when you launch a new game.

The Manba One's onboard UI is almost the antithesis of the Steam Controller's convoluted adjustment system, because the menu is right in front of you at all times. You might need to put the controller in its adjustment mode to configure something, but the menus you'll play around with are so well designed and easy to navigate that it feels way more intuitive than Valve's system. As hard as that is to believe for a controller that's nearly half the price, I've had hands-on time with both, and I know which I'd prefer to have to customize mid-gaming session.

For the record, I'm not sitting here trying to argue that the Manba One is a "better" peripheral than the Steam Controller. That's a much more in-depth conversation to have, and there's a lot more to weigh up. But I'd certainly say the Manba One makes its adjustments and settings menus more easily navigable and accessible than 90% of its competition on the shelves.

You might have more luck finding your dream controller if you head over to my list of the best PS5 controllers, the best Xbox Series X controller, and the best TMR controllers.

Forza Horizon 6 might not be the first game that comes to mind if you're looking for a life-like sim racing game to make the most of today's beefy wheel and pedal setups, but compatibility for launch week is certainly available. If you're looking to hook up one of the best PC racing wheels or your old faithful Xbox steering wheel while tucking into the newest Forza, you may be in luck.

A list of compatible wheels has been published to Forza's support website, and it details which wheel bundles do and do not work at this point in time. Logitech is leading the field, with a whole plethora of its wheels (including ones from over 10 years ago) holding full support in FH6. It seems the G Pro, RS50, G923, and G920 have been priorities for the Forza devs to ensure support for - which makes sense as these will likely be some of the most popular sim racing kits around.

Thrustmaster is also doing pretty well on compatibility, with the T248 (and presumably its newer "R" model), as well as some others working fine on Xbox and PC. This is where the list get a bit trickier to decipher however, because some of the other biggest wheel brands out there have some caveats.

When it comes to the latest wheels from Moza, Turtle Beach, Fanatec, and Nacon, the page either reads "additional support coming in update" or has an asterisk next to their names. The Forza Support team has said this means: "An asterisk mark indicates partial support is currently available. This may mean, for example, that Force Feedback is functional but button mappings are not present."

This isn't a huge disaster, as some of the best wheels to launch in recent years fit this category and will at least work to some degree until a future update brings more realistic feedback into play. The Nacon Revosim RS Pure Bundle, for example, only has partial compatibility. The same goes for the great value Moza R3, the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3, or indeed one of our PC favorites, the Moza R12.

Something that's important to note if you're using any wheel that has "partial" or full support in FH6 just now is that you should update your drivers and firmware to the latest possible versions before trying them in the game.

"Your wheel may work great with games that came out 1 or 2 years ago - even Foza games," says the support page. "That doesn't mean it'll work with a new game. This is not limited to PC users: If you are playing on Xbox Series X|S, you should also make sure your drivers and firmware are up to date by connecting your wheel to a PC or laptop and downloading the latest drivers and firmware for your wheel from the manufacturer’s website."

Even for the golden child, Logitech, the Forza team specifies that users of the G29 and G920 should install the latest version of Logitech G Hub.

At the moment, there's no indication of what "coming in update" actually means. Since it is only the first few days after the official launch of the game, it's likely we will see support added for other sim racing brands as the weeks and months roll on. For now, I've included a list below of the wheels that we've tested and know are fully compatible in the game.

We can also recommend these wheels below, which currently have partial support with the promise of additional compatibility later on. It's worth noting that a lot of these wheels are ones that we found in our review testing had more common instances of not having button mapping profiles in other games anyway, so it may just be that you need to find the right setup for you. For now though, if you own these wheels, it may be that they don't drive quite right in FH6, of that their deadzones have some quirks.

Happy to play with a gamepad for now? Take a look at the best PC controllers, the best TMR controllers, and the best Xbox Series X controllers.

Two of the biggest controller brands are going head-to-head with their latest product launches, and when I say head-to-head, I mean launching in the same 24 hours, and they look almost like long-lost twins. It's almost as though the two brands caught wind of what one another had planned, but the result for us is that two new Xbox Series X controllers have entered the market.

For starters, 8BitDo has launched pre-orders for its new 8BitDo Ultimate 3 controller for Xbox, which officially releases in August in the UK, and in October in the UK. Interestingly, this comes ahead of the 8BitDo Ultimate 3E, which I covered a few months back, as pre-orders for that arrive on May 26. The Lavender Dusk edition is available to reserve at Amazon now, and it does look a bit different from the "3E" we saw at CES.

Then, GameSir is launching the T7 Pro, which looks like a spin-off of the popular G7 Pro that currently sits atop our list of the best TMR controllers, and holds a position on our Xbox and PC controller lists. It's launching in a Sugar Whirl colorway which blends similar purples, turquoise, pinks, and blue tones to 8BitDo.

The similarities in color aren't the only thing that's a bit bizarre in this tale of the tape though - the price of each is right in one another's way. The GameSir T7 Pro will set you back £99.99 / $89.99 if you pre-order now through GameSir's website (Amazon availability will come later). And the 8BitDo Ultimate 3 costs $99.99 / £79.99 at Amazon.

So on color and price, there's not much in it. Furthermore, for Xbox fans, both are officially licensed by Microsoft, so there will be no problem getting wireless play with the console or on PC. Both come with a 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle, but can also connect up via Bluetooth or with a cable. But on wider specs and features, a few things separate these two peripherals, which might help you determine if one is for you or not.

Starting with the 8BitDo Ultimate 3, the most notable feature for many may be what the brand is calling the Force Ring Adjustable TMR joysticks. Like the Flydigi Vader 5S and popular Vader 4 Pro, this pad has twisting rings around its thumbsticks that allow you to tighten or loosen their tension. That's a rare feature in the Xbox market, especially without the use of tools. It has a 1,000Hz polling rate, Hall sensor triggers with 2-way stop switches, and a combination of two back buttons with two additional shoulder buttons.

The marketing hasn't made clear whether or not the Ultimate 3 will use membrane or microswitch buttons, but for the most part, it looks like a very similar shape and layout to the 8BitDo Ultimate 2. I'm a big fan of that controller for its versatility, but its smaller grip length does feel better suited to those with smaller hands, and I sincerely hope 8BitDo has done something about its thumbstick top texture, because its slippiness really lets the product down. Thankfully, a graphic on the brand's website shows that this Ultimate 3 has slightly larger grips, which is a welcome change in my eyes.

The GameSir T7 Pro also has TMR thumbsticks and Hall effect triggers, but it's confirmed to use membrane buttons - an interesting change-up from the GameSir G7 Pro's microswitches. It skips out on additional bumpers, but does include two back buttons. It'll have the same 1,000Hz max polling rate on PC as the Ultimate 3, and GameSir is making strong mention of its four rumble motors, so feedback seems to be a big priority.

If you're undecided on the paint job of both controllers, the T7 Pro has a trick up its sleeve in the form of ambient RGB, which gives it a pretty different feel in low-light rooms.

The most interesting thing for me here is that despite seeming like a downgrade from the brand's flagship G7 Pro controller, the T7 Pro actually costs more (at least in the UK), not less. The G7 Pro, even in its 8K Polling PC form, comes in at the same $89.99 at Amazon, which is an interesting choice, but probably has more to do with the licensing costs for wireless Xbox controllers. Because of that, both the T7 Pro and Ultimate 3 come with a charging stand.

If I were to choose one of these controllers right now, my money would be on the 8BitDo Ultimate 3, mainly because of the additional bumper buttons that allow for a bit more versatility. Having tested a pad with easily adjustable thumbstick tension recently, I can also see a lot of benefits of that feature. That said, GameSir has tended to stick the landing with its controllers a bit more consistently in my experience, and slippy thumbsticks are things I'd be looking out for in the refined Ultimate 3.

If you play on a different platform, it might be worth looking into the best PS5 controllers, the best Switch controllers, and the best Switch 2 controllers.

The Elite Series 2 has been one of the most influential gaming controllers ever to launch. Originally launching in 2019, so many rival gamepads have taken design cues from it. From magnetic back paddles to adjustable stick tension, to fully remappable buttons, to even Sony producing its own homemade pro controller - the Elite Series 2 transcended the Xbox Series X controller-sphere, so when I heard that there were (unofficial and unconfirmed) leaked images of what looks like its sequel, I had high expectations.

I hate to admit it, but as someone who reviews gaming controllers week in, week out, I would argue that all the other brands in this space have caught up to Microsoft. These days, the best PC controller race is one of the most hotly-contested in the gaming hardware scene.

But from leaked images posted by Technoblog of what certainly resembles an updated Elite Series controller, not much seems to have changed. Naturally, take all of this with a generous pinch of salt, because there's no way of validating those images to be anything official from Xbox just yet, and even if it looks like an Elite Series 3 controller, we can't confirm that it is. Of course, it'd be hard to pack in as much innovation this time around, and there's only so much a few leaked images are going to show us, but I, for one, expected a sequel to Xbox's most advanced homemade controller to be a bit... bolder.

I think the issue is that the current slate of officially licensed third-party Xbox Series X controllers is insanely strong. They're crammed full of features and sport some really badass designs. The $200 pantheon all boast at least four (usually six) extra buttons, wireless play, a charging stand, a carry case, swappable thumbstick tops, Hall sensor or even more advanced TMR thumbsticks, and most likely, microswitch buttons. A lucky few even have swappable faces or on-board displays you can use to customize them.

Obviously, from a few leaked photos, there's nothing to say those things won't be featured in an Elite Series 3. I'm well aware of that, but I can't help but feel like if that is the Elite Series 3 we're getting a glimpse of, I'm a bit underwhelmed.

For starters, while the magnetic back paddles look refined with a grippier texture, they look almost copy-and-pasted over from the Series 2 - hopefully they're a bit more spread out because one slight complaint I had for 2019's version was that things feel a little cramped around the back. There don't appear to be any additional bumper (shoulder) buttons, which would automatically give the third-party options an advantage over it in terms of extra functionality.

The face buttons have a more rounded, shiny surface to them, which, to me, indicates microswitches - even if there's no way of knowing for sure yet. These buttons don't look very Xbox-y though, particularly because the lettering on the face buttons doesn't have the classic, bold lettering; the typeface is a bit more elegant and fine.

Trigger stop switches carry over from the Elite Series 2 as well, so this leaked controller looks nothing if not consistent.

There are some new things however, including two scrollable wheels on the bottom of the pad's face. Some have remarked that these look similar to the ones appearing on the DualSense Edge. In my mind, they could be for configuring volume levels or scrolling through controller profiles. Don't forget that if this new peripheral is being designed for Project Helix, there's a chance these new wheels could help control an element of UI we don't know about yet, similar to the Switch 2's Game Chat buttons.

But as for appearances, that's sort of it. To really wow the controller market in a similar way to the Elite Series 2, this is going to have to have some attributes under the hood. If this controller is ever to be revealed, this is my checklist of features I'll be looking for.

Advanced thumbstick tech

To begin with, thumbstick tech has come a long, long way since 2019. Stick drift came and went as a commonly cited plague for gaming peripherals, so much so that even the cure of Hall sensor stick modules has been outclassed by TMR sticks. For me, TMR modules are going to be a must for an Elite Series 3 controller to really cement it among the best competitive controllers out there.

If not to keep up with an expanding list of impressive TMR controllers that sit at the top of the leaderboards on each gaming platform, then to at least match the new Steam Controller.

Hall sensors would be fine, but if the Elite Series 3 is going to go as long as the Series 2 did without a successor, TMR is the best path to futureproofing.

Some DualSense Counters

Next, I'm slightly disappointed we never ended up seeing the Project Seblie controller that leaked alongside Project Brooklyn (the Xbox Series X mid-gen refresh we never got) during Microsoft's FTC court case. Sebile, the companion controller's big selling point, looked like it was going to be haptic feedback, which really would have been an interesting bit of warfare against the PS5's DualSense.

I hope some of this wasn't just a concept in a courtroom, and Microsoft has carried over some of the intended features from Seblie. Some advanced haptics in an Elite Series 3 would be massive for Microsoft's renewed fight against Sony, especially since the feeling I get from products like the Hyperkin Competitor is that the DualSense never really lived up to its potential.

In the same light, some controllable, adaptive trigger resistance could be a really cool thing to see. Yes, this is another DualSense Edge feature that hasn't lived up to its potential. But there are ways for an Elite Series sequel to pick it up and run. The Flydigi Apex 5 has its own form of trigger resistance that isn't massively complicated but adds some interesting feel into the mix while shortening actuation distances.

Speed

A more impressive polling rate is also going to be important. This is more of a note for the upcoming Xbox console/PC hybrid, but a standard polling rate of 250Hz for controllers on the Series X and S is less than impressive, especially when modern third-party controllers can only make use of their 1,000Hz speeds on PC. Either way, the Elite Series 3 could make a real statement with a polling rate of 1,000Hz or more, while the Steam Controller tops out at 250Hz. Seeing as Razer and GameSir both have 8K polling controllers, Xbox does have some heat already on the shelves to contend with.

I've already touched on them, but microswitch buttons could be crucial too. For the record, they aren't a must for me, but I think to appeal to a vocal majority of gamers today, clicky buttons are going to be important. If, for no other reason, to keep up with the current third-party offerings that will probably cost the same amount of money. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and the Asus ROG Raikiri II both have ultra-speedy and responsive buttons, and there's a reason these are proving popular. As GamesRadar+'s resident mouse and keyboard guru put it last week, clicky buttons are a feature a lot of players gravitate to.

An ace or two up its sleeve

Some innovation would go a long way for an Elite Series 3 to make it desirable and make it stand out in the market. The controller shelves aren't the same as they were in 2019, and we're now looking at gamepads with heart rate monitors built in, screens, or the Steam Controller's trackpads.

An Elite Series 3 doesn't need a hook because it could get by on that classic Xbox appeal, but some nifty innovations certainly wouldn't hurt its chances at being an alluring option in today's busy market. The Steam Controller and the DualSense Edge have alluring innovations like capacitive sensors, gyro, and haptics, all of which set them apart.

The real question with the Elite Series 3 is what it will do that no other gamepad currently can.

For more, take a look at the best PS5 controllers, the best Switch 2 controllers, and the best PC racing wheels.

The Scuf Omega launched yesterday and, while I've only had a little time to get my hands around this pro gamepad, there's one standout feature for me already. Clicky, mechanical face buttons have always been an end goal for me. Years spent testing the best gaming mouse models has left me with an intolerance for unreliable repeat presses and soft, spongey clackers. I want the crisp, clean finish of a tactile mechanical switch - and the Scuf Omega nails the brief.

These face buttons (and d-pad) make for shorter (and therefore faster) actuations that feel tighter and far more precise in repeat presses. Ultimately, the main benefit is speed - and that's going to be felt most by competitive players. That's not why I like them though.

It's that tactile feedback that keeps bringing me back to mechanical face buttons. Every button feels like it's clean and precise - more controlled, with less of the 'space' around a more traditional membrane button. That means even single player games benefit and, if you're just looking for that snappier feel outside of ranked leaderboards, where the Scuf Omega starts to shrink away from the limelight - at least outside of the PS5's more limited market.

That's because there are a ton of PC controllers offering those mechanical face buttons for far less than the $219.99 MSRP of the Scuf Omega. While you're pretty locked into higher priced gamepads if you're specifically hunting down the best PS5 controllers (the Razer Raiju V3 Pro also offers similar features), the realm of Windows-only gamepads drops that price significantly. Enter the EasySMX X10.

This $40 controller isn't going to keep up with the Scuf Omega's vastly superior customization options. Those six additional back button / side bumpers are replaced by a modest set of two, and there's little in the way of keybinding settings. If you're locking in on a more tactile single-player experience on PC, though, it's vastly better value for money.

The Scuf Omega retains its place in the hands of PS5 players looking for a nifty competitive advantage over DualSense users, but ultimately it's those face switches that are sealing the deal for me so far. Are they better than the EasySMX implementation? Absolutely. They're crispier, snappier, and offer a smoother actuation overall. If you're just buying a gamepad for the mechanical buttons, though, EasySMX is going to be my recommendation every time.

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We're also rounding up all the best Xbox Series X controllers and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers on the market. Or take a look at the best TMR controllers for more thumbstick options.

By now, you've likely seen a million videos of the Steam Controller screaming classic movie-style as it drops from a height. It's exactly the kind of fun easter egg that makes Valve's gamepad so special, especially since it uses haptics rather than a speaker. However, rather than making it cry out as it plummets, you can instead use an app to make it chirp a bunch of MIDI tracks.

First highlighted by Beebreadtech on TikTok, you can effectively make the Steam Controller sing using an app. Creatively dubbed SteamHapticsSinger, the GitHub program is actually forked from code for Valve's first gamepad, but has since been revamped by developer CrazyCritic89.

The clip demos the Steam Controller singing tunes like "Still Alive" from Portal, which feels right on a Valve gamepad. The Wii Shop music also sounds pretty sensational coming out of the haptic motors, although it's worth noting that if you leave it belting its heart out on a desk, it might get carried away and rumble off your surface, potentially resulting in one of those aforementioned Wilhelm screams.

Of course, this isn't the first ever instance of motors making a chorus they're not designed to. In fact, there's a good chance you've already bear witnessed to The Floppotron at some point on the internet, a "computer hardware orchestra" that uses a whole lineup of old Hard Discs, Floppy Drives, and flatbed scanner motors to play whole tracks.

In theory, you could get a whole bunch of Steam Controllers and get it to play different "instruments" as part of an orchestra. That's going to be an expensive show given the gamepad's $99 / £89 price tag, though, so keep that in mind before planning any talent show entries. If you're just looking to mess around, all you have to do is install USBDK alongside the SteamHapticsSinger app, acquire some MIDI tracks, and then drag and drop them in.

It's worth noting that if you have a Steam Deck OLED, it should work with Valve's gaming handheld too. I unfortunately left my portable pal at home, so I can't make it sing for its supper right now. I will be trying it when I'm back at my desk, however, and if I manage to get a Steam Machine later this year, I'll be putting the pad on a stage for my amusement.

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Got Valve's handheld? Swing by the best Steam Deck docks and turn the portable into a hybrid.

Microsoft has stuck with virtually the same Xbox controller design for over a decade, but leaks suggest a completely new design. Not one, but two unannounced gamepads have leaked, and while the line-up does include an Elite Series 3 that still feels like part of the OG controller lineage, it's accompanied by a tiny sibling that's geared towards cloud gaming.

Shared by Technoblog, the new Xbox controller leak shows off both gamepads and provides some key specs. The latter compact pad, or "Microsoft 2147 controller," if we're using its internal Microsoft moniker, almost looks like a retro console accessory by the likes of 8Bitdo, featuring a flat, rectangular shell that's only 90mm tall and 130mm wide.

Yes, it's almost like one of those Hori Mini gamepads designed for smaller hands. However, the 2147 controller's specs, its main goal is actually providing a travel-friendly way to play cloud games on any device, rather than just being the right size for young mitts. Crammed inside the compact shell is seemingly a 500mAh battery alongside Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 6 chipsets.

The latter is what potentially gives away the mini Xbox controller as a cloud gaming device. Its Wi-Fi capabilities are allegedly restricted to 20MHz, too, which makes sense given that it will help minimise interference and latency. I am hoping that its additional Bluetooth abilities mean it will also just work as a PC controller, as its size and concave disc d-pad lend themselves to fighting and retro games. Documentation detailing toggle button functionality backs that idea up, with options for "local" and "cloud" modes listed.

Part of me wonders if the Wi-Fi-enabled Xbox controller will be an ergonomic nightmare. I've used retro gamepads of all shapes and sizes, but the difference here is that Microsoft is squeezing full-sized thumbsticks and buttons onto something with next to no curves and minimal grips around back. That's all dandy if you're playing 2D games on an old system, but adding sticks and triggers into the equation will have your thumbs performing more complex acrobatics.

In contrast to that drastically different gamepad, you've got the new Xbox Elite Controller Series 3. While it largely sticks to the same script as the Elite Controller Series 2, it does boast the same Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules as its compact sibling. Microsoft has also resculpted the top of the pad, ditching some of the ridges that hail from the Xbox One era to achieve the same smoothness as the standard Wireless Controller.

The Elite Series 3 seems to have all the same customizable bells and whistles as its predecessor, including adjustable triggers, d-pad, and paddles. That said, two sneaky scroll wheels are hiding next to the 3.5mm headphone jack, and they almost remind me of an old Saitek flight controller from the PS1 era. Whether they're actually for sim games or serve some sort of adjustability purpose remains a mystery, but it feels like the latter would be appropriate since this is a "Pro" gamepad.

The timing of these controller leaks is impeccable, as I just wrapped up my review of the Retro Fighters Hunter for the OG Xbox. Throughout testing, I couldn't help but think about how Microsoft's controller design has subtly evolved since the Duke smashed into our palms back in 2001, and while the wireless pad is supposed to feel "old-school", refining the original design simply results in the modern-day Xbox gamepad.

If the compact controller is indeed real, it would be a deviation from the design first established by the OG Xbox "S" gamepad. The only first-party controller I can think of that doesn't use the post-Xbox 360 shell and buttons is the Adaptive Controller & Joystick, and we could be witnessing Microsoft getting into the groove with new pads. If the console maker is starting to explore accessories with specific use cases, making a Steam Controller rival for Project Helix would be a no-brainer since it'll be rivalling the Steam Machine with similar hybrid PC capabilities.

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Until I got my hands on Valve's Steam Controller, I thought, "there's no way in hell something that bulky is going to be comfortable to hold for long stretches of time". I'll be the first to say that I underestimated Valve's approach, because for a brand that hasn't taken a crack at making a PC controller since its first (bizarre) 2016 outing, it has nailed gamepad ergonomics in ways specialist brands sometimes fail to.

Of course, this controller is intended to be part of a new Valve hardware ecosystem that isn't here yet. It's designed almost entirely for the Steam Deck, Steam Frame, and Steam Machine, but 2026's new Steam Controller is so much more than that. In years of reviewing gaming controllers, I've never encountered anything that's attempted to bridge the gap between mouse functionality in quite the same way as this does. It makes for a controller that can actually help you navigate a PC from a couch, or without reaching for the mouse on your desk.

This is undoubtedly the best part of the Steam Controller, and although I can name several others that tackle competitive gameplay a bit better than it, I can't name any other controllers that utilize trackpads to make playing any and all PC-optimized games this easy. Is it right for you? You'll need to decide if $99 / £85 is too much to justify for the privilege of those pads, because there are certainly cheaper controllers out there that can do just as much, if not more, for your gameplay.

Design

The Steam Controller's design is pretty clever because it builds on the things people like about the brand's most successful piece of hardware ever, the Steam Deck. In essence, the controller is the two sides of a Steam Deck without its screen. Alongside some symmetrical thumbsticks set below the D-pad and face buttons, there are also two trackpads which extend the controller's face into a much bulkier-looking block shape.

It's for this reason the Steam Controller looks so far from comfortable at first glance, but the design has been handled with care so that it fits surprisingly well in the hands. Valve has used a clearly accented, rounded grip shape that spans the full length of the controller - something that even specialist brands sometimes get wrong. This means the larger body doesn't get in the way of how you hold it and, if anything, the bigger size just means my pinkies feel accommodated.

It feels as though Valve has done its utmost to cling to the design language of the Steam Deck here, which is true of the upcoming Steam Machine and Steam Frame as well. While I'm a big fan of the consistency across the range, I do feel like this ethos holds the controller back slightly. The Steam Controller has a very unique, iconic design, but its graphite texture sometimes risks it looking a bit plain compared to other options on the shelves and, in a practical sense, it has some issues.

For example, the membrane face buttons on the Steam Controller are a fingerprint smudge magnet. I've tested white controllers that feel better defended against sweat and grime from your hands. There are glossed surfaces to the buttons that just mean any moisture on your skin makes itself immediately known, and there are plenty of nooks and crannies where dust and mess can build up.

There are four back buttons around the back. I take issue with these, though. They're placed well enough, but their fairly rigid plastic build quality makes them a little tough to actuate. They take some fairly precise pressure, and a decent amount of that pressure, to push in, which isn't ideal if you map them to a button you need to press often. That brings fatigue into play, and doesn't feel as immediately satisfying as back buttons on rival controllers, like the Flydigi Apex 5 or the Gulikit KK3 Max.

While it also suffers slightly from its graphite texture in terms of grippiness, it's hard not to like the Steam Controller's design, especially when you feel how ergonomic it is in the hands. Not all gaming hardware needs to have loads of personality or scream at you with RGB, and there's definitely an understated look to be appreciated here.

Features

The Steam Controller sports TMR thumbsticks, making it one of a growing number of emergent TMR controllers on the shelves. I applaud Valve for opting for the futureproofing of Tunnel Magnetoresistance modules. I imagine the big draw for most gamers will be their immunity to stick drift but, in truth, the advancement in polling speed and resolution over Hall sensor tech is the thing to get excited about.

Be warned though, the polling rate of the Stream Controller currently rests at 250Hz, which is really, really underwhelming against the competition. For reference, most Xbox Series X controllers these days are launching with a polling rate of 1,000Hz, and although they're locked to a pretty lacklustre 250Hz rate on the console itself, maxing out at 1,000Hz on PC is enough to dispel any real latency concerns. A lot of mice and keyboards have a polling rate of 8,000Hz. While I don't expect the Steam Controller to reach for those kinds of numbers and match the GameSir G7 Pro 8K model launching this week, a middle ground polling rate would have been appreciated.

I'm not going to claim that I have superhuman reflexes and can tell the differences in these tiny instances of latency, but know that there is a marked difference in the responsiveness when going back and forth between a 1,000Hz controller and the Steam Controller. It's not bothered me in a game yet, but it's certainly a noticeable drop in response time if you're looking for the snappiest feel from your gaming peripherals.

The good news is, this may be tunable through software updates. I have seen controllers get polling rate increases through firmware in the past, and I imagine if Valve wants to support this controller for years to come, and this may already be in the works.

Features elsewhere are broadly impressive. Clever uses of capacitive sensors turn the grips into buttons of their own, and gryro feels smooth and usable as a way to aim if the thumbsticks still aren't doing it for you. But what might help sway things for you are the features that aren't here.

There are no trigger stop switches, no microswitch buttons, no additional bumpers, no eight-way D-pad, and no customizable thumbstick tops. It feels far removed from a lot of the controllers that have launched for PC players in recent years that have targeted that pro-level performance player. The Steam Controller fits really nicely in my grip, but I have fairly large hands and the reach for your thumb to travel from trackpad to D-pad may not be so ideal. There's a profound lack of customizable elements to this gamepad in physical terms. Meanwhile, modular controllers like the Victrix Pro BFG for Xbox offer a lot more versatility. Not even that, many products around this price point offer some kind of physical swapping, even if it's just some different thumbstick heights.

The Steam Controller doesn't feel designed around competitive play, so there are alternatives I'd point you toward if you're looking for those features. Where the Steam Controller feels a lot more at home is in comfort use, and that's evident in its generous battery life. The gamepad comes with a charging puck, which is a lot smaller than I thought it'd be. It's essentially a small wireless receiver, but not one with a USB slot on one end that means it can be plugged directly into the rear IO of your motherboard or front USB outlets on your PC case. It has some magnetic charging connectors on it which snap to your Steam Controller when you lay it down on top of the puck. You can connect up to four Steam Controllers to any one puck, and the thing even has its own firmware.

In over 24 hours of tests with the Steam Controller in the last week, it hasn't died on me, and big picture mode's interface is telling me it still has about half of its juice left in the tank. Battery life is a real strength of this device. As is its internal speaker, which is set out of the box to Wilhelm scream at you if you have gyro switched on and drop it from a height.

Profiles and software

At the centre of Valve's Steam Controller is the Steam home button. Press this once, and you'll wake the controller. Press it once it's connected to your gaming PC, and you'll launch Steam. Depending on how your settings are configured, you might need an additional press to access big picture mode. Regardless, this is where some of my biggest gripes with the Steam pad lie.

Almost every controller that launches these days will have companion software that allows you to customize and fine tune - set back button assignments, configure deadzones, change lighting and, perhaps most importantly, switch profiles. Not only do the majority of controllers have an on-board profile system, they also aren't beholden to companion software to switch between them.

Valve has opted for a different approach in an attempt to lock the Steam Controller to the Steam ecosystem. Fair enough, with other services like Epic, Xbox, and GOG breathing down its neck, the hardware this brand makes needs to keep users at home somehow. That means the Steam Controller will only work in Steam-launched games. Yes, you can set games from other PC platforms to launch in Steam, but it's something to be aware of if you use the Epic launcher frequently.

There are no hot-key combinations here to program back button assignments or switch up profiles on the fly. All of the Steam Controller's settings work on a per-game basis that you'll need to work out before playing each new title. You can change buttons assignments for the gamepad's standard desktop profile but, if you're like me, a standard one-size fits-all approach is going to have to be repetitively assigned to new games when you start them.

This wouldn't be such an issue but I have encountered problems in testing where profiles haven't saved, back button assignments have been deleted, and the process of getting a profile to work in game has been a bit arduous. Thankfully, after a few firmware updates, things are working more in line with how they should be.

Then again, the flip side of all of this is the Steam Controller's secret weapon; it isn't just a PC gaming controller, it's a controller for your PC. Navigating Windows 11 with a gamepad is possible if you buy the right one, but in my experience of testing them, it's such a stretch to say that they work. The trackpads on the Steam Controller allow it to actually function like you're using a mouse, and the serotonin-fueling haptic feedback as you trace your thumb across them never fails to feel satisfying.

I've used the controller to browse the internet, change up some background music, and otherwise navigate my PC between games, so much so that if I'm playing on my couch setup, I barely need to reach for the mouse and keyboard. Hotkey combinations can bring up an on-screen keyboard, and the buttons of the controller are set to mouse clicks and keyboard assignments. There's freedom to actually use this as a controller for wider PC tasks. It's so, so close to a truly console experience - if only it could wake a PC from sleep, we'd be right on the money. Nonetheless, there's no other controller I've tested that's this adept at keeping you away from a mouse and keyboard, and it's truly a reason to buy this gamepad over others.

Controller performance

Overall, Valve has done a great job of designing a controller that does a bit of everything well, not a controller that does one thing really well. Let me explain.

A lot of controllers these days are set up to help you succeed in more than one genre of gaming, but you can tell they've been designed with one or two specifically in mind. An FPS-oriented controller doesn't always lend itself to a 2D platformer. A fighting game controller doesn't always feel the best to use in third-person action/adventure games.

Valve has threaded a needle so its gamepad can lean into whatever your Steam library consists of, and while that approach will help its Steam Machine and Steam Frame feel like a new age of console ecosystem, it does have drawbacks too.

In FPS games, for example, TMR thumbsticks definitely do their part to help your accuracy, and highly customisable gyro controls are there for you if that's your preferred method of clicking heads. But those rigid back buttons are definitely detrimental to your gameplay because they don't feel like they can be actuated in a split second during the heat of battle. The thumbstick tension also feels a little tight for my liking, but then again, I did just come from testing the adjustable Flydigi Vader 5S.

This is not me saying the Steam Controller isn't going to be a good option for FPS gamers. There are loads of options to make it work for you, including trackpad aiming, which can certainly work if you set it up correctly. All I'm making clear here is that when testing it in my regular haunt, Hunt: Showdown, against other contemporary pro controllers, Valve's doesn't feel quite as at home. But to each their own. I haven't played with gyro aim a lot other than to test it on various controllers, and this has the smoothest and most usable I've tried.

The main bulk of my testing was done playing Crimson Desert, which the Steam Controller sailed through. The comfort on offer meant long sessions would disappear without me noticing as Valve's gamepad rested beautifully in my hands. Other than the back buttons being a little rigid for repetitive tapping, there was nothing to complain about here. It's a superb controller for open-world exploration, and I can't wait to see some of the cool controller mappings people are making when it comes to the clever capacitive grip sensors.

Another consistent testing game for my controller reviews is Towerfall Ascension, and the game's crunchy and responsive 2D platforming felt great here. I'm more of a fan of eight-way D-pads than traditional four-way ones, but other than its slippy texture, I didn't have too much of a problem controlling my archer with Valve's. Thankfully, the trackpads and thumbsticks offered fun new ways of moving around and aiming.

Another area where the Steam Controller may let you down is in fast-paced fighting games. Whether you like adopting a fightpad grip or not, membrane buttons are not going to be ideal if you're trying to punch your way up a leaderboard. While it isn't exactly Tekken or Mortal Kombat, I've been testing controllers in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, mainly because my talent in fighting games has always been in the button-mashing department anyway. Rapid taps are not the specialty of the Steam Controller so, again, if you're in the market for something more responsive, maybe look elsewhere.

I guess if the Steam Controller commits one sin above all others, it's feeling a bit slow, clunky, and rigid. Its build quality is good - the thing is solid, and I certainly wouldn't want to drop it on my toe because I'd be the one producing a Wilhelm scream. But harder surfaces and high thumbstick tension, combined with plastic back buttons and membrane face buttons, just leave it feeling a bit stiff at times.

Mouse and keyboard performance

I usually review a gamepad in the gaming genres I mention above and let that be that, but that would feel wrong with the Steam Controller because there's a whole other dimension to play with here that constitutes a massive reason to buy Valve's latest peripheral. Before I went hands-on with it, I wrote about one of my biggest reasons for wanting a Steam Controller. I love me some management sims, some god games, and otherwise narrative titles that aren't designed to be played with a controller.

But here's the thing, these are the sorts of games I don't want to play at a desk in a fully upright, focused position. It feels like work, not the chill vibes Frontier was going for when they designed games like Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo. Even if you own one of the best gaming chairs, I'm sure you have the same feeling. Cozy gaming can be done at a desk, but it should feel comfortable, not like a continuation of work. Without intuitive controller support for a lot of these games, you're kind of at a loss, and that's the niche use case that the Steam Controller has over all of its current competition in the gamepad market.

The best thing is, you don't even need to get into annoying controller-to-keyboard mappings for titles that don't have native support for controllers. To test this, I loaded up Planet Coaster, a game I've played a frankly sad amount of hours of on PS5, but one I've not loaded up on PC yet, so I'm not totally fluent with the WASD and mouse controls. Without any tutorials, and without even heading into Steam's controller menus, I was able to work out what were really intuitive button assignments that were just automatically assigned. Within 2 minutes, I had cracked the camera and movement, within another 30 seconds, I had added the game's cheat code for making any theme park money (the Teacups ride), and just like that, I was off and running.

The same was true of Planet Zoo, and an indie narrative game called The Red Strings Club. The latter has been sitting in my Steam library for well over a year gathering dust because it didn't have controller support, but with simple trackpad movements, I was creating cosmic drinks for cyberpunk customers. No other gamepad has allowed me to access this gap in my Steam library, and that's where this controller really comes into its own.

The only times I had trouble were when a game required me to type something. Although a combination press of the Steam button and X brings up a keyboard, it seems as though games like Planet Coaster have trouble registering input from it. This is something that may have been specific to the game and, if not, I'm sure it'll be patched out in the coming months.

I'm delighted that this all works. It might take some relearning, and some creativity if you want to make a controller map that works for you and your brain, but after around five minutes of getting to grips with swinging the camera around in a city builder using the trackpads, you'll feel utterly fluent, and the experience of playing will feel intuitive enough for you to finally acheive that cozy chill vibe you've been dreaming of in these types of games.

Should you buy the Steam Controller?

The Steam Controller stands apart from every other gamepad on the shelves at the moment, because no other will offer you the kind of native PC control that Valve's can. As a regular gamepad, ignoring its clever trackpads, capacitive sensors, and gryo, it's a solid all-rounder, but one that doesn't really lend itself to one specific genre. It has its flaws, but it's plenty comfortable and will sit in your hands really easily for longer sessions.

Where it really wins is in games that want to be played at a desk, that you really want to play on your couch. Going forward, this is likely going to be my main use of the Steam Controller, because there is a whole subset of PC-tilted games I wish had better controller support. Valve has just broken that stalemate between me and select titles in my backlog, and I can't wait to play countless hours of Planet Coaster, Civilization, and Planet Zoo away from a desk.

I'd recommend the Steam Controller to anyone who wants to be able to navigate their gaming PC from a versatile number of positions, and to anyone who will be investing in the upcoming mini PC or VR headset. However, to anyone just looking for a gamepad for certain titles, I'd maybe look elsewhere, because you might be able to find something that suits your specific genre of choice a little better. Off the top of my head, Nacon's Revolution X Unlimited has an excellent premium feel and a suite of customizable parts. GameSir's G7 Pro is a better all-rounder across lots of different gaming genres, and the Flydigi Apex 5 offers much more competitive appeal.

Like I say though, you need to work out what your priorities are, because none of those have the Steam Controller's PC game versatility.

How I tested the Steam Controller

I used the Steam Controller for a little over a week before coming to a verdict in this review. In that time, I used it exclusively for all my PC gaming, which spanned loads of different genres. To test its various features, I went pretty deep into Steam's controller menus, tried mouse and keyboard games that didn't have controller support, and tried all its various quirky features. I didn't charge the controller while testing in order to get a sense of its battery life, and used it with more than one PC.

For more on how we test controllers, check out the GamesRadar+ hardware policy.

If you're not a Steam player, you might want to look at the best PS5 controllers instead, or the best Switch 2 controllers.

The Steam Controller is one of the hottest tickets in gaming hardware town right now, and for good reason. Valve's second crack at a gamepad crams a lot of great design points into a $99/£85 package, but some of its best features are still emerging as more people begin to use it. Today, for instance, I discovered with the help of my fellow hardware team members that if you have gyro turned on, the best PC controller contender will produce one of my favorite canned audio clips when you drop it.

The Wilhelm Scream has been used in so many films, TV shows, and funny clip compilations online that a lot of you reading this will probably know the soundbite by name. The funny folks at Valve certainly do, because they programmed the Steam Controller to produce a Wilhelm Scream when the device falls from a height.

In fact, the Steam Controller's Wilhelm Scream is being discovered by more and more users as the first batch of gamepads arrives with gamers. This is an excellent use of the gamepad's internal speaker, which will beep at you and produce small chirping noises for various reasons.

What's the functional use of this? I'm not sure there is one other than to give people a chuckle, or maybe diffuse some gamer rage after someone's thrown the controller in frustration.

To get the controller to produce the sound, I set up a few (very scientific) tests which resulted in the video above. I dropped mine from various heights onto my couch (which I fashioned into a crash mat of sorts). I found that it didn't need to fall for too long before producing the sound, but it didn't always scream at me if I dropped it from chest or waist height. A fall from head height was the most consistent in making the funny scream happen, which makes me think this has been designed more as a reaction to being thrown, rather than dropped.

I'd just caution that if you're going to try this with your own Steam Controller, you do it in a safe environment. Make your own crash mat, and certainly don't throw it at anyone or anything - partly because a breaking noise, or an actual person screaming, will probably drown out the noise the controller can make.

No, but really, don't throw controllers at people, and protect your expensive hardware if you're going to put it through drop tests.

Truth be told, I've had my Steam Controller for around a week now, and I'm still working out what all of its various speaker tones mean. I've heard one for it turning on and connecting, turning off and disconnecting, but there have been a few mysterious ones I've heard while going about my day and it's been turned on. There's clearly some hidden easter eggs to Valve's Steam Controller, which makes it such a joy to use.

So far, I'm not seeing a way to customize the various sound effects of the pad in Steam's controller menus. That said, I absolutely wouldn't put it past Valve to include this in a software update at some point down the line. If there's a speaker in there and some storage for different soundbites, the natural next step is to add ways for people to transfer their own sounds.

If you're struggling to replicate the Steam Controller's Wilhelm Scream, you might be running into the same roadblock I was when I tried initially - you need to have a quick play around with Steam's controller settings to ensure gyro is toggled on for the device's desktop profile.

Head into Steam, then settings, then controller, advanced settings, gyro behaviour, and then a setting of your choice should make it work. For mine, I've set it to "Gyro To Joystick Deflection".

I'll be producing a full review of the Steam Controller in the coming days, so be sure to check back for more of my thoughts on it soon.

Looking for the perfect gamepad for you and your platform? Check out the best Xbox Series X controllers, the best PS5 controllers, and the best Switch 2 controllers.

The Scuf Omega controller is officially out in the wild, debuting today at a lofty $219.99. The officially licensed PS5 gamepad looks pretty standard at first glance, but there are some hints of this device's more competitive aspirations in there.

This is a fully programmable monster, with toolless TMR thumbstick swapping and a suite of in-app controls. The best part? Two little adorable nubbins on each side provide additional bumper controls, akin to those of the Scuf Envision Pro from a couple of years ago.

That's where things get interesting. Despite sporting the same symmetrical thumbstick design as today's Scuf Omega, the Envision Pro was strictly a PC affair. It's where most competitive controllers seem to have landed over the last few years, but the tides look like they're shifting towards Sony.

The Scuf Omega features a fully customizable suite of controls that feel lifted straight from one of the best PC controllers, all personalized via a portable mobile app. We're talking 0% deadzones, trigger and thumbstick response curves, and configurable SOCD settings. Throw in instant Omron mechanical switch triggers and up to three onboard profiles, and you've got yourself a certifiable pro controller.

It's those little side buttons I'm most excited to try out, though. It's a rare feature we've only seen on the Envision Pro and the CRKD Nitro Deck+ before, but one that promises to keep your fingers firmly planted on the sticks where they belong.

Competitively minded PS5 controllers are nothing new, but they certainly don't hit the shelves with the same kind of frequency as PC options. While the DualSense Edge, Nacon Revolution 5 Pro, and Victrix Pro BFG have carried this market for the console's first few years, things are getting a little more serious now. The Scuf Omega is taking the competitive spirit of the Envision Pro to Sony's door, and Razer launched its second PS5 gamepad, the Raiju V3 Pro last year.

It's a strange position to be in. The DualSense's immersion-focused features are reserved for first-party gamepads only. That means you won't get that haptic feedback across either the chassis or the triggers here. If you prefer single-player adventures to ranked leaderboard climbs, that's going to be a serious deal breaker.

• See all PS5 controllers at Amazon

We're also rounding up more of the best TMR controllers or taking a look at the best Xbox Series X controllers and best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers for more platforms.

One of the controllers I've been most excited about this year is the untethered version of 2025's best value gamepad. The GameSir G7 Pro has blasted onto the scene in the last year, and at CES back in January, it was announced that GameSir was launching a PC-dedicated model that improves its polling rate from 1,000Hz up to 8,000Hz. Despite that being a fairly common polling rate in a lot of competitive mice and keyboards, most of the best PC controllers still top out at a 1K polling rate.

Despite being available for pre-order at GameSir's own website for the last little while, it's now available to buy at Amazon in the US and the UK, and it brings that newfound speed to the PC gaming masses for just $89.99.

The GameSir G7 Pro's only competition at that speed is the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K. Interestingly, both products started their life as an official Xbox Series X controller, before their popularity led their makers to launch separate, Esports-tilted models for enthusiast PC players. GameSir is making quite the statement however, because its 8K G7 Pro is comfortably under $100, while Razer's Wolverine V3 Pro has kept its $200 price tag.

As I found when I tried the 8K model of the Razer Wolverine, its super-fast polling rate really doesn't make all that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. Sure, if you play games competitively and you can tell the infinitesimal details of latencies and lag, you may feel a slight increase in responsiveness, but truth be told, most human reflexes are going to be unable to tell the difference in a latency rate that instantaneous compared to another TMR controller that boasts a 1K polling rate.

What's the point of these 8K polling controllers, then? Well, for starters, you're really buying peace of mind. If you play competitively, you don't want the risk of your hardware holding you back. If you buy an 8KHz peripheral, you're going to mitigate the chance of latency stopping you from winning a fight, getting a kill, or otherwise securing you a win.

Secondly, with TMR thumbsticks, the higher the polling rate, the more accurate you can be (in theory). TMR thumbsticks don't just have a higher resolution than Hall sensor ones (which allow a controller to register a thumbstick's position more accurately), but a TMR module can send signals at a much faster polling rate. With an 8K polling controller, you're essentially going to maximize the potential of the tech you have in your hands, as opposed to a 1K polling controller that's really not letting it show you what it can do.

It's sort of like driving a Bugatti Veyron down a 70mph speed-limited road. It'll feel good, and it'll respond to your acceleration almost immediately, but the car isn't really getting to showcase its potential.

Of course, GameSir is leaning into this higher polling rate with more than one of its controller collections. In recent weeks, the brand announced the revival of the GameSir Tarantula Pro, which is coming soon in Xbox and PC flavours. The PC 8K versions will offer players who prefer a symmetrical controller the chance to enjoy that polling rate, and I look forward to seeing how they compare to the G7 Pro 8K, which is next up on my controller review pile.

For my thoughts on the G7 Pro 8K Aimlabs edition, check back soon.

See also the best PS5 controllers, the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, and the best Nintendo Switch controllers.

The Flydigi Vader 4 Pro earned the lowest review score of anything I've tested in my time as Hardware Editor and resident controller nerd here at GamesRadar+. After hearing glowing reviews about it all over Reddit, I was faced with a PC controller that literally bricked itself, and a brand that made its software so difficult to access that most of my time testing it was spent just trying to assign its extra buttons to actually work.

But here I am with the successor, the Flydigi Vader 5S in front of me, and it's a different story entirely. Flydigi has already impressed me in 2026 with its Apex 5 gamepad, and I'm glad to say this brand has gone from strength to strength with the Vader 5S. It marks the first-ever officially licensed Xbox Series X controller from this brand, and that's forced some quality assurance changes into place that I'm very happy about.

For $85.99 / £50, it comes in under some of the other wired-only Xbox controllers we've seen from bigger brands in recent times. Depending on which one you're considering, it could also be said that it's a bit expensive for a wired-only controller. Still, I think it gets by on account of offering adjustable thumbstick tension, something that's really unique in the Xbox controller pantheon. Does that make it right for you?

Design

The Flydigi Vader 5S is the Xbox-flavoured sidekick to the official Vader 5 Pro. The full-fat Vader 5 Pro isn't compatible with Xbox, but it does have the Flydigi Apex 5's excellent back button/paddle hybrid setup that nets it a total of 8 extra buttons from a typical gamepad. It also gets wireless play and a price tag of $79.99, but doesn't have access to the more accessible software available for the Xbox version.

So what we have with the Vader 5S is a slightly more expensive controller than its sibling, which functionally does less and has fewer features than the Vader 5 Pro. An interesting setup, but one absolutely born out of the fact that paying for Xbox licensing demands a higher price for both peripheral maker and its consumers.

Besides those differences, the Vader 5S shares the same body and design language as its Pro model, and a very similar look and feel to the Flydigi Vader 4 Pro. It adds a beautiful strip of RGB along the bottom of the controller's face, which frames its black and gold visage with a premium look. If there's one thing aesthetically I'm not a fan of with the Vader 5S, it's the clear face buttons, which don't really align with the rest of the product's design language. Of course, the additional two face buttons are just a standard black color, which almost camouflages them into the gamepad's body.

Overall, the Vader 5S has a really sturdy feel to it. The materials used for the chassis have a really great mix of textures, which adds some grip, and there's little to no flex or creakiness as I try to bend the controller and twist it. This thing is solid, and it's clear that some effort has been made to make it worthy of its price.

Features

Turning the Vader 5S over, you'll see two standard back buttons integrated into its upper grips. These are a bit small for my liking, and could ideally be placed lower down, but I imagine they've been kept consistent with their placement on the Vader 5 Pro, which are most likely placed this high so there's room for the bottom pair.

It's somewhat ironic that the two additional face buttons blend into the body of the controller, because in all honesty, they feel a little too far down for me to ever find them with my thumb. Of course, these have been designed for fighting games first and foremost, which most players will use a different grip for and be able to actuate like an arcade fightstick controller. That's a decent bit of versatility for the Vader 5 controllers you won't find elsewhere, but not one I think a lot of gamers who aren't fighting game aficionados will get use out of.

Then again, maybe that's just my preference. It doesn't help things that these two extra face buttons don't sync up with the central face buttons, which are microswitches. The clicky feel differentiates those, but the two small plastic buttons underneath end up feeling a bit unsatisfying in practice.

Topping off the extra buttons are an additional pair of bumper or shoulder buttons. These are placed well, they actuate clearly with strong feedback, and they're easy to find.

The main draw to the Vader controllers, for many, will be their adjustable thumbstick tension. This is something that's super unique in the controller market, and even if a few outliers do allow you to fine-tune this aspect, many will make you grab a tool, disassemble part of your gamepad, or otherwise demand a bit of a faff from you to make the most of. With the Flydigi Vader 5S, a simple twist of the thumbstick gates will tighten or loosen the tension, and there's a really good range of tension for you to test out. This is by far my favorite aspect of this controller, and one that proved to have so many functional uses during testing.

A word on software

One of the biggest reasons I've been so eager to steer people away from Flydigi as a brand since my review of the Flydigi Vader 4 Pro is due to the experience I had with its software. Long story short, as someone in the UK, I've been unable to access the Flydigi Space Station or Game Centre app that you need to use to get the full use out of one of this brand's products. Whenever I try to access Flydigi's website, I'm met with security issues on any browser that block me from accessing it, and downloading the software, contacting support, or otherwise looking up warranties and manuals for the controllers becomes impossible.

The same is true of the Flydigi Apex 5, but thankfully, due to its onboard display and menu, I didn't have to access the software to make full use of the controller's features.

With the Vader 5S, things are looking up because to secure licensing from Microsoft, a version of Game Station has had to be made for the Microsoft store to keep in line with Xbox's controller product standards. This made it very easy for me to access what is actually a pretty simplistic piece of software to fine-tune aspects of the Vader 5S. Opening it up, there are menus for button assignment, thumbstick and trigger deadzone tuning, and RGB customization. That's it, it's not the deepest controller software I've used, but it has what you need to ensure you're getting the most out of your purchase.

It would make sense to me that this fully accessible application was granted support to all Flydigi products so that the problems I've raised won't be a barrier to entry anymore, but at the time of writing, that hasn't happened. I've asked my contact at Flydigi for a reason why, or for any indication that wider product support will be given in the future, and things do seem to be looking up.

I've been told that "The current Space Station software on Microsoft Store is exclusively built for Xbox licensed Vader series controllers, which is a mandatory requirement set by Microsoft for all its licensed peripherals. That’s why it cannot support our other non-licensed Flydigi controllers for now. We do keep the possibility open to expand its compatibility with more new Xbox licensed controllers in the future."

"Our team is already evaluating and pushing forward the plan to launch the general Flydigi Game Center onto more mainstream official platforms besides our official website. We aim to make our software much easier and more secure for global users to download and use, avoiding browser security blocks and access failures," Flydigi's reply read.

While that points to a brighter time ahead for Flydigi's controllers in the broader market, the fact that the Vader 5S does offer some solace in that regard is a reason I'm happier to recommend it.

Performance

The Vader 5S performed well across all genres, and I think there's a lot to be said for this controller's versatility in lots of different games. But what makes it even more versatile than its design is its ability to lean into different genres with adjustable thumbstick tension.

In first-person shooters like Hunt: Showdown, having some extra buttons goes a long way to making you feel like you don't need to take your thumbs off the sticks, but aiming those sticks is going to be vital in securing wins. Everyone can head into the settings menu and fiddle around with sensitivities and deadzones, but the hidden element that hardly anyone takes into account with controllers is the tension differentials in each gamepad. Some prefer looser tension, as found on the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited, and some prefer a much tighter tension.

We don't often get the chance to change how a thumbstick feels to flick around, and it can dictate so much of our ability to gel with one. The joy of the Vader 5S is being able to find the exact feel you prefer, and either keep it that way across each game you play, or adjust it game-to-game.

While Hunting, I had a great time adjusting the thumbstick tension to my loadout. Playing with a Sniper, I'd use slightly looser tension so I could make the micro adjustments to account for bullet drop and muzzle velocity. Going guns blazing with a shotgun, I'd turn the tension up so that flicks felt more responsive and speedier.

This was the name of the game across all genres. In platformers, I could find the exact feel I wanted, in third-person games like Crimson Desert and Sable, I could just focus on what felt most comfortable. It's slightly disappointing that the Vader 5S isn't a TMR controller, because that really could have ramped things up a notch or two, but being able to adjust tension does give these Hall sensor sticks an added usability that some gamers might actually prefer.

As for the other aspects of the Vader 5S, they're certainly good, but don't feel like standouts compared to rival controllers on the shelves. These microswitch buttons feel responsive, the back buttons are okay, albeit a bit small and high up, and the additional bumpers are good. The D-pad is really great, with an ergonomic shape that makes its 8-way directions easy to control. The two extra face buttons aren't really my bag, but will no doubt be a reason to buy for some fighting game enthusiasts. It's the thumbstick tension that really left an impression on me, but it's hard to recommend that as the sole reason to buy.

Should you buy the Flydigi Vader 5S?

Running against other officially licensed wired Xbox controllers, the Vader 5S has a tough race ahead of it. The GameSir G7 SE is a budget king, the Hyperkin Competitor offers a symmetrical layout, the Scuf Valor Pro offers a fairly conclusive pro controller package for $99, and the Razer Wolverine V3 TE gives you all the competitive, responsive feel that you could want for a similar $99.

The Vader 5S offers its own unique spin. It's a great all-rounder with a really standout feature to its name. While it can function as a pro controller with six extra buttons in all genres, it's going to offer fighting game enthusiasts in particular, something special, and tunable thumbstick tension is a really novel perk you won't find elsewhere in the Xbox market.

For how much it costs, I'd recommend the Vader 5S, but the problem is that it doesn't do anything that those other wired controllers do, besides that customizable thumbstick tension. Even the Victrix Pro BFG for Xbox and the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot can give you a fightpad option.

For a first crack at this particular niche in the controller market, this is an impressive outing from Flydigi. I'd be much more interested in a "pro" model, though, because it feels like this peripheral is being held back by its price when it wants to be a competitive controller that takes on the biggest brands in the space. The full-fat Vader 5 Pro certainly attests to that.

A wireless version of this product with a charging stand, case, swappable thumbstick tops, wireless play, and two more back buttons would be a force to be reckoned with, and I hope that's where all roads lead for Flydigi.

How I tested the Flydigi Vader 5S

I adopted the Flydigi Vader 5S controller into my gaming setup for a few weeks before writing this review. In that time, I played with it in all sorts of gaming genres, from FPS games to third-person adventures, to 2D platformers and fighting games. Most of my time spent testing it was having fun with the novel ability to adjust the thumbstick tension and seeing how it impacted my gameplay.

I used the version of Flydigi's software that can be found on the Microsoft Store to fine-tune its other aspects.

For more on how we test controllers, check out the full-length GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Still searching for your ideal gamepad? Take a look at my list of the best PS5 controllers, the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, and the best joysticks.

Earlier in the week, I reported on how Valve's new Steam Controller sold out almost immediately, and there were little to no precautions taken to prevent resellers from making a profit on it on sites like eBay. As bad as this is for the PC controller's launch, the main reason I was worried was that it pointed to a much worse situation for the upcoming Steam Frame and Steam Machine.

Thankfully, some of my fears have now been waylaid because Valve has published a new blog post that shows the brand is doing what it can to prevent the resellers at eBay from charging a 200% markup on its hardware and exploiting consumers:

"While we were happy to see such a high level of interest," the blog post read, "the experience for a lot of you trying to buy it {the Steam Controller} was incredibly frustrating. We plan to continue replenishing stock as we get more in, but in the meantime wanted to share changes we're making to improve the purchase experience and to limit reseller activity

"Beginning May 8th at 10 am Pacific, we're opening a reservation queue for Steam Controller. Once you reserve, your place in line will be saved. When we go back in stock, order emails will be sent in the same order that reservations were made," it dictates.

This is a welcome change, and not dissimilar from initiatives Sony and Nintendo have taken to prevent resellers during PS5 hardware launches, or for the Switch 2's arrival on the shelves.

Annoyingly, the only thing that's not crystal clear at the moment is whether or not other regions will have access to this initial restock. The blog post makes mention of "Pacific" time before later saying "Replenishment of inventory will vary from region to region. We will start fulfilling reservations next week in the US / Canada, and UK / EU / AU in the following weeks," which would suggest that this batch being made available today will only be for folks on the West Coast in the US.

As and when I hear about restocks in other regions, I'll update you.

The reservation system will limit one Steam Controller per customer, and when you receive your order invite, you'll have 72 hours or three days to claim your reserved gamepad. To prevent resellers even further, Steam users who have already purchased one of the new controllers will not yet be eligible to reserve another. Tracking this is definitely one upside of the hardware only being sold through Valve's storefront.

This all gives me a lot of hope where I had none before. We all know the Steam Frame and Steam Machine have been stalling for time amidst the AI-induced RAM shortages. We don't know when they will eventually launch (sometime this year), at what price, or in what quantity they'll be available. I would imagine if the stock of the Steam Controller has vanished so quickly, the Machine and Frame will be in even shorter supply.

Before this blog post from Valve, it seemed as though the company wasn't prepared for the demand and the current climate of online reseller activity that's been plaguing gaming hardware markets for years. Now, with a much clearer and fairer reservation system in place (that the brand has had to use for Steam Deck supply in the past), I'm much more optimistic that the launch of both upcoming Valve platforms will be much friendlier for consumers.

For more on Valve's upcoming hardware, take a look at the best gaming PCs and the best VR headsets.

Valve just shared exciting Steam Controller news for anyone looking to "hack, mod, or design accessories" for the gamepad. No, it's not back in stock yet, but you can now download and 3D print official models of the pad and its wireless puck, and I'm wondering if I can use them to make my own out of a Steam Deck.

In a fresh community post, Valve shares an official link to its Steam Controller STL and STP CAD files available under a Creative Commons license. That means, providing you don't start selling your own knock-off versions of the gamepad, you're free to modify, share, and whip up creations based on the files. You'll even have engineering drawings at your disposal to ensure you can avoid blocking elements like ports and the antenna, but I can't stop thinking about just recreating the actual pad.

I'll admit that I'm a complete novice when it comes to 3D printing. While I've been using Snapmaker's U1 to fix up retro consoles for a feature I'll be sharing soon, I'd need a bit of time to figure out what the heck to do with Valve's STL files. The first hurdle is that the models are solid, which is fine if you just need the surface topology, but not if you want to make a shell to squeeze components into.

The other natural hurdle to 3D printing your own Steam Controller right now is the components. Replacement parts should be available at iFixit soon, but I am curious whether I could use Steam Deck OLED elements to piece together something that looks like the pad. The recycler in me would probably rather re-purpose a broken gaming handheld, but you can buy Steam Deck parts from iFixit, too, including everything from the tiny menu buttons to the d-pad, triggers, and membranes.

The beauty of making your own Steam Controller means you could just add hall-effect thumbsticks from the get-go, like Gulikit's replacements at Amazon. There are some parts that are just seemingly unobtainable right now without salvaging, though, like the touchpads that make Valve's new accessory what it is, and the versions on the standalone PC controller are actually every so slightly smaller.

Of course, that's not as much of an issue as, well, the main controller board itself. That's the part that'd require some real big-brain moves, but I don't think making your own innards is completely impossible. As an avid tinkerer in the retro console space, I've seen fellow enthusiasts make custom PCBs for everything you can think of, so I imagine some clever clogs could reverse-engineer or even just make something that'll work like a Steam controller.

Even if making a Steam Controller from scratch is ultimately off the table, I'm pleased to see Valve release 3D files for its accessory. Not only will the files help aid accessibility via custom mods and designs that will help players with different ergonomic needs, but it should make the pad that bit more repairable since you could potentially just print replacement shells.

The chaos goblin in me still wants to see bananas creations, though, and while my brain started with "make your own Steam Controller," I'm now wondering if the files could be used to make a retro handheld shaped like the pad. If you've got any ideas off the back of Valve's STL files, I'd love to hear them, even if the more responsible people in my life think I shouldn't be encouraged.

As a side note, if you'd rather the mini PC just got a release date, you might be in luck, as Valve is seemingly sitting on 20,000 Steam Machine units, and that could mean the launch is imminent.

• More PC controllers at Amazon
• Steam Deck accessories at Amazon

Looking for ways to enhance your setup? Swing by the best Steam Deck docks to arm your handheld with hybrid capabilities.

Gaming hardware launches can often feel like a warzone, especially when new bits of technology are hotly anticipated. That said, I feel like most manufacturers have learned by now that reselling is a common plague if left unchecked, and many now do what they can to defend consumers against it. That doesn't seem to be the case with Valve's new PC controller, which is already seeing inflated resale prices on eBay.

Valve's new Steam Controller launched on May fourth (May it be with you, and such), and in both the US and UK, it sold out almost immediately. The issue is that Valve only tends to sell its hardware through the Steam store, so without any stock being split between wider retailers, chaos is beginning to ensue.

I can see eBay listings for the new Steam Controller (which definitely won't have had time to ship to the folks listing them yet) on both sides of the Atlantic. In the UK, the £85 gamepad is seeing prices of up to £250, "or best offer". Shockingly, its condition is being listed as "new" in each one. In the US, even more listings can be seen on eBay, with prices stretching up to $236 despite its $99 official cost.

You can do you, but this is my reminder that you should never buy from resellers like this. In fact, if you have the chance, you should shun and disgrace them whenever possible. As a consumer, your best bet, and your best assurance you're going to get a working and fairly priced bit of technology, is to buy through the official channels.

If you're worried about how long Valve will take to replenish its supply of controllers, I wouldn't stress. Yes, it's proving to be a popular bit of kit, but given it's been designed to work alongside the upcoming Steam Frame and Steam Machine, I would expect Valve to be saving the bulk of its stock for when those two platforms can launch. Maybe there will even be bundles available?

Even if not, the current RAM shortages aren't going to impact the cost or the supply of the Steam Controller because there's no memory inside it, so there's no need to stress that if you don't get your hands on one now, you won't be able to for a long while, or that you'll need to pay more than the official price tag.

Meanwhile, resellers are actively hurting everyone. They're taking Valve's stock and turning a profit from hardware they have no hand in creating or selling. This isn't the same as selling a used bit of technology on for cheaper than it would be officially - this is buying something with the intention of selling it for a higher price because there's a limited supply.

They're hurting consumers by taking up a limited supply of a new product, often by buying more than one at a time. They might say it's all to do with supply and demand, but those supply issues wouldn't be such a problem if people weren't buying up stock simply to sell onward.

It may seem really exclusive for Valve to only sell its hardware through the Steam store, and I grant that it's been a while since it launched anything new like this. But other brands like Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and more in the gaming hardware space have done their part to defend consumers from reselling in recent times. That includes widening the supply pool of new releases to other retailers. It also includes things like sending pre-order invites and codes after registering interest, and it also means limiting products to one or two per customer in the initial launch phase.

These things might seem like an annoyance when ordering a new controller, but they're actually great changes for consumers that have come as a result of the last decade of technology shopping being plagued by inflation and needless stock shortages. I grant that you're never going to stamp out this problem entirely, especially when current financial climates are so tough, but all I'm saying is that a few more preventative measures could go a long way.

With what will likely be a much more limited pool of Steam Machines and Steam Frames coming later this year, I hope Valve is learning from this and preparing.

For more on controllers, check out the best PS5 controllers, the best Xbox Series X controllers, and the best Switch 2 controllers.

Like any gamer, I feel like my backlog is constantly growing, and for me, there's a very specific genre of game that's starting to pile up. I love me some city builders and management sim games. Ones like Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo, Civilization, and Timberborn, but for what are very chilled out games that I like to play in my downtime, they often do not feel designed to be kicked back on the couch with, while using one of the best PC controllers.

So many of these games have been built with a mouse and keyboard in mind, and if they have controller support at all, they never feel like they're easily played with some thumbsticks and a limited number of buttons. Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo are prime examples - their console editions play pretty well, but buying on Steam means you can be stuck without gamepad play. The same goes for some CRPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 for instance, which feels totally different to play on a console than it does on PC.

But to me, that flies in the face of the chilled-out atmosphere these sorts of games strike. I want to kick back on the couch with a gamepad while building my dream zoo, starting my empire in Civilization, or trying to fix the economy of a theme park in financial ruin. I don't mind adopting pure focus position at my desk for FPS games while using a mouse and keyboard, but that's hardly the relaxing, cozy game vibe I want for this genre of game.

All of this is why I'm personally very excited to get my hands on Valve's new Steam Controller. With two trackpads that function as mouse controls, it offers what no other PC or Xbox Series X controller really can - a hybrid between mouse and controller play for games that make support between the two a total headache. With trackpads, you can use mouse controls to move around a game's camera if it doesn't have controller support. Combine that with Steam input, and you can have the gamepad register all of the buttons to the keyboard functions you need to play. Goodbye ultra-focused sitting position at a desk, hello sweet couch comfort.

From the first batch of reviews, this seems to be one of the best things about the Steam Controller. Not only for games like these, but also for couch setups in general. I've been trying to create the perfect couch PC gaming setup for years now, and although I'm really happy with the loadout I have now, I do always feel like a simple console-esque power button on a controller to wake everything, or the ability to use a keyboard without fuss on a gamepad itself are some of the few things missing. Yes, you can make some modifications or opt for a Linux system to bypass these issues, but that's a little more in-depth than I'd care to go.

The Steam Controller can't wake your desktop PC with a button press, and it is only limited to Steam-launched games, but its ability to browse an internet browser, for example, thanks to its trackpads, is a step in the right direction.

It's not just city builders and management sims I'm looking forward to playing with the Steam Controller though. While Steam input does essentially work with any controller you connect to your PC to play a game that doesn't support gamepads, it seems like Valve has made things a lot more intuitive for its own homegrown controller. Capacitive thumbsticks mean you can activate gyro that doesn't appear to be unruly, and this has been a popular feature brought over from the Steam Deck. Again, with trackpads allowing for mouse movements, it just feels like you're already part of the way to controlling games that are designed for a mouse and keyboard.

For example, I'm a massive fan of an indie developer called DeconstructTeam, and after playing The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood a few years ago, I've been really keen to go back to play the developer's previous breakout hit, The Red Strings Club. Only one problem, for a very chilled, narrative-led indie game, it doesn't have controller support. It felt like a perfect fit to enjoy on the go using one of the best gaming handhelds, but trying to get it working on the Asus ROG Ally X felt janky and didn't hit the spot at all.

I have a few games like that that are sitting in my backlog, and I've been using the excuse of there being no intuitive and easy way to play them to stall for time. Yes, this is likely a me problem, but the Steam Controller might just be an excuse for me and you to finally strike these quirky outlier games from our backlogs. At least until we get our hands on the Steam Frame and Steam Machine it's been designed for, that might just be the best use for Valve's new accessory.

That said, the Steam Controller hasn't been reviewing so well from the point of competitive play, so I've taken the liberty of rounding up some alternatives for you.

You can also take a look at the best PS5 controllers, the best Switch 2 controllers, and the best TMR controllers.

If you're getting stuck into hundreds of hours' worth of Crimson Desert at the moment, you may be keeping one eye on its limited merch pool. Annoyingly, no officially licensed controllers have arrived with a Crimson Desert tie-in yet, so collectors and super fans won't be able to commemorate their playthrough with a PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X controller that sports artwork from the franchise.

But a random two years on, fantasy RPG fans can get their hands on a limited edition controller for a completely different game? That's right, a new version of the GameSir G7 Pro controller has just arrived at Amazon, which commemorates... Dragon's Dogma 2.

I'm not too sure how the timing has worked out here, but as the world's obsession with Crimson Desert continues, it seems like a good time to remind people that Dragon's Dogma 2 was a thing. With a peak concurrent player count of 228,585 on Steam when it launched, it's drifted all the way down to a 48-hour peak of under 3,000 players.

It does seem like a bizarre bit of timing on GameSir's part to launch a special design of its flagship controller for a game that came out two years ago and hasn't made an awful lot of noise since. Other G7 Pro designs have shot for ongoing franchises or live service games like Zenless Zone Zero or Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, which only launched last year. Then again, these are all franchises that come out of Asia, where GameSir is based, so it may be that the brand wants to celebrate franchises that are a hit with its home crowd.

Speculation aside, licensing does take time. Although you may think that it's totally out of the blue to launch a special edition controller for a game that's celebrating two years since release, things aren't as simple as drawing up a design and throwing it on the shelves. Licensing for controllers is a collaborative process, and both parties involved need to sign off on certain decisions and certifications before releasing a product to the masses. Maybe if we're lucky, we'll see some Crimson Desert-branded gamepads before too long. It'd certainly be an ironic release given the amount of hassle the game's control scheme was giving players at launch.

Regardless of the relevance of Dragon's Dogma 2 in a Crimson Desert-obsessed world, you can't fault the design work of GameSir with this version of the G7 Pro. With an amber and black body, a beautifully framed dragon on the controller's face, and a central logo on its charging stand, it just looks like something pulled straight out of a forge fire, which does complement the absolute weaponry that is this controller.

The G7 Pro has undoubtedly shaken up the gamepad market in the last year. Its features, premium feel, and TMR thumbsticks have sat at a much more reasonable price than many of its competitors, and its comfort and feel are something that lend it to pretty much any gaming genre. I'd argue it's the best pound-for-pound TMR controller on the shelves right now, especially when it comes to value for money, as the rest of the field is littered with $200 peripherals that don't offer all that much more.

Even with a slightly increased price over the standard colorway of the G7 Pro, the new Dragon's Dogma 2 Edition launches at a slightly cheaper cost than the new Steam Controller, which is currently the gamepad in the mainstream spotlight. Funnily enough, I was rounding up a list of solid alternatives I've tested (specifically for competitive players) yesterday, and the GameSir G7 Pro was one I gave the nod to.

To get more in-depth about controllers, take a look at the best PC controllers, the best PS5 controllers, and the best Switch 2 controllers.

The updated Steam Controller from Valve costs $99 and will be released on Monday, May 4, the company announced today. This Monday is looking to be a busy one, as pre-orders have not opened and Valve says the controller won't be available for purchase at all until launch day.

The updated Steam Controller product page confirms the $99 price point. It's a clean $99.00, for the record, not $99.99. Valve seems eager to avoid the dreaded third digit in $100. PC Gamer reports that the price converts to €99 for the EU, £85 for the UK, and $149 in Australian and Canadian dollars.

In a blog post, the Steam hardware team advises you save this product page "for when purchasing opens," which will seemingly be May 4. With no pre-orders, getting a hold of a Steam Controller come launch day is likely to be a Steam-crashing zoo. At least Valve is seemingly sitting on a big stockpile.

Valve highlights the Steam Controller's features across a few breakdowns. Here are the key points:

• Magnetic thumbsticks resistant to drift
• 4x haptic motors for rumble feedback
• 8.29Wh battery promising "35+ hours of gameplay on a single charge"
• Steam Controller Puck provides "plug-and-play low-latency wireless connection & easy magnetic charging"
• Two "highly precise and customizable" trackpads for mouse controls
• Grip Sense "that uses capacitive touch sensors to sense if you're holding the handles" and which can also be used "like any other button." Valve says "we love using it to pull up menus, weapon wheels, and even pause the game when you put the controller down."
• Four grip buttons which can be custom mapped. Valve says, "They are most especially useful when mapped to ABXY: you never have to move your thumb off the right stick or trackpad, allowing you to maintain precision at all times."

The Steam Machine, meanwhile, is nowhere to be seen. Production issues and pricing uncertainty surround Valve's not-console, with the company even jokingly pleading for "a line on a bunch of RAM" in today's fraught market. At least we've got the controller?

Forza Horizon 6 will launch on May 19th, meaning we have a little under a month until one of the most popular sim racing franchises gives us a new instalment to enjoy. With that in mind, you may be thinking about upping your game, refreshing your sim racing gear, or buying one of the best PC racing wheels for the first time to give yourself that extra level of immersion.

I'll tell you right now that there hasn't been a better time to buy sim racing hardware, in my opinion. After about a decade of pretty scarce releases, new wheels have just hit the starting grid from brands like Logitech, Thrustmaster, Nacon, and Turtle Beach. You've got loads of choices from those brands that cater to lots of different budgets, but chief among them is the Logitech G RS50, our pick for the best wheel overall right now.

If you're coming from a previous Logitech G racing wheel, like the G920 or similar, you might not actually need to opt for the latest set of pedals. Sure, they'll offer you a more customizable experience, but if you have an existing gear shifter or pedal set, you can use Logitech's fancy adapter to pay the price you see above. If not, and you need pedals as well, the full wheelbase, wheel, and pedal bundle is also available at Amazon for $515 (if the $129.99 coupon offer I'm seeing appears for you, and is still active when you read this). If not, it'll cost $644.

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So why opt for the RS50 in a newly competitive market? Well, to get the best value for money from sim racing gear these days, you're better investing in something that's proven to be an ecosystem, not just a fixed wheel and pedal set you'll need to fully upgrade at some point down the line.

The RS50 is a fully modular sim racing setup. Its wheels detach from its base, allowing you to fit differently shaped ones to it to best reflect your racing genre. That's due in part to the RS Wheel Hub, which adds even more of a modular design philosophy to Logitech's ecosystem. The RS50's wheelbase has plenty of feedback power, as well as Direct Drive and TRUEFORCE software within it to give you the most detailed and immersive experience when driving on different road surfaces and vehicle types. But unlike a lot of wheel bases with 8Nm of torque, it isn't a bulky, annoying brick you need to clunk onto your desk or cockpit chair. It's actually got a relatively small footprint.

Now, a modular and upgradable design doesn't actually set the RS50 apart - the Nacon Revosim RS Pure Bundle and Moza's R3 bundle have the same upgradability. But for the amount of power, features, and ease of use with different games that the RS50 offers, it gives you a lot for the price. Especially while it's on offer at this kind of discount cost, you're beating so many of the other top contenders on value for money - and Logitech is arguably one of the most premium brands in the space.

All that, and I'd recommend it to gamers on PC, Xbox, and PS5. Yes, you'll need either an Xbox or PC to play Forza when it launches, but thanks to some really clever compatibility with its parts, you can actually build an RS50 loadout that's compatible with all three systems if you want to.

That part is rather complicated though, so if you do want to get that much compatibility, read our review of the RS50, then maybe consider buying through Logitech's own website to ensure you get things right. I'm not sure Amazon will offer you the same sort of open-ended shopping since things will arrive at the retailer pre-bundled.

For more, read up on the best PC controllers, the best Xbox Series X controllers, and the best PS5 controllers.

A leaked review of the upcoming Steam Controller surfaced online over the weekend, and it's sending shockwaves across the gaming hardware market. Not only does it point to a launch and review embargo for Valve's new hardware coming soon, but it's also giving us a potential hint at details like pricing. Valve's yet to formally announce the cost of its best PC controller contender, but the leaked review explicitly said it'll set you back $99.

The leak arrives a week after a SteamDB page surfaced pointing toward an unboxing video being released soon, and two weeks after a public shipment manifest suggested stock is already being sent to various markets. Valve is yet to comment or confirm any of these things, but the leaked review from TechyTalk (which has since been taken down) is yet another hint that a launch date could be approaching.

Before I give you my breakdown of the Steam Controller's supposed price, let me just say that of the three most recent news stories about the imminent gamepad, this is the one I'd trust the least. It's easy (far too easy) to fake a video these days, and there are too many questions in my mind about the leaked review to really give it too much credence as something to trust.

That said, a price of $99 for the upcoming Steam Controller is proving divisive, and as someone who's been reviewing the latest controllers for over three years now, I can see why. It depends entirely on who you ask.

$99 in the controller world is more than PlayStation charges for its standard PS5 controller, the DualSense. It's more than Xbox charges for its stock wireless controller, and sure enough, the same is true of the official Switch 2 controller. Then again, these are all fairly "basic" controllers, and Valve's offers a lot more in the way of features and design points. For example, the Steam Controller sports four back buttons and TMR thumbsticks. If you look at the officially licensed PS5 and Xbox controllers with those perks, you'll actually need to pay closer to double the $99 price tag we're talking about.

The majority of officially licensed Xbox and PS5 controllers to launch in the last year have all cost $200, offering at least Hall sensor thumbstick tech, a charging stand, wireless play, a carrying case, swappable parts, and four to six extra mappable buttons.

Compared to other PC controllers from smaller brands in the space, $99 is a bit more expensive than some might be used to. The 8BitDo Ultimate 2, the Manba One, the GameSir G7 Pro, and the PowerA OPS V3 Pro are all examples of feature-rich controllers that you can get for under $100. Then again, none of these have the novel highlight of the Steam Controller: its trackpads.

In all honesty, I think a price of $99 for the upcoming Steam Controller would be a pretty reasonable midway point for it in the current market. Don't get me wrong, I always want hardware to be as affordable as possible but, realistically, for what you get from Valve's gamepad, this price would be pretty reasonable.

Yes, from a quick comparison to the official PS5 and Xbox controllers, it might seem pricey, but keep in mind that this is offering two more back buttons than the pro-level DualSense Edge ($200), and a more modern (albeit less customizable) design than the aging Elite Series 2, which costs ~$150 most of the time in 2026.

No matter what end of the pricing argument you sit on at the moment, I'd take things with a pinch of salt until we get official word from Valve. I'd also recommend you hold onto your gamer rage until we hear the prices for the Steam Frame and Steam Machine, since those will almost certainly cause a lot more outrage than a $99 gamepad.

Getting into sim racing? Check out the best PC racing wheels, the best Xbox steering wheels, and the best PS5 steering wheels.

For months, we've been asking why, if Valve is having so much trouble pricing and launching its new Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR headset, the brand doesn't get the ball rolling by releasing its new Steam Controller. Now, it seems like that might just be on the cards, as a new discovery on SteamDB hints that Valve is preparing to give us more information on the upcoming PC controller.

The SteamDB file was found by reliable VR leaker Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) on Twitter/X under the name "steam_controller_unboxing_2026", which seems to have been uploaded but not made publicly available yet. Any attempt to enter the SteamDB App ID code into the site's URL nav bar at the time of writing is met with a message telling you that "this video has not been processed for streaming".

My fellow hardware editor Phil reported last week on the fact that public records showing a shipment manifest in the US hints that Valve could be sitting on a small mountain of Steam Controller stock. With both of these stories happening in back-to-back weeks, it does leave a speculative breadcrumb trail that points toward Valve finally launching its new Steam Controller.

All three bits of Valve's new hardware family were intended for an "Early 2026" launch, but RAM shortages, manufacturing issues, and pricing difficulties have caused significant delays to the arrival of the Steam Frame and Steam Machine.

Not only that, but we haven't had any official word from Valve about either new platform since a February blog post that explained why an "Early" 2026 launch wouldn't happen. For all intents and purposes, the brand seemed optimistic about launching its new hardware at some point in 2026, but as we approach late April, we're still waiting for official word

As my pal Phil argued shortly after that February blog post, it'd make sense for Valve to bite the bullet and launch the controller for now. Doing so will show good faith to excited PC gamers, stake a claim in the gamepad market, and keep the hype for Valve's new VR and living room console ecosystem high. Not to mention, give Steam Deck users something to pair with their handheld.

Mind you, Valve still has a lot to communicate, even when it comes to the controller. We still don't know what price it'll land at. Even if it won't suffer from the same sort of RAMflation as the mini PC and VR headset, its pricing in a very competitive gamepad landscape could be pivotal to its success, and point toward how Valve is valuing its upcoming hardware.

Looking for a gamepad for another platform? Take a look at the best Xbox Series X controller, the best PS5 controller, and the best Switch 2 controller.

It was strange to see one of GameSir's best controllers disappear from the shelves a little after a year from its release, especially when, by all accounts, the GameSir Tarantula Pro had proven popular with critics and customers. But now, it seems it was all for a reason, because the brand had bigger plans for one of its best PC controllers to become a certified Xbox Series X controller.

The GameSir Tarantula Series was announced last week, and it brings three new versions of this pad back from the underworld. Firstly, the GameSir Tarantula Pro for Xbox brings exquisitely comfortable symmetrical design to Microsoft's console; however, a nerf to wired-only play does feel a bit strange. My suspicions are that this was to cement the G7 Pro as the flagship Xbox controller in GameSir's pantheon.

Next, we have two PC-tilted models of the Tarantula Pro. The Tarantula Pro 8K PC will remove the grip motors for a more lightweight Esports feel, but gain an enhanced 8K polling rate. Details overall are sparse about the new Tarantula Series, and right now, I'm not seeing confirmation that the 8K version will have wireless play either.

The Tarantula Ultra 8K PC is slated as "The definitive apex predator. GameSir's New flagship symmetrical controller with top-tier versatility, more details to be revealed this summer." I'd assume that would mean it will sport wireless play, grip motors, and an 8K polling rate, but we'll need to await confirmation.

For the most part, the shape and design of the new Tarantula controllers are fairly unchanged from the original GameSir Tarantula Pro. The Xbox version comes in white, which is a new colorway, however. The 8K PC version will come in a bright orange, while the Ultra looks like a white colorway with more black highlights and accents.

The new Tarantulas gain some additional bumpers thanks to a clever rework of their touchpads, and fairly bog-standard face buttons are being replaced with microswitch ones. TMR thumbsticks come as standard in each Tarantula, but the 8K models are said to feature Gen2 TMR sticks for even more accuracy.

The Tarantula Pro for Xbox and Tarantula Pro 8K PC are both available for pre-order already, and both will set you back the same $69.99 / £52 and the PC variant costing $69.99 / £52 that the original Tarantula Pro controller cost.

I'm a massive fan of the Tarantula Pro controller because of its resemblance to the DualShock 4, which has a unique way of providing a really comfortable hold and symmetrical thumbsticks. Since the Tarantula Pro disappeared from shelves though, a few competitors have arrived. The Hyperkin Competitor (aptly named in this instance) is currently holding the "best symmetrical" title in our leaderboards, but the 8BitDo Pro 3 is also one to consider.

Also see the best PS5 controllers, best Switch 2 controllers, and the best joysticks.

The EasySMX M20 has just dropped for pre-order, but it's not the trigger locks, hall effect thumbsticks, or mechanical buttons that have me breathing a sigh of relief. It's the rotating face buttons.

Xbox and Nintendo have co-existed peacefully for 24 years now, but our thumbs have had to pay the price for one of their disagreements. Swapping the A, B and X,Y buttons has caused two decades of accidental inputs, especially when emulating different systems from the same device. The M20 won't fix your muscle memory, but its swappable face buttons certainly cut down on the mental gymnastics in between each press.

This is a full-stretch wraparound controller connecting to Android (or newer iPhone) devices via USB-C. It comes from the brand behind my ride-or-die (and one of the best PC controllers we've tested so far), the EasySMX X10. It's sporting all the premium features you'd expect from one of the best mobile controllers on the market, but also sports dual grip motors for additional haptic feedback across ten intensity levels.

The EasySMX M20 isn't the only controller looking to uproot its face buttons. CES gave us a look at a modular gamepad from GameSir and Hyperkin that can swap and change your controls with a number of different configurations. That's slightly more focused on emulation, with N64 and GameCube modules to slot into its face. It's not a case of Xbox or Nintendo-ifying your controls.

While RAM shortages are causing many of the best gaming handhelds to surge in price, those turning to gaming phones and gaming tablets for their retro fix are best served here. I see the M20 at home in the hands of a nostalgic mobile gamer, regularly swapping between classic Ninty emulation and Xbox Game Pass streaming.

• See all mobile controllers at Amazon

We're also rounding up all the best Xbox Series X controllers and the best PS5 controllers for more console-specific options.

I've jumped at any chance to talk about the CRKD Atom in the past, as I adore the tiny keychain controller. It's a bit gimmicky as its super small size makes it uncomfortable to hold compared to the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers. However, the frequent discounts across the Atom range and the pad's nostalgic designs have earned it a permanent place in my Ninty setup.

At the moment, the entire CRKD Atom lineup is actually down to just $17.99, but it feels harder to recommend them now that the newly upgraded Atom+ is closer to release than ever. Estimated to ship between Jun 22 and 26 this year, the newly upgraded $29.99 (CRKD) controllers are available to pre-order now. They share the same nostalgic designs as the older Atom, including a PAL Grey Edition that's reminiscent of the PAL SNES from my childhood. However, CRKD has made them far more Switch 2-friendly than what came before, and that's all thanks to their brand-new thumbsticks.

The original CRKD Atom controller was equipped with a d-pad as far as directional buttons go, and that was what. It was entirely fine for whipping out for quick sessions of Super Mario Bros via the NES Nintendo Switch Online service. Yet, without any sticks at hand, it rendered a lot of modern Switch and Switch 2 releases unplayable.

The controller is only 2.7 inches in length, so it wasn't the kind of pad I'd have recommended for achieving the tightest drifts in Mario Kart World anyway. But it did mean it was more limited, which was a bit of a bummer. CRKD has rectified the issue with the new Atom+ as it is the pad not only has sticks, but TMR thumbsticks at that. That means these palm-sized controllers are not only better equipped at playing modern games but also fighting back against stick drift.

The new Atom+ is now palm-sized as a result of its new sticks, but I'm entirely okay with that. The older controller was so ridiculously tiny that it frequently brought on bouts of pins and needles, which is not ideal for gaming on the go, or gaming full stop. With its slightly larger form factor, I have much higher hopes of playing my Switch 2 on a train and on the go, without any uncomfortable hand cramping. Sure, the controller is less cute as a result, but that's a bit lower on my list of priorities.

The Atom+ is also equipped with not just new thumbsticks, but digital bumpers and trigger buttons that provide "tactile feedback and full compatibility with modern games" according to CRKD. To make them more in line with Switch 2 games, the upcoming pad also includes vibration feedback and integrated motion controls.

While the Atom has received a new modern transformation, some of my favorite features have remained. The controller is compatible across a wide range of platforms, including the Switch 2, original Switch, PC, smartphones, and more via Bluetooth, and the new versions all come packaged with a USB-C charger for juicing up on the go. Its battery life remains a bit of an enigma on the official CRKD product page. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it can at least match the 10 hours of playback of the older Atom.

All this does come at a cost, and the Atom+ is a bit pricier than what CRKD is now calling the "OG Atom." The original Atom controller range would sit at the official CRKD storefront at retailers like Amazon for $19.99, while the upcoming Atom+ is available to pre-order for $29.99 each.

If at that price, you'd rather start looking at larger retro controllers instead, I wouldn't blame you. There's plenty of other options at a similar price point that not only support the Switch 2 but also the best retro consoles too. Yet, if today's return to $17.99 (Amazon) deal price for the OG Atom is anything to go by, it's likely the new Atom+ will be just as susceptible to savings once the biggest sales events roll around.

• View all CRKD controllers at Amazon
• View all CRKD Switch accessories at Amazon

Our team has rounded up the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases if you're after more accessories to complete your Ninty gaming setup.

Not to sound overly dramatic, but I've still got a scrunched-up expression on my face after first bearing witness to the 007 First Light controller unveiled last week. The golden gamepad is so hard to look at that I had to go gaze at the Marathon DualSense to clense me eyes, and it just so happens that it's discounted right now.

The only issue with the older "limited" gamepads is that they usually, they sell out fast, and that's them gone forever. They are limited, so what would you expect? However, not only is the flashy Marathon DualSense controller still in stock, but it's actually down to $74 at Amazon right now. It was a few dollars cheaper at the start of the month, so this isn't a record low saving, but discounts on the best PS5 controllers from the limited lineup are such a rarity that it's worth making a fuss over.

Should you buy the Marathon Limited Edition DualSense controller?

With today's discount, you're essentially getting a limited edition DualSense for the same price as a plain one. If you're in need of a new controller for your PS5, you may as well pick up the fancier version instead, even if you aren't a Marathon fan.

The white controller currently sits at the same $74 price but includes none of the official Marathon markings. It's just the same white controller that came with your Sony console, and if you already have one of those, there's not a huge point in picking up another. I'd much rather grab the fancier Marathon version personally, especially as its design looks pretty snazzy even though I've yet to dive into the new Bungie game myself.

Of course, if you are a Marathon fan, then this should definitely be on your radar. Usually, these limited edition controllers sell out fast at PS Direct, where they're more readily available. Afterwards, they can be found at the likes of eBay as resellers like to try and take advantage of these limited PS5 accessories. Luckily, stock has been better with past releases, but I'm still kicking myself that I never grabbed the second Astro Bot DualSense.

If you are a Marathon fan and don't want to deal with the same FOMO as me, this deal is definitely worth jumping on. It's not only one of the few times I've spotted any of the limited edition PS5 controllers for sale at Amazon ever, but if the "deal selling fast" text is to be believed, this rare deal won't be around for much longer.

• View all limited edition PS5 DualSense controllers at PS Direct
• View all PS5 controllers at Amazon

Check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch 2 controller, the best Xbox Series X controller, and the best PC controller for gaming if you're after more great-looking pads for your gaming setup.

Have you bought an Xbox Series X controller in the last four months? You could be owed thousands... of hours of gameplay.

Microsoft yesterday took to Twitter to announce a mistake with its shipping of Xbox controllers - it seems that "a limited number" of gamepads have been sent out without their accompanying Duracell batteries since December last year. As originally spotted by Pure Xbox, the brand is offering free rechargeable battery packs to those affected - just head to the dedicated support page to start your request.

Xbox controllers have used a simple set of AA batteries for wireless connection ever since the 360. Whether you love the freedom or hate the landfill (or both), it looks like they're here to stay. Duracell conspiracy theories aside (some argue that the two brands signed a marketing deal at some point, but that's never been proven), there are plenty of reasons the base controller uses replaceable charges.

After all, there's nothing stopping players picking up a set of rechargeable AAs (about $13 at Amazon) or a charge kit (the PowerA version comes in at $20, currently $12.99 at Amazon). It's an extra fee, of course, but if you value that versatility it's worth the extra freedom.

For now, Microsoft is righting its mistake- the rechargeable battery pack it's offering to all customers who received battery-less controllers is worth far more than a set of replaceable sticks. The official pack will run you around $24.99 at full price (but is regularly on sale, and currently $15.69 at Walmart).

To claim yours, head to account.microsoft.com/devices, register your controller, and then select the 'Start order' option from the controller menu. Use 'Accessory' for the category and 'Charge Kit' for the Issue Type when prompted.

• See all Xbox rechargeable batteries at Amazon

We're also rounding up all the best PC controllers and the best PS5 controllers for more options - or check out the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers.