Alternative Gaming Peripherals to Evaluate
A plethora of gaming input devices exists, yet not every one meets the stringent criteria to be included in the preceding selection. Presented here are additional controllers that have undergone our recent evaluation.
Photograph: Simon Hill
Nacon Revolution 5 Pro: This extensively configurable PS5 gamepad features Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, assignable rear paddles, and an excellent directional pad. Users are able to fine-tune its mass, joystick height, and tactile grips, alongside the trigger’s activation point. It offers an impressive 10-hour power duration, and a headset can be linked wirelessly via Bluetooth or through a wired connection. Regrettably, its cost is considerable, and it lacks the haptic feedback or adaptive trigger functionalities present in Sony’s outstanding DualSense gamepads.
Courtesy of Logitech
Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel: Parker Hall, an editor at WIRED, lauded Logitech’s racing wheel peripheral, and enthusiasts of racing simulations with ample budgets will find it appealing. This device enhances the realism of virtual driving through force feedback and tactile vibrations, enabling users to perceive each terrain. Its gear shifting paddles incorporate Hall Effect sensors. Furthermore, an OLED screen allows for setting adjustments without the necessity of launching the companion application.
Nacon Revolution X Pro: This tethered Xbox and PC gamepad is supplied with an extended (approximately 10-foot), removable, braided USB-C cord. Nacon provides a remarkable degree of personalization, encompassing swappable thumbsticks, assignable rear buttons, and adjustable weights to achieve the desired tactile sensation. Its Profile button allows for cycling through four pre-configured setups, a toggle switch alternates configurations, and it includes a 3.5-mm audio port. Users can fine-tune every aspect within the somewhat unreliable Revolution X application for Xbox or personal computers. Although its functionality is robust, I am not fond of its inexpensive tactile quality (even with weight modifications), and its rear triggers feel cumbersome. Priced at its maximum, the Revolution X Pro is excessively costly for a tethered gamepad, though price reductions are common.
GameSir Cyclone 2: The GameSir Cyclone 2 delivers exceptional value considering its cost. Its design mirrors that of an Xbox gamepad, yet it incorporates several additional features. It includes two customizable back paddle buttons, and ‘hair triggers’ with an internal physical switch in each to alternate between brief and extended activation points. Furthermore, it is pre-programmed with a *multitude* of quick commands to adjust parameters such as vibration strength, button arrangement, and joystick dead zones instantaneously. For the majority of players, the more recent, enhanced G7 Pro will justify its $25 price increment.
8BitDo Ultimate: This function-rich gamepad from 8BitDo presents numerous advantages at an affordable cost. Initially, it resembles an Xbox controller, however, it features five central buttons on its face and a set of rear paddles. It offers a wide array of personalization choices to complement individual gaming preferences. Through 8BitDo’s dedicated application, users can reassign button functions, fine-tune joystick and trigger responsiveness, designate macros, and adjust vibration strength. A revised iteration of this gamepad is accessible, and we will refresh this section once we have the opportunity to evaluate it.
Powering Peripherals
Courtesy of Sony
Cordless gamepads offer convenience, yet it is essential to recall their power replenishment requirements. Should you wish to avoid dealing with wires, a charging station presents an ideal solution. Subsequent to evaluating multiple options, we provide a few suggestions.
The authentic Sony charging dock stands as the optimal choice for DualSense gamepads. Its design is space-saving, it recharges two gamepads, and liberates the PS5’s connectivity ports. Inserting the controllers into their positions is effortless, with a successful connection signaled by an audible click.
This elegantly designed charging hub caters to wireless Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One gamepads and includes rechargeable battery packs along with substitute covers. Its contoured plastic construction facilitates effortless insertion of your gamepads, and a tap on its upper surface modifies the illumination. Its sole disadvantage lies in its considerable size.
This power base is capable of recharging a Switch Pro gamepad and a pair of Joy-Cons. Its operation is straightforward, though a USB dongle must be plugged into the Pro controller. I actually lean slightly towards Power-A’s charging cradle, which possesses a more condensed form factor than this base, but it is currently unavailable. Should your sole requirement be Joy-Con power replenishment, consider the HyperX Chargeplay Quad ($15).
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