Latest news with #controller
The Verge
3 days ago
- The Verge
8BitDo's first wireless Xbox controller is a surprise Rare collaboration
8BitDo has created its first wireless Xbox controller in partnership with Rare, a game studio acquired by Microsoft. The officially licensed controller features a gold and blue design, with plenty of Easter eggs to celebrate Rare's 40th anniversary. The $89.99 8BitDo Ultimate 3-mode Controller for Xbox — Rare 40th Anniversary Edition (yes, that's the product name!) can connect to an Xbox console via a 2.4GHz wireless connection or a USB-C cable. The wireless connection works through a small USB dongle and not Microsoft's native Xbox Wireless protocol. You can also use Bluetooth to connect the controller to mobile devices. This Rare special edition controller is essentially a wireless version of 8BitDo's existing Ultimate three-mode controller. 8BitDo is using the same hall effect joysticks and Xbox-style impulse triggers, but there are also two swappable silicone joystick caps included. One is a skull from Sea of Thieves, and the other is a jigsaw puzzle piece that Rare fans will immediately recognize from Banjo-Kazooie. The tactile D-pad is made from zinc alloy and matches the controller's gold aesthetic. You'll also be able to program three profiles on this controller, which includes configuring the two back buttons at the rear. All of the customization can be done using 8BitDo's Ultimate software that lets you remap buttons, adjust the ranges and motor tensity of triggers, set vibration levels, and customize each stick for more precise control. As this controller is wireless, it has a 1,000mAh battery inside, which 8BitDo suggests will deliver 20 hours of playtime. The rechargeable battery takes around 4 hours to fully charge, and there's even an integrated charging dock included in the box that automatically reconnects the controller once you remove it from the dock. It's surprising to see Rare, an Xbox game studio, turn to 8BitDo to create a 40th anniversary controller instead of Microsoft just creating its own. The collaboration comes as Microsoft's own custom Xbox Design Lab controller has been on hold for months now. You can still design custom controllers, but Microsoft hasn't been accepting purchases since last December — with no sign of when Xbox Design Lab will return. 8BitDo's Rare 40th anniversary Xbox controller goes on sale today, priced at $ from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Tom Warren Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Gaming Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Microsoft Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Xbox
CNET
28-07-2025
- CNET
The Gamesir G7 Pro Is Almost the Perfect Pro Controller... Almost
GameSir G7 Pro Controller $80 at Amazon Pros Sleek design Great ergonomics Solid hardware Good accessories included Cons Basic software Limited design customizations No wireless Xbox support GameSir G7 Pro Controller $80 at Amazon The term "pro" gets thrown around a lot, especially with tech gear, and it typically refers to a version of something with more features or more power than a stripped-down base model. When it comes to controllers, it's generally used to describe one with features such as extra remappable buttons, the ability to connect to multiple platforms and, of course, Hall Effect joysticks. Well, kind of. More on that later. GameSir has been making controllers for several years now. Unfortunately, they've been a bit hit-or-miss in terms of quality. Some, like the Super Nova, knock it out of the park, while others, like the Cyclone 2, just aren't impressive. However, I'm happy to say its new G7 Pro controller has rightfully earned the "pro" in its name. Design CNET/Jason Cockerham The G7 Pro has a nearly identical design to the original G7, which in turn was similar to Xbox's own controller. That's a good thing, as the Xbox controller has been one of the best ergonomically designed controllers for many years. The grips are one of the most noticeable upgrades from the G7. They made the top and bottom out of different materials for the Pro, which is genius. The plastic top makes it smoother to slide my palms around and less sweaty as I reach for different buttons. The rubberized bottom grips give me a firm hold on the controller. They aren't the first ones to do this, but that attention to detail is welcome. Another neat detail is that all the included accessories, including a docking station, wireless dongle, USB-C cable and cable retainer, all match the color of the controller. Not many companies do that, and I appreciate it. CNET/Jason Cockerham The controller also looks clean. As nice as the Panda motif is on the original Xbox controller, the dual-tone gray and white of the G7 Pro is just cool. There's also a black version with a red gradient faceplate if you want to go that route. The tops of the grips and the middle faceplate all magnetically detach from the controller, giving you a cool look at the innards. One big miss in my opinion is the lack of RGB lighting, especially since the entire top under the faceplate, as well as the triggers, buttons and extra mini bumpers, are all transparent. That could have been an awesome extra addition, but there's no additional lighting other than a ring around the Xbox button. Hardware CNET/Jason Cockerham The G7 Pro comes equipped with a lot of great hardware, including GameSir's TMR, or Tunneling Magnetoresistance, joysticks. TMR is essentially an upgraded version of the Hall Effect, which supposedly offers greater durability and responsiveness. TMR thumbsticks are still fairly new, but so far I'm enjoying them. While the thumbsticks use TMR, the triggers use Hall Effect, and there are even physical trigger stops to switch from analog Hall Effect triggers to micro switch triggers for faster response times. Ever since I first used a controller with physical trigger stops, I can't play without them. Speaking of micro switches, the "ABXY" buttons are optical micro switches, and the four-way D-pad has mechanical micro switches. The D-pad is the weakest part of the controller for me. It feels a bit too mushy, and even though GameSir includes three different caps, including a smooth circle hoping to mimic an eight-way D-pad, it's just not great. It's also insanely responsive, and I occasionally accidentally pressed one of the directions while gaming. It's not a deal breaker, but something to note. Rounding out the hardware are two mappable back buttons (which can be locked if you don't want to use them) and two mini bumpers up top, much like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, which is more than twice the price of the G7 Pro. At the bottom is a 3.5mm headphone jack, a mute button for the mic and a pairing button for the wireless connections. Connectivity CNET/Jason Cockerham The G7 Pro supports PC gaming via 2.4GHz wireless, Android over Bluetooth and Xbox over wired USB-C. It's nice to see support for more than one platform, but GameSir could have done better here. The lack of Xbox Wireless support is likely a licensing issue, and not paying for it helps keep costs down, but I certainly would pay a few dollars more to have it. The lack of iOS and Switch support is a big miss here as well. Again, I'm sure it's partially a licensing thing and partially to encourage folks to buy another controller for different platforms, but it's still not optimal. GameSir is absolutely targeting the Xbox gamers here, so it's not a huge surprise that those other platforms miss out. Software It's not the prettiest, but it works Jason Cockerham/CNET Any controller attempting to call itself "pro" these days needs to have, at the very least, remappable buttons and trigger and joystick dead zones. Most, including the G7 Pro, give you quite a few more options than that in their accompanying software apps. GameSir's Nexus app is available for Android, PC and Xbox and gives you granular controls over almost every aspect of the controller. You can even store up to four different profiles for custom setups for your favorite games. The software is basic in terms of UI, but to GameSir's credit, I've never had any issues with the app. Sure, it doesn't look flashy, but it works better than some others I've used, and I'd rather function over form any day. Easy to recommend In the end, I have no problems recommending the G7 Pro to anyone looking for an upgraded Xbox or PC controller. The hardware is great, and while it's not as colorful as some other options, the design is clean. It's got all the features you could ever want, including TMR thumbsticks, Hall Effect triggers and extra remappable buttons. All that's missing is wireless Xbox support. The included 10-foot USB-C cable was plenty long for me, however, so I didn't mind. Plus: No recharging. The best part is you get all of this for $80. While that's still a lot of money, I haven't come across many other controllers that give you such a complete package at that price. Sure, you can pay more for a couple of extra buttons, an eight-way D-pad or wireless Xbox support, but at the end of the day, the G7 Pro is a fantastic controller for anyone looking to explore the world of pro controllers.
CNET
19-07-2025
- CNET
The GameSir G8 Plus Is a Solid Mobile Controller, With One Big Caveat
GameSir G8 Plus $80 at Amazon Pros Great hardware Fits phones and small tablets Extra back buttons Good battery life Cons Buggy app No extra faceplates available No case included GameSir G8 Plus $80 at Amazon If you don't think gaming on your phone could be fun, you've likely never tried using it with a controller. Once you do, you'll realize why mobile gaming is continuing to grow exponentially. It really is, pun very much intended, a game-changer. There are a ton of mobile controllers out there. Most of them are bad but there are some great ones out there too. The G8 Plus from GameSir is one of the latter. It works with Android, iOS and Nintendo Switch. And it feels great to use, but the app leaves a lot to be desired. Great hardware CNET There's a lot to like about the G8 Plus, starting with the hardware. Arguably, the most important aspect of any controller is how it feels to hold and use, and luckily the G8 Plus does well there. It's not my favorite hardware on a mobile controller -- that's currently a tie between the Razer Kishi Ultra and the Elo Vagabond -- but it's still solid. It's comfortable to hold, even for long periods of time. It feels like an Xbox controller that stretches in half to make room for your phone, which is a good thing. The textured grip on the back means it won't slip out of your hands and it's light enough not feel too heavy after an hour or so. The buttons are nice and clicky with plenty of travel, and the D-Pad is decent too. D-Pads often gets overlooked on mobile controllers, but it's solid here. There's also a Home button on the front for launching the GameSir app, a capture button for recording in-game content, and an M button for switching connection modes. I was impressed by the two programmable back buttons. They aren't mushy like on the PowerA Fusion and they sit where my fingers naturally rest, so they're easy to use. These buttons are always hit or miss on mobile controllers, but here, they're great. Jason Cockerham/CNET The Hall Effect joysticks and triggers are good as well. While there is no physical hair trigger setting, you can adjust the triggers digitally in the app. More on that later. GameSir also offers a couple different joystick tops so you can pick the one that suits your gameplay. They aren't different heights, just differently shaped tops. The best part of the G8 Plus is the range of compatible devices. The two halves stretch out far enough for probably every phone and it can even fit some small tablets like the iPad Mini or the fantastic Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3. Since it's Bluetooth, there's no need to mess with connecting to USB-C. Plus, it will automatically wake up and connect to your phone as soon as you pull it apart, and it will sleep as soon as you remove your phone. Frustrating software Jason Cockerham/CNET Sadly, the biggest frustration and reason I hesitate to recommend the G8 Plus is the same one that's been plaguing GameSir controllers for years: the software. GameSir's app is not only barebones, it's barely functional and it has some annoying bugs. The UI is just... basic. There's nothing flashy or exciting about it, and it looks like the company just threw it together just to say it has an app. The games tab that's supposed to highlight the latest games for you is instead full of things that don't even exist anymore like Apex Legends: Mobile. Your own games are hidden behind a tab on the Device page. Jason Cockerham/CNET To be fair, you can do a lot within the app, including remap buttons, customize joystick and trigger dead zones, even adjust the vibration intensity. This is also where you setup the virtual touch mapping for games such as Call of Duty: Mobile that don't natively support controllers. The GameSir app will sometimes override the settings for other controllers. For example, after playing COD:M on the G8 Plus, I switched back to the Elo Vagabond to find it no longer worked; my phone didn't recognize it at all. Not even a restart would solve this. I had to uninstall and reinstall the app, which also means redownloading the dozens of gigabytes necessary to play it. Very annoying. I realize most people don't have more than one controller, but just be aware of that if you do switch controllers. Worth it if you can get past the software If you don't care much about the lackluster app, then the G8 Plus really is a solid controller. It feels great, responds well, and has respectable battery life. But it's also pricey at $100, especially with the poor app experience. If GameSir put some work into its app, the G8 Plus would be much easier to recommend. I also wish it came with a case, but there are some on Amazon that don't look too bad. Still, it's a great controller, even for $100.
Gizmodo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Xbox Is Going Wild, The 2025 Controller Hits a Record Low for the Final Day of Prime Day
Microsoft may have gone under the radar for most of Prime Day but at the tail end of the day, the company has dropped a deal that gaming fans will certainly adore. The Xbox gaming controller in carbon black has just hit an all-time low price on Amazon, now priced at only $47, down from its usual $65 (27% off). This last-minute purchase is an exclusive to Prime members. What makes this deal all the more compelling is the controller's broad compatibility: Xbox consoles, Windows PCs, Android or iOS smartphones and tablets, smart TVs, or even VR headsets. See at Amazon At this price point, the Xbox wireless controller is a fantastic choice if you're looking to enhance your gaming sessions without spending a fortuneo. The 2025 edition brings a refined design with sculpted surfaces and improved geometry that fit comfortably in your hands. Microsoft has focused on ergonomics so that the controller feels natural and secure – no matter how intense the action gets. One of the best features is the battery life which is up to 40 hours on a single charge so you can play for days straight. The technical improvements are evident from the very beginning: The new hybrid D-pad provides you with rock-solid control over everything from fast-paced shooters to tricky platformers while the texture on the triggers, bumpers and back-case keeps your fingers firmly in place even during the most frantic moments. The addition of a standalone Share button is also a welcome touch enabling you to capture screenshots or record game footage on the fly. Sound is another area where the Xbox wireless controller is really good at: The built-in 3.5mm headset jack allows you to plug in your favorite headphones or gaming headset so you can get completely lost in the experience or chat easily with squad members. Personalization is also on the agenda with the Xbox Accessories app giving you the power of button remapping to play the way you want. This deal hard to pass up, especially at just $47 for Prime Day's final hours. Make sure to grab yours before it's gone. See at Amazon
The Verge
11-07-2025
- The Verge
iFixit: the Switch 2 Pro is a ‘piss-poor excuse for a controller'
iFixit has shared a full teardown video of the Switch 2 Pro controller and is not impressed by how difficult it is to access the $85 accessory's internal components, including its rechargeable battery that will inevitably lose its ability to hold a charge over time. The online repair site goes so far as to call the Pro 2 a 'piss-poor excuse for a controller' for several different reasons. Opening the controller requires you to first forcefully remove a faceplate held in place by adhesive tape before a single screw is visible. But you'll need to extract several other parts and components, including the controller's mainboard, before its battery is even accessible. As previously revealed, the Pro 2 is still using older potentiometer-based joysticks that are prone to developing drift over time. They do feature a modular design that will potentially make them easier to swap with third-party Hall effect or TMR replacements, but reassembling the controller after that DIY upgrade will require you to replace all the adhesive tape you destroyed during disassembly. There are cheaper alternatives to the Switch 2 Pro controller that offer additional functionality, better performance, and more longevity with durable joysticks and batteries that are easy to replace.
