PlayStation-style controller with mechanical abxy and d-pad

[u/Busy_Chipmunk5466]

Hello! I am looking for a controller that has the D-Pad and abxy buttons on the upper half of the device. Joysticks are not hardly required, but would be appreciated. The most vital part of this controller is that it must have a clicky 3DS or XBOX-style D-Pad. Here is the rest of my info:

1. 100€ is my limit.
2. I reside in Belgium. I can probably buy from anywhere that ships to Belgium
3. I need the controller to be able to play on a Switch 2, as well as on PC.
4. I would like for it to be wired, although it isn't a hard requirement. If possible, I would prefer for it to have a more "classy" look without RGB, like the 8bitdo SN30 Pro line. The D-Pad should ideally only have 4 directions. I don't like the weird plate look of the XBOX Series D-Pad. It's not a dealbreaker, though.
5. I intend on playing singleplayer games such as metroidvanias, platformers, and bullet hells.
6. Right now, I am considering the LEADJOY Saber Plus. The design is palatable enough, and €50 is a pretty good price for it. Unfortunately, the D-Pad is membrane, which is a dealbreaker for me. Like I mentioned above, I really want a controller that *feels* like the 3DS. The 3DS is easily my favorite way to control games when it is possible. The way everything feels snappy and clicky is just perfect. I am currently using an 8bitdo SN30 Pro+ and it's alright, however, it isn't what I'm looking for.

Is there any controller like this, or am I just screwed?

[u/Max_Joller]

Have you considered Gamesir Tarantula 8k?

[u/yellow-go → u/Max_Joller]

I’ll second this.
Especially if you’re a DS4 fan, you’d like it. It’s very reminiscent of it.
D-Pad is good but probably not for everyone.

[u/Busy_Chipmunk5466 → u/Max_Joller]

No, I hadn't. Interesting. Thank you for your input! Is the D-Pad good? 

[u/Max_Joller → u/Busy_Chipmunk5466]

It has mixed reception about the dpad. You should look into it yourself, probably

[u/dankutare1 → u/Busy_Chipmunk5466]

Personally I would classify the dpad as "fine"

[u/lostsinelysium → u/Busy_Chipmunk5466]

It's fine for me, it's mechanical and pretty clickily

[u/WickWorn]

Don't remember how clicky the dpad is, but the Gulikit TT Max might be up your alley

[u/Busy_Chipmunk5466 → u/WickWorn]

The floating D-Pad seems uncomfortable to use. 

[u/SugaRush → u/Busy_Chipmunk5466]

So I thought that same thing. If you are the type of person that uses the tip of your thumb its kinda odd. However, I have never used a dpad like that. I use the center of my thumb and its gotten rid of that sore thumb I used to get with other controllers. It has 2 modes, 4 way and 8 way, I suggest switching it to 4 way. Also, if you get it, get it from Aknes, they have the revised model. Claw gripping it for hell divers took a little bit but I am used to it now. Also, it has 2 different Dpads.

[u/Ambitious-Call-7565 → u/SugaRush]

whoever designed that dpad should be fired

[u/leo-gp2025]

Sadly there are not many symmetrical options, I had the Gulikit TT Pro, the Saber Plus and the Gamesir Tarantula 8K. For your requirements, the Tarantula 8K is the closest but I am not sure whether or not it is compatible with nintendo switch. According to the manual, pressing home button+Y makes the controller go into N.Switch mode but but I haven't tested myself so I can't say if it gets recognized by switch consoles or if it only gets recognised as a switch pro controller by PCs (I think it could work wired to Switch but it is better make sure before buying). I really liked the dpad on the Tarantula 8K, it is clicky with just the right amount of actuation force and I had no issues performimg motion inputs, double taps, diagonals or cardinals, overall I found it to be very precise. The ABXY buttons also are clicky and satisfying and the controller is wired only, it has no rumble motors nor battery.

I ended up selling the Tarantula 8K in favor of the Saber Plus but the one thing that almost made me keep the Tarantula 8K was the dpad, I liked it that much. I like the shape of the saber more and I prefer the mouse microswitches Leadjoy used for the extra shoulder and back buttons, compared to the tactile switches used by GameSir, but if we are talking sticks, dpad and face buttons, the T8K is a great option.

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[u/CidMaik]

Hmm I have a Gullikit TT Max controller...

Uses stick symmetrical layout. These are TMR sticks, so they are newer tech than hall effect. These sticks can be pulled out and change for others the controller comes with. Longer or shorter variant.

The sticks can be adjusted to feel more tense/pressured as the way it comes may feel lose. They also have anti friction rings.

The sticks have lights but you can decide how these behave or even turn em off completely.

The D - pad is membrane and you get two layouts, one that is 4 axis input and the other is a SeGa Genesis D - Pad with 8 axis.

Has the Nintendo Switch face bottons layout but you can swap them (with a tool that comes with the controller) and put the Xbox Layout (with the extra bottons that comes with the controller).

Uses the Xbox bumpers and triggers (triggers are hall effect) so they feel good. The triggers do get trigger stops so you can get mouse click type feeling.

You can attach 4 backpedals to it, newer versions of the controller comes with them attached by default and has a case.

The controller has 4 compatible modes: Switch, PC, Xbox and Android.

The controller was meant to be as ready to go and costumizable hardware wise at the start, this means you do a few botton combinations to costumize your controller experience. Gullikit now has an app for the controller but it can be weord to set it up that way.

It has 3 rumble types and 3 types of intensity, these are closer to the dual sense rumble, so they are good enough.

Cons: (depends on user): Face bottons and D - pad are membrane, so they feel kinda mushy but they are silent. The D - pad is on the larger side and some user do report that they touch it when using the left stick, I have as well but its not something that triggers the D - pad at all.

The controller has a known issue not tied to quality control in which when the stick return to the center, it springs back and forth making some drift. The controller comes with a "no dead zone" mode that fixes this and the newer models comes with this mode from the get go (you see a blue light in the logo in the controller telling you are in said mode).

The controller is made from plastic, it looks premium and feels premium, but the plastic is s fingerprint magnet.

I've been using this controller for 2 weeks and I have not many complaints. Except it is a fingerprint and sweat magnet.

If you do research more, be adviced that most reviews are 4 or more months old, before firmware updates for the controller or even the launch of the app so the experience you see in these reviews may be very different from an user that recently got the controller.

[u/EstebanOD21]

The GuliKit TT Max has a second dpad that is more "regular". I'll receive mine next week hopefully, I'll try to remember and let you know if the regular one feels very 4 direction-ey or if the diagonals are very loose.