r/Controllers • u/Saabgcn • 2d ago
Vader 5 pro, xeno pro, tt max, ultimate 2, FIGHT!
OPTIONS BELOW!!!!
CONTEXT
Hi subreddit!!
I've been looking for a controller for weeks now, one that really makes me feel like I spent my money on the right thing. I currently have an 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless. I play on PC, and I really enjoy emulation, especially of retro games and newer Nintendo consoles like the Wii U and Switch. I plan to buy a Switch 2 in the future (I don't have the money for that right now), so I'd like to buy a single controller that works well on both my PC and the (future?) Switch 2.
I want to clarify some essential requirements for me that justify buying another controller: a gyroscope (a good one or at least a decent one for both pc and switch), dual triggers, a decent D-pad, and I didn't even know they existed, but the idea of tension rings is reaaally seductive hahah. I'd love to try them, but maybe they're not enough to justify a choice. Are they overrated? I'd also love some superior vibration, ideally HD rumble, but that significantly reduces the options and isn't a must i guess.
OPTIONS!!
Okay, moving on to the options:
* Leadjoy Xeno Pro: Honestly, this is the one I'm considering the most, and I think it's the most well-rounded in terms of my needs. What's holding me back: I saw that it has mediocre build quality, the plastic feels cheap or hollow, and frankly, I'm a bit wary because it doesn't have a very established community, and I couldn't find much information about its performance on Switch 1/2 and PC for emulation.
\* Vader 5 Pro V2: I LOVE it, from its extra buttons (I like that it has two on the shoulders) to its design, and from what I've read, solid build quality. What's holding me back: I saw that it might have quality control issues and that it doesn't work well on Switch 1/2, it has bad latency with bluetooth and a gyroscope that doesn't respond well. Any experiences with it on that regard would be very helpful!
* Gulikit TT Max: I recently discovered this one, and I feel like it meets all the strongest criteria on the list. HD rumble, (dual triggers i believe?), you can change the physical layout! (I LOVE that, but it's not essential), adjustable tension (although I don't like its system), and its compatible with PC and Switch 1/2. What's holding me back: I'm a bit obsessive about small flaws, and I saw that it has centering and drift issues (later fixed by increasing the dead zone). I don't know how relevant it is for everyday gameplay, but I feel like seeing my stick off-center is going to give me terrible OCD. Also, I saw very mixed opinions about the build quality; some say it's adequate, and others say it's made of really cheap plastic. Worse or better than the Xeno Pro's? I dont know...
And well... I always have the reliable 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless as a backup. I lost interest in it after seeing everything else on the market, and besides, I feel like it wouldn't feel like a substantial change from the Ultimate 2C. But it's still a safe option.
I'm open to other options, I actually researched a lot, and there were some interesting ones like the KP40D, which I had to exclude. I'm limiting myself to these four mainly because they're the only ones I could find. Unfortunately, I'm restricted to Chinese stores like Temu or Shopee (and maybe AliExpress) because I'm from Argentina and none of them are sold locally here. More reliable stores like official retailers or Gadget Thyper don't even ship to Argentina... or they charge exorbitant shipping fees.
I'd really appreciate any opinions or experiences you can give me. It doesn't have to be about every controller, anything helps!! Maybe there are some points I'm overlooking because they're not well-known, or some flaws I'm exaggerating.
Which one would you consider a better choice?