Bored of your regular black or white Xbox controller? Properly, there are lots of choices out there to you, whether or not that be through the likes of the Xbox Design Lab or by means of a bunch of third occasion producers. One of many latter is that of PDP, and their Afterglow Wave Controller for Xbox is a pad that brings forth one hell of a lightweight present.
Unplugged, the PDP Afterglow Wave Controller for Xbox is your on a regular basis third occasion Xbox controller, simply with a couple of slight amendments to the norm. But it’s whenever you plug-and-play that his factor comes alive.
Out of the field and the Afterglow Wave is an all-black (or all-white) Xbox pad, one full with all the same old buttons that you’d anticipate of an Xbox controller. The 2 thumbsticks are within the regular place, each with some deeply concave feels, coming throughout just about as an official providing would. From there we’ve got a nicely sunken D-Pad; one that’s extraordinarily flush with the faceplate of the controller itself. A lot much less clicky than that of which we’re used to, in use this D-Pad performs nicely.
The standard ABXY facebuttons (tremendous, however a tad spongy) are available in normal dimension over on the correct facet of issues, while the same old Nexus, Menu, View and Share buttons adorn the center of the controller. Apart from the black-on-white of the Nexus versus the official white-on-black cues, and the truth that the Share button is spherical as an alternative of pill-shaped, you’d be onerous pushed to identify an excessive amount of distinction between this PDP pad and a costlier official drop.
There are additionally barely elongated bumpers on the highest face, while triggers sit under these. There’s loads of motion within the latter and the previous are straightforward sufficient to hit, however we couldn’t notably say we’ve been taken with how PDP have set these up. An absence of texture or grip signifies that neither the bumpers or triggers ever really feel nice in use.
That lack of grip transcends down onto the pad itself too, and we’ve not discovered this to be one of the best pad to maintain maintain of. Don’t get us unsuitable, you’re not going to be seeing the Afterglow Wave flying by means of the air with the best of ease, however it’s definitely not as tactile a controller as an official pad is. And that’s even with a little bit of texturing on the again of the hand grips.
Round that again although is the welcome addition of a few programmable buttons. Programmable the way you see match, whether or not you’re a fan of back-mounted buttons or not, those right here sit within the good spot, proper underneath your center finger as you grasp the controller. This implies they’re at all times prepared for miserable, with latest occasions having seen us depend on them for gear modifications in Want for Velocity Unbound.
Mapping of such buttons could be executed within the free PDP Management Hub App from the Xbox Retailer. That is PDP’s controller hub and permits you to replace the firmware of your controller, to test on diagnostics, to set lifeless zones on the thumbsticks and triggers and extra.
It’s additionally how the Afterglow Wave will get its title, as this can be a controller which has been infused by gentle, full with glowing rings round each thumbsticks and glossy strains operating the size of the grips; it’s sufficient to maintain the joy actual. Many may even see this as a gimmick, and we have been – and doubtless nonetheless are – in that camp, however it’s a pleasant gimmick to have, permitting the Afterglow Wave to standout from the gang.
With the PDP Management Hub fired up, it’s straightforward sufficient to set the glowing vibes of this controller as you see match, irrespective of whether or not you determine to make use of the predetermined profiles which have the lights operating stable, respiratory, as a wave (our favorite) or in time with the controller rumbles. The velocity through which the sunshine modifications, in addition to working the total gamut of RGB choices are at your fingertips by means of the App, with the Afterglow Wave actually coming into its personal in these late evening periods. Granted, a lot of the controller lights will likely be coated by your arms, however it all seems uber cool all the identical.
Alternatively you possibly can management these colors through the pad direct, profiting from a perform button on the entrance of the controller. Holding that and manoeuvring the left stick kinds out color and depth, while the correct does comparable by way of the precise gentle mode – static, respiratory or biking. It’s good that the choice is there to customize on the fly, however if you wish to go correctly deep into what the Afterglow Wave permits, it’s the App which has it.
Barely much less thrilling, however probably of extra use, is information that PDP have additionally included some on-pad audio controls within the Afterglow Wave, of use when a 3.5mm jacked headset is connected. Located on the D-Pad, you’ll discover fast entry to volumes and the prospect to play with a recreation/chat stability. It’s one thing we’re seeing way more with third occasion controllers, however it’s one thing we’re massively on board with – it actually does assist not having to delve into the console settings or to completely take away your arms from the controller when in play. That earlier perform button when mixed with the D-Pad actions what you want, doubling up as a mic mute button with a easy double press. It’s one thing we’ve got used A LOT.
For all this to work although, you ought to be conscious of 1 factor – this can be a wired controller and as such you’ll have to be sitting inside attain of your Xbox One, Xbox Collection X|S or PC. Fortunately the USB-A to USB-C cable included within the field is of an honest size at some 8-foot, though it will be good if this was braided. Choosy maybe, however that’s at all times of desire.
There’s no debating that the PDP Afterglow Wave Controller for Xbox is ready to gentle up a darkish gaming room, however apart from that visible gimmick, it struggles to be a controller that will likely be of fast curiosity. It feels okay, albeit slippy, and has some a lot appreciated built-in audio controls, however some spongy face buttons and the have to be tethered always lets it down.
By all means go and seize the Afterglow Wave in case you are in search of a 3rd occasion controller with a distinction, however there are higher choices on the market. Even on the cut-price degree through which this sits.
Enormous thanks exit to PDP for offering us with the Afterglow Wave Controller for Xbox (and the same Rematch Glitch Inexperienced Controller, missing of lights in return for a snazzy paint scheme) for overview. You possibly can seize an Afterglow Wave for your self from Amazon for round £34.99. It’s out there in both black or white – each of which include that excellent lighting impact included.
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