It ought to come as no shock that we’ve used many Xbox controllers over time, what with us having hung out gaming on Microsoft’s consoles for the reason that OG Xbox.
In that point we’ve made probably the most of The Duke, the usual providing for Xbox 360, by means of the Xbox One redesigns and people that include Xbox Collection X and Xbox Collection S. We’ve even used some third get together pretenders, alternate options to the Xbox Elite controller that must be seen as peak Xbox controller.
And we’ve additionally used a ton of PowerA controllers. A few of these have been appropriate for Recreation Go play and the ability of the Cloud within the type of the MOGA XP-Extremely. However there has additionally been the tiny Nano Enhanced, a Cuphead themed version and the good lighting of the Spectra Infinity. For the previous few weeks, we’ve had one other PowerA controller in our fingers – a beautiful pink one.
That’s PowerA’s customary Wired Controller in Core Blush (Pink); an Argos-exclusive Xbox controller that does away with any fancy options to take us again to what’s required in our gaming lives – a easy, on a regular basis wired controller. You gained’t discover any programmable again buttons right here, nor any set off stops, fancy lighting or, effectively, something actually. Not less than not bodily. However for £24.99, in the event you’re an off-the-cuff gamer trying to construct out your Xbox controller vary, and are completely happy to be tied down with a cable, it’ll do the job.
A particularly light-weight controller, the PowerA Wired Controller Core Blush attaches to your Xbox controller by way of a 10ft cable. It connects to the controller with USB-C (a superb name, and one we’d count on in 2024), with the opposite finish dropping into the USB-A port in your console of alternative. From there, setup is about so simple as you could possibly ever get, with an Xbox Nexus button that’s entrance and centre.
In reality, in the event you’ve used any Xbox controller over latest years, every thing about this can be accustomed to simply the black-on-pink color scheme separating this from some other customary Xbox pad. Which means you’ll discover the standard dimension in your fingers, with first rate feeling to the thumbsticks (properly concaved and textured) with a d-pad and face buttons complementing the face.
It appears good too, what with the stark distinction between pink and black, while the darkish face buttons with gray textual content look stylish towards the pink background. The Menu, View and Share buttons – the least used of all buttons on this controller – mix in with an identical pink hue as the bottom of the controller.
Across the high, a gloss black visor performs host to triggers and bumpers. On a private stage we really feel that any triggers on any controller ought to include some texturing as customary, and so it’s a bit of disappointing to see these included right here to be clean as. However these impulse triggers are properly contoured and depress simply, so it’s high quality to permit a move. There may be additionally the addition of some rumble motor goodness included within the Wired Controller and while it feels okay, it’s removed from probably the most intense feeling, as a substitute simply rumbling round within the background as you drop the ability in one thing like Take a look at Drive Limitless Photo voltaic Crown.
A 3.5mm audio jack sits on the underside of the controller. And admittedly, that’s about all you’re getting with the PowerA Core Blush – no fancy gimmicks, no actual promoting level. Except for that low £24.99 asking worth after all.
For a lot of, that will be high quality. For individuals who see themselves as extra in step with the ‘Professional’ gaming scene although, this will really feel a bit missing. For us, it’s all been cool, particularly because the 10ft cable is nearly the precise size for us to sit back on the couch, related to our Collection X, powering by means of classes like there isn’t any tomorrow. Once more although, the entire presence of a cable can be a massively subjective affair; some simply could not be capable to get previous the truth that the flexibleness of a wi-fi connection is just not doable. It does imply that you may be certain that your inputs delivered to the PowerA Wired Controller Core Blush are about as fast as you will get.
These inputs are good too. Despite the fact that all of it feels extraordinarily plasticky in hand, with numerous clicky and tappy actions, we’ve had no points in use. Once more, in the event you’re used to microswitched face buttons, Corridor-Impact thumbsticks and suchlike, it’s possible you’ll be dissatisfied, however often the extra easy issues in life are the most effective.
Not less than the PowerA Wired Controller Core Blush could be easy if it wasn’t for the addition of the free PowerA App on Xbox. Set up this in your console and also you get entry to personalisation and customisation of this controller, all by way of software program. What this implies is you possibly can fiddle with set off settings, the remapping of buttons, thumbstick deadzones, vibrations and extra. That’s all high quality in the event you want it, however – and with out sounding harsh – the PowerA App is sort of dreadful. It’s an absolute chore to navigate by means of, clunky at finest, poorly setup, with a dodgy UI at worst. If you happen to actually should change how PowerA have defaulted their Wired Controller, then you definitely’re going to be left pretty pissed off as you progress in, out and round varied settings. The one actual saving grace is that after you have issues set as you want, you shouldn’t have to enter the App and achieve this once more.
Thank god then that the PowerA Wired Controller in Core Blush appears nice then. That’s just about a saving grace from the App nonsense and it goes with out saying that each one avid gamers ought to have a little bit of pink of their lives.
In abstract, an affordable, no-frills controller, in the event you can deal with a wired life and simply need to recreation with out gimmicks, there’s no cause to low cost what PowerA are providing up. For a lot of it’ll be dismissed out of hand, unable to compete with the Xbox Elite and alternate options, however for an informal gamer, or one to tug out as the children start to navigate their journey by means of the gaming world, the PowerA Wired Controller in Core Blush will kind you out. Simply keep away from the related App and try to be high quality.
Enormous thanks exit to PowerA for offering their Wired Controller Core Blush (Pink) for assessment. Seize one for your self from Argos for £24.99.
