Two gamepads to rule them all (The perfect retro gamepad: part 2)
My feud with seemingly the entire PC controller market is a long story with years of development behind it: I've handled Xbox controllers (with ALL their revisions), MANY Xbox controllers, 8bitdos, and now Gamesir. The last time I talked about controllers on my YouTube channel was actually two seasons ago, because since then another one has also arrived (and fallen in combat): the Gamesir Cyclone 2. There's a lot of banter among my colleagues about how they should make me an official controller tester, because every controller I touch, I end up pulling out where it dies; and in this case, it was the anti-friction ring, which broke after intense quick flips in Rocket League. I swear I take good care of my controllers, but ever since I started playing that game, they've been dropping like flies. And not content with that, I currently manage not one, but two different controllers. You might think I'm overusing it, but let me explain.
For 25 years, the primary environment in which video games are played has been 3D; that's why the Dreamcast already had the analog stick in its main location, the Gamecube too, and the Xbox has more of the same, and Sony has to become a specialist. Let's not even talk about people with Stockholm syndrome who prefer symmetrical layouts for 3D games, but that's a different topic.
The fact is that I'm a person who's very fond of playing 2D games, either because I emulate SNES or GBA games or because of my own needs for two of my favorite genres: Platformers and Metroidvania. It's true that these genres can be played with a joystick (and if they're modern games, they're most likely designed to be played with it, like Ori or Metroid Dread), and if not, the D-pad often does a decent enough job that you don't need one anymore, no matter how uncomfortable it is to play with your thumb down there (as if it were a symmetrical layout, ugh). Unfortunately, my perfect 3D game controller is completely useless if you try to play with a D-pad.
Gamesir G7 Pro
After my previous Cyclone 2 fell in combat, I found myself once again in the position of analyzing the market. Ironically, I was very happy with the Cyclone 2, which didn't give me any problems other than a crack in the lower seal of the grips due to the transparent plastic (more fragile than a solid one), which was more for aesthetic reasons than anything else. But of course, the anti-friction ring supports (that little thing that surrounds the joystick) inside the housing broke, and the company refused to sell me a replacement housing. You tell me what it cost them. If they sold me the replacement, I'd be as happy as a clam. Instead, having bought it on Amazon, I requested a refund and that was it. I'd say that's the positive point of all this. Despite having broken 8 controllers in just over 4 years (!!), they've all been paid for with the balance from the previous one.
Back to the market: I was looking for a low-latency, comfortable, agile controller that fit my budget of less than €100, but above all, that was durable. Initially, there was nothing different or flawed that would keep me from buying another Cyclone 2, my joy in life. But then it was announced that Gamesir would soon be releasing a new controller, the G7 Pro. It's very similar to the Cyclone 2, but with the difference of having interchangeable faceplates, so in case it breaks, I can always buy a new one without having to replace the entire housing. Yay!
I won't go on too long, but I'm in love with this controller... except for one small detail I mentioned earlier. Minimal latency, face buttons with microswitches (similar to a mouse click), smooth and precise thumbsticks, and the grip of an Xbox controller. After getting used to this one, I have a feeling that playing Rocket League with a standard Xbox controller again would feel strange. It comes with its own dock, which, while I'm not a particular fan, does the job. The Cyclone 2 dock was magnetic, and the 8BitDo ones have a super satisfying "click" when you drop the controller, letting you know it's resting correctly. This one doesn't have either. It's not the end of the world, either.
For PC, it can be used either wired or via its RF receiver. It doesn't have Bluetooth, and although it's compatible with Xbox, it can only be used wired; but I don't really care about that because I only play on PC. Now, its flaw... Maybe this is the one that raises a few more eyebrows.
The D-pad. Oh, the D-pad. In principle, it was great; after all, it also uses microswitches, just like the new 8BitDo ones and the Cyclone 2 one, which, while worse than the 8BitDo one, was still usable. But it's extremely flat and has too little travel to properly feel its directionality, which makes it functional for commands in 3D games but absolutely useless if you want to use it to play a proper Metroid. Whenever I've supported a friend who's played this series, I've insisted: diagonals, diagonals are very important. And what a piece of shit diagonals are. Not like that, Gamesir, not like that.
8BitDo Pro 3
Well, let's look for alternatives. In a blog post, I explained that the new 8BitDo Pro 3 was out of my budget and that I went for the Gulikit Elves 2, but being the indecisive bastard that I am, I ultimately gave in and canceled the order. And while it looked great, the weight of it being inspired by a Saturn controller and a D-pad of that type put me off. Despite having grown up with a Master System 2 and a Mega Drive, I'm sorry, I'm a Nintendo fan at heart, and it was a risk I wasn't willing to take.
And the truth is, I don't regret a single thing—what a lovely controller! I'd be lying if I said I didn't fall in love at first sight with the color scheme of my beloved Gamecube. But that's not all. Hold on tight: it has interchangeable magnetic buttons! I'd never seen this on another controller before, and combined with the color scheme, it means you can finally get a controller with a canonical GameCube button layout. LET'S GO! I have to clarify that the change is purely cosmetic, because the buttons still work the same internally. Just because my controller has the X button on the right doesn't mean it's that button. Maybe this will blow someone's mind, but after 30 years of using controllers, I don't need to look at the buttons on the controller to know which button is which.
Also, the D-pad is just as I expected: it uses microswitches but has enough travel to feel natural and reminiscent of the classic Super Nintendo D-pad. A modern touch with a classic flavor, something Nintendo itself should adopt... but it seems that these days it's too busy implementing planned obsolescence in its controllers.
Like the G7 Pro, it has extra bumpers (which I never use) and two rear paddles (which I also don't), but good for whoever uses them and finds them useful. The latency is very low, the diagonals only appear when you want them to, and the hall effect joysticks do their job. Not that I'll use them much, but I'll give a reason later why it's good to have them there. Perhaps the only downside is that the front buttons, despite being membrane-based, are noisier than usual. I definitely don't recommend this controller if you're looking to play at night without disturbing someone sleeping next to you, for example.
The Pro 3 also includes a dock, which is not only as clicky as the Ultimate line's, but also includes colored buttons without lettering under a bottom cover (for those who prefer a Super Nintendo setup) and the tool/suction cup to remove them without damaging your fingernail. I was unable to remove them without it, in case anyone is worried they might fall and get lost. As usual, the radio frequency receiver is also connected inside the dock, and this can be used as an extension cable to improve signal reception.
Here, unlike the Gamesir controller, we have not only a Bluetooth connection but also a compatibility mode with the Switch and Switch 2. Unfortunately (and as far as I know, because I don't have the console yet), it can't wake the Switch 2 from sleep.
I haven't talked about the triggers until now for a very simple reason. I mentioned that it's compatible with Nintendo consoles, and it's well known that, since they're more stubborn than a mule, by 2025 they won't have analog triggers, something they actually beat Sony to the punch with more than 20 years ago with the Gamecube. That's why, although it has analog triggers for use via Xinput with modern PC games, it also has two small switches next to them to mimic their travel and function as two more digital buttons. And that's something to be thankful for, because on one hand it would be awkward to use analog triggers on a console that doesn't have them, and on the other hand it makes it an even more optimal controller for playing PS2 games and later. Win/win, I tell you.
So, I'm very happy with both purchases. I'm really sorry for the clickbait after my previous post about the Gulikit Elves 2, because someone emailed me asking for my impressions, but wow, it's such a joy to play with these two awesome controllers.
I'm going to have such a blast with Silksong, holy crap.
♾️ Related blog: The perfect retro gamepad is a myth