For Switch or PC Players, This Is the Greatest Reasonably priced Pro Controller You Can Get

If you have not upgraded your controller to a extra pro-level button-masher just like the Xbox Elite Wireless Series 2 or the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, odds are it is as a result of they’re so costly. That’s a superbly legitimate cause, particularly if you happen to take into account your self a extra informal gamer.

As a reviewer, I’m privileged to get to check lots of them, which is the one manner I ever would’ve been in a position to make use of one myself. But what if I informed you that you could possibly get fairly almost all the things a kind of $150-$200 controllers affords for $70? Say hi there to the Gulikit KK3 Max.

Design and {hardware}

The KK3 Max feels nice to carry. At 662 grams, it is almost twice the load of the Xbox Elite Wireless Series 2 controller, however it does not really feel heavy or get tiresome throughout longer play periods. The snug grips assist with that, and you may depart the again paddles off to shave some extra grams off if it’s worthwhile to. The weight is fairly evenly distributed, so it feels effectively balanced. It is available in black, white and a kind of retro colour that provides me Super Nintendo vibes.

The Hall Effect joysticks and triggers are a welcome function, as are the two-stage set off stops that toggle between the Hall Effect analog and digital microswitch triggers. I virtually all the time used the microswitch triggers, and I actually like them.

Much like on the Elite Wireless, there are 4 spots for paddles on the again. Gulikit provides you two completely different fashion paddles. There are 4 normal flat paddles and two half-moon-shaped paddles for the highest two spots. At first, putting in the paddles would possibly really feel powerful, however the setup is by design. Once you have carried out it a few instances, you will get used to it. The controller does not match into the included plastic carrying case with the paddles on, however the firm assured me that taking the paddles off each time you place it within the case will not be an issue. They additionally supply free alternative paddles throughout the first 12 months.

On the entrance, the face buttons are all good and clicky, and I favor them over the (nonetheless nice) microswitches on the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro. Gulikit designed the KK3 Max primarily as a Switch controller, so the face buttons are specified by Nintendo’s “backward” configuration. Thankfully, the corporate additionally consists of further button caps with the proper structure so you possibly can flip them round to be used with different consoles. This additionally means you get the “+,” “–,” house, and seize buttons as effectively.

Beneath the Gulikit brand, there is a settings button and an APG button for macros that hardcore avid gamers would possibly discover fairly helpful. The D-pad is surprisingly good, however some people is likely to be dissatisfied that it isn’t an 8-way configuration. I personally do not thoughts, and you may technically allow 8-way instructions within the software program, however I switched again after the primary couple of minutes and by no means regarded again.

Next to the USB-C charging port up high, there is a button to modify connection modes and one to modify between gamers. The KK3 Max works with Android, iOS, PC and Switch, so if you happen to do not additionally want Xbox or PlayStation, you are fairly effectively coated. The 2.4GHz dongle delivers as much as 1,000Hz polling charges, which is a pro-level wi-fi connection. There are additionally two vibration motors within the grips, however although Gulikit says the depth and vibration modes are adjustable, I could not inform a distinction between the settings.

Battery life is not the perfect, topping out at slightly below 30 hours with the lights and extra options off and 15 hours with all the things on. That’s not the worst battery life I’ve seen, however it’s positively on the decrease finish.

The solely actual frustration I’ve with the {hardware} is the RGB lighting. There’s a lightweight ring round every stick, which is customizable, and you may flip them off. However, you possibly can’t flip off and even dim the sunshine behind the emblem. In a darkish room with solely the gorgeous glow of your monitor, that is extraordinarily distracting. I really put a chunk of black electrical tape over it as a result of it bugged me a lot.

Software

As nice because the KK3 Max’s {hardware} is, the software program is the place issues get messy. For starters, there is no devoted app for PC or cell. For firmware updates, it’s important to obtain the replace package deal from Gulikit’s very bare-bones web site and replica the improve file on to the wi-fi receiver in your PC. The firm gives directions on how to do that, however it’s kind of tedious and actually should not be the case for a controller like this.

It’s the identical scenario for remapping the buttons. The solely technique to do it by way of software program is with Gulikit’s net app, which can also be bare-bones. In all equity, I by no means had any points with it, however much less technically minded people would possibly discover all of it a bit intimidating.

It’s additionally attainable to remap all of the buttons and allow the additional options on the controller itself, however very similar to on the CRKD Neo S, this can be a tedious course of that’ll check your endurance. You both must memorize or lookup all the required button combos each time it’s worthwhile to change one thing.

The value makes all of it price it

With all the nice options and efficiency of the KK3 Max, I used to be shocked to seek out it is usually solely about $70 on Amazon, and you may typically discover it cheaper. Even the total retail value of $80 continues to be incredible. The lack of Xbox and PlayStation help is likely to be a deal-breaker for some, however there are many different nice professional controller choices for these.

For everybody else, there is no higher professional controller for the cash than the KK3 Max. There are even cheaper variations, just like the KK3 Pro that ditches some software program options and the 4 flat paddles for round $50, and the bottom KK3 that simply provides you the nice fundamentals for round $40.