For those who want a gamepad with a removable USB-C cable, two rear buttons, in an ordinary Xbox type issue, and solely wish to spend about 40 bucks, it is best to contemplate the Turtle Seaside React-R.
The React-R is a bit hole feeling and light-weight, which makes it really feel like probably the most “price range” of “price range” units right here. It additionally means this controller is relatively loud. Button presses and thumbstick actions reverberate at a really audible stage. The USB-C jack may also give bigger cables an issue as they danger not becoming into the housing. Both use the offered cable (not pictured) or keep on with slim USB-C cables. However don’t dismiss this one simply but.
The buttons and triggers all really feel responsive sufficient, if not as fast and snappy as dearer controllers (and even some which can be on this listing, in actual fact). They roughly have the identical really feel and sound related to one another when being pressed. Vibration might be hit and miss on PC although, because it wouldn’t all the time work with some video games. When it did although, this factor undoubtedly rumbles.
The 2 assignable rear buttons are type of formed like large, the wrong way up Ls, that means you may press them by squeezing the grip in your center finger towards your palms, or you may push your fingers up into the controller to actuate them.
The d-pad “satellite tv for pc dish” that’s commonplace on fashionable Xbox controllers is a bit spongy, but it surely doesn’t float round in its slot or something. The gamepad additionally has numerous textured surfaces that really feel a bit prickly at first, however these will probably put on down over time. Given its additional options, significantly the rear buttons, it is a good worth for those who simply need that straightforward backup controller, one thing you fish out of a drawer a couple of instances a month. It additionally makes use of a USB-C cable, so that you received’t have to maintain observe of a distinct or proprietary cable if most of your peripherals have moved on to the newer commonplace.
However actually the very best a part of this controller is the low-cost of entry to begin getting used to professional setups with assignable rear buttons. Rear buttons usually are not for everybody, and arguably they principally profit aggressive video games (significantly shooters). However contemplate the Turtle Seaside React-R (and even among the different controllers on this listing) as an reasonably priced means to do that characteristic out for those who haven’t but. Consider it as a “coach” and develop a little bit of muscle reminiscence for rear buttons earlier than spending two or thrice on an Xbox Elite or Scuf controller. You may discover you don’t use them, after which can both dangle on to this controller or improve to one thing like a daily Xbox Core gamepad down the road, and save your self the cash of getting a tricked out professional controller whenever you possibly don’t want or don’t use these options.
Thankfully, mapping the rear buttons on this controller is a breeze. Double faucet the middle button, then faucet the rear button you wish to assign, adopted by the button you wish to assign to it and there you go. Fast sufficient even to reset it throughout a respawn counter if you wish to check out some completely different setups.
Determining methods to reap the benefits of rear buttons may contain some trial and error for those who’re new. That’s why it’s typically higher to clock these coaching hours in on one thing extra reasonably priced, than it’s to place mileage on a dearer gadget whenever you’re simply studying the ropes. Mainly, whenever you’re prepared to maneuver on from this controller as a result of it runs its course otherwise you’re desirous about a extra premium gadget, the React-R goes to let you know whether or not you wish to prioritize rear-assignable buttons or not. For that, I feel it is a stable worth.
The React-R additionally has a singular characteristic known as “Superhuman Listening to.” You hit a button within the heart space and, when you have headphones related to the three.5mm braveness jack on the underside, the audio of the sport will likely be processed otherwise. I’m hesitant to name this a gimmick, however I actually can’t consider a situation the place this could actually be helpful to me, even in a recreation the place extra perceptive listening to is critical like, say, Siege (and I wouldn’t be caught lifeless enjoying that recreation on a controller anyway). So, yeah, I feel it’s type of a gimmick.
However what does this even do? Properly, I ran a fast EQ check on the output of the audio when this mode is turned on, and I’ve deduced that it have to be operating the sport’s audio via some type of mild low-pass filter and/or it’s in all probability boosting some mids and highs on the EQ spectrum. In lay phrases, it principally means the controller juices the sport quantity and better frequencies, so clicky, clacky, sharp appears like reloading, and footsteps, are theoretically louder. It’s remixing the sport audio to intensify the areas the place these sounds are most clearly outlined. That does make a type of sense, however I don’t see this catching on the way in which assignable rear buttons have.
Listening to this mode at full quantity over a major time period is more likely to get exhausting, if not doubtlessly damaging to your listening to. Turtle Seaside intends for this to be a fast factor you activate within the second to get a sonic edge on sneaky opposition, however I’m both not enjoying the best video games or am not satisfied of this. It’s a neat characteristic, however I by no means used it outdoors of operating some audio checks on it to determine what it’s doing.
The Turtle Seaside React-R additionally has a barely dearer sibling which can typically come up in search outcomes whenever you’re in search of this one: The Recon. Although it’s typically on sale for beneath its $60 price ticket, its listing value does put it in competitors with the Xbox Core controller greater than the rest on this listing. For that motive, the Recon will likely be a subject for one more day…however for those who can snag one on sale for about the identical value because the React-R, it’s a extra premium gadget and has the identical options—together with the foolish listening to mode one.
