In recent years, Xbox controllers have somewhat fallen off my radar. Where they once were the gold standard of compatibility and comfort for PC gaming, we now have widespread support for everything from DualShock 4 to Switch Pro controller through Steam’s simple interface. Beyond that, with varying amounts of effort, you can now go as far as playing Dark Souls with your favourite set of Donkey Konga bongos. Going somewhat back to basics with PowerA’s latest take on the tried and tested Xbox design, how does it hold up in the modern marketplace of quality controllers?

 

Going by first impression alone, PowerA go out of their way to stress that despite the affordable price, it isn’t a budget controller you’re buying. The packaging screams quality, featuring a magnetic flap to cover the transparent plastic window that behind which lurks the pad itself. I’m a sucker for this kind of packaging, and it always makes me that bit more excited to unwrap its offerings. Inside the box is fairly standard, featuring the controller, a 3m micro USB cable, and a small instruction booklet. The controller being wired-only, it’s incredibly light to hold, weighing in at just 211g according to my kitchen scales. Compare this to the official Recon Tech Xbox One Wireless Controller I have on hand, which comes in at 287g with batteries, and 239g without; PowerA wins out, if only by a little. That is, of course, assuming you prefer a lighter controller. I do understand the allure of something a bit heftier in your hands. The design itself, while not usually my preference, has a surprisingly pleasant feel to it. Where I expected a flat pattern, there sits texture. Each blotch of the camo design can be felt as you move your thumb across the controller, and having had a good scratch at it, I can say they’re fixed firmly in place. If camo isn’t your favourite, the controller also comes in 11 other variants that I could find, so it may yet be worth a look.

Holding it in my hands, it feels as every other Xbox controller I’ve had before it felt. It’s nice. A somewhat bulky design by comparison to the likes of DualShock 4 and Switch Pro controllers, but marvellously comfortable, even for longer sessions. What makes it different to your bog standard Xbox controller though? What does it do to justify that “enhanced” moniker? There’s a few parts here that stand out. First, there’s the headphone jack built into the bottom of the pad. My official controller has this too, but what the official controller doesn’t have is a little rocker to control volume and mute the microphone. It’s a nice touch, but the more significant addition becomes visible when you look on the flipside: programmable buttons! Or, as PowerA call them, “Advanced Gaming Buttons”. I had no idea how much I’d love these.

Now don’t get me wrong, these style of buttons aren’t exactly new. You have companies like SCUF releasing controllers with paddles on the back much in the same vein as this, but those controllers often come at a steep price. At just £30, this is the first controller I’ve been able to use with these extra buttons, and I really wish they were more widespread. With the use of the mapping button, you can put the functionality of the face buttons, D-Pad, bumpers, and triggers, onto these easy to reach extras. I’m quite fond of putting the bumper buttons here as standard, but in games like Ace Combat 7, I’ve had a good time in mapping the buttons for firing and swapping between missiles. With how simple it is to switch these mappings up, much to my delight not requiring additional software, you’re free to switch and swap for every game you come across.

Back to the buttons as a whole, you may be happy to hear that this is technically an Xbox Series X|S controller, and with that, you get the bonus share button. The face buttons are a little heavier to press than my Recon Tech pad, giving a satisfying thud when hit, while avoiding accidental inputs. Both analogue sticks come fitted with “anti-friction rings”, which much to my surprise are more than just PR jargon. These are some of the smoothest analogue sticks I’ve ever had the pleasure of rotating. Even compared to the real deal there’s a slight scraping feel; that just isn’t present here. If I had to find one complaint though, it is where most complaints lie: the D-Pad. I’m not a fan. Where the Recon Tech pad has a delightfully clicky D-Pad with clear feedback as you shift from up, to right, to down, to left, PowerA’s offering is lacklustre. I will say that the D-Pad isn’t so much of a deal breaker in a controller like this when compared to something like 8BitDo’s range, where their focus is more catered to retro gaming, but it’s still disappointing to see an otherwise fantastic controller fall short in such a familiar department.

   

Is PowerA’s Enhanced Wired Controller worth your money? I’d say so. At almost half the price of the official Xbox Series X|S offering, it is a fantastic and feature-packed choice for anybody who doesn’t necessarily need the freedom that comes with a wireless controller. If you need a second pad for some multiplayer console action, or just something fresh for your PC gaming, give this one a shot. I doubt you’ll regret it.