Gaming Which controller would you buy?

[littlesmurf]

Here's 3 different controllers that work on the switch and have reasonably good reviews and similar specs. They vary from the cheapest which is around $30 - $60.

In order of price:
EasySMX X20
Flydigi Vader 4 Pro
GuliKit KK3 MAX

Comparing each controllers specs they seem similar and can be used on various modern systems suh as pc, switch, steam deck, android (with esp32/raspberry pi pico/dongles - can be used on almost all old systems like OG xbox, ps2, ps3 etc)

Now for me I like all those but for value I would choose the EasySMX X20, because it's cheaper than the others and I like the look of it. I can see why others would choose the others but I'd like to know why and remeber that more expensive doesn't mean better.

 

[Cranesbill]

They all look the same to me, I guess Flydigi Vader 4 Pro since the button configuration looks cool

 

[CMDreamer]

GuliKit's ofc.

 

[linuxares]

Vader 3 have been hailed as the goat to a lot of people. So I guess 4 is good to?

 

[l7777]

I've primarily used the 8bitdo Ultimate but have also used the KK2 and 3. Recently I came across the Manba One on sale during BF and have been using it. My interest is mostly around the back buttons and macro abilities.

It's hard to beat the 8bitdo's ability to create precise macros without having to first do the inputs yourself. I have one that is able to reliably trigger the memory storage glitch in BOTW among other things. Downside is you have to use the app to configure the macros or remap the back buttons, also only two back buttons.

KK2/3 feel good and you can have it record inputs and then play them back once or repeatedly. Can come in handy if you're doing the same things over and over but you do have to be able to trigger the inputs you want it to do. Turbo is three stages, off/turbo/auto turbo (you don't have to hold the button). The KK3 also added four back buttons but they don't feel the best. Other quirk is that all configuration is done with button combinations. Could be a plus or minus depending on your use. It also has no visual indications of what it is doing, only vibrations to signal something has changed. The KK3 allows you to limit the analog trigger travel.

Lastly the Manba One. It has a display to configure the more advanced functions of the controller (turbo, macros, etc...). It does require you to input the macro actions and will then play them back on one of the back buttons. You can also map the back buttons to a single button but cannot enable turbo on the back buttons. It also has an ABXY physical layout but has a built in config for the switch that swaps the xy/ab buttons. Also has a limiter for the trigger travel that feels much better than the KK3.

All three have slightly different button and stick feel but nothing that seems out of place. More personal preference.

 

[littlesmurf]

I've primarily used the 8bitdo Ultimate but have also used the KK2 and 3. Recently I came across the Manba One on sale during BF and have been using it. My interest is mostly around the back buttons and macro abilities.

It's hard to beat the 8bitdo's ability to create precise macros without having to first do the inputs yourself. I have one that is able to reliably trigger the memory storage glitch in BOTW among other things. Downside is you have to use the app to configure the macros or remap the back buttons, also only two back buttons.

KK2/3 feel good and you can have it record inputs and then play them back once or repeatedly. Can come in handy if you're doing the same things over and over but you do have to be able to trigger the inputs you want it to do. Turbo is three stages, off/turbo/auto turbo (you don't have to hold the button). The KK3 also added four back buttons but they don't feel the best. Other quirk is that all configuration is done with button combinations. Could be a plus or minus depending on your use. It also has no visual indications of what it is doing, only vibrations to signal something has changed. The KK3 allows you to limit the analog trigger travel.

Lastly the Manba One. It has a display to configure the more advanced functions of the controller (turbo, macros, etc...). It does require you to input the macro actions and will then play them back on one of the back buttons. You can also map the back buttons to a single button but cannot enable turbo on the back buttons. It also has an ABXY physical layout but has a built in config for the switch that swaps the xy/ab buttons. Also has a limiter for the trigger travel that feels much better than the KK3.

All three have slightly different button and stick feel but nothing that seems out of place. More personal preference.

Interesting. I never took macro into consideration as it's not a feature I would generally use. I could probably program an esp32 to use macro features and send commands via usb and connect to the esp32 to a controller via bluetooth. But it's good your controller has it built in. I've ordered the EasySMX X20 as it has 4 programmable macro buttons on the back, apparently you can program in button combo's with that, but I haven't received it yet so can't confirm this.

 

[l7777]

Interesting. I never took macro into consideration as it's not a feature I would generally use. I could probably program an esp32 to use macro features and send commands via usb and connect to the esp32 to a controller via bluetooth. But it's good your controller has it built in. I've ordered the EasySMX X20 as it has 4 programmable macro buttons on the back, apparently you can program in button combo's with that, but I haven't received it yet so can't confirm this.

Every so often I find a really good use for them. The glitch inputs for BOTW were very precise and it was more of a "let's see if I can program the controller to reliably do this." thing. I also mapped the weapon switching in Metroid Prime so I could switch with a single button rather than the default combination. Fighting game inputs are also something I've used macros for all the way back to the SNES and Street Fighter 2 Turbo. Then there's the simpler map where you move a button from the face to the back so you don't have to come off the right thumb stick.

 

[urherenow]

Only thing that caught my eye about the vader, is the adjustable stick tension. The KK3 max is default Switch layout, but comes with tools (and buttons) to physically replace the buttons with XBOX layout. I had a KK2 previously, and enjoyed using it, but saw that the KK3 max was (functionally, as far as I could tell) the same thing as an xbox elite 2, which costs more than twice as much!

I would recommend it. I can't 100% say that I can call it better than the vader, because I've never used the vader.

 

[littlesmurf]

Well I ordered the EasySMX X20 from Aliexpress last week and it's turned up already. It's the newest model with some grey in the side grips and grey thumb pads (EasySMX company emailed me to tell me that they changed the design and i'd be getting the new one). Also its got firmware 1.18 (newer than what's on their website).

So far I've tried on PC, it shows up as an xbox 360 controller in both wired and with the dongle and has the same pid and vpid as an xbox 360 controller, I then tried on my xbox 360 and it worked flawless (even though there's no mention of this on their website or any reviews on youtube). I also tried on Nvidia Shield TV and my Nintendo switch and it works great on those as well.

With a raspberry pi pico flashed with OGX-Mini (https://github.com/wiredopposite/OGX-Mini) it also works on my original xbox and ps3 (maybe it works on ps3 without the pi pico). I expect it works on PS classic and all devices that support xinput.

I've run out of stuff to test it on now, but to say it's good value for the money would be an understatement.

EDIT: After more tests in wireless modes:

With supplied USB Dongle:
Xbox360 flashed with UsbdSecPatch - https://github.com/InvoxiPlayGames/UsbdSecPatch - working
PS3 - working
Android TV (NVidia Shield) (works in bluetooth mode without usb dongle or with dongle without using bluetooth)
PC - Shows as xbox360 controller with 360 pids - working
Nintendo Switch - (works without using dongle in NS mode)

With OGX-Mini flashed on Raspberry Pi Pico (https://github.com/wiredopposite/OGX-Mini) + USB Dongle
Original Xbox - working
Playstation 3 - working
Nintendo Switch (docked) - working
XInput (also works on Xbox 360 flashed with with UsbdSecPatch - https://github.com/InvoxiPlayGames/UsbdSecPatch) - working
Playstation Classic - working