PowerA Wired Controller for Xbox Core Blush Review

It ought to come as no shock that we’ve used many Xbox controllers through the years, what with us having hung out gaming on Microsoft’s consoles because the OG Xbox.

In that point we’ve made probably the most of The Duke, the usual providing for Xbox 360, by means of the Xbox One redesigns and people that include Xbox Sequence X and Xbox Sequence S. We’ve even used some third get together pretenders, options to the Xbox Elite controller that must be seen as peak Xbox controller.

And we’ve additionally used a ton of PowerA controllers. A few of these have been appropriate for Recreation Cross play and the facility of the Cloud within the type of the MOGA XP-Ultra. However there has additionally been the tiny Nano Enhanced, a Cuphead themed edition and the good lighting of the Spectra Infinity. For the previous few weeks, we’ve had one other PowerA controller in our arms – a beautiful pink one. 

That’s PowerA’s commonplace Wired Controller in Core Blush (Pink); an Argos-exclusive Xbox controller that does away with any fancy options to take us again to what’s required in our gaming lives – a easy, on a regular basis wired controller. You received’t discover any programmable again buttons right here, nor any set off stops, fancy lighting or, properly, something actually. No less than not bodily. However for £24.99, when you’re an off-the-cuff gamer trying to construct out your Xbox controller vary, and are completely satisfied to be tied down with a cable, it’ll do the job. 

An especially light-weight controller, the PowerA Wired Controller Core Blush attaches to your Xbox controller through a 10ft cable. It connects to the controller with USB-C (an excellent name, and one we might count on in 2024), with the opposite finish dropping into the USB-A port in your console of selection. From there, setup is about so simple as you would ever get, with an Xbox Nexus button that’s entrance and centre. 

In truth, when you’ve used any Xbox controller over latest years, all the pieces about this might be conversant in simply the black-on-pink color scheme separating this from another commonplace Xbox pad. Which means you’ll discover the same old measurement in your arms, with respectable feeling to the thumbsticks (properly concaved and textured) with a d-pad and face buttons complementing the face. 

It appears to be like good too, what with the stark distinction between pink and black, while the darkish face buttons with gray textual content look stylish towards the pink background. The Menu, View and Share buttons – the least used of all buttons on this controller – mix in with the same pink hue as the bottom of the controller. 

Across the prime, a gloss black visor performs host to triggers and bumpers. On a private stage we really feel that any triggers on any controller ought to include some texturing as commonplace, and so it’s a little bit disappointing to see these included right here to be easy as. However these impulse triggers are properly contoured and depress simply, so it’s effective to permit a cross. There may be additionally the addition of some rumble motor goodness included within the Wired Controller and while it feels okay, it’s removed from probably the most intense feeling, as a substitute simply rumbling round within the background as you drop the facility in one thing like Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown.

A 3.5mm audio jack sits on the underside of the controller. And albeit, that’s about all you might be getting with the PowerA Core Blush – no fancy gimmicks, no actual promoting level. Except for that low £24.99 asking worth after all. 

For a lot of, that might be effective. For individuals who see themselves as extra in step with the ‘Professional’ gaming scene although, this may occasionally really feel a bit missing. For us, it’s all been cool, particularly because the 10ft cable is nearly the correct size for us to relax on the couch, related to our Sequence X, powering by means of classes like there isn’t any tomorrow. Once more although, the entire presence of a cable might be a massively subjective affair; some simply could not be capable of get previous the truth that the pliability of a wi-fi connection will not be potential. It does imply that you could be sure that your inputs delivered to the PowerA Wired Controller Core Blush are about as rapid as you will get. 

These inputs are good too. Though all of it feels extraordinarily plasticky in hand, with a lot of clicky and tappy actions, we’ve had no points in use. Once more, when you’re used to microswitched face buttons, Corridor-Impact thumbsticks and suchlike, chances are you’ll be disillusioned, however often the extra easy issues in life are the perfect. 

No less than the PowerA Wired Controller Core Blush could be easy if it wasn’t for the addition of the free PowerA App on Xbox. Set up this in your console and also you get entry to personalisation and customisation of this controller, all through software program. What this implies is you possibly can fiddle with set off settings, the remapping of buttons, thumbstick deadzones, vibrations and extra. That’s all effective when you want it, however – and with out sounding harsh – the PowerA App is sort of dreadful. It’s an absolute chore to navigate by means of, clunky at finest, poorly setup, with a dodgy UI at worst. In case you actually should change how PowerA have defaulted their Wired Controller, then you definately’re going to be left pretty annoyed as you progress in, out and round numerous settings. The one actual saving grace is that after getting issues set as you want, you shouldn’t have to enter the App and achieve this once more. 

Thank god then that the PowerA Wired Controller in Core Blush appears to be like nice then. That’s just about a saving grace from the App nonsense and it goes with out saying that every one avid gamers ought to have a little bit of pink of their lives. 

In abstract, an affordable, no-frills controller, when you can deal with a wired life and simply wish to sport with out gimmicks, there’s no motive to low cost what PowerA are providing up. For a lot of it’ll be dismissed out of hand, unable to compete with the Xbox Elite and alternatives, however for an informal gamer, or one to tug out as the youngsters start to navigate their journey by means of the gaming world, the PowerA Wired Controller in Core Blush will kind you out. Simply avoid the related App and try to be effective. 

Enormous thanks exit to PowerA for offering their Wired Controller Core Blush (Pink) for overview. Seize one for your self from Argos for £24.99.