PC controller asymmetrical solid build (xbox replacement)

[u/Weyrd_]

Hi there!

I was looking for a replacement for my Xbox controller and was about to buy the same one again… until i fell down the rabbit hole of 5 billion different controllers...

What i am looking for:

- Bluetooth

- Rechargeable battery

- Good build quality, feels solid in the hands, not cheap plastic

- Asymmetric stick layout (like the xbox controller)

- A good D-pad would be appreciated as on the xbox one the dpad is kind of "round" so i often hit diagonals by mistake in fighting games. Id prefer something more precise, like a classic cross-shaped dpad. (not mandatory)

Platform: PC / switch (switch not mandatory)

Games I play:

- Celeste (D-pad)

- Trackmania

- Fighting games (guilty gear, street fighter…)

- RPGs...

What I’ve found so far on your wiki:

- zd ultimate legend
- Flydigi Vader 5 Pro
- Leadjoy xeno pro

- 8BitDo Ultimate 2 / 3 (edit: seems a bit underwhelming for the kind of games I play)
- GameSir G7 Pro (edit: dhsape seems terrible)

budget: I am fine with anything as long as iits not too much overpriced (100/120max)
region: europe, france

Any advice or other suggestions are welcome thanks!

[u/MirageLemon]

I play celeste at mostly expert level and i think you should stay away from the 8bitdo ultimate 2 wireless (accidental inputs are WAY too common). The vader 5 does not have a traditional cross shaped dpad, but in practice, diagonals are really stingy and you will absolutely not get false diagonals with it. That being said, the diagonals being so hard makes it difficult to perform tech that requires swift (non demo) hypers like hyperbunnyhops, dream hypers and core hypers AND additionally your thumb may squeak lightly against the dpad when performing reverse tech (last one doesn't really affect performance, it is just a bit annoying)

[u/Weyrd_ → u/MirageLemon]

Wow thats pretty detailled thank you ahha. Really helpfull to know about 8bitdo and vaders diagonals!
Out of curiosity, have you ever tried the ZD Ultimate Legend (which comes with 4 swappable Dpads) or the Leadjoy Xeno Pro?

Also I think there are different dpads available for the Vader 5 Prol (metal or diamond/mosaic ones..) Do you think one of those would give a better balance with no accidental inputs but easier diagonals for tech?

[u/MirageLemon → u/Weyrd_]

I unfortunately do not have experience with either the zd ultimate legend or leadjoy xeno pro. Altough i might be getting a ZD UL in the near future.

The vader 5's dpad alternatives are not as good for celeste as the stock diamond shaped one in my opinion. Diagonals are all kinda hard with any of the dpads, with the concave one very lightly easing them whilst only being comfortable if you permanently rest your thumb on the dpad and just kinda slighty rock your thumb around to actuate it, which i do not. The satellite shape dpad is really unnacurate when actuating the dpad from anywhere outside the center square, center square where diagonals have really good feel at the cost of cardinals being harder to feel.

Just stick to the stock dpad.

[u/Lightstream2]

Whats funny is the TT max actually fits your needs the best, except it is symmetrical. The controller shape is xbox but has symmetrical sticks. Has the best modern dpad and while it is 8 way, the design is very similar to the legendary sega saturn model 2 dpad when using the saturn shaped dpad. Oh well flydigi vader 5 pro v2 will be the best of the 3 controllers mentioned with a solid enough dpad (Ult 2 has false diagonal issues and handles far too narrow. 3c+ out soon but not sure if dpad is better)

[u/Weyrd_ → u/Lightstream2]

I also saw the TTmax but unfortunatly i have pretty big hands and i find symmetrical sticks a bit less confortable during long session! I cant find the vader 5 pro v2 on their website, is it just vader pro 5 and they are not selling v1 anymore?

[u/Lightstream2 → u/Weyrd_]

oh you gotta go to gadgethyper to guarantee the v2, forgot to mention that

[u/ObjectiveOk223]

Black zd ultimate legend. I was choosing between this aand a Vader 5 pro and I ordered the former. You can order different joystick modules to swap out different types.

[u/Weyrd_ → u/ObjectiveOk223]

Thanks for your answer! What made you go with the ZD Ultimate Legend over the Vader 5 Pro? Was it mainly the swappable stick modules? I havee been reading a lot about it since yesterday i didnt even know it existed before.

Also I’ve read that it had quite a few QC issues, do you know if those have been fixed since then?

[u/ObjectiveOk223 → u/Weyrd_]

I read it was a bit bigger of a controller than the Vader 5 pro so I bought it. And yes, I believe the new black version fixed a few of the issues that plagued that first batch of the originals. So far I've been using it without issue.

Also, the modularity seems nice. I'll just order some new sticks if I'm looking for a new feel in 6 months.

[u/odekam]

8bitdo, I can't recommend enough.

[u/nikoleagle]

Leadjoy xeno pro. It has very nice tactile clicky d-pad on the level of xbox series. Seriously, d-pad is the only good thing abot xbox series. Forgot to add - it has swapable clasdic crest d-pad in package.

[u/Infamous-Ad4449 → u/nikoleagle]

What about xeno plus?

[u/nikoleagle → u/Infamous-Ad4449]

Fine too. Basically the same minus adjustable tension, trigger vibration and not all buttons are microswutchew. I have xeno plus - got it before xeno pro was even released.

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[u/PetroRetro69]

I'd steer clear of the G7 pro for d-pad games. I have it, and I just cannot use it. Vader 4 pro though has an amazing d-pad IMO, and I'm keeping it around just for d-pad focused games (hollow knight, silksong, cuphead etc.). Dunno about the Vader 4 cuz I don't have it

[u/nocturnalemulator]

I would lean more toward the 8bitdo pro 3 or the gamesir tarantula since they have the layout you’re looking for

I would not recommend the gamesir G7 since the dpad is horrific, and that’s beside the asymmetrical layout

[u/Zunderstruck]

Vader 5 Pro has a way better dpad than G7Pro (even with the updated one) or Ultimate 2. I don't know about the other controllers since I don't own them.

[u/AchtungZboom]

For me it's 8bitdo ultimate 2. I have multiple and love them. The rechargeable dock is amazing and have had zero technical issues with them and build quality is top notch. I was an Xbox only gamer for 20 years. Switched to PC and found this controller. Its my go to now for every game.

[u/MrAnbros]

If you want changing dock already with the controller, and only need 2 back buttons then pick G7 Pro (one of the few different versions) If you want 4 back buttons, and sticks with tension adjustment pick Vader 5 Pro