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Gaming Gear

8Bitdo’s Pro 2 controller with travel case drops to $40

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It has been just over a month since 8Bitdo released its Pro 3 controller. While the new model is a great option, its predecessor shouldn’t be kicked to the wayside — especially when it’s on sale.

Right now, Prime members can get the 8Bitdo Pro 2 wireless Bluetooth controller and a travel case for $40, down from $60. The 34 percent discount solves our biggest gripe about the device: that it’s too big to carry around sans case. Plus, it gives you a cheaper option that’s also compatible with the new Nintendo Switch 2. However, this Amazon deal is strictly available for Prime members.

8Bitdo

Prime members can get the duo now for 34 percent off. 

$40 at Amazon

Despite launching in 2021, the Pro 2 was still our choice for best PlayStation-style mobile gaming controller this year. It works well with Android and iOS systems and has extensive customization options when you use your phone. Plus, the design is comfortable to hold and available in multiple colors.

If you’re interested in upgrading to the Bitdo Pro 3 instead, now is a good time. Amazon is offering a 10 percent discount at checkout for the $70 wireless Bluetooth controller, bringing it down to $63.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.





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There's a fan patch for FEAR if you want to play the classic FPS with a scalable UI, controller support, and other modern conveniences
Product Reviews

There’s a fan patch for FEAR if you want to play the classic FPS with a scalable UI, controller support, and other modern conveniences

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FEAR is one of those games we lament because the things that were great about it feel like they’ve been lost, for few now live who remember it. Sure, there’s Trepang2. But FEAR was so good there should be an entire subgenre based on it. There should be an entire cottage industry of indie studios making singleplayer shooters with slow-motion and advanced enemy AI and something supernatural thrown in to give you the willies just when you’re feeling overpowered.

Anyway, instead of being all sad about how history becomes legend and legend becomes myth, let’s celebrate the fact that FEAR remains incredibly playable today—if you download the Echo Patch. It’s not one of those games that’s completely busted without mods, but if you play it at any resolution above 1080p all the text will look like it was written for ants.

The Echo Patch fixes that, and adds controller support so you can play it on your Steam Deck. It also lets you disable the letterboxing in cutscenes and optionally make the flashlight last forever if you don’t want to have to chase down batteries for it.


Related articles

In terms of bugfixes, the Echo Patch deals with a lot of problems that emerge if you run FEAR at high framerates. There’s “ragdoll physics instability” and “excessive water splash repetitions” if you go above 60 fps, and should you run it at more than 120 fps you’d find yourself unable to do a jump-kick, which is just unconscionable. All that and more is fixed in the Echo Patch.

It even makes the world state persistent, so all those bullet holes remain to remind you of the shootouts in days past. Bodies, blood, shell casings, and other debris hang around as well instead of despawning like it’s 2005 and we need to constantly clear the decks before your PC overheats from having to depict too many polygonal dead men at the same time.

The Echo Patch can be downloaded from Github, and is an easy install. Unzip it into the folder FEAR.exe is in, and tweak the .ini files if you want to enable optional stuff like turning off letterboxing or disabling the GOG version’s 60 fps limit.



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Xbox Controller
Game Reviews

Xbox Turns Up the Fun With Friends, and It’s Crashing the Price of Its Wireless Controller

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Having a Xbox but not enough controllers kind of kills the fun, especially when playing with friends and family. What makes the console truly cool is those multiplayer moments, and nothing beats sharing the game with extra controllers on hand. The catch? Controllers aren’t always the easiest or cheapest to grab. That’s why timing your buy is key, and right now there’s a Black Friday-level deal on Amazon that’s too good to miss: The latest Xbox wireless gaming controller is available for $53, down from its original $64.

See at Amazon

Contemporary Design Coupled with Comforting Play and Intelligent Features

Its modernized design features sculpted surfaces and refined geometry that fit comfortably in your hands, and keeps you gaming longer without fatigue. The textured grip on the triggers, bumpers and back case is there to make sure your fingers stay steady and controlled. And the new hybrid D-pad adds precise directional control which is a big deal whether you’re navigating tricky menus or battling opponents.

The Share button is perhaps the best feature of them all since it lets you snap and share your gameplay—screenshots, video, whatever—without breaking stride. It’s a simple way to share with friends or easily record your best victories.

The controller supports Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth which makes it simple to connect to many devices. If you’re playing on your Xbox console, alternating to playing with your Windows computer, launching games on Android or iOS, or even attaching it with Fire TV Sticks, smart TVs, or VR headsets, this controller lags behind none. With so much flexibility, you won’t need to keep multiple different controllers occupying valuable space.

And, to boot, players also have a lot of selection with sound: The 3.5mm headset jack will work with any supported headset, so you can simply plug in and talk or be completely enveloped in the game’s sound. The USB-C port lets you plug directly into your Xbox or PC for plug-and-play installation which is perfect if you are enthusiastic about a wired connection or charging during gaming.

All things considered, snagging this controller at $53 is a smart move whether you’re replacing an older one or expanding your multiplayer setup.

See at Amazon



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8bitdosilksong
Game Reviews

The GENKI x 8BitDo PocketPro Controller Drops to a Record Low and Might Be the Best Way to Play Silksong

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Controllers are my kryptonite. When I see one that looks cool, I gotta have it. I’m embarrassed to say how many 8BitDo controllers I own, but it still will never be enough for me. I’m telling now to join in on the 8BitDo cult as there really is no better controller for indies and retro games than what they’re manufacturing. And what do you know, this one that’s a collab with GENKI just dropped 17%. The PockePro wireless gamepad is normally $60, but after the discount, it comes to just $50. Save yourself a cool $10 and put it halfway toward buying Hollow Knight: Silksong. 

Eagle-eyed viewers might notice the overall shape and layout of the controller looks a bit familiar. It is indeed designed after the Super Nintendo gamepad, but now with all the modern conveniences like multiple R and L buttons and dual, clickable analog sticks.

See at Amazon

The Perfect Tool to Equip for Silksong

And being based on the SNES controller, it has undoubtedly the best d-pad you can get. That makes it perfect for the new Hollow Knight: Silksong. If you’re struggling with some of the boss fights or platforming in Team Cherry’s grueling Metroidvania, it might be your controller. First off, stop using the joystick. You’re not going to get the precision to execute those diagonal pogos properly. Though, if you’re using the Nintendo Pro Controller, forget it. That thing is notorious for misregistered inputs. You’ll be dropping all your rosaries into the spikes using that.

But this d-pad… This d-pad on the 8Bitdo’s controllers just sings.

Beyond the d-pad, the joysticks also are an improvement over Nintendo’s. They utilize Hall Effect tech, which used magnets. This means drift is an impossibility. You can use this controller until the Switch 3 comes out and still not experience anything close to the deterioration found on the Switch Joy-Con controllers.

Other useful little features the GENKI x 8BitDo PocketPro has implemented included a turbo mode, gyro controls, and haptic feedback. You can a happy marriage of nostalgic design and advanced functionality. The 8BitDo controller is always the one I grab when playing retro-inspired indie titles like Celeste or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge for that reason.

The controller is not just compatible with the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. You can also use it on Window devices, MacOS, Android, or Steam Deck. Due not though that if you plan on using it with the Nintendo Switch 2, it may require a quick firmware update before it can connect. This can be accessed on 8BitDo’s official website.

See at Amazon



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New PS5 system update finally makes using a DualSense controller on multiple devices far less hassle
Game Reviews

New PS5 system update finally makes using a DualSense controller on multiple devices far less hassle

by admin



A PS5 system update is due tomorrow that will finally add controller pairing across multiple devices.


It means if you’re using your DualSense controller across more than one console – or for PC or mobile play, for instance – you will no longer need to pair it each time.


This update was detailed by Sony back in July, but finally it will be available globally for users from tomorrow, 17th September.


The update will also add Power Saver mode, which will scale back performance to reduce power consumption. Future updates for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Demon’s Souls, and Ghost of Yōtei will make use of this feature.


Full details can be found on the PlayStation Blog.



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The PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller on a bright blue mouse mat.
Product Reviews

PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller review: just good enough

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Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller: One-minute review

If you’re after a wired Nintendo Switch 2 pad that comes in at a relatively low price and offers a decent range of features, then the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller is a solid choice, though far from any of the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers.

It features all the required Nintendo Switch 2 buttons, including the new C button for GameChat, plus two extra rear inputs that you can quickly remap without any software. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, compatible with many of the best gaming headsets or gaming earbuds, and offers three equalizer modes. They’re nothing groundbreaking, but a good inclusion at this price point.

I tested the ‘with Lumectra’ variant, which also boasts some pretty incredible RGB lighting that beautifully illuminates its entire faceplate. That’s aside from the giant red Nintendo Switch 2 logo that’s positioned right in the middle of the gamepad, which spoils the clean look. The lighting can be customized with a few pre-sets, or entirely personalized using four distinct lighting zones if you’re happy to spend time fiddling with the cumbersome button shortcuts.

The PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller also boasts Hall effect thumbsticks, which is great on paper and should mean this controller lasts quite some time. Sadly, the thumbsticks themselves aren’t the best and feel very loose in comparison to alternatives. Fine control is difficult, which isn’t a huge issue when you’re playing a casual game such as Mario Kart World, but it is extremely annoying in a title like Splatoon 3, where accuracy really matters.

The top of the thumbsticks features a knobbly texture that’s rather harsh on the fingers too, leading to some soreness over prolonged periods of use. This won’t be a dealbreaker if you’re after something for player two, but for your main gamepad, consider more expensive alternatives like the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller or 8BitDo Ultimate 2.

You get what you pay for with this one.

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller: Price and availability

  • Starts at $39.99 / £29.99
  • Lumectra variant is $49.99 / £34.99
  • It’s frequently on sale for much less

Buyers in the UK are getting a better deal on the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller, which starts at $39.99 / £29.99. That’s for the plain version. The Lumectra variant I tested goes for slightly more at $49.99 / £34.99.

This makes it a little cheaper than previous wireless options from the brand, such as the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller with Lumectra for the original Nintendo Switch.

These prices are frequently subject to discounts, though, especially if you’re not after a particular pattern. At the time of writing, the ‘Mario Time’ edition costs just $28.68 at Amazon in the US, while the black version is down to £24.99 at Smyths Toys in the UK.

Its wide availability means that it’s one of the cheapest Nintendo Switch 2 controllers that you can get at most retail stores, putting it firmly into impulse buy territory. If you’re shopping for a spare gamepad ahead of a multiplayer session, it’s going to be a really tempting option.

PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price

Starts at $39.99 / £29.99

Weight

10.88oz / 300g

Dimensions

5.9 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 149 x 104 x 62mm

Compatibility

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch

Connection type

Wired

Battery life

N/A

PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller: Design and features

  • Lightweight
  • Lengthy 10ft USB cable
  • Doesn’t feel premium

The PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller is extremely lightweight and doesn’t feel the most premium. It’s constructed from a basic, almost brittle plastic and seems hollow in the hands.

It doesn’t help that there are a few spots where you can actually peer at the circuitry inside the controller, around the thumbsticks and triggers, for example, which is a little strange and will surely lead to dirt and dust accumulating inside in the long run.

That lightweight feel does at least mean that it’s comfortable in the hands, though, and even young children shouldn’t struggle to hold it for extended gaming sessions.

On the front of the controller, you’ll find the two thumbsticks and all the expected inputs. This includes the face buttons, d-pad, plus and minus (which are located towards the bottom), a home button, C button, and capture button. The thumbsticks use Hall effect components, which is a good sign, though unfortunately don’t feel very high quality. They offer practically no resistance, gliding around quickly and making them difficult to control precisely.

They’re also made from a hard, plastic-like material with little abrasive bumps that left my fingers feeling sore after a few hours of play.

(Image credit: Future)

I tested the ‘With Lumectra’ version of the pad, which comes in a clean white. When plugged in, the face plate illuminates brightly thanks to loads of hidden LEDs in an impressive rainbow effect.

PowerA really knows how to make good RGB lighting without breaking the bank, and it leads to a very attractive-looking controller. Unfortunately, it’s somewhat spoiled by the giant Nintendo Switch 2 logo that’s been awkwardly slapped in a giant red square in the middle of the pad.

It clashes with the lighting effects and looks incredibly weird and out of place. Luckily, if you’re buying the cheaper regular version of the controller, you won’t need to worry about this, as the logo comes in more reasonable colors, like a dark grey on the black colorway.

On the back of the controller are the two remappable buttons, customized by holding a small program button next to them. There’s also a button to control the LED lighting, plus a dedicated audio button that cycles through EQ presets when you have headphones plugged in via the 3.5mm jack. There’s a standard preset, plus a bass boost and an ‘immersive’ option.

The only other thing of note is a small LED bar towards the bottom of the controller. It can be easy to miss with all the lighting turned on, but it’s a clean white when the controller is on and blinks blue when you’re remapping buttons.

As a wired gamepad, the controller is only usable when connected to the Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 via a USB Type-C cable. A 10-foot-long PowerA-branded cable is included in the box, which should be long enough for most setups.

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller: Performance

  • Gets the job done
  • Ideal as a spare gamepad
  • Thumbsticks could be better

At the end of the day, the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller gets the job done. If you’re after a cheap controller to use when you’re playing with a friend or to give to a child, then it performs as you would expect for the price. The buttons aren’t the most tactile, but they are perfectly responsive to press, and the d-pad is a decent size and easy to use.

The plug-and-play compatibility makes the controller incredibly easy to set up, and the ability to tweak the rear button mapping or lighting effects without the need for any software is handy – though the process of doing this is cumbersome even with the instruction manual on hand.

(Image credit: Future)

The biggest area for improvement is easily the thumbsticks. As I already mentioned, they’re harsh on the finger and could really do with being made from a much softer material. They’re also quite loose, which makes them a poor fit for games that require precision.

Don’t get me wrong, they’re perfectly usable still, but they hardly compare to those offered by more expensive controllers such as the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller It’s the one thing that really stops the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller from netting a more enthusiastic recommendation, given its modest price tag.

The addition of a 3.5mm jack is useful for voice chat, as it allows you to connect a pair of earbuds or headphones with a microphone. The three EQ settings are also nifty.

The standard and bass boost options are self-explanatory, while the ‘Immersive’ preset subtly increases both low and high-end sounds. Is it particularly immersive? Not really, but it’s still fun to play around with and might even help a cheap headset sound a little bit better.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider…

Swipe to scroll horizontallyRow 0 – Cell 0

PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

8BitDo Ultimate 2

Price

Starts at $39.99 / £29.99

$84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95

$69.99 / £59.99 / AU$90 (or $59.99 / £49.99 for PC-only model)

Weight

10.88oz / 200g

8.3oz / 235g

8.7oz / 246g

Dimensions

5.9 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 149 x 104 x 62mm

5.8 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 148 x 105 x 60mm

5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm

Compatibility

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch 2

PC, Android (Switch/Switch 2 version sold separately)

Connection type

Wired

Bluetooth, USB Type-C

2.4GHz, Bluetooth, USB Type-C

Battery life

N/A

Around 40 hours

10-15 hours

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller

  • Tested for over two weeks
  • Tried with a wide range of games
  • Compared to other Switch and Switch 2 controllers

I tested the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller for over two weeks, trying it with a range of Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 games, including the likes of Mario Kart World, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition, and more.

Throughout my time with the controller, I compared it to my hands-on testing of other Nintendo gamepads, including the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller and Joy-Con 2.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2025

PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller: Price Comparison



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This Pop-Out Phone Controller Could Reinvent How We Think of Mobile Gaming
Gaming Gear

This Pop-Out Phone Controller Could Reinvent How We Think of Mobile Gaming

by admin


Today’s retro recreations are so good at replicating the Game Boy’s look, feel, and portability. The problem is, my pockets are already occupied with my mobile supercomputer that contains my life behind a 6.3-inch pane of glass. If my phone has a powerful processor and excellent AMOLED display, why can’t it also become my gaming device when I’m on the go? MCON, the controller hyped to hell and back by young engineer Josh King and brought to market by phone peripheral makers OhSnap, could be enough to make me leave my handheld at home.

I first saw the $150 MCON phone peripheral back at CES 2025; only then it was a very early prototype using 3D-printed parts. Even then, I came away impressed with the collapsible phone controller. I had to duck and weave through many, many halls at IFA 2025 to find the miniscule stall for MCON’s designer OhSnap. The company let me wrap my exhausted hands around the new, black and clear plastic MCONs that will be shipping later this year after its successful Kickstarter from earlier this year.

MCON has surprisingly great-feeling controls

The MCON, even in its prototype state, felt surprisingly fun to use. © Kyle Barr / Gizmodo

When I look at most modern phone controllers, whether they’re the Backbone, the 8BitDo mobile controller, or a Razer Kishi, they all boil down to an Xbox controller split in half to make room for a phone. Some of those devices offer better controls or larger cavity space for up to the size of a 13-inch iPad. While they’re slim enough to fit in a bag, the issue with this classic design is they’re not so portable you can slip them into a pocket. MCON is about the size of a phone itself. It’s compact enough that it may fit into cargo pants-sized pockets or into a pocketbook. I doubt it could fit in most thin jeans without tearing a hole in your pants or thigh. The collapsible mobile controller also uses a MagSafe magnetic attachment point while it communicates with the phone over Bluetooth, rather than a physical USB-C connection.

You can think of MCON as a Nintendo DS or a slide-out PSP Go, though without a screen or PCB (printed circuit board) of its own. The controller collapses to the size of your average phone. With the press of a button, the spring-loaded front plate shoots out to reveal twin thumbsticks, four face buttons, and a D-pad. Two fold-out wings fan out from the base to create a pseudo-controller feel, though you can game without them if you can retreat to your Game Boy glory days, before companies cared a lick for wild concepts like “ergonomics.” The extra benefit of MCON is how it keeps the screen angled up, which may be more comfortable when sitting and gaming compared to Steam Deck-like handheld PCs or the Switch 2.

The version I used was a prefab design, though it’s the closest model the company had available for when the device went into full production. The full-size drift-resistant TMR (tunnel magnetoresistance) joysticks didn’t feel constrained despite being deep-set into the controller. While the buttons had a pleasantly shallow and clicky feel, I wouldn’t have been able to hear how loud they were in such a crowded convention hall. The real surprise was the two triggers. Despite being so thin and close to the device, they dipped to a surprising depth. I didn’t feel as much resistance for each trigger as I may have liked from my favorite controllers, but I would still prefer them over the clicky triggers of many DS-like devices.

Time to work out the kinks

The prototype MCON took a little too much effort to collapse, though that issue may be fixed by release. © Kyle Barr / Gizmodo

I didn’t get to play anything but Warped Kart Racers, a game that automatically accelerates for you. I imagine most people who backed the MCON controller are more interested in games without solid touch controls. It may be an option for cloud gaming when you have access to a strong Wi-Fi connection. What may be more exciting is how it could be used for retro emulation. The MCON’s MagSafe dock can slide out and reposition vertically for playing old-school Game Boy games on emulators, like Delta on iOS.

The pop-out mechanism felt fast and smooth, though I found it was difficult to push the magnetic plate back into place. It took two hands, offering a grating feel as the rail ground against itself. OhSnap! told me it was working on making that mechanism smoother as they run into full production. This is the kind of device designed for taking out while ignoring the world on your daily work commute, and it would be especially handy to collapse the MCON with one hand and slip it into your pocket when you need to. OhSnap said MCON should launch some time late in October, so we’ll know then if my phone might finally become the Game Boy I wanted it to be.



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A DIY controller with a touchpad and mousewheel sits on a white backdrop.
Game Updates

This DIY Gyro Controller Makes Me Wish Gamepads Would Evolve

by admin


Regardless of how the silicon powering our gaming devices continues to advance, and despite the marginal acceptance of motion controls and cute quirks like the PlayStation’s touchpad, the way we interact with games has been pretty static since roughly the arrival of the original PlayStation DualShock in 1997: two thumbsticks, a d-pad, four shoulder buttons, and four face buttons housed in a pretty rigid format that’s resistant to change. But one very cool DIY project from YouTuber PyottDesign shows one possible evolutionary path the modern gamepad could take if we were willing to move beyond standard input setups or embrace more modular build designs.

This project builds off of the ideas found in PyottDesign’s “Ultimate FPS” controller from last year. That project included a trackball in place of the right analog stick and a mouse wheel for easy navigation of lists and menus in games. PyottDesign’s new “Valence Gyro Touch” sticks to a more familiar form factor, keeps the mouse wheel, adds a touchpad in a more comfortable-looking place than the Steam Controller had one, and makes use of “mixed input” techniques on PC to allow for gyro controls to capture the finesse of aiming with something like a mouse while harnessing the analog input of a joystick for movement.

Read More: The Steam Deck’s Funky Controls Prove That Gamepads Are Outdated

As you can see in the video, the design makes for a very twitchy, high-performance set of inputs that are particularly effective for first-person shooters (after a steep learning curve, I’m sure). It’s also an impressive build (though it’s kind of a bummer that AI was used to finalize some of the code that makes everything come together). But I have to wonder what kinds of complex gaming experiences we’re missing out on when everything needs to be designed for the analog stick input and dozen or so buttons of the modern video game controller. Even this cool DIY project is limited by the fact that so many modern games aren’t built with a more sophisticated set of inputs in mind.

I’m not saying we all need to embrace the Steel Battalion approach to input design, but damn would it be a fun challenge for the games industry if, say, the next PlayStation controller resembled something more like a Formula 1 steering wheel. And it’s not just because more buttons equals “more cool” (though maybe it does, a little), but because I want to find new, challenging ways to interact with games. As PyottDesign comments at the end of his video on the Valence controller, he’s “really excited to see how [he] can push [his] skill level with it.” That kind of invitation to master a new physical input method is exciting to me, and if games were pushed to demand more inputs and attention than what the same set of buttons I’ve been using for over 20 years allows for, I wonder what kinds of immersive new experiences we could be enjoying.



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CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller
Product Reviews

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller review: the best guitar controller currently available

by admin



Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller: one-minute review

The CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller is a brand-new guitar controller for use with rhythm games like Fortnite Festival, Rock Band 4, and Clone Hero. CRKD was founded by former Red Octane staff who were responsible for the Guitar Hero series’ controllers, and as such this feels very in line with the peripherals for those games, taking on the best elements of each to make one of the best guitar controllers I’ve ever used.

It comes in two variants, the LP Black Tribal Encore Edition and the LP Blueberry Burst Pro Edition. The Black Tribal edition comes with standard fret buttons and a mechanical click strum bar, with a slightly gaudy tribal design. Meanwhile, the slightly more expensive Blueberry Burst is functionally the same guitar but with mechanical frets, a Hall Effect strum bar with haptic feedback, and a blueberry burst design. If you prefer one set of buttons over another, the necks are interchangeable too.

On top of those two versions, each version has an Xbox edition, which makes it compatible with Rock Band 4. The multi-platform edition does work with Xbox through the KeyJam mode, however, it acts as a keyboard, meaning it is compatible with Fortnite Festival through button mapping but not Rock Band. The multi-platform edition works with Switch, PC, PlayStation 3-5, and Android too.

The guitar itself feels great to hold; it takes on the form of the fan-favorite Gibson Les Paul design that was previously used with Guitar Hero 3, while the strum bar is longer and easier to pinch, like the “Genericaster” design from Guitar Hero: World Tour and Guitar Hero 5 (my personal favorite guitar controller of all time). It lacks the lower fret buttons found on Rock Band guitars and the PDP Riffmaster; however, a separate neck attachment is being released later with this option.

(Image credit: Future)

  • CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller (Black) at Amazon for $114.99

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller: price and availability

  • Prices range between $114.99 / £109.99 / AU$199 and $134.99 / £129.99 / AU$224
  • Available in the US via the CRKD website
  • Available in the UK via CRKD, Argos, and Amazon
  • Available in Australia via JB Hifi

The CRKD Les Paul launched in June 2025, with the Xbox editions set to release in late September. The price is higher based on whether you have the Xbox-compatible edition, with the Blueberry Burst version being more expensive than the Black Tribal one. However, the Blueberry Burst is only $10 / £10 / AU$25 more expensive, while buying the mechanical frets separately is $39.99 / £39.99, so I would personally go with the Blueberry Burst.

While you may be able to get the PDP Riffmaster on sale now, its regular price is more expensive than the Blueberry Burst, with the CRKD being what I feel is the better guitar (however, this more likely comes down to your preference between Guitar Hero and Rock Band-style instruments).

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller review: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price

$114.99 / £109.99 / AU$199

Dimensions

9.96 x 29.13 x 1.37in / 253 x 740 x 35mm

Compatibility

Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, Smart TV, PS3, PS4, PS5 (Xbox in Fortnite Festival only)

Connection type

Wired (Type-C), wireless (Bluetooth + 2.4GHz dongle)

Software

CRKD App (iOS, Android)

(Image credit: Future)

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller review: design and features

  • Guitar controller designed for rhythm gaming
  • Based on the iconic Gibson Les Paul Guitar
  • A dial allowing you to program different profiles

As the name suggests, the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller is based on the iconic Gibson Les Paul guitar. This design was previously used for the Guitar Hero 3 guitar controller, with this one being roughly the same size.

The two available versions are Black Tribal and Blueberry Burst. Black Tribal is a black plastic base with a glossy black tribal design on top of it. While it’s appropriate, as the mid-2000s was the perfect time for guitar controllers and tacky tribal designs (shoutout to the tribal Game Boy Advance SP), I frankly think this design is ugly. Blueberry Burst, on the other hand is fine looking; the actual blue burst design is nice and akin to its namesake guitar, but it’s a decal that looks a bit low quality at close inspection.

Meanwhile, since the necks are detachable, both are just regular black plastic with small lights up the neck. These will light up in a color corresponding with which fret button you press.

The guitar features a d-pad on the top of the neck and two sticks. One is a little dial that is clicked in as your start button, and while it’s not the end of the world, it can be a little awkward to pause with it. Meanwhile, there’s a tone switch-style stick on the upper half of the guitar, which has a ring of buttons around it, allowing you to access the face and trigger buttons.

Under the strum bar is the whammy bar – which allows you to earn extra points when playing sustained notes – and the CTRL button, which is typically bound to Star Power activation. While not as long as the one found on the Genericaster, it’s placed well so it’s very easy to hit with your wrist and not compromise your strumming.

While not a complete game-changer, the mechanical frets and Hall Effect strum bar found in the Blueberry Burst edition feel fantastic, and given the price isn’t significantly higher, I’d recommend going with that version over the Black Tribal.

(Image credit: Future)

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller review: Performance

  • Solid battery life
  • Works right out the box
  • Comes with custom profile dial, customisable via the CRKD mobile app

The CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller works straight out of the box with either a USB-C cable connection on PC or via a 2.4GHz dongle (both of which are included with the guitar). You can also use Bluetooth to connect to devices that can’t support a USB option. From my month of testing, only the Blueberry Burst edition has run out of battery with me using it for at least 15-20 hours without charging it out of the box.

There’s a knob that acts as the on switch when pressed and features a dial that allows you to use one of 9 profiles (the first four being preset to default settings and the Fortnite Festival difficulties). These bindings can be changed via the CRKD mobile app, with the Blueberry Burst edition allowing you to alter the level of sensitivity and haptic feedback on the strum bar.

This is essential for Fortnite Festival. While the default mode is usable in the mode, the CTRL button is mapped to the Select button, which opens a menu in Fortnite. You can’t remap this in-game, so you’ll need to turn the dial to number two to make it work in Fortnite’s pro modes.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller review: Also consider

Still not sold on the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller? Here’s how it compares to the other guitar controllers on the market.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyRow 0 – Cell 0

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller

PDP Riffmaster

CKRD NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition

Price

$114.99 / £109.99 / AU$199

$129.99 / £129.99 (around AU$199)

$59.99 / £59.99 / AU$119.95

Dimensions

9.96 x 29.13 x 1.37in / 253 x 740 x 35mm

10.51 x 21.38 x 3.23in / 543 x 267 x 82mm

5.9 x 3.5 x 0.78in / 150 x 88 x 20mm

Compatibility

Multi: Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, Smart TV, PS3, PS4, PS5

Xbox:Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Android, Smart TV, iOS

Xbox: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

PlayStation: PS5, PS4, PC

Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck, iOS, Android, Smart TV

Connection type

Wired (Type-C), wireless (Bluetooth + 2.4GHz dongle)

Wireless (2.4GHz dongle), wired (Type-C)

Wireless (Bluetooth), wired (Type-C)

Software

CRKD App (iOS, Android)

PDP Control Hub

CRKD App (iOS, Android)

How I tested the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller

  • Tested for around 20-25 hours
  • Used to play YARG and Fortnite Festival on PC
  • Used both editions of the guitar

I’ve been using the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller since I received it in early August 2025 (so around a month). I did play a decent amount of Fortnite Festival (especially when they added the Power Rangers theme song), but I’ve mainly been playing YARG, which is a fan-made recreation of the Rock Band games, allowing you to import custom songs to the game.

I played a variety of songs and genres with it, from the likes of some of my favorite bands, Ween, They Might Be Giants, and Jellyfish, to harder rock bands like Iron Maiden, Mastodon, and Primus. I also played a selection of game soundtracks (mostly Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Guilty Gear Strive) and some outright goofy stuff like Weird Al Yankovic, the South Park movie soundtrack, and the Spider-Man 2 pizza theme.

First reviewed September 2025

Read more about how we test

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller: Price Comparison



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Product Reviews

8BitDo’s Ultimate 2 controller for Switch 2 is on sale for only $54

by admin


8BitDo makes some of our favorite gaming accessories, and right now you can get one of its Nintendo Switch 2 controllers for the lowest price we’ve seen yet. A deal on Amazon shaves 14 percent off the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 controller’s usual $70 price tag, bringing it down to $60 — and with a coupon you can apply before checkout, it drops a bit more to $54. The discount only applies to the white color option.

8Bitdo

The Ultimate 2 controller is one of the best you can get for Nintendo Switch 2.

$54 at Amazon

The Ultimate 2 Bluetooth controller is one of the best Switch 2 accessories out there. (It’s also compatible with PC). This controller has TMR joysticks for greater sensitivity and durability, and has trigger mode switches to flip between linear Hall Effect triggers and non-linear tactile triggers. It’s a great option for those who prefer an Xbox-style controller. The Ultimate 2 charges on an included charging dock, and it’ll automatically reconnect to the console when you pick it up.

It’s also customizable using the Ultimate Software, so you can adjust the button mapping, joystick and trigger sensitivity, vibration and more. It offers three custom profiles so you can save the different configurations. You can play around with the visual effects too. The Ultimate 2 controller has RGB rings around the joysticks with multiple lighting modes to choose from, including Fire Ring Mode, Light-tracing and Rainbow. You can further adjust the colors with the Ultimate Software as well.

It’s a versatile controller that offers a lot of bang for your buck. If you’ve been thinking about picking up a good third-party controller for your new Switch 2, you can’t go wrong with the Ultimate 2.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.





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