Review: PowerA Zelda Enhanced Wireless Controller is a Fine and Beautiful Controller
PowerA has released a beautiful new, officially licensed Enhanced Wireless Controller that features Zelda from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. They were also kind enough to send me a sample to test out. Here are my thoughts.
First, as I said before, the controller is beautiful. It’s all white with gold accents via the analog stick tips, most of the buttons and triggers, lettering on other buttons, and the artwork. This color scheme is then complimented by a metallic blue D-pad and I love it. Second, the controller feels good in my hands. I imagine I have pretty average sized hands, so I cannot speak for small hands or large hands, but the controller felt comfortable to hold. My fingers naturally fell right in place over the triggers and buttons, even the advanced gaming buttons on the back. Third, the analog sticks are concave instead of convex and I am a fan. I prefer concave sticks as I find it harder for my thumbs to slip off. Fourth, the D-pad is a step up in my opinion from the joy-con because it’s an actual D-pad and not four buttons functioning as one. Finally, the A, B, X, Y buttons are all bigger which feels really nice. Feel like it makes it easier to distinguish which button I’m going to press.
This controller does have its downsides though. For starters, there is no HD Rumble feature. On top of this removing a component which some parts of some games make important, it lightens the controller. It’s not going to blow off in the wind, but I like having a bit more heft in my controller. Also, it uses AA batteries instead of a built-in rechargeable one. Granted, it boasts 30 hours of playtime which is really good, it adds another cost (albeit relatively small) to use. Thankfully, it does come with a pair in the box so you don’t have to search your house for some to get started.
The controller also does not support IR or Amiibo NFC, but those are not big deals to me at all and I don’t have any problem with this controller not having it. It does have two advanced gaming buttons as well for more hardcore gamers or people who want to adjust their control layouts more, but I am not one of those people. They are placed for easy access, but I can also see how without practice with these added buttons, you could easily press them by accident.
Overall, the Zelda Enhanced Wireless Controller from PowerA looks fantastic and is a great alternative to the more expensive Pro Controller from Nintendo. It works well and feels good to hold. If you want to get one yourself, you can grab it for about $49.99 from your favorite retailer like PowerA. You can find the full list of specifications in the announcement.
