Now you’re playing with PowerA
Anyone who plays video games knows that accessories are just as important as the consoles themselves most of the time. Thanks to the fine folks over at PowerA I was able to take a peek at some cool accessories for all three of my main systems. Today I am going to go over each of them and point out their advantages as well as how well they hold up to some rigorous challenges. The fact of the matter is just owning a console is not enough, we also need to accessorize them to truly get the most of them.
One of the biggest things I hear from people is how controllers are constantly running out of juice. While the Switch Pro Controller seems to last an eternity, the Xbox and PlayStation controllers both have downsides. The PS5 controller lasts a bit longer than the PS4 one, but still drains juice at a record pace. Especially if you turn on all the extra features. So, it is common for these controllers to be dead, and remembering to plug them into a USB cable has never been my strong suit.
Twin Charging Station for DualSense Controllers | MSRP: $24.99 | Rating 7/10
Thankfully PowerA has a solution for that. The Twin Charging Station for DualSense Wireless Controllers is perfect for making sure your controller is always ready to go. Starting with the design, the unit has the controllers facing back-to-back with a snap down function to lock them into place. I was currently using the official Sony charger, which mimics the design of the console, but PowerA’s offering has a large PlayStation log right in front of each controller while also matching the color scheme of the system.
A couple of things hold it back for me though. The side design means that the cord comes out the side if facing a controller forward, which means it needs to be sat sideways in order to hide the cable. Also, the snap function was fickle, even more so than hitting the official charger at just the right angle. Still, it charges my controllers quickly, uses an AC adapter instead of USB, and looks great in my entertainment center.
Duo Charging Station for Xbox Series X|S | MSRP: $29.99 | Rating 8/10
Now if you are an Xbox user you have no doubt have an opinion on the standard batteries debate. For me I always wear out the ones in the box then move onto a docking station. For that PowerA has you covered, and it is easily my favorite docking charger for the console. Right out of the box the benefits are evident. The charger comes with four battery packs that all work with both Series X and One controller. It also comes with two battery doors for the new console and two for the old style, so for those of us using both new and old controllers, there is plenty here for all. The dual charger retails for $29.99.
What I love about this deck is the design. The controllers slide right into place with a little notification light on the front that flashes as charging and remains solid once done. Once again it uses a standard AC adapter as opposed to USB. This is a huge plus for me as most of my USB slots have been used up by other devices. The dock charges quickly and the batteries have a nice long life. The full charge from depletion takes 2-3 hours and the batteries last up to 20 hours, so doing the math I never have to charge if I drop my controller onto the charger as soon as I am done playing.
Enhanced Wireless Controller – Blood Moon Zelda | MSRP: $54.99 | Rating 8.5/10
Now that I can charge my standard controllers, I was also able to take a couple new controllers for a spin. Up first was the PowerA Enhanced Wireless controller for Switch. If you haven’t seen this line yet, it has an impressive array of designs. I was sent the Blood Moon Zelda controller, which I think is one of the slickest available. The front has a slick surface with some truly spectacular artwork from Breath of the Wild. It looks outstanding in my collection.
The controller itself feels good. It has a hollower feel when compared to the Switch Pro Controller, but the layout is the same. The shoulder buttons are more pronounced and the face buttons a little more clicky, but it feels good. The controller also comes with two programmable buttons on the back that can be used to substitute any button on the controller. Sadly, these are programmed on the controller and not via an app on the Switch itself so it can be cumbersome. The controller also comes with a 10ft cable to charge that is a standard USB-C to USB-A design. I took the controller for a spin on all the standard games including Mario Kart 8, Breath of the Wild, and for true reflex testing Dusk. It performed excellently in all games. The battery life is also impressive when fully charged. This is a nice second controller to my Switch Pro Controller.
Finally, we come to the centerpiece of the pack, which is the FUSION Pro 2 Wired Controller for Xbox. This is PowerA’s follow-up to their stab at a premium controller for Microsoft’s console complete with back paddles and plenty of customization. The first thing to note is that it only comes in a wired version. This reduces lag and the provided cable is plenty long and features a breakaway option. It retails for $89.99 and truly feels like a premium offering.
FUSION Pro 2 Wired Controller for Xbox | MSRP: $89.99 | Rating 9/10
I spent ample time messing around with a variety of games. The most prominent though was Overwatch. Having accurate sticks as well as implementing the back paddles are really what these controllers are designed for. It feels great and the stick resistance is nearly perfect. I love that the back paddles are programmable without any type of software allowing me to remap them on-the-fly. They are also stable and don’t bounce around like previous models. For those that prefer not to have the back paddles, they snap right off and are replaced with a cover making the controller slimmer in my hands.
The triggers have three settings for tension. I didn’t notice a massive difference between 1 and 2, but the third spot feels significantly different. The controller has tension rings on the sticks, as well as a replaceable face plate featuring black and white options. It snaps right off without much effort making it ideal for those that like to change things up without much effort.
While this controller feels great, it comes with a few setbacks. The rumble is just overly aggressive. I could hear the controller and it threw off my aiming in some instances. I wish it was toned down just a touch. The d-pad is also not the best. It has a different slick texture on it that had my fingers slipping from time to time.
Overall, the controller is a nice premium option for those not wanting to invest $200 in the Elite model. Sure it has a couple setbacks, but for the most part it was one of the most comfortable and ideal controllers I have used at only a minimal upgrade in price over the standard controllers.
Review copy of accessories provided by publisher.
