In an email to staff obtained by IGN, Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty explained that this decision was “grounded in prioritizing high-impact titles and further investing in Bethesda’s portfolio of blockbuster games and beloved worlds.” He described the move as part of a “reprioritization of titles and resources” that will see “a few teams will be realigned to others” and an unspecified number of staff losing their jobs.

The email also outlines the full scope of the changes. In addition to the closure of Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin, the support studio Roundhouse Studios (which Booty seemingly incorrectly calls “Roundhouse Games”) will be folded into The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios. Alpha Dog Games (which Booty appears to erroneously refer to as "Alpha Dog Studios"), the developer of the mobile title Mighty Doom, will also be closed. This is on top of the elimination of “a small number of roles” in the company’s publishing arm.

The news comes alongside the announcement that development on Redfall has ceased and that players who purchased the premium ‘Bite Back Edition’ of the game will be eligible to “receive the value of the upgrade” in compensation. This was detailed in a recent post to the official Redfall X / Twitter account that goes on to clarify that the game’s “servers will remain online for players to enjoy.”

Although the number of staff impacted has yet to become fully apparent, we hope that all of those affected by these studio closures are able to land on their feet. Neither Microsoft nor Bethesda has responded to a request for comment from TechRadar at this time.

Analysis: What’s going on? 

I’m really struggling to understand the rationale behind this move, especially with regard to the closure of Tango Gameworks. The studio’s most recent title, Hi-Fi Rush, was a critical success that seemed to resonate well with players. I awarded the PlayStation 5 version of the game four out of five stars in our Hi-Fi Rush review, drawing particular attention to its incredibly unique rhythm-based combat system and stunning art direction.

Initially a console exclusive, the game is now available on multiple platforms but remains a real highlight of the Xbox catalog and definitely increases the appeal of a game subscription service like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The studio’s older titles, like Ghostwire: Tokyo and The Evil Within 2 may not have made quite as much of a splash when they launched but nevertheless stand out as high-quality experiences that paint a picture of a team brimming with potential.

The closure of Arkane Austin could be seen to make a little more sense given the overwhelmingly negative critical reception of its recent multiplayer vampire first-person shooter (FPS) Redfall, though it still seems like an incredibly short-sighted decision. The studio's previous project, the sci-fi horror game Prey, is something of a hidden gem and shows the team’s capacity for serious innovation.

I’m left concerned about the overall trajectory of the Xbox brand and the leadership culture at Microsoft. It seems as though the people in charge really don't understand the value of more niche titles like these. 

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Currently available for just $62.75 (was $69.99) at Walmart, this saving of $7.24 might not look like a lot on paper but it’s worth bearing in mind that this official gamepad hasn’t received many major price cuts in the past. In fact, this modest saving is beating out the lowest-ever Amazon price of $64. 

If the Nintendo Pro Controller is still outside of your budget, however, consider the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller as a cheaper alternative. It’s available on sale for just $38.53 (was $59.99) at Amazon which, while not the lowest-ever price, is a solid saving.

Nintendo has confirmed that a Nintendo Switch successor will be announced before March 31 next year, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not a good time to pick up some Nintendo Switch accessories.

The latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors suggest that the upcoming console will support certain peripherals through backwards compatibility. Although this isn't officially confirmed, it makes this ongoing discount on the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller worth considering.

Today's best Nintendo Switch Pro Controller deal

We consider the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to be one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers on the market. It boasts an incredible battery life, which often sees it lasting about 50 hours between charges, and boasts a range of hardware features like an NFC reader and HD Rumble. We awarded the controller a four-and-a-half star rating out of five in our Nintendo Switch Pro Controller review, highlighting its comfortable design and intuitive layout.

The only real downside of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is its relatively high asking price. While this discount means that it stings a little less, be sure to browse some of the best prices on a range of Nintendo Switch controllers in your region below.

Today's discount sees the headset drop to just £249 at Amazon (was £329.99) in the UK. This is brand-new low-price territory for the headset and the value has literally never been better. This represents 25% (that's an entire quarter) off the cost of one of the best premium gaming headsets available right now. 

The Xbox variant is also down to this brand-new record-low price of just £249 at Amazon (was £329.99) in the UK. In addition to Xbox compatibility, this model also works with PlayStation and PC so is an excellent multi-platform choice.

There's not a record low price in the US right now, sadly, but you can still find the SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless for its lowest price in months at Amazon right now. It's just $273.95 (was $349.99) which, while not quite as strong a discount, is still excellent value for money.

Today's best gaming headset deal

I have been singing the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless' praises ever since I first tested it for our sister site GamesRadar+. It is comfortably the best gaming headset I've ever tested in all my years reviewing gaming hardware. I use it every day for work and play now, and can't imagine swapping to anything else. 

As a quick rundown of its feature set, no matter what you expect or need from a top gaming set, the Nova Pro Wireless has got it all: supreme game audio, excellent design and build quality, a fantastic mic, an ingenious, infinite battery solution, and a terrific DAC unit. It's got it all.

If you're looking for more wireless gaming headset options, then check out the below list of the latest, lowest prices no matter where you are in the world. These models spread the net wide, no matter if you're looking for one of the best PS5 headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, or the best Nintendo Switch headsets.

The information comes from a recent post to the official Nintendo X / Twitter corporate account, purportedly written by Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa. The message is short and sweet, explaining that the company “will make an announcement about the successor to [the] Nintendo Switch within the fiscal year” and that it has now “been over nine years” since confirmation of the existence of the original Nintendo Switch.

Interestingly, the post then reveals that a Nintendo Direct presentation will be held “this June” but quickly clarifies that it will focus exclusively on “the Nintendo Switch software lineup for the latter half of 2024” and not mention the upcoming system in any way.

We’ve been following the latest rumors and leaks surrounding the upcoming Nintendo console, which we have tentatively been calling the 'Nintendo Switch 2', for years now, though there has been next to no official information regarding the system up to this point. 

The original Nintendo Switch was first unveiled publicly on January 13 back in 2017 before launching on March 3 of that year. Given that the current Japanese fiscal year began on April 1 2024 and will run until March 31 2025, it doesn’t seem too unlikely that we might see that kind of timescale repeated with its successor in the build-up to release. Although purely speculation, this might mean that a reveal in January 2025 is on the cards.

We’re hopeful that the new console will be larger than the original Nintendo Switch and will feature some form of backwards compatibility with Nintendo Switch games and certain Nintendo Switch accessories like the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. There have also been some credible leaks regarding redesigned Joy-Con controllers, which will reportedly feature a new magnetic attachment mechanism.

While this all seems quite likely, we’ll still have to wait for that announcement in order to know for sure what’s in store.

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You can find the full project on GitHub, courtesy of modder Kira Patel (YesItsKira), as they describe the process of picking out the 7-inch screen as well as attaching it to the system. The modder had to remove the extra HDMI port and headphone jack, use a USB Type-C compatible dock to connect the monitor to the system, and 3D print various parts to connect and attach the screen to the ROG ally properly.

The display itself is a WIMAXIT M728, which is a 7-inch 1024 x 600 resolution IPS LCD touchscreen display. The Type-C dock was used as a replacement for this project due to the screen normally needing HDMI and USB cables to connect. As for the 3D-printed parts, you’ll need a new back cover for the system, a shell to house the display, and a 360-degree hinge support to fold the display against the screen.

Modding is always a fascinating and fun endeavor 

This extra display would be handy for multitasking, as in playing games with one screen while taking care of any productivity work, streaming movies, or web browsing with the other. If you emulate, this would be especially useful for playing DS or even Wii U titles that take advantage of dual touchscreens.

Besides that, it’s interesting to see hobbyists take on projects like these and modify systems. PC gaming handhelds are quite malleable in that regard, since they’re essentially mini-PCs, making them much easier to augment this way. As user YesItsKira demonstrates, you can purchase cheap parts online and 3D print the rest.

Hopefully, this sort of tinkering will become more popular as we see the best PC gaming handhelds grow in popularity and increase the market demand. Not only dual displays but CPU and GPU upgrades, as well as upgrades to RAM and storage. 

Not only to surpass the inherent limitations of these systems but to allow buyers to purchase the lower-end versions and then upgrade them without paying an arm and a leg for minimal spec increases. Also simply to see just how far these mods can go in general, which is always entertaining in its own right.

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But if we’re to have a true successor to the original portable, there are several changes and improvements I want to see before it takes the fight to the Steam Deck, which is still the best PC gaming handheld on the market.

Fix the Windows UI

One of the biggest issues with the Asus ROG Ally across the board is its UI, which is very clunky and difficult to use. While the Lenovo Legion GO isn’t perfect, Windows 11 is much easier to use due to it being molded for a portable touchscreen — it’s much harder to navigate the screen with the ROG Ally. Compared to the Steam Deck’s near-perfect and fully customized UI, the ROG Ally needs to upgrade to compete on its next go-around. Especially with the Steam Deck 2 looming over it.

Then there’s Armoury Crate, which required an update before you could seamlessly launch any of the best PC games. At the original portable’s launch, you were forced to use that game’s platform regardless of having Armoury Crate. If we’re truly getting a sequel, the UI needs to be in top shape at launch and not months later receiving basic UI updates.

Ventilation needs improvement 

Another issue with the Asus ROG Ally is its ventilation system. While not the worst around, due to its smaller size, it has trouble releasing the vast amount of heat it generates during gameplay, unlike some bigger handhelds. The sequel needs to run more efficiently and reduce the heat it releases.

There’s also the way the ROG Ally releases heat that needs changing. Instead of venting it through the bottom or lower back, it releases the hot air through the top of the system. This way, when a user reaches for a button, they won’t lay their hand over the exhaust vents which can get quite hot, which could possibly be dangerous or at the very least uncomfortable.

More tools and features at launch

The Asus ROG Ally received more support after its launch, including a recent feature called AMD Fluid Motion Frames. This artificially generates extra frames during gameplay to increase a game’s framerate, which works across all DX11 and DX12 PC games. And if Asus is planning on releasing a successor system, then features like this and others need to be built in when it first launches. 

At the very least, additional partnerships with AMD to co-release updates would be ideal. That also goes for all the other updates it’s received since the ROG Ally released, as performance needs to be as stable as possible to better compete with its rivals.

If Asus can implement at least two of these three enhancements, then it’ll have an absolutely killer handheld on its hands, one that could easily take on and even surpass its biggest rival the Steam Deck.

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I was a big advocate for 1TB being perfect for everyone ever since we knew about the PS5’s SSD bay. In the run-up to the firmware update that made the SSD bay usable, and in the months – and years – that followed I was utterly confident that 1TB was the absolute sweet spot. It was plentiful in terms of its literal storage space being both enough for a big library, and not ridiculously large (who is honestly playing 4TB or 8TBs worth of games?), and the prices were agreeable without being outrageous. 

However, in 2024, I think the tide has turned when it comes to the best SSDs for PS5. It feels as though a single terabyte of extra PS5 storage, while certainly serviceable, just doesn’t cut it anymore and 2TB is now where it’s at.

With game sizes increasing with every release season, ever-expanding live-service games, as well as having to reinstall big beasts for new expansions, or revisit classics from previous generations through remasters, and some incredible blockbusters which offer immense replayability and continual exploration, 2TB of storage is flat-out fast becoming a necessity when looking for more console storage.

In with the new…

A big part of the need for 2TB now is due to the simple influence of old Father Time. However, there’s a little more to it than ‘more time = more games’, and it’s a bit more nuanced than that. 

Yes, there are more games than ever for the PS5 because we’re now deep into its fourth year, or as Sony puts it, the “latter half of the PS5’s life cycle”. Games are still being released for PS4 too, which also contributes to this massive, growing library given the PS5’s ability to play PS4 games via backwards compatibility. 

But it’s the size and ambition of these games that make them more extraordinary and thus have a bigger impact on our consoles’ storage. More of these games are exceptional, incredibly engrossing, and highly replayable, making them titles you want to keep to hand for longer – Baldur’s Gate 3 and its 108GB file size is a perfect example. Games like it are the ones you’ll keep installed for a very long time, always taking up precious, though well-earned, hard drive space. 

Recent games like Diablo 4 are absolutely worth keeping installed with their seasonal content and plentiful reasons to keep jumping back in. Meanwhile, Sea of Thieves (60+GB when I downloaded it the other day) has just launched on PS5 too, which has a chunky install size and is only going to get larger with time and extra content.

Single-player games in the past year or so have been exceptional too. Adventures like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (nearly 90GB) and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (a whopping 150-odd GB) are massive, and have new game plus modes or open worlds to keep going in. Meanwhile, huge solo games like Dragon’s Dogma 2 (60+GB) are games that will keep folks entertained for months. 

And if you’re a fan of fighting games or sports too? Better throw in your title of choice here from the last year or so, squeezing in another space-demanding beast or two. 

…and also in with the not-so-new

We’re in the age of the remasters this generation too, as well as opportunities to revisit colossal games. The former has seen some huge hits allowing us to dip into previous generations in pretty spectacular ways. Dead Space (30GB), Resident Evil 4 (58GB), and The Last of Us Part I, and Part 2 Remastered (both around 80GB) are all heftily-sized bangers requiring a healthy amount of storage.

However, other big games have seen new breaths of life through expansions and add-ons that make them worthy of hard drive space once again, years after their initial release. Want to jump into Kratos’ roguelike Valhalla DLC? Better reinstall all of God of War Ragnarok (c.85GB). Keen to check out Phantom Liberty? That’ll be all of Cyberpunk 2077 (c.90GB) reinstalled then.

Throw in your enormous live service games like Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 (an enormous 235GB) or Call of Duty Warzone (reported to be 173GB to download from scratch earlier this year by users), and Apex Legends (70+GB on my PS5 right now). That’s all a recipe for a full-to-bursting hard drive. We used to make throwaway, but genuinely accurate, remarks about needing an SSD just for Call of Duty; it’s now the case that many folks will need extra storage for Call of Duty and everything else.

If file sizes continue to creep up, and this mix of release ‘types’ keeps going, then, from a practical sense alone, it makes 2TB drives a more worthwhile investment.

Death, taxes, and the fall of tech prices

Another attraction of a 2TB drive is that the prices on them have dropped considerably. However, price cuts aren’t the only positive here: it’s the resulting value they offer – how much you get for your cash – that makes them truly worth consideration.

They’re not necessarily double the price of a 1TB drive, as they have been in prior years. They’re now often far, far less than the price of two single terabyte drives combined. Over deals seasons we have even seen 2TB PS5 SSDs drop to or just below the $100 / £100 mark which is incredible value for money.

However, even in leaner times, like recent months, when 1TB SSDs have stubbornly held their price of around $100 / £100, a 2TB SSD that costs $150 / £150 or even $170 / £170 is a no-brainer on the value front. Bagging the second terabyte in particular for less than a 1TB drive is the best part of the value on offer.

One eye on the future

While the number of excellent games does take a toll on storage nowadays, the other side of the coin when it comes to 1TB now not being enough, or getting dangerously close to not enough, is that 2TB will offer some futureproofing; not least due to the extra headroom it offers.

And with a PS5 Pro very likely on the horizon, there’s more cause than ever for extra room. We know games that were enhanced for the PS4 Pro were often larger in file size, and that’s likely to be the same with a PS5 Pro. Throw in some PS5 Pro patches for existing PS5 games and we’ll be swimming in data once again. I haven’t even mentioned GTA 6 yet either…

The truth is that something like a 1.5TB would be the next sweet spot. But in the face of no such drive existing, it’s clear that a 2TB capacity PS5 SSD and its extra headroom is the optimal capacity for what is still the best PS5 accessory you can get. 

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The HyperX Cloud III Wireless cuts the cord on one of HyperX’s longstanding models and brings it into the twenty-first century, where wireless headsets seem to rule the roost. The big draw here is with its rated 120 hours of runtime, which is among the very best wireless headsets out there, and means you won’t be having to charge the Cloud III Wireless regularly.

Its bass-heavy audio and solid imaging make it an excellent choice for games, although it isn’t the best I’ve tested for music. There is spatial audio present, although that can be quite hit-and-miss. The same also goes for the NGenuity software which, while lightweight, offers only basic functionality compared to the competition.

The Cloud III Wireless is well-made, offering plush memory foam earcups and fantastic comfort for extended periods, so long as you adjust the headset correctly. Its mic is clear for communication over Discord or conferencing apps, and while it lacks the overall richness of features compared to other options from SteelSeries and Razer, this remains a competent choice.

Price and availability

• $149.99 / £169.99 / AU$279
• Available in the US and UK
• Much better value in the US

Much like with the JBL Quantum 910X, the Cloud III Wireless is cheaper across the pond in the US than it is in the UK, being $149.99 and £169.99 in terms of retail pricing. That puts it in a similar ballpark to other class leaders such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X, with its $179.99 / £174.99 price tag, and while it’s slightly more expensive, you do get wider compatibility and connectivity options with Bluetooth, although HyperX’s competitor has a much longer battery life. 

It’s also comparable in price to one of our favorite wireless gaming headsets, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, with its £179 / $179 price tag, and while the Cloud III Wireless is cheaper in the USA, it’s roughly equivalent in the UK, meaning this has got a lot to live up to. The Cloud III Wireless is also available in Australia at a price of AU$279.

Specs

Design and features

The Cloud III Wireless is a signature headset from HyperX in terms of its design, carrying the same recognizable shapes as the brand’s previous entries. In fact, squint, and you might think you’re looking at the Cloud Alpha Wireless instead.

The most noticeable differences here compared to the Alpha Wireless are the lack of red stitching on the headband, and slightly angular earcups compared to the perfect ovals found on other headsets in the HyperX range. The Cloud III Wireless also comes with bright red aluminum forks, as well as speckled black and red wiring from the headband to the earcups, which looks excellent.

This is a well-made headset, with no creaks or odd noises from the plastic. Its headband and earcups are noticeably plusher than the Cloud Alpha Wireless, while the cups are deep, aiding comfort and also helping the Cloud III Wireless to provide some class-leading passive noise isolation. At 11.6oz / 330g, this sits in the middle of over-ear gaming headsets weight-wise and feels reasonably comfortable to wear for extended periods, although the slightly lighter clamping force can mean the Cloud III Wireless moves around on your head if not adjusted properly.

Luckily, this is a comfortable headset to wear for extended periods, once configured for your head properly. I had little trouble setting it up for hours of use and found the Cloud III Wireless to be one of the more comfortable headsets I’ve used, especially with those deeper earcups. There isn’t much room for adjustment around those earcups, however, as the Cloud III Wireless doesn’t fold flat, or offer much rotation there.

As with other HyperX headsets, the Cloud III Wireless features physical controls which are well-distributed across both earcups. The left-hand option features a power button and mic mute, as well as a USB-C port for charging and a place for slotting the detachable boom mic into. The right-hand side is home to a tactile and textured volume roller. Luckily, the buttons are different sizes, so it’s easy to find the one you want with ease.

While this headset solely connects via the bundled 2.4GHz receiver, it is at least quite a small option compared to other receivers which can be quite bulky and protrude out from a USB port on your PC, PS5, or Switch. The Cloud III Wireless’ receiver also boasts a detachable USB-A adapter alongside its initial USB-C connector, therefore improving compatibility.

Performance

The Cloud III Wireless sounds superb in games with overall solid positioning in the likes of Counter-Strike 2 and other high-paced first-person shooter titles where finding the overall position of an enemy in time to pepper them with bullets is of top priority. In addition, engine notes in the likes of Forza Horizon 5 and F1 22 were clear, while explosions and gunfire in CS:2 had fantastic power thanks to the prominent low-end.

A word of advice - don’t enable the DTS Headphone:X spatial audio when listening to music, as it muddies the entire experience and can make some tracks sound as if they are being played from the next room, or down a loudspeaker. It is better with games, although only works in fully supported titles such as Forza Horizon 5. With games that don’t have full DTS Headphone:X support, the Cloud Wireless III has mixed results, occasionally spitting out a crunched-up mess as it attempts to process the signal. You’re better off leaving it off completely for the best performance.

As is typical for gaming headsets, the Cloud III Wireless has a lot of bass and this is particularly noticeable when listening to music. Rush’s Sweet Miracle offered plenty of low-end grunt, while Daryl Hall and John Oates’ Maneater presented more low-end than competing headsets, especially against Hall’s leading vocal on the verse lines.

Mids and highs are clearer than the low end, with the Cloud III Wireless representing vocals especially well such as on James Taylor’s Caroline I See You, while the top-end hi-hats on Could You Be Loved by Bob Marley were bright and crisp. The Cloud III Wireless doesn’t offer the widest soundstage, as busier recordings such as Rush’s Sweet Miracle can feel hemmed in with this particular set, while the prominent bongos on Earth, Wind and Fire’s September feel closer to my right ear than on other similarly-priced headsets and audio-focused headphones.

The Cloud III Wireless’ boom microphone is clear, offering a good amount of body from its pickup in my testing, while its rejection of noise other than voices is also pretty good. Compared to other options though, it lacks some low-end so recordings can sound a little open-ended at the bottom, although the mid-range where your voice lives is more than adequate.

Connectivity over the 2.4GHz receiver is convenient, and I had no trouble pairing the Cloud III Wireless to my PC. It’s a simple case of plugging the receiver into a spare USB-C or USB-A port and turning the headset on. The Cloud III Wireless flashes a green LED, bleeps, and then connects. The same also went for use with my Nintendo Switch.

The main reason for purchasing the Cloud III Wireless over its rivals is its especially long battery life of up to 120 hours. It means that you won’t be charging this head for a good couple of weeks for more intensive use, and for longer if you’re using it less frequently. In my fortnight of testing the Cloud III Wireless, I only had to charge it once, and it otherwise chugged along nicely. For reference, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X will only last for 38 hours between charges, while the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro only offers up to 24 hours, meaning this Cloud III Wireless has them both beat in terms of endurance.

Unfortunately, the Cloud III Wireless falls down with its software control. HyperX’s NGenuity software has never been the best option for peripheral controls, and that continues with the Cloud III Wireless. For a headset priced so optimistically against the competition, NGenuity feels cheap, only offering basic customization for picking an EQ preset or creating your own from a ten-band EQ. Otherwise, it provides toggle switches for mic monitoring and spatial audio, as well as volume control for the headset and microphone.

Should you buy the HyperX Cloud III Wireless?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

If the HyperX Cloud III Wireless isn’t your jam,  then you should consider these two multi-platform marvels instead:

How I tested the HyperX Cloud III Wireless

I tested the HyperX Cloud III Wireless for two weeks, using it as my main headset during that time. I used it for playing a wide range of games on both PC and Nintendo Switch, as well as for conferencing duties on PC during working hours. As for games, I tested the Cloud III Wireless with a range of titles where directional audio was of major importance, including the likes of Counter-Strike 2, Forza Horizon 5, and F1 22. I also streamed music through Spotify and with high-quality MP3 files for understanding how the headset handles music. With the microphone, I tested it with online gaming sessions and recorded tested files in Audacity.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2024

The GameSir Nova controller drops the ‘Lite’ part of its companion gamepad. Given that and its slightly higher price tag, you’d expect the Nova to be better than the GameSir Nova Lite. However, this isn’t necessarily the case, as while the Nova does do certain things better, it’s undoubtedly worse in other areas.

There are some very welcome upgrades here, including superb-feeling digital triggers, phenomenal HD Rumble implementation, and some lovely customizable RGB - all of which are rare for gamepads this cheap. However, one puzzling aspect of the GameSir Nova is the downgrade in overall build quality compared to its cheaper counterpart.

What we’re left with is a budget controller we’d still highly recommend, but it’s one that feels more like an alternative option with its own advantages and drawbacks, as opposed to being flat-out better than the Nova Lite.

GameSir Nova controller: Price and availability

• $34.99 / £39.99
• Exactly $10 / £10 pricier than the GameSir Nova Lite
• US and UK availability

Despite being more expensive than the GameSir Nova Lite, the standard GameSir Nova still falls well within that 'budget' price bracket. It’s $34.99 / £39.99 and can be purchased either from the brand’s website or its Amazon store page.

There are two colorways available for the GameSir Nova, both at the same retail price. They have a decidedly retro-inspired look, with one calling on the design of the US Super Nintendo Entertainment System controller with its white plastic and purple face buttons. The other is a pleasing translucent blue/green, bringing to mind similar Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color models.

It’s a price point that’s to be expected from the GameSir brand. Elsewhere, the GameSir T4 Kaleid, which ranks on our list of the best PC controllers, is similarly affordable at $41.99 / £41.99.

GameSir Nova controller: Specs

GameSir Nova controller: Design and features

The strangest thing about the GameSir Nova is that while it’s about 3.5oz (100 grams) heavier than the Nova Lite (likely because of the HD Rumble and a larger battery), it feels rather listless due to a hollow build. Give the controller a solid tap and you can feel that hollowness echo its way through the shell of the gamepad.

While not quite a deal-breaker for the controller, it does feel less sturdy and solid than the Nova Lite despite being slightly weightier. It leaves overall build quality feeling like something of an afterthought, which is disappointing given the brand’s pedigree of solidly built budget controllers. 

While we also criticized the (otherwise excellent) GameSir X2s Type-C mobile controller for its cheap-feeling plastic, we can point to both the Nova Lite and the T4 Kaleid as examples of GameSir absolutely nailing build quality. So the standard Nova does disappoint somewhat on this front.

Thankfully, the Nova makes up for this with some lovely aesthetic flourishes. I adore both the translucent and SNES-inspired colors and find them much more appealing than the Nova Lite’s basic black or white. The purple face buttons complement both, too. There are also some eye-catching RGB rings around both analog sticks. So while build quality is a bit of a bust, the GameSir Nova certainly has the looks.

In terms of modules, the GameSir Nova fills out the standard Nintendo Switch Pro Controller layout with asymmetrical sticks and a Home and Screenshot button in the center alongside the Start and Select buttons. There are some noteworthy extras here, though, including two remappable buttons for secondary inputs on the rear, a Function button to customize various aspects of the controller (more on that later), and comfortable digital triggers that work excellently on Nintendo Switch.

GameSir Nova controller: Performance

While the GameSir Nova is compatible across multiple platforms, I found it to be the best fit for Switch overall, given its option for Bluetooth connectivity and the inverted A/B/X/Y button layout that Nintendo Switch controllers are known for. That said, it’s still perfectly serviceable on PC and mobile devices, making for a versatile gamepad so long as you’re not fussed about it lacking PS5 and Xbox console support.

What really surprises me with the GameSir Nova is the phenomenal implementation of HD Rumble. While I don’t think it’s quite the same tech as Nintendo uses in its official controllers, GameSir’s attempt is incredibly convincing. It feels especially immersive in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, seemingly traveling the vibration across the controller during drifts and shaking forcefully when being hit with an item. 

Super Mario Odyssey feels exceptional here, too, with the HD Rumble bouncing pleasantly in line with the plumber’s acrobatics. It’s my favorite feature the GameSir Nova brings to the table, and this alone makes it worth considering over the Nova Lite. It’s impressively tactile and the closest thing you’ll get to the DualSense’s haptic feedback on Nintendo Switch.

As is the case with most of the brand’s controllers, the GameSir Nova features Hall effect analog sticks and triggers. These are fantastic and achieve two key things: preventing stick drift over long-term use and ensuring it’ll have a longer lifespan than gamepads that don’t utilize the tech.

The digital triggers, too, are sublime, at least on Nintendo Switch where pressure-sensitive trigger inputs are practically non-existent. These are an excellent fit for Splatoon 3’s simple shooting mechanics as well as swift item usage in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

The initial pairing sequence is a little tricky, so I’ll save you from having to dig out the manual by explaining it here. On Nintendo Switch, you’ll need to go to the Change Grip/Order controller menu and hold down a combination of the Home and X buttons for a few seconds. It should successfully pair with no issues after that. Pairing to mobile devices is Home and the B button, while for PC, it’s Home plus the Y button.

As with the Nova Lite, the GameSir Nova features a robust Multifunction button that can customize several facets of the controller. With it, you can assign secondary inputs to those two back buttons (L4 and R4), calibrate the analog sticks’ dead zones, and customize the gamepad’s RGB colors and patterns. Unlike the Nova Lite, the standard Nova supports motion controls. Thus, gyro calibration can also be done through the Multifunction button by laying the controller on a flat surface.

Sadly, battery life isn’t particularly exceptional with the GameSir Nova. Despite having a 1,200mAh battery in comparison to the Nova Lite’s 600mAh battery, I got around 12 hours from the Nova on a full charge; that’s only a couple of hours more than its counterpart. Mileage may vary here, of course, and the addition of HD Rumble, gyro support, and RGB lighting will eat into the battery life more. Still, it falls short for a console that’s known for controllers with impressively high battery lives, such as the 8BitDo Ultimate’s 20 hours or the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller’s astonishing 40-50 hours.

Should I buy the GameSir Nova?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

Want to learn about a broader range of top Nintendo Switch and PC controllers? Consider the following options, which are some of our favorite alternative picks.

How I tested the GameSir Nova

• Tested for 15-20 hours
• Tested with Nintendo Switch and PC games
• Stacked up against the GameSir Nova Lite and other popular Switch controllers

I tested the GameSir Nova across both Nintendo Switch and PC for approximately 15-20 hours in total. I covered a broad range of games with the controller, including big Nintendo Switch hits like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, alongside titles that heavily feature gyro aiming such as Splatoon 3. On PC, I ran through some stalwarts in my Steam library via a Type-C wired USB connection, including Tekken 8, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, and Final Fantasy 14 Online.

I was especially keen to know how the Nova stacked up against its Nova Lite counterpart. Here, I learned that despite the additional features, the Nova isn’t necessarily better given its relatively cheap build quality. Overall, I see the Nova as a good sidegrade to the Nova Lite, and both offer something that makes them worth considering individually.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April 2024

As highlighted by PCGamesN, one user from its PC-building social media page has taken an Omen build to the next level featuring the newly released PowerColor Red Devil RX 7800 XT graphics card to great effect. 

PC builder Marios Dalainos designed the rig around the new black and red mid-range graphics card complete with its glowing red RGB lending a possessed aesthetic. What's more, forget a vertical GPU mount, this video card's suspended by asymmetric chains and locked behind bars. Someone should call the Doom Slayer.

While the machine may seem scary, its specifications are more on the tame side. Dalainos chose to run the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU with the aforementioned RX 7800 XT variant, 1TB Samsung 980 SSD, and TeamGroup T-Force Vulcan Z 32GB RAM clocked at 3600 MHz. 

What's more interesting is the actual building process itself. Dalainos used modeling clay to create the dingy dungeon-like environment but had to move quickly as he found it was drying rapidly. However, the bulk of the building time was spent positioning the GPU in such a way that it would best highlight the design in all its gnarly glory. 

It's a machine that you certainly don't see every day and the perfect gaming PC to go through a run of Diablo 4, Doom Eternal, and the slew of horror titles available on Steam; it's perfect for a late night gaming sessions, provided it doesn't give you nightmares. 

A change from the standard-looking gaming PC

While many of us enjoy putting gaming PCs together, there's a level of standardization that has cropped up as most components nowadays are a more uniform black than subsidized by RGB lighting. 

Builds like this custom Omen design help to bring a splash of color and a level of imagination that shows just how creative you can get with a little modeling clay, a brush, and a couple of hours of spare time. 

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