What would you like from an Xbox controller? Do you revel within the customisation features, get drawn in by a number of personalisation, or choose familiarity? Do you choose up these with all the colors on this planet, or pads that are a bit extra understated, full with programmable again buttons, set off stops, longer thumbsticks?
No matter your gaming habits, there’s an Xbox controller on the market for out – principally because of the plethora of designs and options of Xbox Design Lab or the options to the Elite Sequence 2.
However Thrustmaster have gotten your again too. In truth, they’ve obtained your again in a number of methods, with a particularly customisable, modular controller – the eSwap X Professional, both in Normal type or liveried up, steering wheel full by way of the Forza Horizon 5 version. It’s the previous that they need to improve some extra with the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 Professional Controller for Xbox.
Actually, there’s not an excessive amount of new within the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 Professional Controller, not less than not in case you are already acquainted with the unique eSwap. And which means it’s going to be a tough promote to push this to anybody in search of an informal improve. In fact, in case you haven’t ever gone hands-on with the modular controller life that Thrustmaster supply, then that is now in all probability your greatest guess. It’s not excellent but it surely actually isn’t far off.
It’s been a short time since we spent a ton of time with the unique Thrustmaster eSwap X Professional, as an alternative gaming with our tremendous blingy, customized MegaModz wi-fi controller. However that point away, after which having few weeks of periods with the eSwap X2 Professional has allowed us to completely respect what’s in place right here. Granted, as soon as arrange and working, we’ve discovered little to sway us into utilising all of the options, however in case you’re somebody in search of a extremely personalisable, extraordinarily customisable Xbox controller, that is in all probability your greatest guess.
It sits at a barely bigger measurement than a normal wi-fi Xbox controller, however the very first thing to think about with the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 Professional is whether or not or not you’ll be able to deal with a cable. Traditionally, that’s not one thing that has ever swayed us come what may, and while we’re totally down with the liberty of wi-fi capabilities, having a cable connected does have some execs to think about. With the eSwap X2 Professional, you’ll should be cabled up always, working a USB-C finish on the controller (thanks Thrustmaster for taking away the previous micro-USB), by way of a 3 metre lengthy cable to a USB-A finish straight into your console. That size of cable is fairly customary fare, and it must be properly lengthy sufficient for many folks to maintain gaming. In fact, do you have to sit additional away out of your display than that, the eSwap X2 Professional goes to be a wrestle.
From there, the eSwap X2 Professional has all the pieces you’ll count on of an Xbox controller. Thumbsticks really feel nice, with the newly-redesigned mechanical D-Pad being an absolute spotlight. Actually, we’re not large followers of D-Pad motion, however the one included right here is so good, so tactile, that it might nearly change a behavior of a lifetime. Is it the perfect D-Pad to grace an Xbox controller? We will’t be certain, however we’d like to see one thing that’s able to bettering it.
From there, the standard trifecta of Menu, Share and View buttons are properly positioned, easy to hit when the time comes, with simply the Xbox Nexus button transferring down and away from its standard spot, requiring a little bit of mind configuration earlier than discovering it. And the eSwap X2 Professional comes with some tremendous quick travelling mechanical face buttons too. Thrustmaster point out that the activation distance of those mechanical buttons is a mere 0.01″ / 0.3 mm. Spectacular stuff, no? For some, these could also be god-like choices, with little journey and intensely fast response speeds. For us? Properly, it will be a lie if we stated we didn’t miss the ‘really feel’ of extra on a regular basis buttonry. While these face buttons have finished the job required of them, once more, a little bit of rewiring is required for confidence to hit as they have an inclination to run slightly on the smooth facet.
And naturally, textured triggers (full with stop-locks) and a few cracking bumpers sit up excessive, at all times able to be slammed as gaming periods get heated. We significantly just like the texturing discovered on these, and that implies that irrespective of how sizzling issues get, you gained’t ever discover your fingers slipping.
So customary Xbox pad stuff sorted, highlighted by the good D-Pad. However what else is current right here? Properly, it’s there the place the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 Professional controller begins to get fancy.
Across the again are 4 spherical programmable again buttons, sitting in place, able to be hit by your fingers as time calls. Once more, for many who depend on rear-mounted buttons, these might be greater than appreciated additions, sitting proper underneath your digits as you grip the eSwap X2 Professional.
After which on the frontside, located both facet of the three.5mm audio jack port are additional controls. You’ve obtained on-pad quantity choices for each mic and most important volumes, and we’re large followers of those – a lot in order that it’s getting to a degree the place this must be a staple for any and all controller. There are additionally a few profile buttons, in addition to a ‘Map’ button – utilizing this together with the rear-mounted buttons sees you capable of personalise nonetheless you deem match.
The factor is, while all these additions to the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 Professional controller are good to have, there’s not likely something right here to set this other than the plethora of different customisable Xbox controllers in the marketplace. I imply, again buttons and quantity controls could be discovered in lots of locations – Turtle Seashore controllers as an example.
However there’s one killer USP for the eSwap X2 Professional – the flexibility to maneuver your thumbsticks and D-Pad round, utilising numerous modules by way of Thrustmaster’s Scorching-Swap system. Once more, many could not ever really feel the necessity to do that, however in case you choose to have thumbsticks extra central – a la PlayStation – the choice is there. Equally, get your self a Forza Version pad with steering wheel and your private bests within the likes of Forza Motorsport could begin to tumble. Every module is straightforward to elevate out and slot in too, magnetically attaching with ease. There’s even a device to assist elevate out the D-Pad in case you want, however we’ve discovered it a easy course of with out.
Additional customisation and personalisation alternatives come about by way of the ThrustmapperX App in your console too. A free obtain, this allows you to arrange and check just about all the pieces on the controller. Once more, that’s nothing new, but it surely’s at all times good to have.
So what don’t we like in regards to the new Thrustmaster eSwap X2 Professional controller for Xbox? Apart from the texture of these face buttons (one thing which we’d suspect is extraordinarily private to us), and the should be tied down with that cable, the one actual drawback with the eSwap X2 Professional is within the detachable and replaceable apron that’s on the entrance. We’ve discovered this to be extraordinarily liable to scratching and marking; a lot in order that within the first hour or so of use, it was removed from pristine. We prefer to suppose that we’re fairly cautious with our equipment and package, and while it’s good that it’s simply replaceable, we’d like a bit extra sturdiness there.
Apart from that, Thrustmaster very a lot proceed their latest pattern of offering avid gamers with some greater than first rate choices. In the event you’re in search of your very first modular, customisable Xbox controller, then we’d not hesitate to push you within the direct of the eSwap X2 Professional. There are components of this controller that are completely stellar, highlighted by that best-in-class D-Pad. However is it value an improve from the earlier eSwap X Professional? That’s way more of a debate.
Large thanks exit to Thrustmaster for offering us with the eSwap X2 Professional controller for Xbox for overview. Hit up Thrustmaster direct if you wish to choose up one in every of these controllers for your self. Count on to pay £169.99. There are additionally a number of customised packs out there for the controller too.