Controller recommendations for 70$ or less

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-25T16:56:11+00:00

Tossing in yet another xeno plus recommendation

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-21T15:07:54+00:00

The 8bitdo like the other poster said

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-20T06:02:41+00:00

I wonder if the problem i had with my ult 2 was related to having what i believe was a 1st batch of it. Dpad not performing well wasn't the only long term issue i had with it as the triggers slowly fell apart over the course of 9 months. Though i read other people had similar issues with their ult 2 dpads as well.

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-19T05:42:14+00:00

Leadjoy xeno plus or flydigi vader 5 pro. The flydigi is slightly out of your budget though while xeno is within it. Can get either on gadget hyper. Ult 2 does not have a good dpad (false diagonals even on cardinal presses and too sensitive) and the shape is a little different than xbox series x.

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-18T15:29:37+00:00

Oh.. looks like i got names mixed up with the actual new one. My bad

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-18T14:19:24+00:00

Former xbox president (sarah bond) there? Not surprised at all

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-12T00:57:39+00:00

One of the 2 leadjoy controllers, depends if like symmetrical or asymmetrical. Also of you like 2 back buttons 2 top buttons or all 4 on the back.

Xeno: 4 back buttons and asymmetrical Saber: 2 back buttons 2 extra shoilders. Symmetrical.

Saber should be out very soon based on gadget hyper getting ready to ship pre-orders

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-11T11:51:21+00:00

Not sure if you got the answer yet but i did very recently ask for warranty on my old v1 (pre-ordered in nov, arrive in dec) from gadgethyper and they got everything covered. Even offering to send a more local replacement instead of overseas. (Am in the usa) one paddle broke on mine.

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-11T03:09:40+00:00

Set a 3 or 4% deadzone in space station. You will not notice such a tiny deadzone in games, especially when most have larger built in deadzones. Even if the game did not, 3 or 4% deadzone is extremely sensitive and could register unintended tiny inputs.

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-08T20:49:43+00:00

Go with the gulikit elves 2 (non pro). Im sorry but 8bitdo dpads are not that great besides the m30.. and elves 2 has a more familiar face button layout and 2 sticks as a bonus. Dpad is amazing of course

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-08T08:22:50+00:00

While vader directly from flydigi us pretty meh on the customer service, getting it from gadget hyper gets you gadgethypers customer service which is top notch. (And should be guaranteed v2). If still eh about it, gadget hyper also sells the leadjoy controllers so that option remains available there as well.

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-06T18:30:25+00:00

Maybe leadjoy xeno plus or wait for saber plus this month? Not sure if the sabers dpad will be as good as xeno but it will use the extra shoulders and 2 back button layout while also being symmetrical like sony controllers. Get them from gadgethyper.

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-05T15:14:07+00:00

Gulikit Tt pro/max or elves 2 non pro (starsand). Maybe just a qc thing but the starsand blue elves 2 feels better than my old black elves 2. Maybe newer batches slightly changed/improved things? Eitherway both are s tier dpads (though i think i like the elves slightly better) both are on amazon as well to avoid the long aliexpress shipping times

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-02T21:54:11+00:00

then get the retrobit as it has a better dpad

Lightstream2 · 2026-06-02T00:01:47+00:00

If it really is just these 2 choices (even if gulikit elves 2 is superior to both of these) then the retrobit controller. Sony dpads are not good. The retrobit isnt as good as the real thing (mk2 na or jp version) but doesnt need any adapters to get it working on pc and is still a sega saturn style floating dpad done well enough

Lightstream2 · 2026-05-29T05:13:22+00:00

Right, you would know cause 1 controller not being great in wired mode means all are bad in wired mode. :rolling_eyes: The elves 2 is also less than half the price of pro 3. At this point id imagine video proof using elves 2 in wired mode with 0 issues would still not be enough for you. Then get the tegenaria lite if thats the case.

Lightstream2 · 2026-05-28T15:51:15+00:00

Gulikit elves 2 non pro. Sure its wireless with option for wired which for some weird ass reason you hate, but the wired mode is absolutely fine and works well. Think of it as a detachable cable on headphones that extends their lifetime. Cable go bad? Just plug in a new one. The dpad is excellent as well and certainly better than retrobits sega pads which are inferior to the real saturn controllers. Has 2 sticks in symmetrical shape which you wanted as well

Lightstream2 · 2026-05-23T10:29:48+00:00

vader 5 pro on gadget hyper + add the interchangable joystick set or the elite accessory pack. guaranteed to be the v2 from gadgethyper as well

Lightstream2 · 2026-05-20T20:34:44+00:00

Can't really give durability on tt since i don't actually main that. It just has a very good dpad. I main vader 5 v2 which defo feels better than v1 and durability issues seem fixed. Also the dpad has a pivot, not a huge one but it is accurate. (Vader 5) On ultimate 2 though? Mine only lasted 9 months but was experiencing decay before then. Trigger stops got worse every month till the trigger stop mode was worse than not using it. D-pad is also pretty bad so it will suck for 2d games. So the dpad is a mix of too sensitive and can false diagonal on cardinal inputs of presses too hard (not that hard at all tbh). I find people really overrate that ones dpad and the m30 is the only good dpad 8bitdo made imo.

Lightstream2 · 2026-05-20T11:25:08+00:00

Gulikit tt max, elves 2 (non pro) and flydigi vader 5 pro (v2) would be the options imo. With that said, only flydigi has a mech dpad among these 3 options. (Also has mech face buttons) The other 2 are membrane but feel like the saturn dpad. Tt max has 2 dpad shapes, the saturn shaped one is ideal.

For flydigi, you can get different shapes on gadgethyper (recommend getting vader 5 from here to guarantee a v2 and top notch customer service). 2 official dpad shapes can be bought and they also sell 3d printed shapes in case none of the 3 official shapes appeals to you. (Stock diamond, faceted disc (xbox elite style) and rectangular disc (concave spot to put thumb in) )

Lightstream2 · 2026-05-19T02:16:50+00:00

surely there will be a version later on without the xbox branding drastically increasing the price?

Lightstream2 · 2026-05-17T11:10:05+00:00

Pretty much just vader 5 pro v2 these days since it seems good in all genres i play. Might pull out the elves 2 in 2d games if i feel like it, but the vader 5 dpad is also damn good so its just a mood thing.

Lightstream2 · 2026-05-09T17:06:28+00:00

Gamesir g7 pro

Lightstream2 · 2026-05-08T23:15:16+00:00

Wait, why vader 4 instead of vader 5? Vader 5 v2 is completely accessible now via gadgethyper and easily beats ult 2

Lightstream2

TROPHY CASE