What would you like from an Xbox controller? Do you revel within the customisation facets, get drawn in by a number of personalisation, or choose familiarity? Do you choose up these with all the colors on the 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 – largely due to the plethora of designs and options of Xbox Design Lab or the alternate options to the Elite Sequence 2.
However Thrustmaster have gotten your again too. In actual fact, they’ve obtained your again in a number of methods, with an especially customisable, modular controller – the eSwap X Professional, both in Normal type or liveried up, steering wheel full by 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.
Truthfully, there’s not an excessive amount of new within the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 Professional Controller, at the least not if you’re already accustomed to the unique eSwap. And which means it’s going to be a tough promote to push this to anybody on the lookout for an informal improve. After all, for those who haven’t ever gone hands-on with the modular controller life that Thrustmaster provide, then that is now most likely your finest guess. It’s not good however it actually isn’t far off.
It’s been a short while 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 an excellent few weeks of classes 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 for those who’re somebody on the lookout for a extremely personalisable, extraordinarily customisable Xbox controller, that is most likely your finest guess.
It sits at a barely bigger dimension than an ordinary 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 in some way, and while we’re totally down with the liberty of wi-fi capabilities, having a cable connected does have some professionals 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 casting off the previous micro-USB), by a 3 metre lengthy cable to a USB-A finish straight into your console. That size of cable is fairly normal fare, and it ought to be properly lengthy sufficient for many folks to maintain gaming. After all, must you sit additional away out of your display screen than that, the eSwap X2 Professional goes to be a wrestle.
From there, the eSwap X2 Professional has all the things you’d anticipate of an Xbox controller. Thumbsticks really feel nice, with the newly-redesigned mechanical D-Pad being an absolute spotlight. Truthfully, 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 one of the best 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 very fast response speeds. For us? Properly, it could 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 accomplished 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 a bit of on the comfortable aspect.
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 classes get heated. We notably just like the texturing discovered on these, and that signifies that irrespective of how sizzling issues get, you gained’t ever discover your fingers slipping.
So normal Xbox pad stuff sorted, highlighted by the sensible 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 individuals who depend on rear-mounted buttons, these shall be greater than appreciated additions, sitting proper underneath your digits as you grip the eSwap X2 Professional.
After which on the frontside, located both aspect of the three.5mm audio jack port are additional controls. You’ve obtained on-pad quantity choices for each mic and essential volumes, and we’re large followers of those – a lot in order that it’s getting to some extent the place this ought to 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 in a position to 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 probably not something right here to set this aside from the plethora of different customisable Xbox controllers available on the market. I imply, again buttons and quantity controls might be discovered in lots of locations – Turtle Seashore controllers for example.
However there’s one killer USP for the eSwap X2 Professional – the flexibility to maneuver your thumbsticks and D-Pad round, utilising varied modules by way of Thrustmaster’s Scorching-Swap system. Once more, many might not ever really feel the necessity to do that, however for those who 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 might begin to tumble. Every module is straightforward to elevate out and slot in too, magnetically attaching with ease. There’s even a software to assist elevate out the D-Pad for those who 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 take a look at just about all the things on the controller. Once more, that’s nothing new, however it’s at all times good to have.
So what don’t we like concerning the new Thrustmaster eSwap X2 Professional controller for Xbox? Except for 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 downside 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 wish to assume that we’re fairly cautious with our equipment and equipment, and while it’s good that it’s simply replaceable, we’d like a bit extra sturdiness there.
Except for that, Thrustmaster very a lot proceed their current development of offering players with some greater than first rate choices. In case you’re on the lookout for 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 parts of this controller that are completely stellar, highlighted by that best-in-class D-Pad. However is it price an improve from the earlier eSwap X Professional? That’s rather more of a debate.
Large thanks exit to Thrustmaster for offering us with the eSwap X2 Professional controller for Xbox for evaluation. Hit up Thrustmaster direct if you wish to choose up one in all these controllers for your self. Count on to pay £169.99. There are additionally a number of customised packs obtainable for the controller too.
