The Monka Contra GT-96 Wireless Gaming Controller stood out to me from the crowd for its obvious DualSense-inspired design choice, and despite only being compatible with PlayStation 4, 3, PC and mobile platforms, I came away impressed.
Unboxing the Monka Contra GT-96 controller, users will find the controller itself, a USB-C charging lead, and a quick start guide to get you up and gaming. In terms of packaging, the Monka Contra GT-96 feels premium, with a striking white and red box that matches the controller’s aesthetics. The box also features some nice anime-inspired art on the back, which helps the controller stand out.
The Monka Contra GT-96 controller itself, at first glance, appears to be moulded after the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller, but don’t let its appearance fool you — the Monka Contra GT-96 is first and foremost designed for use on PlayStation 4 (+PS3) and PC. Priced at a reasonable $29.99 (USD), the Monka Contra GT-96 appropriately feels the part, with the plastic grip of the controller feeling less than ideal but sturdy enough to last long gaming sessions.
Both sides of the controller are flanked with a tribal-style RGB strip, which adds a bit of pizazz to the controller, while the back of the Monka Contra GT-96 features a switch to turn off the lighting. This was something that, unfortunately, on my unit did not seem to work, meaning I could not turn off the RGB lighting when in use.
In terms of the face buttons and other basic inputs, the Monka GT-96 accounts for all the features of the DualShock 4 controller, including its capacitive touchpad, making it fully compatible with PlayStation 4 games. Triggers on the GT-96 also feel close to OEM, while the face buttons, on the other hand, feel slightly too recessed in for my liking but are perfectly serviceable, particularly if you’re not used to the feel of a PS5 pad.
Despite opting for a circle-style d-pad, which I tend to favour over a split-style directional input style, I found the d-pad on the Monka GT-96 to feel rather clunky and mushy, making it fine for, say, item management or hotkeys in third-person action games. It is something I would avoid using when playing fighting games or platformers that require more nuanced control.
“The Monka GT-96 accounts for all the features of the Dualshock 4 controller, including its capacitive touchpad, making it fully compatible with PlayStation 4 games.”
Finally, the analogue sticks on the Monka GT-96 also feel fairly close to OEM, making them solid and well-suited for most 3D titles and first-person shooters on both PC and PlayStation 4. Monka stated that the Hall-effect nature of the sticks present on the controller makes it hard to tell just how well the GT-96 will fare in the long run, but for the price, it’s hard not to be impressed at what is on offer.
To ensure its adherence to Sony’s DualShock 4 metrics, the Monka GT-96 features a 1000mAh battery, which should provide anywhere from five to eight hours of use. With the reliance on a USB-C connection, the Monka GT-96 exceeds the utility, or at least the convenience, of the old DS4 controller by offering a universal charging solution.
Ultimately, the Monka GT-96 controller isn’t anything revolutionary in either the PC or third-party Playstation controller space, but for the price, it offers players a solid option that checks all the boxes while also offering a few features, such as its USB-C charging and hall-effect sticks a marked improvement over its clear source of inspiration.
As a bonus, the Monka GT-96 is fully compatible with the PlayStation 3, something that will likely not appeal to most players. But, as someone who still has their PS3 system hooked up, it’s nice having an extra controller on deck to use with the aging console, especially as good OEM or official DualShock options become harder to come by.
If you’re someone in the market looking for a cheap but reliable replacement or secondary controller to have around, it’s hard not to recommend the Monka GT-96 controller for use on PC or PS4, especially thanks to its price.
