Getting a solid controller under $70 can be a tall order, particularly if you’re looking for something wireless. Enter the PB Tails Crush controller, a Nintendo Switch and Xbox-inspired gamepad designed for use on the Nintendo Switch, PC and pretty much anything else that accepts pairing with Bluetooth controllers.
Keeping up with the fun aesthetic options PB Tails is known for, the PB Tails Crush controller comes in a variety of colour variants, with the basic design of the gamepad said to be inspired by the Porsche 550 Spyder line of luxury cars. In other words, PB Tails definitely gets a check for creativity.
For my review, I was sent the Redline Rush variant from their Gem series, which features a shiny red finish that goes nicely with the Gem and supercar aesthetic PB Tails promises. It should be noted that all variants of the Crush controller feature a magnetic faceplate that can easily be swapped out and that those interested in other colour options can purchase additional faceplates from PB Tail’s website.
The PB Tails Crush series features a plethora of RGB colour options, all of which can easily be cycled through by pressing the “T” button on the face of the device, along with either the D-pad or analogue stick. In terms of lighting, the PB Tails Crush controller features solid colour options for under-the-face buttons, the crest or the home button, in addition to the light bar on the underside of the gamepad.
“PB Tails definitely gets a check for creativity.”
Outside of cycling through a single colour for both the buttons and light strip, the PB Tails Crush controller allows the user to cycle between colours for the face buttons. These can match the aesthetic of popular consoles, including Xbox and PlayStation-inspired colours, a very cool feature that I appreciated as someone who emulates a lot of popular console games.
Of course, a controller isn’t all about its aesthetics, and thankfully, the PB Tails Crush series delivers a solid-feeling experience that feels similar to first-party offerings, particularly the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Unlike the former, however, PB Tails offers hall-effect joysticks, which promise longevity thanks to contactless friction through the use of magnets, ensuring no risk of controller drift over time. Of course, I can’t practically test out this controller feature in a reasonable window; however, in the month or so I had the device, I’ve found it just as responsive and tactile as it was when I first received it.
Speaking of tactility, using the PB Tails Crush controller felt great, especially on the Nintendo Switch. Simply toggling the slider button on the top of the controller allows swapping between Switch and X-input modes, making it effortless to switch between the two devices. On the Nintendo Switch, I was able to test out the gyro feature, which felt very similar to using the gyro present on first-party controllers, making it an ideal choice for use with the vast majority of Switch games.
“…the PB Tails Crush series delivers a solid-feeling experience that feels similar to first-party offerings, particularly the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
On the PC side of things, the PB Tails Crush Controller also performed well. However, as I was not sent the optional 2.4ghz dongle, my tests were limited to the Bluetooth profile. From a casual gaming perspective, I was unable to notice anything of note as far as latency or input delay is concerned.
One minor issue I had while testing the Crush controller stemmed from when I had Steam open in the background, which caused the right analogue stick of the controller to behave like a mouse cursor, something that got in the way when playing non-steam games. This may be a setting in Steam that I need to investigate, but something still worth noting, as I do not have the same issue with other x-input-based controllers on the platform.
Thankfully, in-game, the PB Tails Crush controller performs just as well as an OEM or first-party pad with the added boon of rapid-fire macros, a nice feature to have for games that feature repetitive tasks or walls of text.
Holding the PB Tails Crush gamepad feels somewhere between an Xbox-style controller and the Nintendo Switch Pro controller. The triggers featured a level of resistance that seemed to be higher than other popular controllers, but in a good way, that made each press feel more deliberate. Despite its smooth finish, I found the Crush controller easy to grip, even after a prolonged gaming session. The stick caps on the Crush controller can easily be removed by first removing the magnetic faceplate from the body and then gently popping the sticks off, making swapping stick styles a breeze.
Ultimately, the PB Tails Crush series of controllers is an excellent option for those looking for a controller with substance that doesn’t forgo style. The PB Tails Crush controller offers a near-perfect pairing with the Nintendo Switch and an equally good experience on PC and Android.
