PowerA Advantage Wired Controller For Xbox Series X|S Review

For anyone invested in Fortnite, the new Midas PowerA Advantage Wired Controller for Xbox Series X|S and PC is a pretty sweet investment. Not only are you getting a device licensed for Xbox directly, but you’re also getting bonus back buttons, a slick Fortnite Midas paint job, and even a digital code for an in-game item, the Storm King Fist Harvesting Tool. All of this is wrapped up for an affordable $39.99 USD, but does it sound too good to be true?

The design of the new Fortnite Midas PowerA Advantage Wired Controller is stunning. To be fair, the Midas Fortnite skin is my favourite, so I am a bit biased here. The contrast between the matte black controller, shiny black accents and the grey and gold finishes make this version of the PowerA Advantage stand out, especially to Fortnite collectors.

The good news is that there is more to this great controller than just its looks. The PowerA Advantage Wired Controller comes equipped with two mappable back buttons that are super easy to assign. Originally, I assumed I would need software, but all that you need to do is hold down the program button on the back and wait until the center lights flash, telling you it is in program mode. Choose the button you want, and then click the back button you’d like to assign it to. Simple.

“The design of the new Fortnite Midas PowerA Advantage Wired Controller is stunning.”

That isn’t to say there is no software at all, though. You can download the PowerA Gamer HQ app to jump in and test or calibrate your controller. In my case, this was not necessary with the PowerA Advantage Wired Controller, but it was easy enough to download and functioned well when testing.

The back buttons sit at a comfortable spot on the back of each handgrip, needing very little room for your fingers to travel. There are also 3-way trigger locks on the back side, which allows you to adjust the travel distance for each individual trigger between a long, medium and short press depending on your needs. The controller is also equipped with a 10-ft long cable, which was more than long enough to reach from my Xbox Series X to my couch.

Everything the PowerA Advantage Wired Controller brings to the table from here is pretty standard for Xbox users. You’ll find a 3.5mm headset jack at the bottom. There are Dual Rumble Motors in the handgrips and Impulse Triggers to provide immersive feedback and vibrations, meaning you’re still getting the full Xbox experience, even with a less-expensive controller. The buttons on the PowerA Advantage were plenty clicky, but more expensive versions that come from Razer or even Xbox themselves may be a little more satisfying if that is your thing.

I personally tested the Fortnite Midas version of the PowerA Advantage Wired Controller, but I counted 19 other styles available online. These ranged from solid colours like Red and Blue to patterns and designs like Purple Camo and Wild Style. There is truly an aesthetic for any gamer, but the prices may vary here, with the Fortnite Midas version at $39.99, the most expensive of the bunch.

One of the features PowerA boasts about is the Advantage Wired Controller’s ergonomic, lightweight design. It comes in at about 205 grams and has a great diamond texture on the back of each handgrip. Personally, because of how lightweight the controller is, it feels a little bit flimsy. In testing, nothing alarming came up, but I worry that over more long-term testing, there could be wear and tear, but this is all speculation. It’s hard to say because lightweight could mean anything from eSports to budget.

All in all, my time with the PowerA Advantage Wired Controller for Xbox Series X|S and PC was a hassle-free, comfortable gaming experience. The Fortnite Midas design and Storm King Fist Harvesting Tool were a nice added bonus, but the base of the controller was comfortable and easy to use, and for $39.99 USD, that is pretty hard to beat.

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