What would you like from an Xbox controller? Do you revel within the customisation points, get drawn in by a bunch of personalisation, or want familiarity? Do you decide 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 – principally due to the plethora of designs and options of Xbox Design Lab or the options to the Elite Sequence 2.
However Thrustmaster have gotten your again too. The truth is, they’ve obtained your again in a number of methods, with a particularly 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.
Actually, there’s not an excessive amount of new within the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 Professional Controller, at the very least not in case you are already conversant in the unique eSwap. And meaning it’s going to be a tough promote to push this to anybody searching for an informal improve. In fact, for those who haven’t ever gone hands-on with the modular controller life that Thrustmaster provide, then that is now in all probability your greatest wager. It’s not good but it surely 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 a substitute 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 totally recognize 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 searching for a extremely personalisable, extraordinarily customisable Xbox controller, that is in all probability your greatest wager.
It sits at a barely bigger dimension than a typical wi-fi Xbox controller, however the very first thing to contemplate 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 by hook or by crook, and while we’re absolutely down with the liberty of wi-fi capabilities, having a cable hooked up does have some professionals to contemplate. With the eSwap X2 Professional, you’ll should be cabled up always, working a USB-C finish on the controller (thanks Thrustmaster for eliminating the outdated micro-USB), by a 3 metre lengthy cable to a USB-A finish straight into your console. That size of cable is fairly commonplace fare, and it needs to be effectively lengthy sufficient for many folks to maintain gaming. In fact, must you sit additional away out of your display screen than that, the eSwap X2 Professional goes to be a battle.
From there, the eSwap X2 Professional has all the pieces you’d count on of an Xbox controller. Thumbsticks really feel nice, with the newly-redesigned mechanical D-Pad being an absolute spotlight. Actually, we’re not large followers of D-Pad motion, however the one included right here is so good, so tactile, that it may virtually change a behavior of a lifetime. Is it the perfect D-Pad to grace an Xbox controller? We will’t make sure, 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 effectively positioned, easy to hit when the time comes, with simply the Xbox Nexus button shifting down and away from its regular 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 might be a lie if we mentioned we didn’t miss the ‘really feel’ of extra on a regular basis buttonry. While these face buttons have carried out the job required of them, once more, a little bit of rewiring is required for confidence to hit as they have a tendency to run somewhat on the comfortable facet.
And naturally, textured triggers (full with stop-locks) and a few cracking bumpers sit up excessive, all the time able to be slammed as gaming classes get heated. We significantly just like the texturing discovered on these, and that signifies that regardless of how sizzling issues get, you gained’t ever discover your fingers slipping.
So commonplace 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 many who depend on rear-mounted buttons, these will likely be greater than appreciated additions, sitting proper below your digits as you grip the eSwap X2 Professional.
After which on the frontside, located both facet of the three.5mm audio jack port are additional controls. You’ve obtained on-pad quantity choices for each mic and important volumes, and we’re large followers of those – a lot in order that it’s getting to some extent the place this needs 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 other than the plethora of different customisable Xbox controllers in the marketplace. I imply, again buttons and quantity controls could be discovered in lots of locations – Turtle Seaside controllers for example.
However there’s one killer USP for the eSwap X2 Professional – the power to maneuver your thumbsticks and D-Pad round, utilising varied modules through Thrustmaster’s Sizzling-Swap system. Once more, many might not ever really feel the necessity to do that, however for those who want 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 carry out and slot in too, magnetically attaching with ease. There’s even a software to assist carry 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 through the ThrustmapperX App in your console too. A free obtain, this allows you to arrange and check just about all the pieces on the controller. Once more, that’s nothing new, but it surely’s all the time good to have.
So what don’t we like concerning the new Thrustmaster eSwap X2 Professional controller for Xbox? Other than 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 prefer 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.
Other than that, Thrustmaster very a lot proceed their current development of offering players with some greater than respectable choices. In case you’re searching 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 components of this controller that are completely stellar, highlighted by that best-in-class D-Pad. However is it value an improve from the earlier eSwap X Professional? That’s way more of a debate.
Big thanks exit to Thrustmaster for offering us with the eSwap X2 Professional controller for Xbox for evaluate. Hit up Thrustmaster direct if you wish to decide up considered one of these controllers for your self. Count on to pay £169.99. There are additionally a bunch of customised packs out there for the controller too.
