GameSir Super Nova wireless gaming controller review

REVIEW – Too many times my kids have asked me to play a game, or help them win the level. I don’t mind helping, I love my kids, and most of the games they play. The problem is the controller. I don’t think we have a controller left that hasn’t been attacked by tiny hands and sticky fingers. There is drift, or the buttons are stuck. Sometimes it doesn’t know how to connect anymore, you name it, we have dealt with it. The GameSir Super Nova wireless gaming controller not only costs less than many controllers, but also can perform with the best of them. I can also change the button layout and faceplates to keep them clean and functioning. I’ve told my kids to save up their allowance because they can’t use my controller anymore. Yep. It’s a winner.

⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $39.99
Where to buy: Amazon

What is it?

The GameSir Super Nova wireless gaming controller has the look and feel of a higher-end controller, but at a fraction of the cost. The GameSir Super Nova controller allows users to customize the look and feel of the controller with barely any effort. Changing colors, vibration levels, faceplates, and even the layout of the buttons, are some of the many delightful features of this gaming controller. The ability to connect Bluetooth, or wired is also an option. One of my favorite features is that the Bluetooth connects to PC, Switch, Android, and iOS. How many controllers do you know that have that feature?

What’s included?

• GameSir Super Nova Controller
• Faceplate (additional sold separately)
• Charging dock
• USB-C cable
• Wireless dongle
• Instruction booklet

Tech specs

• 1000mAh battery with smart charging dock
• Anti-drift Hall Effect
• Supports Wired and 2.4Ghz Connections
• Dual vibration motors
• 6-axis gyroscope
• Full Customization: Programmable back buttons, customizable RGB lighting, detachable faceplate, and swappable ABXY layout for personalized gaming
• Hall Effect Sticks & Triggers.
• Ergonomic design
• Rubberized grips
• Ultra quiet buttons
• Works with PC, Switch, Android, and iOS via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle

Design and features

I married a gamer. Every year, he seems to wear me down a little more when it comes to playing games. I honestly don’t mind too much until I have to find a controller. Between my children destroying them, losing pieces, spilling drinks, stickiness, or calling dibs, I can’t bring myself to fight for a controller. I have bought some inexpensive controllers for my kids that can hook up to whatever console they are playing at the moment, but even for the price, they always feel and act inferior.<

The GameSir Super Nova wireless gaming controller is relatively inexpensive, but performs like a much higher quality well known brand. The instructions have all the diagrams needed to be able to Bluetooth your controller to different devices, so I would suggest taking a picture or keeping the instructions somewhere safe. I’m sure you can also look it up online if you lost the instructions. I have nothing but good things to say about how easy this controller is to connect the Bluetooth to my switch, my iPad, and my computer. Well, for the first time at least. I have had quite the struggle getting the controller to switch from the Switch back to my iPad.  Make sure both devices, controller and console, have a good battery charge. Check the instructions to double check that you are pushing the right combination of buttons. I had to make the iPad forget the previous controller so it would connect again. After making sure those boxes were checked, I was able to switch back and forth without much struggle.

In addition to being functional, the GameSir Super Nova gaming controller is also fashionable. I love being able to change the faceplate, and rearrange buttons if I need to. The magnets are strong enough to hold the face plate in place and not stress or worry about having it fall off, but also easy enough to remove and change the appearance. You can buy multiple faceplates from the Amazon store. I wish I could also change what the buttons look like. The ability to have a turbo button is one of the functions available, but I haven’t tried it yet because none of the games I play need any sort of fast motion. The trigger buttons have the ability to lock halfway. There is a little switch next to each trigger that allows you to be able to push the button harder and increase the amount of push, or lock it to make it feel more traditional. There is a switch on the back that has a Bluetooth sign, power off, and ordered mode. The controller goes into energy saving mode after a while, but pushing the home button engages the brains, and wakes everything back up to where it was. I really enjoyed being able to play my iPad and not have to rely on a wired connection.

There are some buttons on the back that I’m not sure what they are there for. Maybe if I was more into gaming hard-core, I would know what they are for, but I’m not really affected by them, so I haven’t looked into it too hard.

The charging feature is probably my favorite part about this controller. I love that I don’t have to actually plug it in for it to charge. Setting it on the dock, seeing the lights, and walking away is all you have to do. There is a small port on the back of the dock for a USB. This is the perfect place for the USB they send with the controller until you need to use it to connect something.

I was able to participate in a Smash Brothers tournament with my family. This controller could keep up with the best of them, and even my husband who is much pickier about his controllers was pleasantly surprised. There didn’t seem to be lag or rebound when playing a more fast paced style.

In the instruction booklet, there are also a variety of different combinations you can push with the buttons to make certain things happen. For example, you can change the brightness of the lights around the buttons. You can also change the color pattern or speed and intensity of color changes. There is also a button combination to be able to adjust the vibrations. It also explains how to switch the button layout so that whatever console you are playing will feel the same. Talk about convenience! I didn’t have to dig in the settings of the games or controller or anything to get the button layout that I am comfortable with.

I’m sure if I were more intense with my games, I would give it a harder run for its money, but as it is, I love this controller.

Final thoughts

While some companies will continue to charge more for their high end equipment, Gamesir has thrown their controller in the ring. Gamesir has a great design. Plus it has different faceplates that are easily interchangeable. They have the buttons programmed to do so many things that other higher priced controllers don’t. I love that I can push a combination of buttons and now I have the buttons tailored to the locations I am used to using. I can adjust vibrations and colors with another button push. For anyone that is super picky about their controller, I’m sure they could find something wrong. However, as a casual to mid-level gamer, I have not found anything that I don’t like about this controller.

What I like about the GameSir Super Nova controller

• Buttons are very responsive.
• Combinations of different buttons can change the button layout, colors, and vibrations.
• Can easily connect to PC, Switch, Android, and iOS via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle
• Faceplates are magnetic and gorgeous.
• No lag with the Hall effect
• Grip vibrations and motions controls

What needs to be improved?

• It’s not great to have to look up different combinations to get the one you finally want. I tried a couple different buttons to reconnect to my iPad, but finally had to look it up to get it to work.
• Replacement buttons, or different colored buttons would be great. I would love to be able to change the buttons to match my faceplates
• Not really sure what the extra buttons on the back of the controller are for. I didn’t seem to be affected one way or the other by them.

Price: $39.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided free of charge by Gamesir. Gamesir did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.

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