PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller Review - A Worthy Contender
Controllers can be a bit of a personal thing. Most people are happy with the stock standard one that comes with the console when they purchase it, some want flash designs and limited edition colours and others want something that takes things to the next level. It is in this space that we are seeing some truly interesting things. Both Sony and Microsoft have their top-end controllers which are both excellent, but now the third parties are coming in to compete in that space. That leads me to the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller and make no mistake, it is taking the Xbox Elite controller on in a stand-up fight.
The PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller is firmly in the top-end side of things when it comes to controllers. It has a RRP of $199 which is the same price as the Xbox Elite. That is a space where you are going to have to be confident in your product if you want to enter. Luckily, it seems PowerA are confident and with good reason, the Fusion Pro is a top-notch controller, but it both is and isn’t better than the Elite, which may sound confusing but let me see if I can explain.
Firstly, the Fusion Pro has more bling than you can shake a disco ball at. If you are the type of gamer who loves neon, well the Fusion is for you. It has a patterned surface with comic-like graphics that light up in all the colours of the rainbow. This can be turned off or set to just one colour with the push of a button on the back of the controller, but I feel like that is kind of defeating the purpose somewhat. This is a controller that wants to be loud and loud it is.
Where the PowerA controller really excels is in the way it can be customised to the player’s personal settings. The thumbsticks can be height adjusted, the triggers have three different depth settings and all the buttons can be remapped on the fly. This is a flexible controller that is happy to bend itself to your personal tastes. It can also be connected via a USB if you prefer that to the high-speed wireless dongle, which is how I use the controller on my PC. The controller also comes with a nifty charging stand for when wireless control is needed. It is a neat little stand that will not offend anyone’s interior decor. Each charge gets you about 25-30 hours of gameplay which is a good long while between charges.
As for using the Fusion, I put it through its paces on both the Xbox and PC, through a range of different games and there are a couple of things that became clear. The first is this is a great controller for games that require precise timing. My three-point shooting was more accurate in NBA 2K, I felt like I was hitting the notes with ease in Hi-Fi Rush and the quick button presses needed for something like Hades 2 felt that little bit more responsive. The Fusion D-pad also feels perfect for fighting games. I played a fair amount of Mortal Kombat 1 and I much prefer this D-pad to either of the options that come with the Elite.
On the reverse side though, I don’t think the Fusion performed as well in big 3D open-worlds, adventures or first-person shooters. Not that it felt bad in the these games mind you, just that the Elite was the better option here. For one I feel like the rumble in the elite offers better feedback than the Fusion. I know this is a minor feature for some, but the Elite really takes that feedback to a level the the Fusion can’t match. The controller also lacks the heft and hand comfort of the Elite, which more satisfying to hold, especially for long gaming sessions. Finally, I wasn’t a massive fan of the triggers, especially for shooters. They just didn’t feel bang on for me. Now these are all personal preferences, as they should be when it comes to something as personal as a controller, but all things that are worth mentioning to potential buyers.
The final thing I want to talk about is the build quality. It feels great, but not at that same pristine, deluxe level that the Elite does. It is certainly a step up from a standard controller but it can’t compete with the Elite in this area. The matte surface and textured plastic back are great mind you, but give me those rubberised grips from the Elite any day of the week. Again I have to stress, the PowerA is in no way bad. Far from it, it is just competing against a seriously heavy hitter in its price bracket so these things have to come into consideration.
What we are left with is a choice that should be made purely on personal preference. The PowerA does certain things, especially those requiring precision inputs, better than the Elite, but the overall feel isn’t quite as luxurious and the feedback isn’t at the same level. In an ideal world you would be able to have both controllers, busting out the Fusion for your Fighting and Sports games and leaving the Elite to open worlds and FPS titles, but obviously having two $200 controllers is insane for most. If the Fusion was even $20 cheaper than the Elite it would be easy to recommend but as it is, I would strongly suggest players try to get their hands on both the Fusion and the Elite to see what is for them personally. It may not be easy to do, but when you are spending $200 you want to make sure you make the right call.
All that said, the Fusion Pro Wireless is a top-notch controller and should you pick it up I am sure you won’t be disappointed, there just may be a better option for you at the same price.
PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller With Lumectra Overview
Ghost RGB LED Lighting (Wireless Edition only)
Reveal a stunning hidden design on the controller faceplate when the RGB LED lighting is activated.
Quick-Twist Thumbsticks
Easily adjust the thumbsticks to three different height settings anytime with a simple twist – patent pending!
Hall Effect Modules
Contact-free magnetic sensors in the thumbsticks provide a more fluid pro-level feel to help with precision and longevity.
Magnetic Hall Effect Impulse Triggers with 3-Way Trigger Locks
Set the travel distance of the triggers with three different positions to pull off quicker actions in your favourite games.
