The dominant controller design hasn’t changed much since the PS2/Xbox/Gamecube era. Two analogue sticks, four face buttons, and two pairs of triggers is what makes up the modern videogame controller. Clickable sticks, motion control and touchpads are relatively newer additions. Each console generation since the NES and Master System era has helped to carve the design of the modern video game controller. Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and others have introduced various elements. For example, Nintendo introduced the analogue stick with the N64. However, Sega also released a pad for the Sega Saturn that included an analogue stick at around the same time. Microsoft introduced the ‘duke’ with the Xbox which was an extra large controller. All these options are available when we emulate games on a PC, handheld, or Console thanks to Bluetooth adapters. Here, I review the HEX Gaming Phantom controller. A premium controller from Hex Gaming primarily for the PS5, that includes Hall-Effect sticks.
Look and Feel
The Phantom controller is a good-looking, solid-feeling controller. The grips are textured so that your hands always have a good purchase on the pad. This is the first thing that strikes you when holding the controller. The texture isn’t rough like sandpaper but is smooth yet textures. In other respects, it resembles an official PS5 pad. The chaos black version which I am reviewing is one of the less impressive colors. Some other iterations of the phantom are translucent. The controller has a good weight to it. It also feels like it is made out of durable material. The four face buttons aren’t marked with letters or symbols. The absence of any symbols mean that people who don’t like using the PlayStation symbols, or the Nintendo letters, won’t count that against the pad. The buttons feel good to use. The shoulder triggers are some of the nicest Playstation 5-style triggers that I have used. They have a sensitivity that reminds me of the Gamecube controller’s two-stage triggers, but better.
It is in the analogue sticks that the Phantom really excels. The Hall effect sticks aren’t like regular potentiometers in controller joysticks. These common potentiometers are known to drift. It is just a disadvantage of the mechanism. With Hall-effect sticks, magnets are used rather than pads which wear down in normal potentiometers. Because of the use of magnets, stick drift will never be a problem in Hall-effect controllers. The HEX Gaming Phantom controller uses magnets and Hall-effect sticks rather than pads and potentiometers. This means that the sticks on the phantom controller will never develop stick-drift.
Games
I’ve been testing the controller with an 8-bitdo adapter that allows PS5 and Xbox Series S/X controllers to be used with the Nintendo Switch. The connection is solid once you initially connect. Just press the home button on the controller to re-awaken and re-attach it when the console goes to sleep. The games I’ve been playing include Smash Ultimate, Street Fighter 2: The Final Challengers, and Super Mario 3D All-Stars. The Phantom is well suited to fighting games. There’s zero lag when performing smash moves in Smash Ultimate for example. It’s easy to pull off special moves in Street Fighter 2: The Final Challengers (although it always was with that game). The controller performs slightly better than official controllers. Whether it’s worth the premium price tag is debatable.
The great sticks on the Phantom will probably make playing first-person shooters like Call of Duty easier to master. However, as I’ve been using it for Switch I’ve decided to test it mainly with fighting games. The controller is substantial in its form when you hold it. It is as good as if not better than the Switch Pro controller in terms of comfort during gameplay and accuracy of inputs.
Conclusion
The Hex Gaming Phantom controller is a great way to play fighters like Smash Ultimate and Street Fighter on the Switch using an 8-bitdo controller adapter. The Phantom has replaced my pro controller as my number one controller for Switch. The textured pads and weighty feel, make the controller feel premium, while the sensitive buttons, deep and smooth shoulder triggers and accurate sticks maximize input detection. The Hall Effect sticks mean stick drift has virtually no chance of developing. The magnets used as opposed to pads which wear down, mean that stick drift isn’t going to be a problem in the future. The controller is compatible with PlayStation, Android, and Switch via an adapter. I would recommend the Phantom controller not only to PlayStation fans (since it is in essence designed as a Playstation 5 controller), but even Switch fans will love this controller if they invest in an adapter. The Phantom is the best controller that I have used with my Nintendo Switch and I will continue to have it connected until I purchase another premium controller that may rival its dominance.
BongoBongo123 is an avid Zelda fan who also likes the odd game of Smash. His interests in gaming are broad but he loves a good Metroidvania or action RPGs.
Great review of what sounds like a great controller!