Over the years, I have tested out a lot of controllers. I’ve reviewed the high-budget luxury controllers and the more budget-friendly ones to keep on backup. But today, I think I’ve finally found the first-party killer. Now, that’s a big assertion, but if you’re a gamer like me who owns various platforms then you’ll understand why this may be the beginning of a new trend in third-party gaming controllers. The one I’m talking about is PB Tails’ own Crush Bluetooth Wireless Gaming Controller. This is a new kind of cozy.

Features and Quality

Exquisite Craftsmanship - Inspired by the Porsche 550 Spyder, our controller boasts a streamlined, screwless look.
Advanced Ergonomics - Crush Controller promises a premium feel and fatigue-free gaming, even over extended periods.
Unlimited Customization - Customize your crush controller with MagCase, select your joystick style, and set the RGB lighting to match your vibe, any day, any time.
Swap-out MagCases - Customizable metal and plastic removable cases let you reinvent your style on the fly.
Effortless Handling - Clear and simple button layout for fluid finger movements
Enduring Accuracy - Embrace a gaming future with our Hall-Effect controls, designed for lasting precision and a drift-free response in the heat of action.
Multi-Platform Support - The Crush Controller is compatible across numerous platforms, including Nintendo Switch, Steam, PC, macOS, iOS, and Android, ensuring versatility and adaptability for all your gaming needs.

Though PB Tails could’ve just pumped out its own low-effort third-party controller, the company opted to make a controller that would stand out from the mindless Amazon-filled fodder of insane first-party substitutions. The Crush controllers all have a premium look and feel to them. I received the limited-edition Ghost variant which is the first of the company’s Metal series. And I must say, it’s quite a beast.

This controller packs some weight within it due to its almost entirely metal design, giving it a very sturdy feeling. And I’m thankful for that, as this controller can serve many purposes. As someone who not only games on PC and mobile but Switch as well, I was so excited to see how well I’d be able to make this controller work in tandem between them. The final result left me blown away.

Unlike most third-party Bluetooth devices, this controller can pair to your devices in a snap. Once it’s paired, you almost never have to worry about it attaching again on the next boot-up. It’s a pleasant surprise that I honestly hadn’t thought PB Tails would be able to pull off. Plus, I’m able to seamlessly swap between my laptop and Switch as if it were no big deal at all.

The controller feels very good when actually playing games as well. Most third-party controllers feel off in some way or another. Luckily, the Crush controller felt like something new, yet still held up to my expectations of my Xbox Core controller. The buttons have a nice click all around, and the shape of the controller overall is the best parts of the Core controller, but with an even more smooth feel in the hands.

Feedback

I have two nit-picks with the Crush controller, though they haven’t killed my excitement for it. The first is that my model specifically has a small defect where one of the triggers rubs the inside of the controller when pushed. This didn’t impact gameplay but was something that I noticed from time to time.

The second thing which is something I found silly was that the metal thumbsticks are kind of slippery. Luckily, players also get a rubber pair included to swap them out for. The metal ones look super clean, especially on the Ghost controller, but they just aren’t very practical.

Conclusion

I want to be very clear; I’ve found many third-party controllers that I like or have even loved, but the Crush controller that PB Tails has created is actually going to be replacing my Core controllers. Because of its universal compatibility, durability, features, and overall feeling in the hand, the Crush Controller is one of my favorite products that I’ve ever reviewed. This is a must-ow for gaming enthusiasts who want an all-in-one controller that doesn’t feel cheap and does more than you need it to.