PDP REMATCH Advanced Wired Controller – Hardware Review
Even though we review a lot of hardware here on 3rd-strike.com, it has been quite some time since we last reviewed a controller. While everybody knows the controllers of the various relevant consoles, it’s sometimes hard to know what third-party controllers are also worth looking into. Courtesy of PDP, we were given the chance to take a closer look at their REMATCH Advanced Wired Controller, and we were quite impressed with the overall design and quality.
Design
For our review, we were given the PURPLE FADE model, which is absolutely gorgeous. It has been quite some time since we saw a controller this pretty, and we are more and more impressed by third-party controller designs, which are often fancier than the actual first-party limited edition versions. That being said, outside of the very neon-like purple coating on the REMATCH controller, there are also subtle art markings on the rest of the controller’s body. These markings are not too bombastic and they add a very stylish component to the entire package. The backside of the controller is finished with a black matte coating, and it also features these subtle markings. Other than that, the controller has the traditional Xbox controller layout and it does not feature too many other components. The mute button on the front of the controller stands out a bit more, as well as the symbols on the D-pad.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, the device is very much the same as a traditional Xbox controller. The button layout is the same, and the only big differences are the function button (which is also the mute button) and the back pedals. Other than that, you’re getting a solid Xbox (and PC) controller that just feels sturdy and comfortable. As this is a wired device, having a long cable is a luxury, and the 2.5-meter cable ensures that you don’t have to sit too close to your gaming device. The included cable is a USB-C cable and it fits snugly into the controller. The only noticeable part here was that there is no ‘breakaway’ part and thus if someone doesn’t see the cable, they will drag down everything with it.
The sticks have a concave design, which guarantees a bit more grip. We found the stick movement to be very pleasant, and the sticks did have the right resistance. There are other third-party solutions where the balance feels off, or where the sticks are way too light.
Overview
The REMATCH controller is a simple plug-and-play device, both on the Xbox Series X/S and the PC. After plugging in the device, you’ll be good to go in mere seconds. After this, it’s up to you if you wish to change several base settings, or if the controller is perfect as is. We found the basic settings to be responsive, and we very much appreciated the headset plug on the device. This is already a huge plus, as this is not always present on third-party devices. We found the controller to be very responsive, and we didn’t experience a single case of input lag.
PDP also has its own Control Hub app that allows you to change different settings. You can change the vibration intensity, alter dead zones, program buttons, and so on. Overall, the software is very easy to work with, but the sound effects when navigating through the menu are horrible. Then again, if that is our only remark about the software, it means it’s quite decent. You don’t need the software to alter certain basic settings, and you’ll find the instructions in the manual that comes with the controller.
Conclusion
PDP’s REMATCH Advanced Wired Controller is a delight to work with. The controller doesn’t only look amazing, but it’s also sturdy and a quality Xbox controller. We very much enjoyed using this device on our Xbox Series X console, without having to worry about swapping the batteries. The long cable allowed us to still game comfortably from a reasonable distance, and we also appreciated the different customization options. For its very reasonable price tag, we recommend checking this one out if you’re looking for a decent wired controller.
PDP REMATCH Advanced Wired Controller - Hardware Review,
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