I don’t believe in the so-called console war. I own a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S and I enjoy playing on both, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly more preferential towards the PlayStation 5 from a hardware point of view. For me, Sony’s DualSense controller is the greatest of all-time, adding an unmatched sense of immersion you can’t find elsewhere.
With the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S having recently celebrated their fifth birthdays, you can’t help but wonder what the next generation might hold. Certainly, I’m hoping to see Xbox’s Wireless Controller receive some DualSense-esque upgrades, but there is something on the market which’ll scratch that itch in the meantime.
Hyperkin’s The Competitor is essentially a DualSense-inspired controller built for the Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PC, available at a fraction of the price. Having been hands-on with this nifty piece of hardware, I find myself largely impressed with The Competitor which offers plenty of bang for your buck even if it doesn’t quite live up to the dizzying heights of the DualSense.
Upgraded Haptic Feedback
It’s clear to see where The Competitor takes inspiration from the DualSense. Unlike Xbox’s Wireless Controller, it opts for a symmetrical twin stick layout which I’ve personally always found to be far more comfortable. If you’re used to gaming on PS5, you’ll take to this controller like a duck to water, although do remember that it’s A, B, X, Y still being used here. The black and white aesthetic is simplistic but pleasing, matching both the designs of the Series X and Series S.
Of course, the DualSense’s biggest triumph is its haptic feedback. There’s some feedback with the standard Xbox Wireless Controller, but not a ton beyond the odd rumble. After spending some time with The Competitor, I do feel it offers more in the way of feedback as compared to the Xbox Wireless Controller, but it’s not quite on par with the DualSense. The Impulse Hall Effect Triggers are impressive though, adding various sensations and resistances that do improve your gaming experience, and when you consider that The Competitor is only £40 / $50, that’s a fraction of what most controllers cost.
Say Goodbye to Stick Drift
The Competitor boasts Hall Effect Sticks which essentially means you shouldn’t have to worry about stick drift; there’s even a spare pair of caps included. The controller also has two mappable buttons on the back which is handy. Perhaps the biggest downside to the controller is that it’s wired when, fair to say, many of us prefer the freedom a wireless controller offers. On the plus side, the wire provided is pretty lengthy at around three metres, so I never felt limited by it.
The controller does feel pretty lightweight, which perhaps reflects its cheap price point. On one hand, that does make it comfortable to hold but you do have to question whether the weightlessness will impact its longevity, something I can’t really comment on after the short period I’ve had with this accessory.
Well Worth The Money
If you are on the market though for an Xbox controller, Hyperkin’s The Competitor is an easy recommendation. It’s one of the most, pardon the pun, competitively priced controllers out there, adding some of the magic of PlayStation’s DualSense into your Xbox play. It’s comfortable to hold, offers a decent level of haptic feedback, and features a layout that I’m sure many will find preferential. It doesn’t match the DualSense’s capabilities but at this price point, you can hardly complain.
A review sample was provided by Hyperkin. A list of retailers can be found on the Hyperkin website.
