I have enjoyed the coolness of PDP controllers since the Wii. They are usually stylish, lit up to perfection, and feel like maintainable controllers with longevity. In other words, their controllers have always felt solid and not cheap. I know, a little bit of a ramble, but I wanted to get the point across. They’re typically a good brand.
My experience with the Wii controllers aside, as well as a decade later, PDP has brought out a new line of controllers for the Nintendo Switch. They celebrate the coolness of Link and his adventures, as well as feel surprisingly comfortable, are functional in multiple ways beyond just standard controller expectations, and, most of all, feel like they could take some punishment from a family of five gamers between the ages of 9-21. That last part is the most important. As I’m sure some parents out there are aware, kids can be brutal with controls.
Let’s all grasp what makes these controllers good and break them down.
Functional in every which way
The two Rematch Wired Controllers from PDP are virtually the same. The big difference is that one glows in the dark while the other does not. Everything else about them is similar in function. They mimic the Pro Controller from Nintendo quite well, as they feel heavy and unbreakable, and they deliver good gaming experiences. These are generic statements, but important ones, as having a controller in your hand that feels like it was built well is important when you’re intensely gaming. Just ask any Mario Kart or Smash Bros. hardcore gamer. They’ll tell you that weight and how a controller feels is vital for success.
Anyway, the buttons on each controller are crisp and not at all cheap feeling. The response is 1:1, which you want from a third-party controller. I have reviewed more than a few in the past that don’t feel like that, and they don’t respond immediately. Those were some dark times, but they do happen. Ultimately, what you would expect from a standard Nintendo controller, the PDP Legend of Zelda Breathe of the Wild Rematch Wired Controllers deliver. That’s the baseline expectation, as it is comfortable, weighty, and feels like a controller should feel in response and touch. You might laugh at that last part, but it’s true. People like controllers that feel good in their hands.
As for the bells and whistles, they are perfectly thought through.
The bell is the ability to hook a wired headset up from the controller’s button where a 3.5mm audio port sits. This allows a PlayStation controller type of experience, where you can just plug in your headset and go. Now, if you aren’t privy to a headset or earbuds with a 3.5mm audio jack wire, I highly recommend considering a Bluetooth adapter. I tried one out during my review period with these controllers and it worked like a charm. I was able to connect my Turtle Beach Stealth Pro headset to the controller and get perfect audio coming out. Anyway, that 3.5mm audio jack is invaluable, especially if you can get creative with it. The audio volume is controlled by a function button near the lower right thumbstick, where you can press the function button and then press up or down to control the volume via the directional pad. It’s all quite intuitive.
The whistle of this controller is the neat programmable back buttons. If you’re into that sort of complication, then have at it. For me, I do not need programmable buttons in the back for any reason. Maybe I could get a bit more out of Mario Kart 8 with them, possibly assigning drifting or item activation duties to them, but I’m fine with the regular configuration. Should you want to push the envelope and start re-assigning buttons and such, all you have to do is this:
- Hold down the function button (bottom, near the right thumbstick).
- Hold down which paddle in the back you want to assign a function to on the controller.
- Wait until the function button starts flashing (you’ll have to release it).
- Then press the button you want to assign the paddle.
It’s just that easy. That option is made for the pro gamer, and I’m sure they’ll use them to their full potential. As for the average Joe, like yours truly, I will only use this function if the game calls for it.
Beyond these amenities, the controllers are quite comfortable, and work as expected.
Style is key, though wired hurts a bit
The PDP Rematch controllers are stylish as hell. The Zelda art on the front is breathtaking and looks like it was well-placed. They look legit in what they want to be, and they deliver unrivaled coolness when it comes to representing Link and his adventures. One controller has Link right in the middle staring off into the Hyrule landscape, while the other is a silhouette of Link drawing his bow while surrounded by the Shield of the Mind’s Eye logo print. Both are unique in their style with the key difference being the silhouette controller glows in the dark. It’s pretty, but it’s more stylish than anything else.
What’s probably not pretty in the style department is the 10’ wire that is connected to the controller. Unlike the Xbox controller that PDP makes, these are hardwired, which means they aren’t removable. Depending on where you have your Nintendo Switch dock setup this could either be no big deal or a call to move said dock. For me, I’m all for wired controllers, mainly because I hate having to recharge controllers, especially when the kids leave them lying around and everyone conveniently forgets to charge them (why can’t they just plug them up? It’s a mystery). Again, I understand that some people like wireless because they have their dock in an inaccessible place for a wired connection, but this is a minor inconvenience. One solution to make everyone happy is to just buy a generic USB hub for the Switch Dock, which can be easily found on Amazon as well.
This seems like a huge Amazon ad wrapped into a controller review, doesn’t it? Well, technological solutions sometimes call for cheap additions.
Now, all this said, the controllers are only $27.99 in price. Compared to a $69.99 pro controller from Nintendo, that’s a helluva price difference in what I believe to be an equally as comfortable controller experience. Sure, you lose the wireless capabilities, but I would pay an additional $15 to find a dock that gave me extended wired USB capabilities with my OLED Switch. Extenders and other solutions are out there and in the long run, would save you some money.
Either way, you go, the controllers are something special. They do a good job with functionality, feel good in your hands, and offer up some additional options that the Pro Controller simply can’t match. Wired is your only sacrifice in this trade.
Let’s wrap this puppy up.
Conclusion
The PDP Rematch glow and non-glow wired Breathe of the Wild controllers are pretty, reliable, and functional, and they are nearly one-third the price of the Nintendo Pro Controller. They are wired, so that may not completely sit well with people, but other than that they are a good match.
