I’ve been gaming for 25 years, and in that time, I must have used 100 different controllers. From the run-of-the-mill, stock-standard units to collector’s edition pads, I’ve been around the block when it comes to gaming peripherals. Recently, I had the opportunity to check out the PowerA OPS v3 Pro, a versatile wireless controller designed for use with PC and cloud gaming solutions.
Not only has the OPS v3 Pro impressed me, but it has exceeded every expectation I had right up until the point I was unboxing the controller. When I say that this is Batman’s utility belt in controller form, I mean it – there are so many features and functions packed into this device that it’ll make your head spin.
No Need For Improvement
The PowerA OPS v3 Pro has succeeded in blowing me away in every capacity possible. I knew I was onto a winner when I was unboxing the device, given that it comes packaged in a stylised, eye-popping box that instantly snatches your attention away.
In your hands, the PowerA OPS v3 Pro feels like a premium controller. It’s not made of cheap plastic, and it feels durable and hard-wearing. PowerA has printed a branded grip pattern onto rubberised surfaces around the base, top, and sides of the pad, and the black-on-black styling of the controller is a) clean as all hell, and b) gives more credence to the ‘Batman’ link.
This controller utilises PowerA’s ‘Lumectra’ RGB lighting mechanics. There are four individual zones that you can customise with unique modes and a stunning colour palette, all of which happens without any software being needed. If you don’t like the RGB, then you don’t have to have it turned on – simple.
Versatility is the order of the day for the PowerA OPS v3 Pro. With the flick of a switch, you can change between a USB connection, Bluetooth, or a 2.4 GHz connection that’s dependent on a dongle. If you opt to go wireless, you’ll be leaning on a 1200mAh battery that lasts around 30 hours on a full charge.
And on the topic of the battery, the PowerA OPS v3 Pro comes with a magnetic charging stand that’s heavy and powerful enough to fully charge the pad in just three hours. As there’s a switch to flick between profiles, it doesn’t matter what you’re playing or how you’re connected – the controller can accommodate your requirements with ease.
Features on Features
This is where the real fun begins – this PowerA OPS v3 Pro review would be nothing without a breakdown of the insane list of features that go hand-in-hand with the pad.
Firstly, the face inputs and shoulder buttons are all tactile and mechanical, which means they’re responsive, rapid, and offer a satisfying ‘click’ with every press. The triggers feature three-way locks that can be adjusted as needed, ranging from a full pull to an almost mouse-click depth for the fastest response times possible.
If that wasn’t enough, the thumbsticks and triggers all boast Hall Effect sensors.
Thumbsticks, you say? That’s right – the ‘quick-twist’ thumbsticks that are adjustable on the fly, allowing you to adjust the ‘height’ of your sticks in a few fractions of a second.
If you’re looking to become the next pro esports player, you’ll want to make use of the six mappable buttons on the PowerA OPS v3 Pro – two on the top and four down where your fingers rest, behind the controller.
It takes a little getting used to, and if I’m being brutally honest, the ‘extra shoulder buttons’ could be a bit better placed, but they’re tactile, functional, and relatively helpful.
Finally, the PowerA OPS v3 Pro has many hallmark features of customisable controllers. It has a ‘turbo’ button and a handy reset port to take things back to factory settings, and it’s easy enough to disassemble for troubleshooting. With USB-C charging, status lights, instant and low latency connectivity, and a handy braided cable in the box, you’re ready to go from the moment you take hold of this pad.
It does carry a $99.99 prize point, but I think that it’s more than worthwhile. It’s not a bridge too far for me to suggest that this is one of the best controllers I’ve ever used.
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