We thought we were over GameSir controllers for a while. But then they reached out about the GameSir Tarantula Pro. Not only does it come with an acrylic charging stand, it’s also the first one that has a symmetrical thumbstick layout reminiscent of PlayStation controllers. It was definitely up my alley. 

While it’s not really compatible with the PlayStation, having that layout and overall feel helped bring some familiarity to the other platforms it’s compatible with. These are PC/Steam, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. During our time with it, we mostly played on PC.

But first, a quick unboxing

@gadgetmatch Multi-platform controller with mechanically changing face buttons and more. This is the #GameSirTarantulaPro @GameSir ♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

It’s a pretty standard set package from GameSir. With the Tarantula Pro you’re getting the controller, the acrylic charging stand, a UBS-C dongle, cable, plus the usual documentation and stickers. 

Feature-packed

The GameSir Tarantula Pro features tri-mode connectivity. Users can connect the peripheral via Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and the old-fashioned wired option. These choices make it seamless switching between devices for a hassle-free gaming experience.

Immediately noticeable on the controller though, are multiple extra buttons in front. All nine of these buttons, aligned like its spider-species namesake, provide pro-level control and a personalized gaming style. These can be remapped at any time depending on your preferences. 

Even the RGB Home indicator, light strip, and face buttons’ lighting effects can be customized, including saturation, animation speed, and color.

Again, another standard inclusion in GameSir products, you get a couple more back buttons that can likewise be remapped. More than that, they can also be disabled preventing accidental inputs. 

For even more customization, use the GameSir Connect app. There’s adjustments to stick and trigger dead zones, vibration intensity, and more. You can also download firmware updates from the app.

And the really cool part, you can simply hold a key combo and the face button gear mechanism can rotate to change the layout between Switch or Xbox.

 

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Performance and feel

As mentioned earlier, the overall layout and hand-feel of the GameSir Tarantula Pro is reminiscent of PlayStation controllers. More specifically, it feels a lot like the DualShock controllers. 

The rumble on this thing gets pretty intense. Equipped with HD Rumble technology, you’ll definitely feel the haptic feedback no matter what game you’re playing. We played some Marvel’s Spider-Man, Final Fantasy XIII, and the game we played most with it – Marvel vs Capcom 2 through the recently released Marvel vs Capcom: Fighting Collection. 

In fact, the shakes are even stronger and more frequent than what we’re used to playing the same games but with a different controller. 

The thumb sticks are as good as ever. Like most of GameSir’s new releases, these are Hall Effect and now consume less power. They say it’s for a higher and more stable polling rate.

The triggers also have what’s called a Hair Trigger Mode, perfect for first-person shooter (FPS) titles. If these aren’t the games you’re playing, they can be easily switched to the default. 

We did have some minor issues with the trigger and shoulder buttons in Marvel’s Spider-Man as it didn’t seem to bite quite as effectively especially during swinging. It took a while to get used to, but that’s most likely because of the excellent adaptive trigger implementation on the PlayStation where the game was first launched. 

For Switch users, the built-in 6-axis gyroscope also supports motion control for even more intuitive gameplay. The Tarantula Pro’s NFC functionality also works seamlessly with the console.

GameSir Tarantula Pro: Multi-platform maven

The GameSir Tarantula Pro is another excellent addition to GameSir’s portfolio of controllers. Their lineup includes controllers for mobile, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox, and PC – and the Tarantula Pro combines all of that in an ultra-customizable package. 

GameSir also incorporated with it many of the tech that you’d want from a modern controller. These include Hall Effect sticks, intense HD Rumble, clever Hair Trigger, and the extremely cool mechanical face button layout change. 

And now that they’ve dabbled in a more PlayStation-like controller, hopefully they’re able to partner with the brand in the future for a “Pro” DualSense-like controller. 

Pricing and availability 

The GameSir Tarantula Pro retails for PhP 4,700/ USD 79.99/ GBP 55. That’s the version that comes with the acrylic charging stand. If you’re buying from the official website, use the code 10Tarantula at checkout for a discount. Discount code validity varies per country.