Well, as a seasoned gamer with decades under my belt, I must say that the PowerA FUSION Pro 4 controller has certainly caught my attention. The form and dual rumble motors with impulse triggers have definitely added an extra layer of immersion to my gaming sessions. However, I do share your sentiment about the lack of wireless connectivity; in this day and age, a controller priced around $70/£70 should at least offer that option.
In the bustling market of Xbox controllers, each competing for the leading position and showcasing unique features for gaming optimization, enters the PowerA FUSION Pro 4 Wired Controller, one of the most feature-rich options within its price bracket. I’ve been given the opportunity to examine this device and determine if its offerings truly elevate my gaming abilities.
I’ve had experience with PowerA products before – I’ve reviewed the affordable Advantage with Lumectra and the high-end FUSION Pro Wireless. Now, having tested the mid-range FUSION Pro 4, I complete my review set, ready to evaluate if it can hold its ground against its counterparts.
Design
The FUSION Pro 4 maintains a familiar design with its predecessor, the FUSION Pro 3, by having a comparable layout, color palette, and retaining essential functions. Yet, it stands out through some substantial performance enhancements.
Similar to the FUSION Pro 3, it showcases three-way trigger locks, four adjustable back buttons, and rubber grips that span from the rear to the front. However, its standout feature is the rotatable thumbsticks, equipped with contactless magnetic sensors for smoother movement and longevity. These thumbsticks can be individually adjusted to three different heights, providing a personalized feel that proved particularly beneficial when fine-tuning my setup for XDefiant.
The ability to tweak these thumbsticks on the fly is a welcome convenience, but it did raise concerns about long-term accuracy. Precision is vital in competitive games, so I wanted to put this to the test. I will touch on the results in the performance section.
Regarding the independent trigger locks, similar to thumbsticks, they have an adjustable setting that proved useful in first-person shooter games. By adjusting the trigger bumper to its minimal distance, I was able to reduce my response time slightly. However, a recurring problem from the FUSION Pro Wireless remains: the switches used to control trigger stops are exposed and can be accidentally triggered during gameplay, altering the trigger height without notice. A switch with more protection, like the vertical toggle on the DualSense Edge, would significantly improve reliability in intense gaming situations.
Regarding the four control buttons located at the back of the device, I appreciate their convenience for swift in-game action usage. However, I found them being quite close to each other, which leads to unintentional presses more frequently. This issue is exacerbated since they are buttons instead of paddles. Similar concerns were expressed about the FUSION Pro Wireless, and I suggested replacing them with back paddles. Considering the FUSION Pro 4’s budget-friendly price range, a feasible improvement might be to slightly widen the space between these buttons to minimize unintended clicks.
If you’ve perused my FUSION Pro Wireless review, you might find some resemblances in this one. Yet, this isn’t a critique of the FUSION Pro 4; quite the opposite. In fact, I’m struck by how well it holds up against its costlier sibling, given the approximately $80/$80 difference in price between the two. Instead, let’s focus on the comparisons, rather than discussing the other model we’re not focusing on here. Let’s proceed.
Performance
Assessing the effectiveness of a controller can be challenging due to the numerous factors that come into play across various games. It’s hard to definitively claim whether taller stick heights, shorter triggers, or additional back buttons significantly enhance your gaming experience. However, I made an effort to provide a fair evaluation, using the FUSION Pro 4 in a diverse range of games: action-shooter game XDefiant, sports game EA Sports FC, and racing game Forza Horizon 5. This selection covers first-person shooter (FPS), sports, and racing genres.
The twistable thumbsticks were the feature I was most curious about. I’ve used thumbstick attachments in the past, but never really felt they made much difference. However, with the FUSION Pro 4’s thumbsticks set to their highest position, I did notice a change. Dribbling felt more precise, minor turning adjustments felt easier, and aiming in XDefiant was smoother than usual. Specifically, for XDefiant, I found my ideal setup was the movement stick at its shortest, the aiming stick extended to its longest, the trigger bumper at its shortest, and the aim-down-sight bumper adjusted to mid-range (since the shortest setting didn’t always register correctly, requiring some tweaking to make it work).
To provide more evidence, I ran a test using specific controller software. Indeed, when the thumbsticks were set at their maximum height, movements became smoother and more accurate compared to lower settings. However, the software unveiled a small issue of stick drift upon adjusting the heights and regular use. Although readjusting the sticks helped, it suggested that this problem might worsen with time, especially when changing height settings frequently. Nevertheless, I’m not too worried since stick drift is common in many controllers. You can expect reliable precision for quite a while before it becomes an issue, at which point you could consider upgrading to the FUSION Pro 5, offering a great reason for an upgrade.
Regarding the additional functionalities of the controller, they appeared to perform as expected. The dial on the headset was useful for volume control and muting the microphone, the 3.5mm audio jack functioned smoothly, and the dual rumble motors with impulse triggers enhanced the gaming experience. However, my main concern is that it’s not wireless. Although PowerA offers appealing features to compensate, I believe a controller at this price point ($70/£70) should have a wireless option available. Yet, I understand that this might not be an issue for every gamer.
Software
For PC gamers, the FUSION Pro 4 integrates seamlessly with PowerA’s Gamer HQ software, giving users access to a range of customization options, including button remapping, deadzone adjustments, and tweaking audio and vibration settings. There’s no Lumectra lighting to adjust here, although I didn’t miss it, as RGB lighting is more of a cosmetic bonus than a necessity.
In previous PowerA reviews, I’ve highlighted that the Test/Calibrate function is incredibly useful. It not only helps verify the controller’s proper functioning but also introduces lesser-known shortcuts. For example, holding RT or LT along with pressing A activates the vibration motors on either side of the controller. Moreover, it allows you to adjust the deadzone for each stick, a feature I may have missed without this handy tool. However, this section also exposed the minor stick drift issue I’ve previously mentioned, making it impossible to conceal the problem.
What do you think of this PowerA controller? Let us know in the comments.
One potential issue is that there’s no feature to maintain multiple user profiles. Instead, users must manually adjust settings for each game they play, which isn’t necessarily a problem but can be slightly inconvenient. While this functionality might not be crucial for enhancing gameplay, having the option to save and switch between profiles would certainly streamline the process, making it less time-consuming.
All in all, PowerA’s Gamer HQ software performs admirably. It operates seamlessly and offers valuable assistance when connecting the controller to a gaming PC or laptop. The additional feature is a thoughtful touch that enhances the overall enjoyment of the FUSION Pro 4.
Verdict
Unlike the FUSION Pro Wireless, which I found hard to give a high rating due to its expensive price tag, the FUSION Pro 4 doesn’t share this problem. Priced merely $10/£10 above a standard Xbox controller, it boasts numerous extra features, including three-way trigger locks, adjustable thumbsticks, rubberized grips, Hall Effect sensors, and four rear buttons – all at a budget-friendly price range.
To put it simply, while there are some advantages to this device, I’ve encountered a few drawbacks. For one, the back buttons are a bit too snug for my preference, and there seems to be an issue with potential stick drift. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer wireless connectivity, which is a downside. Furthermore, compared to its predecessor, the FUSION Pro 3, some features have been taken away, which feels like a step back. For instance, the detachable faceplate is missing, and there’s no carry case included. The FUSION Pro 3 also had four swappable thumbsticks, which are now replaced by twistable ones. Whether this change is an improvement is debatable; while twistable thumbsticks can be adjusted on the fly, swappable ones make repairs easier if something breaks.
Despite these minor gripes, I still believe this controller offers solid value for money. It’s not perfect, but it’s certainly a strong contender for PC and Xbox gamers looking to step up their game to a controller that can provide a more competitive edge.
Where to buy the controller *
- PowerA – $69.99
- Amazon – $69.99 / £65.10
* prices are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change
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2024-09-26 18:12