This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:26:08
In this video, the speaker provides an extensive review of the PowerA Fusion Pro Controller series, focusing on the significant improvements and remaining shortcomings of the Fusion Pro 3 model. The original Fusion Pro Controller, released in October 2019, and its successor, the Fusion Pro 2, were criticized for poorly designed rear paddles and other issues despite added features like USBC and a share button. The latest iteration, Fusion Pro 3, successfully replaces the cumbersome paddles with remappable rear buttons, enhancing comfort and functionality.
Throughout the review, the speaker praises the Fusion Pro 3's soft-touch rubberized faceplate, tactile d-pad, thumbstick caps, and anti-friction rings, though they note minor issues such as ineffective trigger stops, cheap-feeling plastic parts, and the glossy finish that easily attracts fingerprints. The controller’s polling rate is tested to show consistent performance with minimal input lag. Despite these improvements, the process of remapping buttons is described as cumbersome, and some components, like the bumpers and accessory buttons, feel less premium.
The controller is lightweight due to its wired-only nature and user-friendly design, making it easy to repair and customize. The Fusion Pro 3 is highlighted for offering substantial value at its $80 price point, backed by a two-year warranty. The video concludes with plans for future comparisons of wired Xbox Pro controllers and a tier list of PlayStation 5 controllers, encouraging viewer engagement and promoting upcoming content on the channel.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the speaker reviews the PowerA Fusion Pro Controller series. They start by criticizing the original Fusion Pro Controller released in October 2019 for its poorly designed rear paddles. Its successor, the Fusion Pro 2, though slightly improved with added features like USBC and a share button, still suffered from similar issues. The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller also faced the same problems.
However, PowerA has made a significant comeback with the Fusion 3, which replaces the four cumbersome paddles with four well-integrated rear buttons that can be remapped on the fly. Despite some shortcomings, such as ineffective trigger stops, cheap-feeling components, and being a wired-only controller, it is considered a much better gamepad, especially at its $80 price point with a two-year warranty.
The packaging is visually appealing, conforming to the trend of attractive but corny graphics on PowerA products. As it is a licensed product without Xbox wireless protocol, it remains a wired controller, a common scenario seen more on Xbox than PlayStation. The unboxing reveals the stylish carrying case and documentation enveloped in a graphic-rich design, streamlined into a single piece of documentation.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker reviews the documentation and build quality of a gaming controller. The instruction manual is praised for its clear English, good font size, color diagrams, and detailed explanations of the controller functions. Various stickers are included for customization. The controller is noted for being lightweight due to its wired nature, unlike its predecessor, which included unnecessary weights. The carrying case is sturdy, and the controller’s design closely resembles its predecessor, the PowerA Fusion Pro 2. The USB-C cable is highlighted for its lightweight and high-quality build, comparable to Razer’s cables. The thumbstick caps come in different shapes, with some unique designs. The overall appearance of the controller is minimalist and appealing, but it loses points for its glossy finish, which attracts fingerprints and scratches easily. The speaker rates the controller 7 out of 10.
00:06:00
In this segment, the reviewer evaluates the comfort and build quality of a new game controller. The reviewer highlights the controller’s improved comfort due to the redesigned rear buttons, replacing the previous model’s less comfortable paddle design. The controller’s soft-touch rubberized faceplate and grips are praised, along with the durable rear buttons and stippling on the back. While some plastic parts feel cheap, the overall build quality is deemed impressive, especially given the $80 price tag and two-year warranty. The d-pad and action buttons are noted for their tactile and smooth actuation. The reviewer awards high scores for comfort and satisfactory ratings for build quality and button performance.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the reviewer discusses the features and build quality of a gaming controller, specifically focusing on the d-pad, anti-friction rings, and the accessory button suite. They note that the controller buttons feel closer together than other models, resembling Xbox buttons in shape but slightly less rounded. The accessory buttons, including the Xbox button and the controls for the 3.5mm headphone jack, feel functional but appear cheap. The thumbsticks have a grippy surface with a ribbed design and include anti-friction rings for smoother movements. The reviewer demonstrates changing the thumbstick caps using a magnetized faceplate and comments that the Fusion Pro 3 does not come with an extra white faceplate like its predecessor. The compatibility with Control Freak caps is tested, highlighting that Xbox-specific caps fit perfectly while others do not.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the fit and performance of thumbstick caps on various gaming controllers. They recommend using a domestic thumbstick with a low-rise control freak cap for better height, grip, and shape. They mention using an exclusive discount code for a purchase. The speaker conducts a technical analysis using a Gamepad tester to highlight the precision and responsiveness of the thumbsticks, noting a perfect resting value and the lack of stick drift. However, there are inaccuracies at certain angles during movement, resulting in a 13% average error rating. Despite some areas needing improvement, they give the thumbsticks an 8 out of 10 score. The speaker also criticizes the bumpers on the controller for their design, feel, and even sound quality, mentioning they dislike the glossy finish and the slight angle of the bumpers that makes them uncomfortable.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the reviewer gives a harsh critique of the trigger stops on a new controller, rating them a two out of ten and describing them as mostly a marketing gimmick without practical use. They explain the different trigger stop settings (T3, T2, full pull, and half pull) and conclude that none significantly enhance gaming performance. However, they do appreciate the feel of the triggers and their etched design. After further testing, they note that the trigger stops actuate quicker than previous models but are still not the best on the market. The review then discusses the remapping process for the rear buttons, pointing out that while remapping is possible on the fly, the process is cumbersome and the instructions lack clarity. Rebinding requires the controller to be wired to a PC or Xbox and involves a series of steps that could be simplified.
00:18:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the button design of various gaming controllers, particularly focusing on the Razer Wolverine series, Thrustmaster e-swap X, and the PowerA Fusion series. They highlight that while owners of some controllers can adapt to different grips, compromises should not be necessary. The PowerA Fusion series, particularly the Fusion 1 and 2, had significant issues with their rear paddle design, including durability problems and ergonomic discomfort. The newer version has made substantial improvements, transitioning to a rear button design that is more comfortable and efficient, though still not perfect due to button placement being slightly too high for optimal use. Additionally, the polling rate or refresh rate of the controller is tested, revealing a consistent performance with a stock clock at 250 Hertz, resulting in minimal input lag around 3.9 milliseconds. Overall, the new rear button design receives an eight out of ten rating from the speaker, acknowledging some nitpicks but recognizing significant improvement.
00:21:00
In this segment of the video, the presenter discusses the overclocking of an Xbox-based wired controller and attempts to minimize the input lag. They note that while some third-party Xbox controllers can be overclocked, this particular controller maintains a 4-millisecond input lag even after overclocking. The video highlights that the latest version of the Fusion Pro Controller is lighter, no longer includes internal weights, and returns to its original MSRP of $80. The construction is user-friendly with Phillips head screws, making it easy to repair and customize. In terms of performance, the controller works excellently on both Xbox Series X/S and Windows 10/11.
00:24:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses their positive experience with an improved Xbox Pro controller that now features four rear buttons instead of paddles, enhancing comfort and performance. They mention planning a future comparison video of all wired Xbox Pro controllers and a comprehensive tier list of PlayStation 5 controllers. They encourage viewers to share their opinions in the comments and promote their channel, highlighting content on gaming news, tutorials, and product reviews. The video ends with a call to join the community on various social platforms and a note on upcoming live streams.