As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I must say that the PB Tails Crush Defender has been a game-changer for me! This metal marvel has turned my gaming sessions into an exhilarating experience, making me feel like a pro even in casual point-and-click games.
Recently, mechanical keyboards are witnessing an exciting revival in unique designs and remarkable functionality. Yet, less attention is given to controllers, but they too are seeing similar advancements. That’s definitely true for the PB Tails Crush Defender controller, which stands out as something extraordinary. Crafted entirely from metal, its design boasts a battle-scarred aesthetic that sets it apart.
Over the past fortnight, I’ve been privileged to lay my hands on one of these game controllers, delving into its aesthetics and putting it through its paces to determine if the premium price is justified. And let me tell you, if you’re seeking a gaming accessory that doubles as an art piece, this could be your next gaming investment.
What’s in the Box
- PB Tails Metal Crush Defender Controller
- Hard-shelled carrying case
- USB-C cable
- Alternative thumbsticks
- 2.4GHz USB-A wireless dongle
Upon opening the Crush Defender for the first time, we were left astounded by its exquisite packaging and luxurious texture. Although it’s not essential, the sturdy hard-case cover adds a thoughtful touch to such a detailed controller. It’s worth taking special care of, almost as if caring for a precious item. However, given that it’s entirely metal, it’s quite heavy when you first pick it up, which might be surprising if you’re accustomed to lightweight first-party console controllers.
Once I took it out of its packaging, I spent a few moments examining it before connecting it to a gaming console to dive into some fun games. Setting up both the Nintendo Switch and PC versions was effortless with no complex key combinations needed. All that was required was to switch it on and hold down the pairing button at the backside to enter pairing mode.
PB Tails Crush Defender: Design & Comfort
The design is obviously one of the things that stands out most about this controller, and for a good reason: it is absolutely gorgeous. While from pictures, the battle-damaged design can look a bit gimmicky in person, when you feel the metal and look at the design, it all comes together to make this amazing-looking controller. While it is not officially branded with the Fallout series, that is the first thing that comes to mind when looking at this controller. The label of being handmade is sometimes lost in this day and age, but it makes its presence known with this controller; it feels like a collector’s piece.
From the rusty paint job to the texture of the buttons and the chrome finish that still sits on top of the joysticks, you can tell love was put into this controller while it was being made. There are even gouges in the case that are incredibly satisfying to rub your fingers over while playing games or just passively holding the controller in your hand. With the right games, the texture and feeling of this controller make them feel so much more immersive. Users might be tempted to ask PB Tails to make a flight stick version of this, but then they also may never stop playing Elite Dangerous if that happens.
Controllers generally won’t be perfectly comfortable due to their design, but as long as they don’t cause discomfort during use, we consider them satisfactory. This specific controller is easy and pleasant to grip for prolonged gaming sessions without causing strain or wrist pain. Its shape bears a resemblance to the Xbox One controller, so if you’ve used one before, you should find this one familiar in your hands immediately.
For individuals with larger hand sizes, the controller might seem compact or congested occasionally, while it generally offers ample space for most users to comfortably spread their fingers and grasp the controller in a way that suits them best.
PB Tails Crush Defender: Connectivity & Performance
Although this controller may not support Xbox and PlayStation systems, it can be used on a variety of other platforms that aren’t typically found in premium controllers, such as Windows, SteamOS, and Switch. Remarkably, the Crush Defender functions seamlessly across all these platforms, allowing users to connect via Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, or even wired connections.
While Bluetooth is a no-go for most gamers looking for the best latency performance on PC, we had no issues with the Bluetooth connection causing noticeable lag on the inputs. Of course, this can vary from computer to computer, depending on which Bluetooth version your PC supports, but most gamers should feel confident using this controller with any of the three connection options for PC gaming.
In terms of raw gaming performance, the real thrill lies in the advanced features of this controller. Unlike traditional Hall Effect joysticks, which are like steroid-enhanced versions, these TMR joysticks offer an unprecedented level of precision. The Charge Defender is the first pre-built controller to incorporate TMR joysticks, and they’re capable of a polling rate that ranges from 1,000 Hz to 2,000 Hz, significantly outperforming the standard 500 Hz polling rate of Hall Effect controllers. This performance boost was often a point of contention when comparing controllers with mouse and keyboard setups. However, with the Charge Defender, this controller now boasts the same high polling rate as many top-tier gaming mice.
Additionally, TMR joysticks provide a significantly higher degree of sensitivity compared to Hall Effect joysticks. This translates to greater control and precision when using this device. Fine movements typically associated with mouse use become effortless with these joysticks. In first-person shooters, racing games, or even casual point-and-click games, I found the controller’s responsiveness more than sufficient, rarely leaving me desiring for higher precision levels.
In-game, this controller makes users feel like their skills have suddenly increased in performance compared to their typical daily driver controller. As someone who tends to prefer a mouse and keyboard for most games, over the last few weeks of testing, this controller kept ending up in my hands regardless of the game being played. Even in games like Helldivers II, where having more buttons is a huge advantage, the Crush Defender was an excellent companion for slaying bugs and bots alike.
As a passionate gamer, I can tell you firsthand that TMR joysticks are power sipping champions compared to Hall Effect and traditional joysticks. Pitted against its Hall Effect counterpart, the TMR joystick consumes an astonishing 98% less energy, which translates into an incredibly prolonged battery life. This is a game-changer when you consider the impressive performance this controller delivers. Over a two-week testing period, even with ample playtime, I never needed to recharge the Crush Defender once.
Is The PB Tails Crush Defender Right For You?
Among this year’s releases, the PB Tails Metal Crush Defender stands out as one of the top-performing controllers. Its exceptional functionality is just one aspect that makes it hard to find flaws; the controller is constructed entirely from metal and boasts a stunning design. While its battle-scarred aesthetic might not appeal to everyone, PB Tails provides an alternative all-chrome design. However, this version doesn’t include the impressive TMR joysticks found in the original model.
If you’re seeking a controller that boasts both a unique, collectible aesthetic and top-tier performance in the gaming world, the Crush Defender is currently one of the best options available. At present, it’s the only pre-built controller on the market equipped with TMR joysticks. While you can purchase these joysticks separately and modify a controller to use them, achieving the level of precision and integration that PB Tails has managed with the Crush Defender requires some degree of skill and dexterity.
Conversely, a gaming controller priced at $110 may seem quite costly to many players. Though it delivers exceptional performance and boasts an aesthetically pleasing design, it could be considered excessive if you don’t require that additional performance level.
Related Products
If you aren’t convinced by the PB Tails Metal Crush Defender, you might be better off with one of these excellent options:
| Easier To Find Alternative | Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Wireless | Check It Out Here! |
| More Affordable With Similar Performance | PB Tails Metal Ghost Crush | Check It Out Here! |
| Modular Alternative | PDP Victrix Pro | Check It Out Here! |
FAQ
Q: Are Hall Effect joysticks less accurate?
A significant benefit of Hall Effect joysticks lies in their precision, setting them apart from traditional mechanical ones that might degrade with use and lose their accuracy. In contrast, a Hall Effect joystick consistently returns to its initial point upon release, ensuring continued precision over time.
Q: Will there be more options for the Crush Controller’s MagCase?
On their official site, PB Tails frequently refreshes the variety of MagCases it offers, even including exclusive, limited-time designs. To stay informed about these updates, consider following them on Instagram, Twitter, Discord, or by signing up for their email newsletters.
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2024-08-31 01:04