I never thought a $49 gamepad would top the Switch 2 Pro Controller — and now that I’ve tried this GameSir pad, I won’t be going back

GameSir is well-known for making some of the best game controllers, and the GameSir Super Nova is no different.

Compatible with PC, smartphones and the Nintendo Switch lineup, the Super Nova is a formidable and versatile wireless controller. Utilizing Hall Effect sensors in its triggers and thumbsticks, this gamepad is highly responsive and can give you a competitive edge.

Although its back buttons are placed slightly awkwardly, they’re nice to have. The Super Nova features great rumble and comes with a user-friendly companion app. A charging dock is also included, so you can display the controller with pride.

To find out if this is the right controller for you, read my full GameSir Super Nova review.

GameSir Super Nova review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A wireless controller with Hall Effect triggers and thumbsticks
• Who is it for? Anyone who wants a customizable gamepad that’s affordable
• How much does it cost? Not a lot! The GameSir Super Nova is available for $49 / £49
• What do we like? The responsive Hall Effect triggers and thumbsticks, the included charging dock, ergonomic design, and competitive price
• What don’t we like? The awkwardly placed back buttons and middling battery life

GameSir Super Nova review: Specs

GameSir Super Nova review: The ups

The GameSir Super Nova is ergonomic and comfortable to use for long periods of time, and its Hall Effect triggers and thumbsticks work extremely well.

Ergonomic and comfortable

A controller is no good if it’s a pain to hold. GameSir controllers have rarely disappointed me with their design, and the GameSir Super Nova is no different. This controller bears a striking resemblance to the first-party Xbox Wireless Controller, sporting chunky grips and an asymmetrical ABXY layout. It’s also got offset thumbsticks, which I’ve always preferred over the symmetrical ones on the PlayStation DualSense or DualSense Edge, as they feel more ergonomic.

Measuring 6.14 x 4.17 x 2.32 inches and weighing 0.58 pounds, it’s much lighter than the GameSir Cyclone 2 ($49) but heavier than the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($84) — but I like that it’s heavier and feels substantial in my hands.

The Super Nova’s grips have a textured surface that helps provide a sturdier grip and keeps the controller from slipping from your hands. It’s comfortable to hold for long periods of time, and I experienced zero discomfort after a six-hour-long gaming session.

Interchangeable face plates

The GameSir Super Nova is available in two colors: Nightfall Blue and Whipped Pink. I tested the former, and I love the gradient design. The thin strip of RGB lighting is a nice touch, too. What’s even better is that you can change the Super Nova’s face plate. As it’s magnetic, so you can pop it out easily and swap another one in. There are nine colors to choose from and each costs $9 from GameSir.

Great rumble

I love a controller that vibrates, and the PlayStation DualSense’s haptic feedback remains unmatched in my eyes. That’s proprietary technology, of course. The good news is that the GameSir Super Nova features vibrations and rumble, thanks to dual asymmetric motors.

The rumble’s intensity can be customized via the companion software (more on that soon), but I kept it turned up to 100% since I loved feeling the Super Nova shake in my hands as I jumped and performed tricks mid-air in Mario Kart World, or when Shadow twisted and turned as he ground on rails in Sonic x Shadow Generations.

Responsive Hall Effect sensors

Hall Effect sensors are all the rage in the computing and gaming worlds today. Compared to analog thumbsticks and triggers, Hall Effect ones feel better, are more responsive, and last longer, negating the possibility of developing stick drift over time. Similar to many other controllers the brand has produced, the GameSir Super Nova features magnetic triggers and thumbsticks, enabling you to fine-tune your movements and giving you a competitive edge even in casual gaming.

The Super Nova is compatible with an array of devices, including Android and iOS smartphones, PC, Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch. I tested the controller by playing games on both the Switch 2 and PC, and the Super Nova didn’t let me down regardless of the game I played.

Let’s start with the Switch 2 first. Over Bluetooth, I didn’t notice any input lag or latency issues as the controller instantly registered all my commands. In Mario Kart World, I could precisely change my kart’s direction, even down to it being barely noticeable, which showcased the Super Nova’s Hall Effect sticks’ prowess. Turning tight corners is a walk in the park, too, as is swerving either left or right to overtake opponents after I’d gain a boost from the slipstream.

In Sonic x Shadow Generations, button mashing isn’t a problem as the Super Nova registers every single command, regardless of how quickly I press the face buttons to attack bosses. You can also enable Hair Trigger so that LT and RT have shorter travel distances and turn into clicky presses. RT is used to activate Chaos Control to slow down time in Shadow’s levels, so I enabled Hair Trigger so that I didn’t need to press the trigger all the way down, giving me an advantage.

I then played Rise of the Tomb Raider on a Windows 11 laptop. I appreciated the Super Nova’s customizable back buttons here. I assigned the left back button to jump and the right back button to sprint. Having the latter meant I didn’t need to keep the left thumbstick pressed down, which relieved some pressure from my thumb.

User-friendly companion software

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GameSir Connect for Windows is your one-stop shop for customizing most GameSir controllers, including the Super Nova. The software sports a clean interface with adequate signposting.

It’s easy to use to customize the triggers’ and sticks’ dead zones, remap buttons, adjust rumble intensity and RGB lighting, and more. Furthermore, you can assign multiple actions to one button, and even enable motion controls, which can be fun to use in Mario Kart World.

Charging dock included

When a controller looks good, I want to display it, but not all gamepads come with charging docks that let you stand it upright. The GameSir Super Nova does, though. It’s not too big or too heavy and doesn’t take up much space on your TV stand or gaming desk. The dock’s bottom is covered in rubber, which makes it stay in place on most surfaces, such as glass, plastic and wood.

USB-C and USB-A ports are located around the back to power the dock. I also love that the dock features a strip of RGB lighting, which aligns with the Super Nova. Neat!

Competitively priced

The GameSir Super Nova is a feature-packed controller, and it doesn’t cost nearly as much as one might think. It retails for just $49 / £49, and you can grab it for close to $40 during the holiday season. Considering that you’re getting Hall Effect triggers and thumbsticks as well as customizable back buttons, that really isn’t a lot.

The Super Nova is priced similarly to the GameSir Cyclone 2 ($49), which features TMR sticks and triggers, but I prefer the Super Nova as it doesn’t have a mushy D-pad and its battery life is (slightly) better than the Cyclone 2. It’s also cheaper than the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless ($59) and the first-party Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($84), which don’t feature Hall Effect or TMR. It’s also a better option when compared to the Turtle Beach Afterglow Wave ($49), a wired-only controller with analog thumbsticks.

GameSir Super Nova review: The downs

While the GameSir Super Nova has a lot going for it, it has some issues. This includes a short battery life and awkwardly placed back buttons.

Middling battery life

The GameSir Super Nova has a battery life of 15 hours, according to the manufacturer. Now, on paper, this sounds great, but it isn’t what I experienced in my testing. On a single charge, with RGB lighting set to the default out-of-the-box setting, the Super Nova lasted approximately six hours between charges.

GameSir’s controllers are known to have short battery life, with the GameSir G8 Plus ($99) lasting just seven hours in my testing, and the GameSir Cyclone 2 dying after five hours.

Well, if you’re using the Super Nova with your Nintendo Switch 2, you won’t be as disappointed, considering the console’s battery lasts significantly less in handheld mode. There’s also no way of telling the battery percentage — you need to rely on the RGB lighting, which turns red once the battery is at 15% or lower. The Switch 2 doesn’t show it either.

If you want more juice and don’t mind sacrificing Hall Effect sticks and triggers, I’d recommend the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless with its 40-hour battery life.

Awkwardly placed back buttons

The more controllers I test, the more I appreciate customizable back buttons, as they can alleviate stress from your fingers and even make games more immersive. The GameSir Super Nova features two rear buttons that can be customized either via the companion app or the M button, but I’m not particularly fond of how they feel.

They sit towards the inside of the grips, which means I have to curl my middle fingers to press them. They aren’t very damped either and don’t give great tactile feedback when pressed, making them difficult to reach.

So yes, it’s fantastic having back buttons to use in racing or shooting games, but I wish they felt better to use on the Super Nova. I much prefer how the paddles feel on the GameSir Cyclone 2 instead.

GameSir Super Nova review: Verdict

If you want a Hall Effect controller but don’t want to break the bank, the GameSir Super Nova should be on your radar. It’s the cheapest way of getting magnetic sensors and gaining a competitive edge in most games. The controller is comfortable to use for long periods of time, and it features dual back buttons and powerful rumble for an immersive gaming experience.

Accompanied by a user-friendly app, the Super Nova is easy to customize, and you can remap the back buttons on the fly, too. Also, you get a charging dock in the box so you can display the controller on your TV stand while charging it.

While its battery life is disappointing and the back buttons are awkwardly placed, I believe the Super Nova’s pros easily outweigh the cons — especially because the controller costs just $49!