Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio Wired Controller Review – A Reliable Alternative

Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio Wired Controller Review

Shopping for Nintendo Switch controllers can get pretty expensive. A proper Pro controller still costs as much as a brand new game. That’s a tough choice to make, especially on a limited budget. Thankfully, companies like PDP have some more budget-friendly alternatives. The new Faceoff Deluxe has the look and feel of a Switch Pro controller, but at less than half the cost. There are some caveats of course, but the savings have to come from somewhere.

Since this is a wired controller, features like rumble and gyroscopic controls are out. On the other hand, you’ve got no battery life issues to contend with. Also, the cord is ten feet long! If you can’t sit comfortably on your couch while playing, you should think about re-arranging your living room. One unexpected downside I’ve noticed with wired pads is that you can’t use them to turn on your Switch. So you’ll sit on the couch to play, but then you have to get up again first. It’s a tiny pain in the butt, though not a deal-breaker by any means.

Comfort Means A 10-Foot Cord

Once you’re using the controller, it feels great. The D-pad responds well, the sticks feel smooth, and the buttons all click quite nicely. I switched from the official Nintendo pad to this one frequently. You know, to keep cognizant of the differences. Doing so helped me appreciate how good the Faceoff Deluxe+ feels in the moment. It’s not quite as seamless as the Pro, but it comes pretty close. That 10-foot cord also offers excellent range of motion, something you never consider with wireless pads. I’m not as enamored with certain features, however.

Like the Rock Candy line of controllers, the Faceoff Deluxe line has the top four face buttons in a different configuration. I thought I was imagining things at first. I even set it beside a regular Pro controller to make doubly sure. For whatever reason, the +/home buttons are switched, as well as the -/screenshot buttons. It takes some getting used to, but you eventually get there. I can’t say for sure whether this new setup is better or worse. If nothing else, I like it better than the customizable inputs on the back.

I remember complaining about these extraneous inputs on other models. PowerA does this too, and it’s just as baffling. But at least those buttons are something you can reach with your fingers. PDP has added a set of paddles on the Faceoff Deluxe+ that caused me instant discomfort. You can reach them, but doing so in a timely manner means pain and suffering. I don’t abide by extra inputs in general. The controller design was great already! I had no notes! These particular inputs feel extra unpleasant, somehow.

Buttons Perfect For… Something

As the name implies, the Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio has a few tricks up its sleeve. You can swap out the faceplate for anything else in the Faceoff mod line, whenever they’re in stock. It’s an easy process to swap one for another. You don’t even need tools! Like any good wired controller, this one has a headphone jack installed. The audio quality is dang decent, depending on what headphones you’re using. Also, a headphone jack opens you up to proper in-game voice chat. Playing online means using Nintendo’s netcode, but it’s nice to have the option available.

Third-party controllers aren’t for everyone. Neither are wired controllers or budget models. The Faceoff Deluxe+ is all three, yet I still recommend it. If you’re someone who prefers feel over features (like me), this pad has all you need. This is a solid, super dependable rig for all my Switch gaming needs. I’ve no use for the awkward extra inputs, and I don’t love some of the button placements. Even so, I’ve got no problem adding this to my regular controller rotation. For a cost-effective, comfortable Switch controller, check out PDP’s Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio model.

***A retail copy of the product was provided by the manufacturer***