Turtle Beach Nintendo Switch Controller Review: The Accessory That Goes The Extra Mile

I recently got a chance to try out Nintendo Switch controllers from Turtle Beach. For any gamer, the controller is an essential part of the setup. A great controller can enhance the gaming session’s experience with a comfortable grip and long battery life. However, a controller plays a different role as well. When the game system is off, the controller becomes a visual piece of the room that showcases your unique personality. While a standard controller is great, getting something with a little more pop can make all the difference. This is where the Nintendo Switch controllers from Turtle Beach shine.

Turtle Beach Nintendo Switch Controllers: The Gaming Experience

I had the pleasure of testing out four controllers from Turtle Beach:

• PDP Afterglow Wave (I had the black one)
• PDP REALMz Wireless Controller: Shadow Space Colony Ark
• PDP REALMz Wireless Controller: Minecraft Forest Biome
• PDP Rematch Glow Wireless Controller: Boo

I have to start with the gaming experience because even if a controller is painted like the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, it doesn’t matter if it sucks while you are gaming. I’ve always had difficulty with controllers in terms of comfort. I have small hands with short, stubby fingers, leaving me with hand cramps for days. I did not have this problem with the Turtle Creek controllers. After multiple long gaming sessions over the last few weeks, my hands have been very happy.

You might be thinking, “But I don’t have small hands with short, stubby fingers! Is this controller good for me?” Not to worry. I had people who were my exact physical opposite test the controller out for me, and they reported similar results. The Turtle Beach Nintendo Switch controllers have a great natural feel that is on par with any controller I’ve used.

Battery Life

There is nothing more frustrating than having a wireless controller that you have to constantly charge. It’s part of the territory with wireless controllers, but gamers still want long battery life. On their website, Turtle Beach claims that three out of the four controllers we tested had up to 40 hours of battery life. The other controller, the PDP Afterglow Wave, advertises a battery life of up to 20 hours. I’m happy to report these numbers are spot on.

My personal gaming sessions last a few hours at a time. I went a whole week of gaming before having to plug in the PDP Afterglow Wave. If you’re a streamer who plays 10+ hours a day, you might have to do an every-other-day routine, but I was very satisfied with the battery life. I was even more blown away by the other three. When Turtle Beach says “up to 40 hours,” they mean it. It was very nice not to be constantly worrying about my battery life when I sat down to play.

Other Nuts And Bolts Thoughts

A few other random thoughts about the more nuts and bolts side of the review. The connection between the controller and console was always consistent. I never had any issues with the controller losing connection, even after I moved to different places in the room. In certain games, I used the built-in motion controls, which were very nice and enhanced my gaming experience.

The button response time was on par with other controllers I use. I’ll admit that I tend to gravitate toward strategy-based games, as my reflexes are not the greatest. However, I did play games that required more precise button mashing, and my results were the same as always (I learned it’s not the controller’s fault, it’s mine).

Here’s the bottom line. The Turtle Beach Nintendo Switch controllers are excellent in terms of the gaming experience. However, there are hundreds of brands of controllers that can likely offer similar things. You might be reading this thinking, “Cool. My controller is comfortable, has great battery life, and meets all my needs.” This is where Turtle Beach goes the extra mile and sets them apart from the competition.

Going The Extra Mile

I am a big believer in going the extra mile for consumers. The smallest detail can have a huge impact. This is especially true for many gamers. Subtle nods in merchandise can be the difference between buying and not buying. I’ve spent more time telling people in my life about the design of the Turtle Beach controllers than anything else. Let’s start with the most basic one.

PDP Afterglow Wave

Not everyone wants a controller with characters and fun colors. Totally get it. However, this controller still has a gorgeous, sleek design, but the designers added something a little extra. The glowing zones are very cool, especially in a dark room. It isn’t to the point where it is distracting while gaming, but it adds a little pizzazz to the session. I feel like I’m in the movie Tron while playing.

PDP REALMz Wireless Controller: Shadow Space Colony Ark

I love trinkets. One of my favorite things to do is go to thrift stores and find little action figures to add to my shelves or desk at work. This is one of the many controllers Turtle Beach offers that scratches my collector itch. Each controller comes with a collectible figurine embedded within. You aren’t throwing this accessory in a drawer when you are done gaming; you are proudly displaying it for all to see. I made sure this controller had its own perch rather than simply setting it down anywhere. The sleek design perfectly encapsulates the personality of Shadow. 

This is maybe a weird way to look at this, but it’s something that I think about. Two decades from now, the Nintendo Switch will be obsolete. We will have new gaming consoles and ways to game. This controller doesn’t become a forgotten relic of the past. It now becomes a piece I can display among my many trinkets. Long-term value is something I always look for, and this controller has it.

PDP REALMz Wireless Controller: Minecraft Forest Biome

This controller is the same as the one discussed above, but with a Minecraft overlay. Once again, the collectible figure in the controller is a great touch. For the blind bag fans in your life, there is a 1 in 6 chance of a unique mob design, adding to the fun of unboxing this controller. Once again, this was an accessory my friends were wowed with when they stopped by.

PDP Rematch Glow Wireless Controller: Boo

I saved the best for last. This is hands down my favorite design from Turtle Beach. No, I’m not a massive Boo fan but the care that Turtle Beach took with this design shows they have people who know gaming involved in decision making. When the lights shine bright, Boo hides his face but when the lights go out, this controller glows in the dark with tons of Boos all over.

This is a great nod to how the character works in the Super Mario franchise. They didn’t have to do this. They could have simply put a generic image of Boo on the front and made it glow in the dark. This subtle nod makes all the difference to me as a gamer. This now becomes a controller that I want to show off to my friends. Every gamer friend I’ve shown this to is immediately impressed.

Final Thoughts

With the Turtle Beach Nintendo Switch controllers, you aren’t just getting a quality controller. You are getting an accessory you can be proud of as a gamer. They also have many other designs that look very cool (looking at you, Bowser). I’m a cheap person. I’ve worn the same t-shirts for the last decade and buy the bargain brand every chance I get. I don’t need to get the slightly more expensive brand because it doesn’t provide me with anything more.

I would spend the money to buy this controller. I appreciate when companies make a product that goes the extra mile. Could I get by with my generic controller? Yes. But I am willing to pay for a product that gives me something that I am proud to show off to my friends. Turtle Beach changed how I think about what controllers to buy, and I’ll be looking to them again in the future for my gaming accessory needs.