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(NOTE: Review unit provided by Machenike for testing and evaluation.)
I’ve been encountering a few mid-budget entries in the Pro Controller category over the past few months, such as the MOJHON Aether Controller. There is a stigma surrounding mid-budget controllers, as they are often perceived to be of lower quality than their premium counterparts. Nevertheless, Machenike’s latest entry, the G3 V2, may provide a counterpoint to that perspective.
Let’s see how this controller fares and if its quality surpasses its budget-friendly price.
What’s in the box:
- G3 V2 Controller
- Charging Dock
- 2.4g Dongle
- USB Charging Cable
- User Manual
Mid-Budget Wonder
The Machenike G3 V2 is one of their newer controllers. Its eye-catching semi-transparent design, which ranges from black to transparent, gives it a unique look. The familiar Xbox layout will make it feel familiar to many gamers, making it comfortable for longer gaming sessions.
For its base price of $35.99 at Amazon, the G3 V2 has many features and extras that you tend to see on Premium devices. It includes a charging stand with a far superior design over its premium brother, the G5 Pro V2. The G3 V2 fits perfectly on its dock, keeping the contact for uninterrupted charging.
The G3 V2 features Hall effect joysticks and triggers, which help avoid stick drift in the long run. Thus, this controller can be used for an extended period of time without problems.
Now, this controller features membrane ABXY buttons and a D-Pad, but instead of feeling mushy, they feel rather clicky, like mechanical buttons. This may be a drawback to some, but it dramatically helps in combos at Mortal Kombat 1 and other fighting games.
Talking of buttns, here is the layout:
- ABXY Buttons
- Home Button
- Start (+) Button
- Back (-) Button
- Left and Right Joystick Buttons
- Left and Right Bumper Buttons
- Left and Right Triggers
- D-Pad
- M1 and M2 Back Buttons
- Turbo Button
- Function Button
You can also use the KeyLinker App to map the buttons and create macros.
The G3 V2 controller has superb connectivity with a 1000Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4g wireless connections. The numbers are ass follows:
The G3 V2 had a 1000Hz maximum polling rate for wireless connection, with an average of 941.62Hz for a 94.16% stability rate.
Now, we have a 1000Hz polling rate in a wired connection, with an average of 954.20Hz for a 95.42% stability rate. Both wired and wireless numbers are very close.
I did enjoy this controller overall for different types of games. It is suitable for fighting, first-person shooters, and racing games. You can set the triggers using the KeyLinker App in full analog or hair-trigger modes, thus making this a versatile controller.
Connectivity
You can connect this controller to various devices:
- PC/Mobile
- Steam Deck
- Nintendo Switch
- Android Devices
Drawbacks
The G3 V2 is a solid controller, but it still has some drawbacks. The first one is that it only features two back buttons, which may be a downside for many players who prefer four extra buttons. Still, you can create macros for these buttons, which makes it a handy feature for only two back buttons.
Another thing is that even if the controller looks very cool with its semi-transparent design, the device is a fingerprint magnet. You will be cleaning this controller a lot.
Conclusion
The Machenike G3 V2 controller is a solid controller with many features found in more premium devices. It may not be a controller aimed at competition-grade levels, but it’s excellent for casual gaming sessions.
With its fine features, solid extras, and excellent polling rate, this controller will allow you to enjoy playing many genre games.
The Machenike G3 V2 is available at Amazon.
Disclaimer: I’m an Amazon Associate, which means I earn a commission when you click some of these links and make a purchase.
Machenike G3 V2 Controller
