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GameSir Tarantula Pro review: one of our favorite brands goes symmetrical – and it’s rad

2:50 pm | November 5, 2024

GameSir Tarantula Pro: one-minute review

The GameSir Tarantula Pro is yet another winner from one of our favorite third-party gamepad brands. After seriously impressing us with the GameSir Kaleid, GameSir Nova, and the GameSir X2S Type-C mobile controller, it has now followed up with something a bit different.

The GameSir Tarantula Pro features a symmetrical thumbstick layout much like the PS5’s DualSense. However, this controller is compatible with PC, Nintendo Switch, and iOS and Android devices. Not only does that make it one of the very few Nintendo Switch controllers with symmetrical sticks, but it’s also perfect for gamers who prefer that layout on PC and mobile.

Otherwise, the Tarantula Pro is packed to the gills with desirable controller features, including drift-resisting TMR (that’s short for tunnel magnetoresistance, for those curious) sticks, trigger stops, nine (yes, nine!) remappable buttons, and even near field communication (NFC) scanning for amiibo figures on Nintendo Switch. You’re also getting excellent build quality here, as well as an impressively compact design that’s shorter than the average asymmetrical Xbox-style gamepad.

Perhaps the controller’s coolest feature, though, has to be its quick switching for button layouts. With a quick touch of the multifunction button on the rear of the pad, you can swap between Xbox and Switch face button layouts. These buttons are LED-powered too, and leads to a very stylish controller aesthetic in tandem with the small strip of RGB lighting underneath the central remappable button. All this lighting is fully customizable, too, letting you add a personal touch to the controller which is always welcome.

There’s a lot you can do with the GameSir Tarantula Pro, then, and it might take a while for you to fully grasp and remember all the multifunction button macros. But overall, this is an impressively robust Pro-adjacent controller that - like most other GameSir pads - comes at an aggressively affordable price. It can absolutely be considered one of the best PC controllers and best Nintendo Switch controllers released this year.

GameSir Tarantula Pro: Price and availability

$69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$105)
Available from October 10, 2024
Comparable in price to the 8BitDo Ultimate and Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

The GameSir Tarantula Pro is available to buy now for $69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$105), and you can purchase one either from GameSir’s own website or the brand’s Amazon store page. It is worth noting, however, that the bundle with the charging stand will cost you a bit extra, at $79.99 / £79.99.

This is a pretty competitive price point that places it squarely in the same bracket as some of the best Nintendo Switch controllers, including the 8BitDo Ultimate and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

You’re getting exceptional value for money here; the Tarantula Pro’s feature set vastly outclasses what you’ll find on other similarly priced gamepads. If you’re after a PC or Switch controller that offers optimal performance across a wide variety of game genres, then the GameSir Tarantula Pro comes highly recommended.

GameSir Tarantula Pro: specs

GameSir Tarantula Pro: design and features

Smart, compact design
Symmetrical stick layout
Swappable button layout is a blessing

The most immediately noticeable design element of the GameSir Tarantula Pro is its symmetrical thumbstick layout, making it ideal for players who prefer a PlayStation-style layout over the offset, asymmetrical design seen on most Xbox and Nintendo Switch compatible controllers. These sticks are joined by a large, tactile d-pad and the usual face buttons, as well as a smattering of remappable buttons, trigger locks, and a rear multifunction button.

Compared to controllers with an Xbox Wireless Controller-esque silhouette like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro or GameSir’s own T4 Kaleid, the Tarantula Pro is impressively compact in terms of size. It’s about as wide as those gamepads, but slightly stouter in terms of top-to-bottom length. The subtle, camo-like finish on the front of the controller’s shell (not to mention the pleasing RGB light strip) lends it a pretty eye-catching look too.

The charging bay is a nice addition as well, though it is lacking in build quality compared to the controller itself. It’s basically a charging dock sat atop a rather flimsy plastic frame, powered by a USB Type-C cable. You’ll want to handle this with extra care, as that thin frame seems like it’ll be prone to snapping under even slight pressure. Still, its lightweight and unassuming design means it can take up desk space without being the least bit intrusive.

I’ve saved my favorite feature for last here; the GameSir Tarantula Pro features a swappable face button layout that’s incredibly slick. By holding down the multifunction and ‘A’ (or ‘B’ for the Switch layout) buttons for a few seconds, the controller will swap between Xbox and Switch layouts. This is accompanied by a satisfying mechanical whirr, and the buttons will even change color based on your chosen layout (multicolored for Xbox, white for Switch).

This addresses my biggest issue with multiplatform controllers like the T4 Kaleid; they may work across PC and Switch, but you’re typically stuck with a single layout for the face buttons. The Tarantula Pro sidesteps this entirely by letting you swap layouts on the fly, thus aligning it with your platform of choice. It’s worth noting that the controller will work regardless of button layout, but this is a nice, thoughtful extra for those who often find themselves glancing at the face buttons to better align themselves.

GameSir Tarantula Pro: performance

GameSir’s TMR thumbsticks are delightfully responsive
A whopping total of nine remappable buttons is excellent for competitive players
Multifunction button is handy for accessing more features on the fly

The GameSir Tarantula Pro is an absolute joy to use across PC and Nintendo Switch, and it’s honestly replaced the T4 Kaleid as my go-to PC controller. This is, in part, down to the fact that this new controller can be used wirelessly. You’re getting a 2.4GHz dongle included in the box, allowing you to connect to PC wirelessly with no fuss. Over on Switch, you can also rely on Bluetooth connectivity.

The controller is exceptional to play games with, offering drift-resistant TMR thumbsticks which GameSir claims have greater longevity and durability than traditional Hall effect sticks. That’d take a good few years to know for sure, but in my time with the pad, I found these thumbsticks to be brilliantly responsive. Meanwhile, while I prefer floating circular d-pads like that of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, the Tarantula Pro’s still feels great thanks to its micro switch feedback, allowing for very swift and decisive inputs.

You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to tailoring your very own Tarantula Pro experience too. Trigger locks allow you to switch between full-press Hall effect and more immediate micro switch presses. As mentioned, there are also nine remappable buttons (two on the rear of the controller next to the grips, four more around the central menu buttons, and three all in that central touchpad-style button (that’s one in the center, and two on the top which essentially act as two extra bumpers).

Remappable buttons aren’t for everyone, and having nine of them is arguably overkill, but if you’re the kind of person to make use of secondary inputs - be that for shooters or fighting games, for example - then you’ll be flush with options. To assign these, simply hold the multifunction button, your desired remappable button, and then the button you wish to assign. It’s quite a convoluted process at first glance, but very easy to get used to.

Battery life unfortunately isn’t the best ever here. I managed around 12 hours on a full charge during my playthrough of the Silent Hill 2 remake. That’s not dreadful, but is outclassed by other pads at this price range. Charge time also isn’t the greatest ever, coming in at around 3 hours whether you use the charging dock or USB-C.

Lastly, I’ll touch on the GameSir Connect software for PC, which is really quite good. It’s got a simple, one-screen interface that contains most of the gamepad’s customization options. That includes the RGB profile, trigger and stick deadzone alteration, remappable button mapping, and the activation or disabling of certain functions such as gyro aiming. It’s not particularly robust but offers most of what you’ll need all on one handy screen.

Should I buy the GameSir Tarantula Pro?

Buy it if...

You want a real kitchen sink of a controller
Bespoke Hall effect sticks, nine remappable buttons, trigger stops, and a handy multifunction button all make for an impressively robust gamepad that’s ideal for tinkerers.

You’re after a controller that’s perfect for both PC and Switch
If PC and Switch are your go-to gaming platforms, the GameSir Tarantula Pro is ideal for you. Especially with its quick-switch face button layouts.

Don't buy it if...

You were hoping for better battery life
12 hours isn’t terrible. But you’ll find greater amounts with competing controllers like the 8BitDo Ultimate (around 20-30 hours) and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (40-50 hours).

Also consider...

Not sure about the GameSir Tarantula Pro? We’ve got a couple of other options reviewed here for your consideration.

8BitDo Ultimate
Among the very best Nintendo Switch controllers you can buy today, the 8BitDo Ultimate is an impressive package featuring Hall effect sticks, remappable buttons, and a charging dock.

Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate review

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
While sorely lacking in features compared to the competition, practically nothing has the official Switch controller beat on battery life. If you want to potentially play through an entire, lengthy RPG without needing to charge, then this is your best bet.

Read our full Nintendo Switch Pro Controller review

How I tested the GameSir Tarantula Pro

Tested for two weeks
Platforms tested: PC, Nintendo Switch
Made use of all the controller’s major features

I tested the GameSir Tarantula Pro over the course of a fortnight, primarily on PC but also with some of the best Nintendo Switch games. In endeavored to make use of the controller’s features where best applicable, such as micro switch trigger stops for quicker inputs in fighting games like Street Fighter 6 and Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, as well as a number of remappable buttons in shooters like Halo Infinite for quick access to jumping, grenades and melee attacks.

The GameSir Tarantula Pro is currently my go-to PC controller, and I’ve been using it to play through Silent Hill 2 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. This is largely because I’ve also found the controller to be a comfortable fit thanks to its symmetrical design, and the ability to play wirelessly is a boon on PC for eliminating the need for extra cables.

Fight club

Archery-based combat in Dragon Age: The Veilguard — (Image credit: EA/BioWare)

Veilguard’s combat system is a courageous offering, combining engaging, kinetic action with occasional moments of thoughtful strategy. As you battle, you’ll use a real-time combination of attacks, dodges, parries, and special skills to win victory. Much like BioWare’s sci-fi series Mass Effect, combat exists in real-time but may be paused at the touch of a button, allowing you to direct your comrades or select some of your more powerful, cooldown-based abilities. These abilities vary wildly depending on your build. As a Rogue, I had access to special bombs, daring shooting techniques, and devastating sword attacks, all of which could be refined and tweaked as I leveled up.

Abilities can be strung together in combos, where certain actions ‘detonate’ corresponding status ailments (such as ongoing damage over time or a flat damage reduction), creating a satisfying magical explosion. What’s more, given that these abilities work on a cooldown, you often have to choose between damaging combos and necessary combat utility. Is it better to heal or to unleash a maelstrom of deadly necrotic magic? Do I have my ally taunt my opponents, or should I order them to make me temporarily invulnerable with an inspiring shout? Questions like this keep Veilguard’s combat engaging hundreds of battles into the campaign.

The party combat wheel in Dragon Age: The Veilguard — (Image credit: EA/BioWare)

All of this is punctuated by a slick system of parries and dodges, allowing you to rapidly react to enemy attacks. Parry at the right time, and you’ll perform a ‘perfect parry’, sometimes stunning your opponent and, depending on your build, offering you significant buffs to damage. This adds an ebb and flow to battles, rewarding you for attentive play. However, those looking for a more laid-back experience can easily customize Veilguard’s combat difficulty to suit their needs, tweaking granular elements from parry windows to enemy health.

This sort of customisability is at the forefront of Veilguard. Not only is the character creation process detailed enough to give Starfield and Cyberpunk 2077 a run for their money with its wide range of body types and permutations, but you also have access to a massive advancement tree which varies depending on your class. This tree contains dozens of nodes, each unlocking novelties ranging from significant passive buffs to brand-new abilities. Each of the game’s three core classes (Warrior, Rogue, and Mage) boasts a completely different tree and, thanks to the meaningful choices on offer, I always found myself looking forward to my next level up.

Bonding moments

The companion screen in Dragon Age: The Veilguard — (Image credit: EA/BioWare)

BioWare RPGs tend to live and die on the strength of their supporting cast, and Veilguard is no exception. While I shall do my best to avoid spoilers, rest assured that the cast of supporting characters in Veilguard is diverse and relatable.

Each companion’s personal storyline is a coherent multi-part adventure, composed of dramatic set-piece battles, gripping dialogue, and gentle walk-and-talk scenes framed against Veilguard’s jaw-dropping environments. Having a gut-wrenching discussion about family trauma is one thing, but doing so on a sprawling, torchlit coastline at dusk elevates the scene to new heights. Though these scenes are occasionally undermined by slightly janky facial animations, such flaws rarely detract from the meaningful exchanges on the screen.

Best Bit

Taash from Dragon Age: The Veilguard — (Image credit: EA/BioWare)

Getting to know Taash, a brusque dragon hunter, was a particular highlight. Without spoiling too much, Taash’s story is intimate and relatable, addressing themes of family, identity, and personal growth in a moving and refreshing way. It’s arguably one of the strongest personal storylines in a Bioware game to date.

Veilguard draws each of its companions from a different faction and, by extension, a different region of the setting. This ensures that their differences in opinion seem organic rather than forced. It follows that an upstanding and knightly Grey Warden would be skeptical of a dubious assassin from the cutthroat, Venice-inspired nation of Antiva.

Unfortunately, not every aspect of Veilguard’s storytelling is as consistent or impressive as these character-driven vignettes. The RPG’s explorable environments boast plenty of side quests, but almost all of them are forgettable and leave little scope for decision points and player agency. In one particularly disappointing showing, you meet a fan-favorite character from Dragon Age 2, only for her to have you fight a series of repetitive arena battles as she offers repeated, canned dialogue after each of your victories. While Veilguard rarely stumbles to this extent, the side-quests often feel rushed and do little to broaden the fantasy.

Despite its high barrier to entry, the main story does demonstrate opportunities to make meaningful decisions as a player character. One particularly gut-wrenching decision forced me to choose between two missions offered by different companions. There was only time for one, and, no matter what I did, somebody was bound to lose out. When I made my decision, the venomous disappointment of the offended party felt compelling and realized.

It’s these moments that cement Veilguard’s place in the Dragon Age canon. While flawed, janky, and rushed in places, BioWare’s latest delivers a coherent and rewarding adventure that will delight fans of the series. However, those newer to Dragon Age will need to hit the books if they want to enjoy everything Veilguard has to offer.

Should you play Dragon Age: The Veilguard?

Play it if...

You’re a Dragon Age fan
For fans of the Dragon Age setting, Veilguard is an absolute treat. If you’ve been yearning to return to Thedas, you’ve come to the right place. The campaign is a whistle-stop tour of yet-unexplored locales - a wish come true for long-time fans.

You love ensemble casts
Veilguard treats its supporting characters with love and attention. Invest time and effort into this RPG’s ensemble and you’ll be rewarded with resonant, relatable, and memorable character drama.

You enjoy character customization
The character creation systems in Veilguard are as comprehensive as they come. In addition to extensive face and body customization which includes a wide range of gender presentations, you can also choose from six meaningful backstories which affect dialogue in the game proper.

Don't play it if...

You're concerned about having to learn a whole new fantasy setting
While it’s entirely possible to enjoy Veilguard as a newcomer, complex in-setting terms and weighty pre-existing plotlines come at you thick and fast. If you’re new, make sure you’ve got a wiki open in another tab or you’re liable to have a confusing time. If you’re looking for a fantasy epic with less of a buy-in, we recommend Baldur’s Gate 3.

You’re looking for a full-on open-world experience
Veilguard frames its main campaign and companion missions amidst a range of gorgeous and varied environments. While there are places to explore and things to collect, the side-quests are far thinner than would be ideal. Those looking for an open-world RPG will be better served by Elden Ring or Diablo 4.

Accessibility

Dragon Age: The Veilguard offers a broad range of accessibility options. The game offers filters for colorblind players with Protanopia, Deuteranopia, and Tritanopia. Subtitle size and frequency can also be customized. Visual effects such as motion blur, camera shake, and depth of field can also be adjusted.

Combat and exploration are highly customizable. Difficulty in battle can be tailored to remove requirements for quick and precise input timing while the glint distance on objects can be adjusted along with objective marker and waypoint visibility. There are also sliders for the camera and aiming sensitivity.

Rook, the main character, from Dragon Age: The Veilguard — (Image credit: EA/BioWare)

How I reviewed Dragon Age: The Veilguard

I spent over 35 hours with Dragon Age: The Veilguard, taking time to explore the central campaign, companion storylines, and numerous side-quests. I took the time to experiment with all three classes as well as a wide range of different builds. I also replayed certain set pieces throughout the game to test the extent to which making different choices would affect the story.

I played the game on PS5 on a 48-inch LG C2 OLED 4K TV with a Dualsense Wireless Controller. The game mostly ran smoothly, but I did occasionally notice input lag when in menus. That said, the lag was rarely sufficient to meaningfully detract from the experience.

First reviewed October 2024