Some handy inclusions can’t save the unsatisfying play experience provided by the PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox.
PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: One-minute review
It brings me no pleasure to find that the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller for Xbox is the most disappointing product I’ve tested in the brand’s catalog to date. PowerA is admittedly a brand I’ve had mixed feelings about in the past. Sometimes it provides real winners, like the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller, which I consider a solid alternative to the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Other times it doesn’t quite hit the mark, like we’ve seen recently with the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller and indeed the Fusion Pro for Xbox here.
First and foremost, the best Xbox controllers should provide a satisfying play experience with minimal frustrations, but this PowerA pad is loaded with them. From its awkward d-pad and abrasive textured grips, to obnoxious Lumectra RGB lighting and trigger locks that simply don’t work most of the time, this is a controller that tries and fails to punch above its weight class with an absurdly high price tag to match.
It’s not all bad. You at least get a carry case and charging dock included in the box. Battery life is reasonably strong, and a neat audio switch lets you adjust headset volume or mute your mic in an instant. I also love PowerA’s quick-twist thumbsticks here, which provide three adjustable height levels. Plus, they’re Hall effect, meaning they’ll be able to resist stick drift much longer than traditional analog sticks. Still, these high points don’t do enough to outweigh the myriad frustrations I have with this controller.PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: Price and availability
List price: $169.99 / £149.99 / AU$199.95
Comparable in price to the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited and Razer Wolverine V3 Pro
There are plenty of cheaper and better options available for Xbox and PC
I’d feel a bit more comfortable recommending the Fusion Pro for Xbox if it weren’t for that eye-watering price tag. At $169.99 / £149.99 / AU$199.95, it’s bordering on the premium territory of Xbox pads like the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited and Razer Wolverine V3 Pro.
If the Fusion Pro provided a stellar controller experience, the price would be an easier pill to swallow. The issue for PowerA is that there’s no shortage of superb Xbox and PC-compatible controllers like it that are available for less than half of its price, including the 8BitDo Ultimate 2, GameSir Kaleid, and even the official Xbox Wireless Controller.PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: SpecsPowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: Design and features
The initial package out of the box is promising. The PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox comes with a carry case and bespoke charging dock, both incredibly useful accessories that I welcome with any gamepad. Both are solidly made, too. Especially the charging dock, which is well-built, unintrusive, and can sit in any gaming setup ready to charge your pad up via USB-C.
