Let me start this off by saying I’ve never really used a controller on my PC. I’ve always loved my consoles, and I’ve loved the experience of gaming with a controller. Still, the moment I switch over to PC, I’ve always been a mouse and keyboard type person who only recently added a Razor Tartarus to that formula.
I don’t know why I’ve always resisted using a controller on my PC, but here we are, decades in, and I guess it just is what it is. When I decided to try out the Turtle Beach Recon controller, I pretty much decided that I was going to hate it, not because of the controller itself but because I would be testing it out on my PC… one month in, and I honestly don’t understand how I ever coped without it. It’s now become my go-to for any game that has controller compatibility.
Turtle Beach is a brand known for creating gaming-specific headsets, and when they ventured into the world of gaming controllers for the first time, they remained focused on delivering good gaming audio. When you start using the controller, the first thing you’ll notice is that the handles and triggers have dual rumble motors, and there is a convenient “pro-aim” mode that adjusts the sensitivity of your analogue sticks. But one of the most significant differences between using the Turtle Beach Recon controller and another Xbox or PC one is the focus on audio. If you look at the Recon controller, you’ll see that it has a built-in sound mixer that lets you control both your game and your chat volume. You can also mute your microphone and select between the different equalizer and audio presets. The controller also enables you to utilise Turtle Beach’s signature “superhuman hearing”, which amplifies the sounds of footsteps and other softer sounds on any standard 3.5 mm audio headset that’s plugged directly into the controller.
However, my favourite feature has little to do with the audio. Instead, I was completely won over by the two mappable paddles at the back of the controller. I don’t think I’ve ever once played a game using my PlayStation controller and thought to myself, “damn! I really wish there were just two extra buttons that I could program”, yet now that I have it, it’s honestly my all-time favourite feature and the main reason why I’ve switched to playing pretty much all my games with the controller. The Recon controller lets you map up to 4 profiles on each of the back paddles, and because you’re mapping directly onto the controller, your mapped settings remain consistent both across games and when you move from PC to console. My paddles are permanently set up to reload and dodge, respectively. Honestly, those two extra buttons are such a quality of life upgrade in my gaming life, and I don’t understand how it’s not just a standard across all controllers.
After using the controller daily for the last month, I can honestly say that I don’t think I will ever be able to go back. The Recon controller is super lightweight and comfortable to hold, even during long gaming sessions and all the added features make it a no brainer for me when reaching for a controller. The only upsetting thing about using the Recon controller is that when I now use my PlayStation 5 controller, I find my fingers constantly going to where the back paddles should be like a passenger in a car stepping on the ghost break.