Review: The GameSir Super Nova – An Affordable Hall Effect Controller

So here I am, staring at yet another gadget, the GameSir Super Nova. It’s one of those fancy controllers from a company in China. GameSir, they call themselves. Weird name, but hey, they’re known for making cool stuff without blowing your budget. They’ve managed to earn some street cred for quality without smashing your wallet, and this new controller… well, it’s no different.

This Super Nova thing works with Windows, iOS, Android — even the Nintendo Switch. But nope, not Xbox. If you’re all about Xbox, this might be like finding out chocolate chip cookies don’t have chocolate. But let’s not get sidetracked. Even with the Xbox snub, I found it pretty awesome when I took it for a spin.

I’ve been around the block a few times, playing games since the 90s. Remember those cheesy graphics? Nostalgia bomb, right? I confess I grind through RPGs like there’s a trophy at the end of it. Anyway, back to this controller. GameSir sent it over so I could mess around with it, but they didn’t peek at my scribbles (thankfully).

And it’s not just about the looks. It’s $49.99 on Amazon, and you can even pick between blue or pink. If you’re feeling artsy, the faceplates swap out too. Options, folks!

Specs? Sure, why not — it’s got Hall Effect sticks and triggers, connective options galore, and even a charging dock. Crazy how much they packed into this without it costing a fortune.

I plopped it on my desk, and boom, it became a part of my gaming survival kit. Removing it from the dock turns it on. Magic, right? Then there’s this RGB thing going on, matching up with the dock. Aesthetic paradise, if that’s your thing.

Game in hand, those Hall Effect sticks and triggers are my highlight reel. Got a grip texture too, perfect for when my hands start to doubt my non-stop gaming marathons.

Let me digress here: you ever had a controller just fit? Like, it becomes part of the gaming experience itself? This one might be that for me. And I’m usually nitpicky, but here I am with a smidge of recognition for how they sculpted it.

Backtracking just a bit, the GameSir Connect app — here’s a love-hate relationship. It’s moody, doesn’t always recognize wireless connections, but when it does, personalization heaven. Buttons to RGB lighting, it does it all if you can get it to cooperate. Small peeve there, but oh well, guess you can’t have it all.

Also worth noting, zippo for Xbox support. Yes, they’re upfront about it, but one can dream, right? Enhancements, paddles, might come to mind for some, but the two back buttons are still neat.

Honestly speaking (not even kidding), for under 50 bucks, what are you even waiting for? And that’s me whipping through over 100 hours of messing around with it. Got to admit, the experience was quite good.

Would I change anything? Maybe some apps getting their act together, but overall, it makes me a believer that budget gaming gear can still feel top-tier. Anyway, enough rambling. Whether you want an ultra-comfy controller or just something that does more than it should for the price, give this one a look-see.