GameSir Tarantula Pro Review

GameSir has been making waves lately, consistently launching one high-grade controller after another. This time, the company introduces the all-new Tarantula Pro gaming controller. So far, I have reviewed half a dozen GameSir controllers, including the GameSir G7, GameSir Nova Lite, GameSir G7 Iron Man Limited Edition, GameSir G8+, and more. They all share a common trait: a traditional Xbox controller shape. However, the new TaranTula Pro controller is quite different.

In terms of design, it seems that GameSir has dedicated this controller to PlayStation fans, offering a plethora of customization options and features compared to other PlayStation controllers available in the market.

GameSir, a reliable gaming accessories maker, is well-known for its feature-packed, high-grade gaming controllers. The Tarantula Pro is no exception. GameSir provided us with the Tarantula Pro controller’s charging edition, which costs $10 more than the standard edition. I have been using this controller for the past three weeks. Let’s find out whether GameSir’s latest offering holds up during testing in our favorite titles, such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, NFS Payback, and Red Dead Redemption.

Pros

• GameSir’s new Mag-Res TMR sticks
• 9 mappable buttons
• Symmetrical design
• 6-axis gyroscope sensor 
• Dual-face button layouts 
• HD rumble motors

Cons 

• There’s no way to customize the controller settings on a PC 

Unboxing

Price and Availability 

The GameSir Tarantula Pro controller made its debut earlier this month at $70 for the standard edition, while the Charging Edition will set you back $80, which is $10 more than the standard version. You can snag the Tarantula Pro controller via GameSir’s official website and Amazon. Availability won’t be an issue, as GameSir has a strong presence in every market. There are no color options available; it comes in a single jet-black color.

Design and Build 

GameSir opted for a symmetrical layout for the Tarantula Pro, a design typically reserved for PlayStation controllers. The controller bears a striking resemblance to the PS4 DualShock controller, although it does not feature a touchpad. Finished in Jet Black, the GameSir Tarantula Pro controller looks visually impressive. The button and joystick layout closely mirrors that of PlayStation controllers, with the directional pad located in the top-left corner, the face buttons in the top-right corner, and the two hall-effect TMR joysticks positioned in the center of the controller. It is important to note that these TMR sticks differ significantly from GameSir’s standard hall-effect joysticks.

The button layout is intuitive; every button is strategically placed for easy access, including the back buttons. GameSir has also provided nine extra mappable buttons—five on the front, two on the back, and two on the top—which is a welcome feature. This is something we typically see in most high-end controllers, such as Scuf’s Envision Pro Plus. Additionally, there is an NFC reader on top. GameSir has also incorporated a black and gray camo finish on the face of the controller, enhancing its overall aesthetic appeal.

Speaking of build quality, the Tarantula Pro is crafted from hard plastic materials that feel quite premium in hand. The controller is well-balanced, with most of its weight centered, leaving the handles lightweight. Most of the textures are located on the back of the controller, providing a good fit and comfortable grip for any hand size.

The Tarantula Pro features a customizable RGB lighting strip and face buttons, giving it a striking appearance. You can easily customize the RGB lighting either directly from the controller or via the app. GameSir offers a total of six different RGB light presets: Breathing, Fantasy, Rainbow, Radar, Monochrome, and Off. Adjusting the RGB lights felt much easier using the app rather than through the controller itself. You can also change the color, speed, and brightness of the lights directly from the app with ease.

The RGB lighting is vibrant and bright, creating an impressive visual effect. RGB controller enthusiasts will surely appreciate GameSir’s latest offering.

Connectivity and Performance 

Setting up the Tarantula Pro is a straightforward task. GameSir offers three options for connecting the controller to PCs, mobile devices, consoles, and the Switch: Bluetooth, a 2.4GHz USB receiver, and wired connectivity. Initially, I experienced some difficulty connecting to my PC via Bluetooth. However, once I got it set up, it connected seamlessly to both my smartphone and PC.

I tested both wired and wireless connections, and found them to be very reliable and responsive. The wireless dongle worked perfectly as well. I didn’t experience any connectivity issues while testing the controller.

The Tarantula Pro controller is extremely customizable, offering more buttons than typical mainstream controllers. You can swap face buttons without needing to replace them, making it much easier to switch layouts compared to GameSir’s mobile-oriented controller, such as the GameSir G8+. Yes, you heard that right—the Tarantula Pro features swappable face buttons that allow you to toggle between the ABXY (Nintendo) layout and the BAXY (Xbox) layout by simply pressing the Rear M key and the A button. This is incredibly cool.

GameSir has incorporated a gear mechanism into the Tarantula Pro controller, enabling users to interchange the face button layout seamlessly. When switching layouts or turning the controller on, you’ll hear a soothing whirring sound from the gears, which adds to the overall experience. Honestly, I really love this button-swapping function.

Coming to the performance, I played some of my favorite titles, such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Red Dead Redemption, and NFS Payback, using the Tarantula Pro controller. My experience with the controller has been fantastic. In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the controller offers impressive vibration feedback, especially during combat with enemies.

As I mentioned earlier, the Tarantula Pro boasts Mag-Res TMR (Trailblazing, Mighty, Robust) sticks, which represent a step up from GameSir’s regular Hall effect joysticks. The TMR joysticks feel responsive and provide an ideal amount of resistance, making them some of the best joysticks I’ve ever used. Additionally, the D-Pad and face buttons deliver excellent feedback and performance.

The texture-wrapped triggers are highly accurate, allowing for quick response times, especially when playing FPS or racing games. You can enhance sensitivity even further by switching to Hall Effect hair-trigger mode.

You can customize nearly everything in the GameSir Tarantula Pro controller via the GameSir companion app: from triggers and joystick sensitivity ranges (0 to 100), to button mapping, rumble pack strength, RGB lighting, and joystick dead zones. However, there’s a catch: the Tarantula Pro controller is only customizable through the Android companion app, which means you can’t make adjustments on a PC. This limitation is quite surprising.

When I connected the Tarantula Pro controller to my PC, I expected it to work with GameSir’s Nexus app. Unfortunately, that was not the case; the companion app failed to detect the controller. As a result, I had to disconnect the controller from my PC and pair it with my Android smartphone to modify trigger and stick settings, which was very frustrating.

GameSir has packed a plethora of customization options into its latest gamepad, but what is the advantage of all these features if you can’t customize them on a PC? GameSir really needs to improve in this area.

Battery Life

The Tarantula Pro boasts a 1,200mAh battery (600mAh on each side). However, the brand has not provided any claims regarding battery life.

During my three-week testing period, I used the controller for over 21 hours via Bluetooth with the RGB lighting turned on, and I haven’t charged the controller even once. So yes, you can expect up to 21 hours of battery life on a single charge. Battery life may vary based on other factors. For instance, if you turn off the RGB lighting, you can expect an additional one to two hours of battery life.

Should you buy the GameSir Tarantula Pro Gaming Controller? 

You should buy this if…

• You want a controller with a symmetrical design 
• You want a highly customizable controller 
• You want a RGB lighting 
• You are looking for a lightweight gamepad with extra buttons

You shouldn’t buy this if…

• You want a popular Xbox-style layout
• You are looking for a more premium option  

Final Thoughts 

I have reviewed several GameSir gamepads, but the Tarantula Pro is truly one of the best controllers I’ve ever used. GameSir’s new offering comes with an overwhelming number of features, which I’m sure a casual gamer might easily forget about within a few weeks.

I really love GameSir’s new snappy TMR joysticks, which offer incredible response times. The triggers are excellent, providing the option to choose between analog and hair-trigger modes. Additionally, you get 9 mappable keys, an interchangeable face layout, and an NFC reader. The customizable RGB lighting adds a striking look to the controller. Its sturdy build and ergonomic design make it super comfortable for extended gaming sessions.

Overall, the Tarantula Pro has impressed me greatly. If you are looking for a well-built, feature-packed, and extremely customizable controller, you can’t go wrong with GameSir’s Tarantula Pro.

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