PDP REMATCH GLOW Wired Xbox controller impressions — Ready for the waves

PDP has always been a company that I trust for a great third-party accessory. Recently, they’ve been on the top of their game, with one of the best controllers ever coming from their Victrix brand in the Pro BFG. They also make an inexpensive wired controller for Xbox, and it’s surprisingly great. I took a look at their newest design recently — the PDP REMATCH GLOW Wired Xbox Controller. Could this be the perfect match for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Warzone’s inaugural season?

Right out of the box you can tell it fits the aesthetic. This PDP Rematch controller has a nice blend of blacks, grays, and whites, along with orange thumbsticks and back buttons that give it a nice clean design. On the front, you’ve got a sweet Nuketown logo on the left grip, with a huge Monkey Bomb face across the right. What’s really cool is that both glow in the dark, which is a cool choice and works with the Zombies mode aesthetic.

The controller carries the same engineering as the Afterglow Wave, so my feedback is mostly the same – here’s what I had to say about the Afterglow Wave and the Rematch (and the full review here for the Afterglow Wave):

As for using the controller, it feels really stiff. Some of this is it being new, but the buttons are all really snappy, and the triggers have a tight yet long pull. I’m really interested in how long it’ll take to wear this one in, but all that matters here is that the buttons, triggers, and thumbsticks feel responsive. Nothing is too far out of the ordinary, just your standard Xbox Series/One buttons.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t a little extra here though. Having audio controls via the face buttons is amazing. There’s a little audio control button down at the bottom middle of the Afterglow Wave (which is used in quite a few functions), and pressing it mutes your headset. Holding it also allows you to use the directional buttons to both raise and lower your volume, along with adjusting the ratio between game and chat audio. To me, this is an extremely valuable function that really should be standard on controllers, so props to PDP for adding this.

There are also back buttons on the Afterglow Wave, something that I almost can’t live without when playing first-person shooters. These feel fantastic to press right out of the gate, and I love how they are built into your natural grip. Not every back button feels good, but these are great. They can be remapped outside of the software as well, by simply holding the audio control button, pressing the back button you want to change, and then the button you’re changing it over to. Easy peasy with remapping is always appreciated.

I don’t usually go on about a USB cable of all things, but the included USB-C is really stellar. I’m surprised that it’s so nice, not being anything special; it’s not braided or anything. It clicks into place easily, and it’s 10ft, which allowed me to stretch it nearly across my room to play in bed. Just like the buttons, it’s stiff as well, so it seems like you won’t have too many issues with tangling either. The only thing I could really ask for is a velcro strap attached so I could easily bind it up. Otherwise, great choice choosing USB-C and making it detachable.

I’ve gone on about the parts of the controller, and when you pool all of them together this makes for a really great piece of gear when playing. I use the much more expensive Victrix Pro BFG from PDP, and this one keeps up with it decently well. Is it as good? Of course not, the Pro BFG is expensive for a reason. But I didn’t feel off while playing Call of Duty multiplayer, which requires precision and clean movement. Really, all the Afterglow Wave needs to do is be competent, and it’s better than that in action.

To double check what I wrote, I put the PDP Rematch controller through the paces in some Call of Duty multiplayer and Zombies. It’s no surprise; the PDP Rematch controller delivers. It does what it needs to, and I performed very well using it, which says a lot given how demanding a player I can be when it comes to Call of Duty. The only real difference between this and the Afterglow Wave is the epic Zombies/Monkey Bomb design, and that’s enough of a reason for this Call of Duty enjoyer to recommend it. Especially as you’re about to wear out your current controller with the new season of Call of Duty out now.

You can pick up your PDP REMATCH GLOW Wired Xbox Controller via this link. Make sure you take a moment to hit up their store and check out all the awesome designs PDP has to offer, along with other accessories that fit your needs and style.

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