Turtle Beach Rematch Advanced is a great, affordable entry-level competitive gamepad for Xbox

In the previous two console generations, it seemed like controller quality declined. We endured stick drift, thumbstick grip wearing out within a year, triggers malfunctioning, functionally inconsistent D-pad designs, and uncomfortable gamepad bodies. Third-party manufacturers had to save the day, and even then, you would get mixed results. With the expansion of Hall effect technology and an emphasis on premium controllers, this might be the greatest generation of gamepads. But paying $150+ for added features and comfort obviously doesn’t work for a majority of people. The Turtle Beach Rematch Advanced is worth considering as a budget or entry-level competitive option.

The $40 Xbox edition of the Rematch Advanced includes the standard functionality of an $80 Xbox Series controller but also features remappable back paddles and 2-stop Hall effect triggers. In previous generations, back paddles and any Hall effects were exclusively $80+ options, so it's nice to see them entering the affordable market.

If you’re interested in taking your competitive game of choice seriously, this is a great entry-level option. The back paddles are accessible and easy to press, and the highest trigger stop is almost as fast as the best premium options. It’s not going to rival the mighty Victrix BFG, David’s and my favorite gamepad on the market, but this won’t hinder your skill.

A bonus is that the gamepad looks cool. I have the Kitsune version, and it glows bright and beautifully at night. I don’t notice while playing, but when I set the controller down, I have to take a moment to appreciate the look.

If you’re in the market to switch to PC for, y’know, reasons, the Rematch Advanced also has plug-and-play PC functionality.

The Turtle Beach Rematch Advanced is available for $39.99.