PB Tails are back once more with a brand-new Nintendo Switch/multi-system controller that screams identity, inspiration and quality with the Crush controller.
I’ve been a fan of PB Tails for a long time, their unique takes on gaming accessories embed a concoction of fashion and quality gamer tech. The Dock, a futuristic PS5 DualSense docking station and the CHOC controller, a mini–Nintendo Switch controller series. Both have been unique and awesome items to add to my gaming accessory collection.
Let’s take an in-depth look and see if we have a Crush on our hands!
PB TAILS Crush Overview
Be Bold, Be You. PB Tails are loud and clear with their latest controller packing in tonnes of customization options into their premium game controller. Design remarks are especially of interest this time round. Designer of the controller, Lee aka GWOWO, takes inspiration from the Porsche 550 Spyder. There is also a “Nürburgring” zipper on its case, Germany’s most prestigious race track.
If the CHOC controller was a little on the small side for you, Crush is a full-sized controller that is compatible with the Nintendo Switch, PC, mobile (Android/iOS) and runs great on the Steam Deck too.
Full RGB customization arrives with awesome illuminated chrome finish buttons and a mean under glow light. Gyro and Turbo are present alongside Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4ghz connectivity modes.
Solid and robust, the Crush controller is a tidy piece of kit that lavishly embodies the muscle of supercars in combination with an elegant formfactor.
Crush Unboxing
The folks at PB Tails are a talented group of people that drive their products with passion and quality. Crush is no exception to this and is cleanly presented, in the box we get:
- Crush controller
- Carry case/pouch
- USB-C charging cable
Inside we have the awesome silver pouch with debossed PB Tails branding on top. I really like this pouch. The quality structure should provide decent protection for the Crush.
Unzipping reveals the sleeping beast within and I was surprised to find space in the upper shell for a spare controller plate. Just below the controller there is a dedicated foam housing that hold replacement thumb sticks. The additional set included are rubber with a convex shape.
The instruction manual is tucked below the controller so don’t forget to check there when looking for it. The sticks are easy to replace and make a huge difference if wanting a much lighter configuration.
MagCase
PB Tails refer to the customizable faceplates as MagCase and this allows quick swapping between various metal and plastic plates available. Gently pushing between the gap between trigger and casing to remove the MagCase worked fine for me. Under the hood reveals a metallic chassis housing 7 magnets that are responsible for holding the MagCase in place. The face covers fit snuggly and are well secured because of this underlying design.
My unit came with a transparent deep red Ruby Crush cover that is retro Apple Mac-esque. The additional China White plate is awesome too but my favourite at the moment has to be the Ghost Crush made from a Zinc alloy, if only I had a Porsche 550 Spyder to pair this with. There seems to be more MagCases on the horizon and I am interested in loud and exotic supercar designs. The vintage Apple Mac designs also get a thumbs up from me.
RGB Lighting
When it comes to building your own identity, the Crush gives complete control allowing varying brightness intensity and a full spectrum of colour choices across the controller. The instructions outline on how to set colours using the turbo button and sticks. This leads to a prospect of custom artwork on this controller coupled with Full LED light control is very exciting.
Great Compatibility
The Crush PB Tails is a wireless Bluetooth 5.0 gaming controller and is great for gamers who want some versatility from their controller. Compatibility includes PC/MAC, Android Nintendo Switch, Xbox One (pending certification) and PlayStation 4. On the top side of the controller there is a sync button and mechanical switch to toggle between Nintendo Switch and X-Input modes. I tested this with my Steam Deck too and it had no issues playing nicely with SteamOS.
I have even used it with the Meta Quest to play games on Xbox cloud. Plugging it into an Android TV works out the box and it also has PS5 capability but limited to PS4 games. Syncing up for some gaming on iOS devices works well, PB Tails Crush worked perfectly with the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Crush Controller Gaming
The crush feels great to hold in my hands and carries some heft but I had no fatigue playing for a few hours. For those who want to lighten the load, switching to a plastic MagCase can help. The domed metal thumb sticks feel great but FPS lovers might want to swap out to the rubber sticks for more control. This will also remove some weight to the overall frame. Hall-effect sticks feel amazing and gamepad testing shows that the Crush has been calibrated for precision. The experience with these hall-sense sticks is extremely smooth and the travel in all directions feels natural and highly responsive. Pressing down on both sticks for L3 and R3 buttons works perfectly for sprinting and crouching in games.
On the shoulders, hall-effect triggers have just enough resistance, maintaining just the right amount of range for precision and speed. Zooming through racing games is a treat with the PB-Tails Crush.
Presence of a gyro sensor also adds to the utility of the controller and plays vey nicely with the Switch, it feels leagues above Nintendo’s Official Pro Controller.
The face buttons are tactile and highly responsive, rubber membrane use here is a lovely touch, the buttons are not soft but I can slide across smoothly. Button spacing feels just right and I had no complaints over longer durations of gaming, feeling consistent and without compromise. Customization extends even further with vibration customisation, allowing from light to intense rumble options. The motors used for rumble functionality are of high quality and can be turned off entirely if some peace and quiet is needed.
The D-Pad is something I am always interested in on new controllers and my experience has varied wildly over the years. The Crush makes use of dome switches, giving the player tactile feedback on every input while being relatively silent. Playing through games like Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6 and other fighting games has been great. Inputs on movement feel instantaneous and reliable. A stellar D-pad extends benefits to multiple gaming genres including retro gaming where great directional inputs matter.
Final Thoughts
I have used many gaming controllers and most of them get shelved as generic with very obvious flaws. Th Crush feels like a very personal letter to gamers all over, addressing many pain points seen in the third-arty controller world over the years through technology and passionate design. Bold with identity, many will be happy with this controller out the box. For those who want a solid controller with the freedom to customize both the look and feel, the Crush answers this gracefully through various changeable modules, faceplates and LED customization. This is a product with design and UX as its core, standing out with a unique and bold stature in the world of gaming accessories.
If you are looking for a controller without compromise, I highly recommend the Crush. PB Tails continue to deliver excellent service to their users and at just $54.99 on sale from the official store, it’s a great time to find your own Crush!