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Horipad Turbo: One-minute evaluate
It’s exhausting to search out good Nintendo Switch controllers on the $30 / £30 worth mark. Usually, finances gamepads round this level merely don’t really feel all that nice to play with and sometimes have a construct high quality that leaves loads to be desired. That’s why I’ve been pleasantly stunned by the Horipad Turbo, a finances Change controller that actually has a number of the hallmarks of an affordable pad, however manages to make up for it in different key areas.
Clearly, some compromises have been made to maintain prices low. The Horipad Turbo does really feel light-weight and considerably hole within the arms. It’s a strictly wired controller and doesn’t supply arguably fundamental options like gyro aiming, vibration, or remappable rear buttons. I’m additionally not the most important fan of its easy, mushy D-pad.
However the Horipad Turbo will get most different issues proper the place it counts. Its thumbsticks and buttons all really feel nice, and its satisfying-to-press digital triggers are completely fitted to the best Nintendo Switch games. The titular Turbo operate additionally works very effectively and is kind of sturdy with three distinct enter settings.
Throw in choices for formally licensed liveries impressed by Tremendous Mario and The Legend of Zelda sequence, and it’s clear that a variety of thought and care has gone into making the Horipad Turbo a pretty finances possibility. When you’re thinking about buying a brand new Nintendo Change controller, then, however don’t have the funds to splash out on the likes of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller or 8BitDo Ultimate, I extremely suggest trying out the Horipad Turbo as a substitute.
Horipad Turbo: Value and availability
- $29.99 / £29.99
- Obtainable in three colorways
- UK availability seems to be very restricted
The Horipad Turbo is out there to buy for $29.99 / £29.99. Within the US, it’s accessible on Hori’s personal web site in addition to Amazon. Sadly, it’s way more troublesome to trace down within the UK. Right here, Hori’s web site doesn’t at the moment have any inventory, and listings at retailers like Amazon are restricted (although typically are available in effectively below the retail worth).
Three distinct colorways can be found for the Horipad Turbo. There’s a normal black model, in addition to fancier liveries for The Legend of Zelda and Tremendous Mario. These don’t price any further, both, so that you’re free to select one which most accurately fits your tastes with out making a much bigger dent in your pockets.
Earlier than you do determine to drag the set off, although, I might additionally suggest you take a look at the GameSir Nova Lite. This controller is available in at $24.99 / £29.99 and is extra broadly accessible in each areas. It additionally has some key upgrades over the Horipad Turbo, together with Hall effect sticks and wi-fi connectivity. It nonetheless lacks gyro aiming, nonetheless.
Horipad Turbo: Specs
Value |
$29.99 / £29.99 |
Dimensions |
6.1 x 4.7 x 2.5in / 155 x 119 x 64mm |
Weight |
0.77lbs / 0.35kg |
Connection sort |
Wired (USB) |
Compatibility |
Nintendo Change, PC |
Software program |
N/A |
Horipad Turbo: Design and options
- Light-weight construct, however actually not uncomfortable
- Normal asymmetrical format just like the Change Professional Controller
- Overly mushy-feeling D-pad
The Horipad Turbo very a lot comes as marketed (effectively, other than one specific factor that I’ll contact on within the efficiency part beneath). The field accommodates the wired controller, an instruction booklet and that’s it. No fancy extras like swappable thumbsticks, carry circumstances, or all that jazz. However that is to be anticipated for a gamepad that’s firmly positioned within the finances worth bracket.
The controller itself actually has a finances, plastic really feel, and it’s extraordinarily light-weight. Because of this, it feels nearly listless within the arms. Nevertheless, this isn’t to say holding the controller is disagreeable. Whereas it lacks textured grips a la the Nintendo Change Professional Controller, it’s snug sufficient and straightforward to maintain a agency grip on whilst you play.
Sticks and face buttons each really feel nice to make use of and the bumpers, whereas a bit of chunky for my tastes, are nonetheless enough. The digital ZL and ZR triggers are the actual stars of the present, with a right away press that’s good for the overwhelming majority of the first-party Nintendo Change recreation library.
The clue’s within the identify in terms of the Horipad Turbo’s key function. Its Turbo performance permits for speedy inputs just by holding down the button it’s assigned to.
To do that, merely maintain the Turbo button within the heart of the gamepad, adopted by your face button of selection. There are alternatives for five, 10, and 20 inputs per second. So it’s an incredible match for less complicated, arcade-like titles you may discover throughout the Nintendo Change On-line retro libraries. Choose having the ability to quickfire projectiles in video games like Blaster Grasp and Tremendous R-Kind? The Turbo button may help shave a few of that issue off whereas retaining your thumb totally blister-free.
The controller’s 10ft (3m) cable is trade normal, however because it’s non-braided it did are inclined to coil up greater than I’d like. The D-pad can be an actual letdown right here. For one, it’s actually skinny, making diagonal inputs a contact more durable than they should be. It additionally feels very mushy to press, resulting in a fairly unsatisfying gameplay expertise. Keep on with these analog sticks for motion should you can.
Horipad Turbo: Efficiency
- Completely responsive throughout all fronts
- Works on PC in addition to Nintendo Change
- Lacking options embody rumble and gyro aiming
The Horipad Turbo is appropriate primarily with the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch OLED fashions. You received’t get PlayStation or Xbox performance right here, however the controller is appropriate with PC. This isn’t talked about on Hori’s web site or on the field itself, however I used to be capable of hook the controller as much as my PC through USB and it labored there with out subject.
That mentioned, I believe the Horipad Turbo is a greater match for the Change, and never simply due to these formally licensed liveries. It’s obtained the Change’s ‘reversed’ face button format (with X/Y and A/B swapped from the standard XInput format) and its digital triggers are good for a recreation library the place pressure-sensitive triggers are by no means actually required.
Because of this, it’s an incredible match for a number of video games that I examined, together with Tremendous Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – all video games the place fast set off presses are utilized usually. Although when it got here to each Zelda and Splatoon 3, I actually did lament the shortage of gyro aiming right here. The actual fact there’s no rumble, whereas much less of a dealbreaker total, can be a disgrace.
Ought to I purchase the Horipad Turbo?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally take into account…
The Horipad Turbo is a strong controller, however should you’re after a brand new Nintendo Change gamepad you might also want to take into account these budget-friendly alternate options.
Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Horipad Turbo |
GameSir Nova Lite |
8BitDo Final C |
Value |
$29.99 / £29.99 |
$24.99 / £29.99 |
$29.99 / £24.99 |
Dimensions |
6.1 x 4.7 x 2.5in / 155 x 119 x 64mm |
6.1 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 155 x 104 x 61mm |
5.8 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 104 x 61mm |
Weight |
0.77lbs / 0.35kg |
0.66lbs / 0.3kg |
0.45lbs / 0.2kg |
Connection sort |
Wired (USB) |
Wi-fi (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB Kind-C) |
Wi-fi (Bluetooth), Wired (USB Kind-C) |
Compatibility |
Nintendo Change, PC |
Nintendo Change, PC, Android, iOS |
Nintendo Change, PC, Android, iOS |
How I examined the Horipad Turbo
- Examined over the course of per week
- Performed totally on Nintendo Change with some PC
- In contrast and contrasted primarily with the GameSir Nova Lite
I examined the Horipad Turbo for this evaluate for roughly per week. Throughout that point I attempted the gamepad with a spread of high Nintendo Change video games, together with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Tremendous Mario Odyssey, Astral Chain, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. I additionally put the Turbo button via its paces by enjoying a wide range of becoming retro titles on Nintendo Change On-line. These included Blaster Grasp, Ninja Gaiden, Mario Get together 3, and Tremendous R-Kind.
I additionally spent a while evaluating the Horipad Turbo to what I really feel is its closest finances equal – the GameSir Nova Lite. I do desire GameSir’s controller, owing to its Corridor impact sticks and wi-fi connectivity choices. However the Horipad Turbo isn’t far off, with comparable construct high quality and a pleasant Turbo button addition. Each controllers lack gyro aiming, although, which is a little bit of a disgrace.
First reviewed February 2025