GameSir Tarantula Pro: review
Hey! Today, I’ll be sharing my experience with the GameSir Tarantula Pro controller. It’s also sometimes named as Gamesir T3 Pro. It just released and I have been using it for like 3 days. It’s only PC/Android/etc compatible, not compatible with Xbox or Playstation consoles. I paid $69.99 for it via Amazon but it’s also available on Aliexpress.
Unboxing the GameSir Tarantula Pro
When you open the box, the contents are pretty much what you’d expect. Inside, there’s the controller, a USB-C charging cable, a dongle for wireless connection, and a manual. Nothing too fancy, but it’s got the essentials.
Design and Build
The first thing that caught my attention is the design. It’s a bit unusual with a camouflage pattern on the inside of the controller, which I thought was a bit strange. Personally, I feel like it could’ve looked better on the outside. The material is a mix of soft, smooth plastic on the front and a textured grip on the back. This grip definitely helps during long gaming sessions, giving you a firmer hold. It weights 262 grams.
- L4 and R4 buttons on the back have a lock to prevent accidental presses.
- 1000Hz polling rate when wired
- symmetrical layout feels very good
- you can switch the ABXY
- has a LED light strip
- The TMR joystick is feels slightly better than a hall effect one, but that might be just a feeling
- Includes up to 9 extra programmable buttons for added control.
- The vibration motor provides nice feedback, similar to that of the PS5.
Button Layout and Feel
The Tarantula Pro uses a button layout similar to the PlayStation controllers, with analog sticks on both sides. The buttons themselves are membrane-based, which means they feel soft and quiet when pressed. If you prefer mechanical buttons, this might not be for you, but I don’t mind membrane buttons, so it’s fine for me.
There are also programmable buttons on the back, which I didn’t find particularly exciting. You can map these to other buttons, but unless they’re unique inputs, they don’t add much in my opinion. Still, having the option might be useful for some players.
Trigger and Stick Performance
One of the things that might not appeal to everyone is the softness of the triggers. They feel quite flexible, which some players may find too loose. For me, it wasn’t a dealbreaker, but it does take some getting used to. The analog sticks are detachable, which makes them easy to clean or replace, but they don’t have the solid click some other controllers offer.
Connectivity
The Tarantula Pro connects via Bluetooth, a dongle, or a wired connection, so it’s versatile. I tried it on a PC, and switching between platforms (like Android or Switch) is simple, with a combination of buttons to switch modes. It takes about 5, 6 seconds to connect, which is fairly standard. I also liked the hidden LED display under the surface of the controller – a small but nice touch.
In-Game Experience
I tested it out with a few games, including Street Fighter V, and the D-pad with micro switches felt accurate. The soft triggers didn’t bother me too much during gameplay, and I didn’t experience any missed inputs. The vibration feedback was firm and responsive, adding to the overall gaming experience.
One neat feature is the ability to capture screenshots directly from the controller. There’s a dedicated button for it, and it saves the screen instantly – a handy feature if you like to grab in-game highlights.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the GameSir Tarantula Pro is a solid controller with a few quirks. The design might not be for everyone, and the triggers are softer than I’d prefer, but it gets the job done. It’s versatile with its multi-platform support, and the build quality feels decent. At a price range of around $70-$90, I’d say it’s a good option for gamers who like a controller with a soft feel and plenty of customization options.
If you’re looking for something with a firmer trigger feel or more unique features, there might be better options out there. But for general gaming, this one performs well enough.
