There is no shortage of controller options for the highly popular PlayStation 4 console. Sometimes choosing between the plethora of controllers can be a difficult task. As such I have decided to expand the review criteria here at VDZE Media to include hardware. First on the docket is the Gioteck VX-4 Premium Wireless controller for PS4 and PC by Gioteck.
Box Features:
Wireless Bluetooth
Ergonomic Design
Traditional PlayStation Layout
3.5mm Audio Port
Motion & Vibrate Support
Upon first inspection the controller keeps most of the design choices of the original dual shock 4. The analog sticks remain front and centre alongside each other with a smaller but equally as effective touchpad sitting above it. Face buttons feel almost identical to the official pad except for the circle button sitting on a slight curve as the right hand side doesn’t have the same base that the d-pad does.
Speaking of the face buttons; to put their own stamp on the design Gioteck have opted to recreate the famous four shapes in dots. The well known blue, purple, green and red colour code remains bringing familiarity while also providing a fresh look. The concave analog sticks feel firm and well made. They have a slightly bigger range of motion than other controllers which took a little bit of getting used to in competitive multiplayer environments. This isn’t a negative, but it does take some time to adjust. The d-pad is serviceable but I do prefer the separated directional buttons on the DS4 for precision.
L2 and R2 triggers are much wider in Gioteck’s design with a slight curve to ensure great comfort on your index fingers. There is more tension on the triggers that really allows you to feel the weight of the gun you are shooting or the car you are driving. The turbo button situated centrally also provides an added advantage should you need it. For me, I finally got my gold medal in the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020 100m sprint.
The handles on the controller are a bit longer which provides an extremely comfortable fit. The design is also slightly less bulky in a way which manages to retain that ‘fits like a glove’ feel while also being a great option for younger gamers. Ever since I got the VX-4 it has been my son’s go to option over both the standard dual shock 4 and the Scuf Impact pad we have.
Another great feature is the Bluetooth integration. Many third party controllers require a USB dongle to connect to the console which not only takes up a valuable USB slot on your system but also means you cannot turn the console on with the controller. To my delight that wasn’t the case here and a simple tap of the home button will have you up and running from the comfort of your couch immediately.
Setup on PC is also painless. Simply hold down both the share and home buttons until the light between the home and turbo buttons begins to flash. Once you have done that simply search for a device in your Bluetooth settings and it should pop up right away. Alternatively you can connect it via USB using the charge cable provided. I use the app DS4Windows for compatibility, but other options are available.
One of the only real downsides to the Gioteck VX-4 is the absence of a light bar which means that it isn’t compatible with the PlayStation camera meaning it can’t be used for PSVR titles. On the plus side though, without the extra power required for the light bar the controller lasts longer than Sony’s official offering. The controller pitch boasts up to 12 hours battery life and while I never quite hit that benchmark I do regularly get around 10 hours out of it. That’s nearly double my current dual shock 4’s.
Overall the Gioteck VX-4 is a quality controller being sold at an exceptional price. The Scuf Impact pad is still the best PlayStation 4 controller I have used but you have to factor in that it costs more than five times the price. If you are looking to add an extra controller to your household for day to day use this is a superb option!
Product was provided for review purposes