MSI Force GC30 V2 vs Xbox One controller

Top critical review

3.0 out of 5 starsPretty good, but one major flaw.

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2019

The controller is plug and play and paired immediately without hassle or driver installation. Windows 10 recognized it as an xbox 360 controller. There is no noticeable latency. It also has a rechargeable internal battery that lasts several hours at least. The controller is very much comparable to an xbox one s controller in terms of size and button arrangement. The weight and feel of the controller in terms of build quality are decent, but of slightly lower quality than xbox and playstation controllers. The vibration is on par with both xbox and playstation. The sticks feel pretty comfortable and are accurate, but after a bit of use, I noticed they began to wear in places where the sticks touched the surrounding edges. The greatest flaw however is the directional buttons. The directional buttons are very sensitive, which makes it difficult to play games that rely on accurate dpad input. For example, if you are someone like myself who enjoys playing fighting games like mortal kombat or classic game emulators using the dpad, then you will certainly have trouble. Combinations in fighting games are frustrating and difficult to manage with this controller's dpad. The directional buttons tend to register multiple commands at the slightest touch and if a direction is pressed at the slightest angle it will also input the nearest key in that direction. So if I pressed right for example, it would also likely input the up or down key simultaneously. This oversensitivity and faulty input would result in spastic character movements and failed combinations. Overall the controller is decent and a step in the right direction, but with faulty dpad functionality, and the fact that legitimate Ps4 and xbox one s controllers can be found brand new on Ebay between 35 and 40 bucks, it's worth going with playstation or xbox, at least until MSI corrects this flaw in a future model.

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MSI Force GC30 Review — All-rounder Gaming Controller

Review

MSI Force GC30 V2 vs Xbox One controller

Overview

Highlights

The MSI Force G30 controller offers wireless connectivity while also being flexible in terms of gaming platforms.

Positives

- Usable on several platforms
- Wireless controller
- Decent battery
- Easy to use

Negatives

- Needs a bit refinement in the shoulder design
- Uses microUSB
- Analogs need calibration

Bottom Line

A multi-platform wireless gamepad that does it's job but could be even better.

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If you’re on the lookout for a controller that’s compatible with a variety of platforms, this could be something for you to consider. In this MSI Force GC30 review, we’re gonna see if it’s truly worth your money. Let’s find out, shall we?

MSI Force GC30 Unboxing

MSI Force GC30 V2 vs Xbox One controller
MSI Force GC30 review – Unboxing

Inside the box of the MSI Force GC30, you will find the following items:

  • MSI Force GC30 controller
  • Documentation
  • USB dongle
  • Extra D-Pad
  • 2m USB cable
  • 30cm OTG cable

MSI Force GC30 Appearance

MSI Force GC30 V2 vs Xbox One controller
MSI Force GC30 review

As you can see, the GC30 has a similar layout to an Xbox controller, where it has X, Y, B, and A labeling for the buttons. There are four LEDs in the middle which shows what mode you are on. The D-pad can also be swapped with the extra one they gave from the package as they are magnetic, should you wish to do so.

MSI Force GC30 V2 vs Xbox One controller
MSI Force GC30 review

At the top of the controller, you can find its microUSB port. The shoulder buttons and triggers are designed with lines for a better feel and grip. As for the back, there’s simply a sticker where it shows the the types of lighting and what modes they represent using the LED lights on the front.

MSI Force GC30 User Experience

Comfort

MSI Force GC30 V2 vs Xbox One controller
MSI Force GC30 review

When it comes to grip, the MSI Force GC30 feels like a solid gaming controller. I like the rubber texture that they’ve put on both sides, something you’ll appreciate if you have sweaty hands like me.

I’ve tested quite a number of controllers before. Some felt like they were really cheap and some offer you a premium feel. For the Force GC30’s case, it sits right in the middle. It’s overall design could do with some refinement but it has the right weight to it that doesn’t make it feel like a toy.

MSI Force GC30 V2 vs Xbox One controller
MSI Force GC30 review

However, I wasn’t satisfied with the back of the controller. I find that the shoulder area beneath the triggers doesn’t have the best of designs. Personally, I’m the type of player that rest my middle finger near that area instead of the triggers (I let my index finger do all the work). It certainly doesn’t feel the best in that area and it can feel rather annoying. If you rest your fingers on the triggers, then this won’t be an issue for you.

Performance

MSI Force GC30 V2 vs Xbox One controller
MSI Force GC30 review

Though the product’s manual only mentions that the GC30 is compatible for PC, PS3 and Android devices, I decided to test it out on the PS4. It did manage to detect and I was able to play Ghost of Tsushima but after awhile, it disconnected by itself. Something to take note of if you plan to use this with the PlayStation 4.

That aside, the buttons feels decent enough but I found that they need a little bit of force to trigger an input. The analogs on the GC30 feels like they need a little bit of adjustments.

I feel that they have little resistance when you push them around and this can easily affect your aiming in games, especially first person shooters. Not surprisingly, I had to adjust the sensitivity for each of the first person-based games that I’ve played.

If your smartphone is using a Type-C port, you won’t be able to use this right out of the box as the controller only comes with a microUSB to microUSB cable. In Bluetooth mode, there’s a bit of latency going on and it’s noticeable when I played Call of Duty: Mobile.

MSI has claimed that the controller can last up to 8 hours per full charge. While I didn’t play as long as that in one go (I still need to work, guys), I can say that it did just that. This is also dependent on the type of game you’re playing where the vibrations can drain the battery faster.

MSI Force GC30 Verdict

MSI Force GC30 V2 vs Xbox One controller
MSI Force GC30 review

Overall, the MSI Force GC30 is a decent gamepad option for its price of RM225. Sure, as mentioned in the review, it’s not the best gamepad out there but in terms of versatility, it offers a lot.

For those who want the best experience, especially for those who play first-person shooters, you might find yourself having to tweak a lot in the controller options. As for casual gamers, I see no problems in getting the GC30. For that, I award the MSI Force GC30 our Bronze Pokdeaward.

MSI Force GC30 V2 vs Xbox One controller

Our thanks to MSI Malaysia for providing the MSI Force GC30 that was used in this review!

Related

Tags

accessories, Android, Bluetooth, Controller, dongle, Gaming, Malaysia, MSI, MSI Force GC30, PCMR, Pokde Picks, PS4, USB, Wireless

About The Author

Raja Idris

The name's King, Kingky King. Likes to keep it simple and straightforward. A person who games regardless of what platform. Need value for money performance? Get AMD.

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Let's Discuss It Further

Is MSI Force GC30 V2 good?

great controller, love it and easy to use. Good product, but one small issue. The MSI Gaming Wireless Rechargeable Dual Vibration Gaming Controller takes a while to charge which isn't much of an issue for me. It comes with a USB adapter so all you gotta do is plug it into a USB port and you're all set.

Does MSI force GC30 work on Xbox one?

Do you want to use the GC30 on other consoles such as Xbox One or PS4? No problem, simply plug the wireless adapter into your console of choice and off you go! Another big advantage the GC30 has over the competition is the inclusion of rechargeable battery straight out of the box.

Does MSI GC30 have Bluetooth?

In Bluetooth mode, there's a bit of latency going on and it's noticeable when I played Call of Duty: Mobile. MSI has claimed that the controller can last up to 8 hours per full charge. While I didn't play as long as that in one go (I still need to work, guys), I can say that it did just that.

Can I use MSI GC30 on PS4?

WIDE COMPARABILITY: Use your GC30 gamepad with all Windows 10/8.1/7 Computers / Laptops, Android Tablets / Phones and PlayStation 4.