This Controller Can Swap Its Face Buttons Between Xbox and Nintendo Switch Layouts

If you are a gamer who hops between Xbox and Nintendo Switch, GameSir’s new Tarantula Pro might be exactly what you’re looking for. The $69 controller allows you to customize its ABXY button labels and functions, so you can personalize the controller according to the platform you’re playing on. It is designed to work with the Nintendo Switch, Xbox, mobile (Android and iOS), PC and Mac, and the Steam Deck.

My fascination with this controller stems from the fact that while many gaming companies now offer workarounds for connectivity for each console, there are not enough solutions for the muscle memory you’ve developed from each button layout on each console’s controller.

This rings even more true if you consistently switch from Xbox and PC to Nintendo Switch. The Tarantula Pro uses a gear mechanism to change the face button layout from XABY, which is required for playing Nintendo Switch, to a YBAX orientation for playing Xbox and PC games. The transformation is done by simply long-pressing one of the buttons. The press corresponds to a rotation on the mechanical wheel, where the buttons are placed, and they immediately switch places.

There’s an RGB lighting strip, a dedicated ring for the home button, and separate lighting for the ABXY buttons. The controller sports nine mappable buttons, including two quick-latch retractable back buttons, an NFC function, and a built-in six-axis gyroscope. This controller is powered by a 1200mAh battery.

Another feature GameSir boasts on its latest controller is its proprietary Mag-Res TMR Sticks instead of Hall Effect joysticks offered on other gaming controllers. The company claims high precision, ultra-durability, and longevity on these sticks. Apparently, they can hit a 1000Hz polling rate and a 4096 sampling resolution.

We often see gaming headsets with features that enhance seamless switching between consoles, PCs, and mobile. Cross-platform compatibility is something all gaming hardware companies work towards and proudly tout on their products. However, this mostly means its products are limited to offering multiple connectivity modes (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz dongle, and wired Type-C) that can facilitate a variety of gaming consoles or featuring physical base stations that can act as intermediaries between various inputs and outputs.

Logitech’s G Astro A50 X is a good example of a gaming headset that does this by allowing “one-click switching” between all your gaming consoles and PC/Mac. I also recently checked out Razer’s latest Kraken V4 Pro, which comes with an OLED gaming hub for smooth cable management and I/O, among other useful functions.

The Tarantula Pro is available to preorder now on the website for $69. If you opt for the bundle with a transparent charging stand included, it’ll cost $79.