The idea of collectible controllers isn’t new by any means, as we frequently see special edition colors and themed controllers released year-round. However, PDP took things a step further with its new Realmz line of Switch controllers by including an actual figurine from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise embedded inside the controller, along with a transparent, multi-layered design to provide a sense of depth and immersion I’ve not seen in a controller before. But, visuals aside, the controller itself doesn’t stand out as much more than a collectible item for my shelf, for better or worse.
PDP Realmz Wireless Controller – Design and Features
The PDP Realmz wireless controller for Nintendo Switch strikes a nice balance between being a usable controller and an item that looks great on a collector’s shelf. With multiple designs featuring characters and locations from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, this is a fantastic controller for Sonic fans. Each controller contains a small detailed figurine mounted inside the left stem along with color-matched face buttons and thumbsticks that tie into the overall theme.
The controller features a predominantly transparent enclosure and a multi-layered design depicting various levels from the Sonic franchise. The clear shell allows you to appreciate all the fine details and three dimensional effect created from the different layers. The PDP Realmz controllers are available in both wired and wireless variants, with designs featuring Sonic and the iconic Green Hill Zone, Tails with Seaside Hill Zone, and Knuckles with Sky Sanctuary Zone. There’s even a Pikmin-themed Realmz controller for fans of that franchise, as well.
I tested the Sonic/Green Hill Zone-themed controller and I love how thematic it is. The red thumbsticks and face buttons paired with the blue D-pad and triggers match Sonic’s aesthetic perfectly. The layered effect is very cool as well, as the buttons appear to float above the backdrop of Green Hill Zone.
Upon initial pickup, my first thought was just how lightweight the controller is. Since it’s primarily made of plastic, it clocks in at 160 grams – nearly 100 grams lighter than Nintendo’s Pro Controller. It’s comparable in size to the Pro Controller, although it has shorter, stubbier controller stems and feels like a better fit for children or players with smaller hands.
The face buttons have a nice “thocky” sound to them when pressed with minimal wiggle in their designated cutouts. The D-pad is also surprisingly sturdy and responsive. It reminds me of a classic Nintendo D-pad with its satisfying feel and lack of any clicky sound when pressed. The thumbsticks, on the other hand, leave a bit to be desired. They are made entirely of a lightweight plastic and have no grip, aside from a small concave indent to rest your thumbs. They are snappy and responsive, however, but feel like with enough use they wouldn’t hold up over time – especially if used by children.
On the top of the controller, you’ll find the blue shoulder buttons and blue digital triggers. The shoulder buttons feel great to press as they are clicky, yet silent, while the digital triggers have a short throw range and a satisfying click to let you know they are engaged. There’s a USB-C port on top for charging the controller’s built-in battery, which is estimated to last for around 40 hours on a single charge. That said, the included charging cable is only about a foot long, so if you need to play while charging, you’ll need to purchase something a bit longer. There’s also a small button that’s used to pair it to your Nintendo Switch console, as well as four light indicators on the bottom of the controller to let you know which player you are when multiple controllers are connected to the console. The back of the controller is also made from a glossy transparent plastic and features a small bit of plastic texture on the grips to keep your hands in place while playing.
In addition to the fun designs of the Realmz controllers, they also feature various customizable lighting modes. By holding the function button in the center of the controller and pressing one of the four face buttons you can toggle between a static lighting mode, a breathing mode, as well as illuminating the controller on button press, or alternating lighting to either side of the controller depending on which button is pressed. While you can’t change the color of the lighting (it’s just white), you can adjust the brightness if you choose. There’s also an optional Collector Mode that allows you to keep the controller’s LED lights illuminated while it’s plugged into the Nintendo Switch’s dock to showcase the figurine and background.
PDP Realmz Wireless Controller – Software
The PDP Realmz controller doesn’t require any additional software to use as it pairs wirelessly to the Nintendo Switch right out of the box.
PDP Realmz Wireless Controller – Gaming
As I mentioned before, the PDP Realmz controller is very lightweight. While that’s great for reducing fatigue during extended gaming sessions, especially with its 40-hour-long battery life, it feels a little too lightweight for my taste as it lacks any meaningful heft. And because it’s enclosed in a completely plastic shell, it does get a bit slippery on the front of the controller while gaming.
Part of what contributes to the lighter weight is the omission of any rumble motors or motion controls. With nearly every controller these days including some sort of vibration, whether standard or Nintendo’s own HD Rumble, it’s immediately noticeable when it’s not present. So much of what makes a game immersive for me is the sensations felt within a controller when pulling the trigger of a gun, or feeling the road under the tires as you floor it in a car.
And speaking of driving cars, the decision to include digital triggers as opposed to analog triggers means you don’t have that precise control over how much you accelerate or brake as the triggers are either engaged or not. If you don’t play many racing games, this probably won’t concern you, but considering Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still the best-selling Nintendo Switch game by a large margin – there’s a good chance you’d benefit from analog triggers, to say the least.
I felt obligated to take the controller for a spin with some Sonic Superstars on Nintendo Switch. For the most part, it’s a very capable controller that feels good to use. While I’m not the biggest fan of the lightweight, plastic thumbsticks, the face buttons and D-pad feel very solid and work well for 2D platformers. I also really appreciate the clear design as you can see the components moving inside when pressed. The overall design of the controller is spectacular as well – from the detailed Sonic figure inside to the gorgeous, layered artwork, but I can’t help feeling as though it would look better sitting on the shelf than in my hands.
