The PB Tails Crush makes an immediate impression with its striking looks, and thankfully continues doing so after switching it on. With high-quality Hall Effect joysticks and firm but responsive buttons, you can get it in either a PC or Switch layout, and the flashy RGB effects add even more flair. I would have liked more texture on the triggers and joysticks, and there are no back buttons, but everything that is there performs admirably. If you want a bit of style in your gaming controllers, PB Tails should be on your list.
For
Good responsiveness with impressive haptic feedback
Accurate Hall Effect joysticks
Looks gorgeous
Against
No back buttons
No texture on triggers and joystick edges
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The PB Tails Crush controller aims to fill two core human needs: one, a single controller for both your PC and Switch gaming, and two, doing good gaming and making it look fashion at the same time.
There are a lot of different options among the best Switch controllers on the market, as well as the range of PC controllers around, so standing out is vital. I'm primarily a PC gamer, and my favourite controller ever is the GameSir G7, which I reviewed last year.
And while that won't change after my month with the PB Tails Crush, I wouldn't blame anyone for preferring this beautiful controller to anything else on the market.
PB Tails Crush review: Design
(Image credit: Future / Erlingur Einarsson)
Made from a polycarbonate and zinc alloy, the PB Tails feels sturdy and weighty out of the box. It weighs 250 grams, which is a good 30 grams more than the aforementioned GameSir G7, but then this one contains a battery (as it's a wireless one, as opposed to the G7), so that's to be expected. The PC/zinc alloy case feels smooth to the touch without fear of it being too slippery. The metal MagCase on the top-spec Porsche-inspired Ghost variant ups the weight to 348 grams, which I think might be pushing it just a bit...
The nicely contoured handles mean the grip is very comfortable, and my relatively small hands have no issues reaching any of the buttons on top, which have all been stylishly designed too. It is ever-so-slightly larger than the GameSir, but not uncomfortably so.
The RGB lighting is customisable, and with a combination of the 'T' button next to the central power button and other buttons, you can make it look exactly like you want.
There are four colour options available, I received the Ruby variant, but there are China White, Azurite (blue) and Ghost (silver) options available too. The magnetic faceplate can be swapped out too, so buying one colour doesn't mean you'll be stuck with that forever if you want to change things up.
PB Tails Crush review: Features and performance
(Image credit: Future / Erlingur Einarsson)
On board the PB Tails you'll get magnetic Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, with a 6-axis gyro, and 256 colours of RGB customisation. The Bluetooth function supports up to a 125Hz polling rate while connecting the USB-C cable ups that to an impressive 500Hz. 125Hz does the job for most games, in terms of keeping the response fairly seamless, but it's noticeably more impressive when plugged in via cable.
As primarily a PC gamer, the Switch layout of the buttons confused me a little bit at first, but I soon recalibrated my brain to adjust to that, and the function buttons in the centre were relatively easy for me to get my head around.
I found the responsiveness and gaming experience mostly excellent, be it in sports, racing games or RPGs, with no noticeable drift (thanks to the 6-axis gyro sticks) and highly reactive triggers. I would have liked more texture for the ultimate trigger and joystick grip, but that's a subjective opinion, I admit.
There are no back buttons on the PB Tails Crush either. I have grown to like these for macro commands or additional programmed functions, especially when racing, where I have been able to use them for setup and pitstop commands. Again, that's a good-to-have function that's not essential to most gamers, but at this price point, they've become more ubiquitous in recent years.
PB Tails Crush review: Price
(Image credit: Future / Erlingur Einarsson)
The PB Tails Crush retails for between $64.99 for the basic China White model to $99.99 for the top-spec Ghost one on the official PB Tails site. That said, there are regular discounts on their site, and third-party retailers are likely to include the Crush in seasonal discount events. This is a higher price than for some other leading controllers, including the GameSir G7, but with the additional design flair, that can be justified.
Should I buy the PB Tails Crush?
(Image credit: Future / Erlingur Einarsson)
If you want to add a bit of style to your gaming, whether it's on Switch or PC, the PB Tails Crush is definitely up there with your top options. It's a cool-looking, responsive and high-performing controller (especially in USB-C mode), strong and sturdy, with swappable magnetic faceplates adding to your customisation options, but if you want more textured sticks and triggers, or absolutely need the back buttons (only included here on the top-spec model), you may have to look elsewhere. But if you don't mind those niggles, and you're happy to pay a little extra for that splash of style, the Crush will be an attractive option indeed.
The Verdict
8
out of 10
PB Tails Crush
The PB Tails Crush makes an immediate impression with its striking looks, and thankfully continues doing so after switching it on. With high-quality Hall Effect joysticks and firm but responsive buttons, you can get it in either a PC or Switch layout, and the flashy RGB effects add even more flair. I would have liked more texture on the triggers and joysticks, and there are no back buttons, but everything that is there performs admirably. If you want a bit of style in your gaming controllers, PB Tails should be on your list.
Erlingur is the Tech Reviews Editor on Creative Bloq. Having worked on magazines devoted to Photoshop, films, history, and science for over 15 years, as well as working on Digital Camera World and Top Ten Reviews in more recent times, Erlingur has developed a passion for finding tech that helps people do their job, whatever it may be. He loves putting things to the test and seeing if they're all hyped up to be, to make sure people are getting what they're promised. Still can't get his wifi-only printer to connect to his computer.
