Fantech Nova 2 and Shooter III X Review: Playstation or Xbox?

Fantech seems to be following a number of other controller makers this year. Dumping out a lot of controllers in an attempt to see what sticks. They’ve had this in their EOS line, as well as the Shooter III. They’ve also had less-than-stellar releases like the Revolver III. This time, though, they’ve sent me two controllers that want to strike the interest of console players. Particularly, the Xbox and PlayStation crowds.

The Nova 2 is their latest, full Bluetooth PlayStation 4-compatible controller. Meanwhile, the Shooter III X is its first Xbox-compatible, wireless controller. But are either options worth it? Or should you consider something else?

Fantech Nova 2 and Shooter III X Specs

Off the bat, these fill in the budget end of the market, but not as low as you’d think. The Nova II is listed at $30 on the website, while the Shooter III X is marked at $45. There are a lot of similarities between the two. So any differences will be highlighted for you.

Triggers and Sticks: Hall-Effect
Face Buttons and D-Pad: Membrane
Battery: 600mAh
Battery Life:
- Nova 2: 10 Hours
- Shooter III X: 15 Hours
Weight:
- Nova 2: 226 grams
- Shooter III X: 198 grams
Connectivity:
- Nova 2: Bluetooth 5.3/Wired
- Shooter III X: 2.4GHz/Wired
Compatibility:
- Nova 2: x86, Switch, PS3/PS4, iOS/Android
- Shooter III X: x86, Xbox One/Series, PS3
Extra Features:
- Nova 2: Trackpad, Gyro, Rear Paddles, Built-in Speaker
- Both: Vibration, 3.5mm Audio Jack

Fantech Nova 2 Fantech Shooter III X

What I Like

The Controls (That Match)

A lot of controls on these controllers are shared, and for the most part, they share the good bits. The face buttons feature the same tension and membrane actuation, though the Nova II is more spread out. The sticks are super smooth hall effect options that feel shockingly good despite their prices. Though the III X’s original had a better price for the sticks. And the triggers feel identical, despite their difference in shape. The Nova 2 has wider, flatter triggers.

For what they share, they did great. For what differs… it could be better.

The Nova’s Feature Set

For $30, the Nova 2 puts a lot into it. From the trackpad and the audio jack to the inclusion of gyro, rear paddles, and timed macro functionality. All paired with a Bluetooth connection that can find its way onto just about any device that isn’t an Xbox. Fantech did a lot right with the Nova II, and it shows. There’s a lot of functionality here, even if not all of the controls are ideal.

The Ergonomics

Both controllers do this well. I’ve talked plenty of positives about the Shooter III body in the past, so I want to comment simply. It’s safe, but it works well. Everything sits exactly where it should for me personally, and I appreciate that.

The Nova 2, on the other hand, takes the PlayStation DualShock design and stretches it slightly. The grips are long enough that they feel comfortable, but not too long to make it a stretch to reach for anything. This was the case on the Hexgaming Phantom as well, but the only awkward stretch for me was getting to the trackpad. But maybe I just need longer thumbs.

It Just Works

It just works as long as you update your console. Initially, the Shooter III X wouldn’t connect to my One S until after I updated it. However, once that was done, both controllers worked on everything they could connect to. As a mostly PC gamer now, that’s where a lot of my testing went, and they both managed it well. On Switch, the Nova II took a minute to actually connect, but once it did, my connection was stable. And of course, after borrowing a PS4, it got in just as easily.

One thing Fantech is great at is making controllers that do what they need to and do it well.

What I Don’t

The Controls (That Differ)

There are only a couple of things that differ. The Nova 2 has super loud and clicky L1/R1 buttons that get annoying to use, while the III X has membrane buttons that feel better. The Nova 2 also has a stiffer, heavier D-Pad with less pivot than I would expect. Meanwhile, the III X has a shield-style D-Pad that moves really well and is my preference between the two. When they share controls, they both win. When they differ, the Shooter III X definitely seems to do better. Maybe I just don’t like Sony console D-Pads anymore? No…that couldn’t be it.

The Shooter III X’s Barebones Nature

While the Nova 2 packs a lot into a $30 package, it feels like the Shooter III X strips more out to meet Xbox’s needs, but now at a higher price. The original Shooter III costs just $25, and I got a black unit for $20. So to double the price, you end up with a controller that does the essentials: control wirelessly through the dongle.

There’s no dual-use dongle, no trigger stops, and nothing else that makes the $45 price tag feel a bit better. Having so little at a price like this does make me put up consideration for an Xbox controller that’s on sale already.

Battery Life

This is a simple one, and maybe PlayStation users already know this pain, but 10 hours of battery life just doesn’t feel like enough. Those numbers are usually given in ideal conditions and likely end up lower. During my testing, I did find myself recharging the Nova 2 more than I did the Shooter III X. Surprisingly, I had also come back to it dead, which isn’t something I usually have an issue with on other controllers.

The excess likely comes purely from the trackpad and extra LEDs around it, but I would’ve paid an extra $5 for them to use a larger battery. The Shooter III X battery is fine, but nothing exceptional.

Final Thoughts

In the end, you’ve got a decent pair of controllers that do exactly what they say on the sticker. They work on Xbox, and they work on PlayStation. With the upsides, they also have a selection of downsides to match.

The Nova 2, a feature-packed, compatible, DualShock-style controller for only $30, suffers from a below-average battery life, loud shoulder buttons, and a stiff D-Pad. If you know what you’re getting into, you’ll like it.

The Shooter III X, a barebones, $45 controller, that works on fewer systems and shares its parts with a $25 controller. However, it has my preferred controls, layout, and ergonomics while remaining lightweight with better battery life. If you need Xbox compatibility, this is great. Otherwise, save your money and buy the original Shooter III.

Both are good, both have their competition, but look into your needs before pulling the trigger. For PS4, I’d happily recommend the Nova 2 over its contemporaries. For Xbox, the Shooter III X at least undercuts its third-party wireless competition. But what about you? Are you in the PlayStation Camp? Or the Xbox?