If $40 is all you have to spend, you can get some really solid controllers. In fact, I covered that exact topic across 9 different controllers from 9 different brands. But most of those companies don’t just make one option under $40.
One of those companies was Beitong, and when they offered to send over its Asura 2 Pro+ for review, I wanted to answer a question burning in my heart and soul about those cheaper controllers. Was this twice as nice, for twice the price?
So let’s take a look and see if the Beitong Asura 2 Pro+ is another solid sub-$40 controller that you should consider.
Beitong Asura 2 Pro+: Specs
Top to Bottom: Zeus 2 Elite, Asura 2 Pro+, EOS Pro
For $40 you are definitely getting something that feels fitting for the price range, though how different it is from other options may come down to what you’re looking for.
- Sticks and Triggers: Hall-Effect
- Face Buttons and D-pad: Mechanical and Clicky
- Extra Features: M1/M2 on Back + 6 axis Gyro
- Battery: 600mAh
- Polling Rate: Up to 600Hz
- Connectivity: Wired over USB-C/Bluetooth/2.4ghz
- Compatibility: PC/Android/iOS/Switch/…Tesla?
- Weight: 235 grams
Ergonomics and Button Feel
Dongle Storage
When first looking at it, the 2 Pro Plus looks like it should feel like an Xbox controller in hand. But after using it for a bit, it feels a bit more rounded off and comfortable. Buttons, sticks, and shoulder buttons all land exactly where you should expect them on a modern controller, and holding it all feels nice and pleasant. Even the macro buttons land right where I usually rest my middle fingers.
As for the button feel. Triggers are smooth and make a light click when released. The sticks are quite nice on their own, and I appreciate the shift function that allows you to switch the functionality of the D-pad and the right stick. The face buttons are mechanical and have clicks to them, but I find there’s a little bit of travel before they actuate. While that threw me off at first, I did eventually get used to it. The D-pad in feel however is a bit off for me. It somehow lands in the middle ground of being both mushy and clicky, which hasn’t been the most satisfying experience.
In practice though, it didn’t affect me too much.Â
Control Testing
A Clicky D-pad
When it comes to standardizing testing, I’ve ended up coming down to 3 games to use for this. Celeste on Pico-8 for the D-pad and face buttons, Forza Horizon for the Triggers, and AK-olotl to focus on the sticks specifically. If there are any other game recommendations to use, I’m happy to take them for a test drive.
The D-pad
As mentioned, the feel of the D-pad isn’t great, however in use, it came out accurately and rarely gave me any trouble during my run of Celeste. I noticed at some points that I felt I released from one direction too early, but that could simply be user error. My run came out to 3:00 minutes with 4 deaths, which is pretty average nowadays. I’d give it a pass if you asked me.Â
The Triggers
I’m mostly focusing on the triggers when talking about Forza as the next game will utilize both sticks. But in general usage, the smooth action of the triggers gave me a pretty solid indication of how much power I was using for each of my cars. One thing I did notice is that, while there is a stopping point for each trigger, I was accidentally pushing them past that point. While not a deal-breaker, it was something worth noting.
The Sticks
Using AK-olotl for this game is my excuse to get better at it with practice. But in this 2D twin-stick shooter accuracy is important. Once I got going, I could ignore the very light grind of the sticks, and focus on just trying to finish a run or two. I never ran into any hitches, and overall these were probably my favorite part of the controller experience. Though in today’s market with controllers going in both directions price-wise, that’s only so much praise.Â
Extra Notes and Final Thoughts
Just to hit some last points, the gyro is nice to have, but I feel I wouldn’t use it much outside of Nintendo Switch. The software is fine, but most controller software hits that barrier, and even less exceeds it. Overall though, the Beitong Asura 2 Pro Plus is a mouthful of a name, but solid value at $40.
There are some questions though about having better options as similar or lower prices. Some of which I’ve talked about in the past. Or spending more for more features. But the question I asked was versus the Asura 2 Pro. A controller I got in Green for $10, but the black model is regularly $20. Should you spend the extra money on this? If hall-effect is a selling point that’s what you need. Yes. Otherwise, it feels like the exact same controller, with quieter face buttons (good), and a mushier D-pad (not as good).Â
I like it, and it’s a good offering, but there are other quality choices to choose from as well.Â
Or just get an Xbox controller…Oh wait that’s not 2.4ghz and NOT RECHARGEABLE OUT OF THE BOX!
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