Key Takeaways
- GameSir Tarantula Professional presents three connection sorts and customization choices for a number of platforms.
- Its revolutionary design permits for speedy switching between two button layouts with a mechanical mechanism.
- The controller is snug, feature-packed, and competitively priced, making it a best choice for avid gamers.
I often play PC video games with a keyboard and mouse and persist with controllers for console and mobile gaming. That is why I used to be excited to strive the brand new GameSir Tarantula Professional on my laptop to see what it may do and if it might change my thoughts.
So, what makes the Tarantula Professional totally different from all the opposite controllers? It is a common controller providing three connection sorts to work on a number of platforms. You additionally get additional paddles and superb software program customization choices to fine-tune the expertise. Nevertheless, Tarantula Professional’s largest celebration trick is its revolutionary design, permitting you to change between two button layouts in seconds with only a few presses.
Consolation is subjective, however most gamers can really feel whether or not a controller is for them or not the second they wrap their palms round it. The Tarantula Professional’s really feel put me onto to a great begin, and I started a week-long journey of discovering its talents.

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Worth, availability, and specs
Wonderful value for what it presents
GameSir’s Tarantula Professional is a flexible Home windows, iOS, Android, and Nintendo Swap controller. Most gamers will connect with it through Bluetooth or the two.4G USB dongle, however it may additionally work via the provided 2-ft USB-C to USB-A cable when it wants charging. Talking of charging, the Tarantula Professional has a 1,200 mAh battery providing round 20 hours of gameplay, which will be longer in the event you flip off the rumble and RGB lighting options. It is also out there with an acrylic wi-fi charging station with an auto begin and cease perform that can hold it juiced up if you’re not enjoying.
Specs-wise, the Tarantula Professional is full of options that elevate it above most traditional controllers. The analog sticks use the most recent TMR electromagnetic expertise and provide superior precision, higher sturdiness, and fewer put on as a result of they’ve fewer shifting elements. Tinkerers will love the 9 programmable buttons, together with a pair of enormous, completely positioned paddles on the rear that may be retracted and locked in place when not in use. The swappable structure is the Tarantula Professional’s most revolutionary characteristic as a result of it makes use of inner gears to change between the ABXY Xbox configuration and Nintendo’s AXBY by urgent the M + A buttons concurrently. Different normal options embody responsive Corridor-Impact triggers, HD rumble, and an NFC perform that works with Nintendo Swap Amiibos.

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Most gamers will discover the Tarantula Professional’s symmetrical design snug for marathon gaming classes, as a result of it is mild at simply 11.5 ounces, and all of the buttons are simply reachable. Its businesslike all-black styling is elevated by a delicate camo sample on the entrance plate that is barely seen until it catches the sunshine. Vivid RGB lighting provides some aptitude and is restricted to a tasteful U-shaped strip that contrasts effectively with the programmable backlit buttons, and it is easy to alter the colour and results with the GameSir Join app.
What I like in regards to the GameSir Tarantula Professional
An extended record of options
I just like the Tarantula Professional’s no-nonsense utilitarian design, which prioritizes practicality and performance over trendy design and attractiveness. The whole lot serves a function, and the outside has ample texturing across the grip and analog sticks to maintain my fingers firmly in place. The cushioned ABXY buttons and micro swap D-Pad have a smoother contact and provide a responsive, satisfying click on on each press. You additionally get seven additional programmable buttons on the entrance which are useful for mapping to in-game features like opening maps or stock. It is the primary controller I’ve come throughout that provides mechanical structure switching, and I respect the clear window that gives a glimpse at the way it works.
Performance extends to the again of the controller, the place massive, textured paddles can retract and lock in place with handy sliders. A second set of sliders adjusts the set off size between quick and clicky or lengthy and linear presses.
I might have separate colours for every button within the Xbox and Nintendo layouts.
Professional controllers attain their full potential if you personalize their features to fit your playstyle. The Tarantula Professional is as much as the duty and presents complete customization choices via the GameSir Join app to fine-tune your expertise. I loved toying with the RGB lighting, decreasing the brightness, and adjusting the colour to match my laptop computer keyboard. I used to be additionally impressed with the configurable backlighting and the way I might have separate colours for every button within the Xbox and Nintendo layouts.

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Nearly every little thing is customizable, together with the buttons, triggers, sticks, and vibrations. I left the sticks and buttons on their default settings, as a result of I did not assume they wanted any enhancements. I performed with the in-depth button configuration choices, which let me map mouse buttons, the keyboard, and Numpad keys to the controller. I used to be additionally impressed by the set off changes as a result of I might fine-tune the curve adjustment and lifeless zone settings to my liking.
The characteristic I like essentially the most on the Tarantula Professional is adjustable triggers that may immediately go from Corridor Impact mode to Micro Swap mode with easy sliders on the again of the controller. In analog Corridor Impact mode, the triggers have an extended, incremental press that’s excellent for accelerating in racing video games. The Micro Swap hair set off mode offers a brief press with a tactile really feel for quick capturing in motion video games.
I discovered the Tarantula Professional extra intuitive and comfy than my keyboard and mouse.
Taking part in Apex Legends was initially difficult however grew to become simpler after growing the in-game stick sensitivity settings and switching to the hair-trigger mode. Subsequent up was Star Wars: Battlefront 2, and I discovered the Tarantula Professional extra intuitive and comfy than my keyboard and mouse for many recreation modes. The lightsaber battles have a hack-and-slash gameplay model that is far more enjoyable with analog sticks and responsive triggers than jiggling my mouse round and clicking quick. It is the identical with X-wing dogfights — utilizing the controller offered extra of a cockpit-like really feel, and the rumble characteristic supplied unimaginable immersion as a result of I might really feel the encircling explosions.

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I’ve by no means loved Borderlands 3 on PC and all the time persist with the PS5 model as a result of it feels extra pure, however that modified with the Tarantula Professional, which introduced a console-like really feel to the sport and felt extra pure for capturing and driving. The rumble impact made gunplay far more enjoyable as a result of every weapon had a novel really feel that distinguished it from the others. Sniper rifles and shotguns had a single heavy vibration, whereas pistols and submachine weapons had a number of lighter vibrations when firing. Once more, the default motion pace was too sluggish for my liking, and growing the sensitivity drastically improved the expertise.
I then tried enjoying cellular video games and was simply as impressed. Asphalt 8 took on a brand new dimension as a result of the exact analog sticks are much better than the usual contact controls for car dealing with and improved my total gameplay. Gangstar Vegas: World of Crime felt like a console recreation, and every little thing from driving to capturing was higher with the Tarantula Professional. I additionally appreciated that I might stand my cellphone on my desk and sit again and benefit from the video games with out holding it or blocking the display screen with my fingers.
What I do not like in regards to the GameSir Tarantula Professional
It may very well be simpler to arrange
Organising the GameSir Tarantula Professional was extra sophisticated than anticipated due to the clunky software program. I managed to obtain and set up the GameSir Join app with none points. The app then detected the controller through the USB cable and supplied to replace it to the most recent model. I attempted updating, but it surely stored failing, asking me to alter the cable, join the controller instantly with out a hub, and disable the antivirus. I did this stuff however nonetheless had no luck updating it.
The wi-fi dongle immediately detected the Tarantula Professional, but it surely would not permit me to customise the settings in GameSir Join with out utilizing a separate firmware replace software. After downloading the firmware app, I plugged within the dongle and pressed the share button for 5 seconds to replace the software program. The dongle was up to date with none points, however the controller nonetheless could not entry GameSir Join or replace its software program whereas related wirelessly.

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I then related the Tarantula Professional to my cellphone through Bluetooth and put in the cellular app. The cellular app notified me that new firmware was out there and let me replace the controller. After updating the controller firmware through the GameSir app, I had no extra points and will use the Tarantula Professional with the dongle and alter its button configuration through the GameSir Join.
It is a petty gripe, however I want the Tarantula Professional included a protecting case just like the X4 Aileron and a slot for the USB dongle as a result of a common controller needs to be simple to move safely with out dropping the dongle or worrying about drops and scratches. The Tarantula Professional is extremely priced, and I feel most gamers can be prepared to pay just a few extra bucks for a carry case as a result of they’d nonetheless get good worth.
Must you purchase the GameSir Tarantula Professional?
It is a no-brainer if you would like terrific worth
GameSir’s Tarantula Professional exceeded my expectations with its excellent total efficiency. I performed for hours with out feeling fatigued as a result of the light-weight, symmetrical design with the correct amount of texturing and completely positioned buttons felt like an extension of my palms. I additionally just like the spectacular customization choices, which let me personalize the sticks, triggers, and rear paddles to go well with my gameplay.
The Tarantula Professional prices round half the value of many rival professional controllers and presents comparable construct high quality and the most recent tech, like TMR sticks and Corridor-Impact triggers. The distinctive mechanical button-swapping characteristic provides one thing totally different and is not discovered on different manufacturers. Its $70 price ticket is a good deal, making it a high contender for critical avid gamers in search of an inexpensive professional controller.


GameSir Tarantula Professional
The GameSir Tarantula Professional is a flexible controller that works on Home windows, Nintendo Swap, Android, and iOS. It connects through a wired, 2.4G wi-fi, or Bluetooth connection and presents trendy options like TMR analog sticks and Corridor Impact triggers.

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