Hyperkin’s New Controller Could Outshine the DualSense, Raising Questions About the PS5’s True Potential

Has the DualSense truly delivered on its promises? As the PS5 era kicked off, it was one of my most anticipated features. A controller boasting vibrant haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and an enhanced PlayStation feel—what’s not to be excited about? However, over five years later, its standout features seem underutilized at best and gimmicky at worst. The persistent stick drift issues have become a notable part of its story, leading me to prefer the Xbox Series X controller or even the more comfortable DualShock 4.

The Hyperkin Competitor seems to share my sentiments. At first glance, it resembles a DualSense knock-off, but there are subtle design choices that suggest it was crafted by those who understand my frustrations. Priced lower than the $70 DualSense, it features rounded edges for a more comfortable grip, and its rumble and feedback are more subdued—perhaps a nod to the often overwhelming haptic feedback of the PS5.

Initially, I dismissed it as a potential legal issue when it was first unveiled, but there’s a lot to appreciate about the Hyperkin Competitor. For starters, it offers a symmetrical layout for Xbox, which is a rarity. At a retail price of $49.99 / £49.99, it’s significantly more affordable than most Xbox pro controllers, though this budget-friendly approach does come with some limitations.

What you see is what you get with the Hyperkin Competitor. It not only looks like a PS5 controller but also feels like one in your hands. The overall shape, size, and weight are reminiscent of the DualSense. While it does come in a sleek black option, the novelty of the white version, complete with transparent face buttons, is hard to resist.

Attention to detail is evident, from the shape and texture of the thumbstick tops to the dotted grip on the handles. While it lacks the iconic symbols found on the DualSense grips, the similar ridges trick my brain into thinking I’m holding the original.

Of course, some signature PlayStation features are absent. The touchpad has been swapped for an Xbox button, and the aesthetic X shape where the white and black panels meet is a clever design choice. However, most other elements are a faithful recreation of the PS5 controller.

One intentional design change is the rounded corners at the bottom of the grips. I’ve always found the sharp edges of the DualSense uncomfortable, and I appreciated how the DualSense Edge addressed this with a more ergonomic design. The Competitor’s rounded grips echo this improvement, making it more comfortable for my pinkies, similar to the DualShock 4 and the pricier DualSense Edge.

Most officially licensed Xbox controllers released recently have gone wireless, come with charging stands, and include carrying cases with swappable parts. It’s not entirely fair to expect the same from Hyperkin, especially since those controllers often retail around $200. The features offered here are solid, particularly for gamers seeking an accessible Xbox Series X controller. While it may not be as budget-friendly as the GameSir G7 SE, it holds its own for those looking for a quick fix or an extra controller.

Unfortunately, the Competitor’s feature set feels limited compared to its PC rivals. Even at this price point, there are numerous contenders that provide more value.

In terms of pro features, it includes two back buttons (which can be locked if not needed), but that’s about it. The Competitor lacks a customization app for fine-tuning settings, such as deadzone adjustments or turbo modes. Hyperkin has opted for a simplified approach, and while the back buttons add some value over the DualSense, it doesn’t quite measure up against competitors like the GameSir G7 Pro, 8BitDo Ultimate 2, Manba One, and 8BitDo Pro 3, which offer extensive pro-level support for under $100.

There are swappable thumbsticks, but they don’t provide additional playstyle options; they simply offer a different shape. On the plus side, the wired controller comes with a long cable, and connectivity is standard with a USB-C port on top and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom.

The buttons are membrane-based, which should be familiar to anyone who has used a DualSense. The impulse triggers and thumbsticks utilize Hall effect technology, which helps mitigate the stick drift issues that plague the official DualSense. The bumpers have a clicky feel, though they don’t use microswitches, resulting in a hollow plastic sound compared to Sony’s premium buttons.

The Hyperkin Competitor has a snappy responsiveness. Like the DualSense, it feels reactive without the excessive clickiness found in many modern pro controllers. The weight and broad shoulders contribute to this feel. These are simple attributes, but they’re aspects the DualSense also got right. Surprisingly, despite its budget price, Hyperkin’s build quality is quite impressive, making one wonder why the DualSense is priced as it is.

Evaluating the rumble feedback is tricky. I’ve previously noted that the DualSense’s haptics often feel underutilized, with only a few games like Astro Bot and Returnal fully leveraging them. Most titles offer a broad, generic support for these features, leading to an overstimulating experience rather than the nuanced feedback I hoped for from this generation.

I’m unsure if Hyperkin shares this perspective, but the Competitor’s feedback is subtle and light. This could be an intentional design choice, but it might also indicate weaker components or a lack of software customization for rumble intensity.

In FPS games, the Competitor performs as well as any symmetrical controller, and the back buttons provide added functionality in titles like Hunt: Showdown. However, I wouldn’t recommend it as the top choice for FPS enthusiasts, as there are many other controllers under $100 that cater more specifically to this genre. A TMR controller, for instance, would be a better fit.

The Competitor has a high stick tension, contributing to its snappy feel, but this can also make it feel slower. In third-person action games like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, I found camera movement during intense combat to be a bit cumbersome, even after adjusting the sensitivity settings. Speed isn’t this controller’s strong suit, especially compared to microswitch rivals that make rapid button presses in games like Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero feel effortless.

The four-way D-pad will be familiar to many, but while I grew up using these pads, I don’t particularly enjoy them in 2D games like Towerfall Ascension or Celeste. I prefer a circular D-pad, but I was still able to execute diagonal inputs with this DualSense lookalike. It’s unfortunate that this isn’t a swappable feature, as alternative D-pad shapes are increasingly common across various controllers.

I appreciate the Hyperkin Competitor for several reasons. It refines aspects of the DualSense that I find less appealing, such as the rounded grip corners, integrated back buttons, and Hall sensor thumbsticks. With these features, Hyperkin has made the DualSense Edge and its hefty price tag seem excessive.

For Xbox players, symmetrical thumbsticks are a rare find. Hyperkin may have gone a bit far in mimicking the PS5 controller while providing a symmetrical option, but this unique identity adds significant appeal to the Competitor. While offset controllers are plentiful, this is the only one offering symmetrical sticks aside from the versatile Victrix Pro BFG for Xbox.

Overall, this is a highly affordable controller. While its attempts to replicate PlayStation features may hold it back compared to other brands, it remains a solid choice for those seeking a reasonably priced Xbox controller with some pro features without breaking the bank. However, if you’re looking to use it on PC, I recommend exploring other options in this price range before making a purchase.

As with all controllers I test, I integrated the Hyperkin Competitor into my setup and used it for over a week before sharing my thoughts. I played a variety of games across different genres to determine its best market fit. My primary comparison was the DualSense for PS5, along with other Xbox and PC controllers in a similar price range for additional context.