Accessory Review: AfterGlow Prismatic Controller
I’ll openly admit that from going all the way back to my PS1 days, I’ve been an official accessory snob, favouring only the official controllers for my favoured consoles. However, when coming across an AfterGlow controller for the PS3, I was won over by its quality design and of course its glowing blue light through its transparent shell.
So we come forward to the new generation and my fondness for the AfterGlow controller continues on with the Prismatic Controller for the Xbox One. The design of the controller is a little smaller to that of the official Xbox One wireless controller, but its arguably just as comfortable in the hand. The button layout is of course the same as its official counterpart, so you’ll be able to instantly familiarise yourself with it. However, it does have a few little cool functions that the official controller does not.
For starters, located on the D-Pad, you are able to adjust the volume control of your connected headset for both gaming and chat volumes individually. This in particular can come in handy for quick access, especially as there is no need for the headset adapter that was required for the first generation of Xbox One controllers. The quality of the controller itself is also of high standard, feeling very sturdy in the hand, with its tough shell casing.
Of course with it being an AfterGlow product, the Prismatic Controller literally glows and shines like a star. But unlike its last-gen version, the new-gen counterpart is not restricted to one single colour. By downloading the free AfterGlow configuration app from the Xbox One Marketplace, you can customise the colour of your glowing controller with absolute ease, but that’s not the only thing you can do with the free app. Located on the back of the controller, you have the Dual Multi-Function Wheels, which grants you the ability to remap up to six actions.
How you remap them is all down to you and which genre of game you are playing. For example, if you’re playing an FPS such as Call of Duty, Halo or Destiny, you can easily program the DMFW to throw grenades or to quickly access the melee attack. Or if you’re playing a racer such as Forza Motorsport 6 or DiRT Rally and you’re the type to favour manual gear controls, you can program them to quickly shift up and down the gears. However, they are just mere suggestions, as there are many possibilities to how you can customise them to your choosing. Don’t get me wrong, this is nowhere near to the level of the Xbox One Elite Controller of course, but for those on a tighter budget, that want something along the similar lines, it’s a worthy and budget-friendly alternative.
Within the free app, you are also able to adjust the vibration feedback rumble motors in the base of the controller as well as the impulse triggers. Again, depending on what game you play, you can customise them to fit your needs. And to make gaming life a little easier, you can save various profiles on the app for quick access for each genre, which can then be instantly downloaded to the Prismatic Controller.
If I were to have some minor criticisms with this controller, then the fact that its wired and not wireless might put off some, but on the flip side that also means that you never have to worry about recharging or buying new batteries, and the cable is 10ft in length (which can charge the official controller). The controller may feel a little small in the hand for some, but then it might be a perfect fit for a child and those with smaller hands in general. Also, the analogue sticks do feel a little tighter than the ones on the official Xbox One controller, but just like the controller size, it could come down to preference of the individual.
So even when I try to find a negative if you will, there’s a positive on the flip side. All in all, I believe that the AfterGlow Prismatic Controller is among the best 3rd party alternatives, especially as you can pick it up for around £30/$40. With that, if you are after a 3rd party controller with some nifty gimmicks, then you can’t go much wrong with this glowing beauty.
Final Score: 8/10
