GuliKit KK3 Max Review

Handheld controllers these days seem to be a dime a dozen, with most offering the basics to replace a general controller and do little else.

While the GuliKit KK3 Max suffers because it's designed for PCs and portables and not consoles, that doesn't mean it's not a serious competitor in its field.

With the design resembling that of a Xbox controller, the Max is mainly designed with PC gaming in mind, but works equally as well with a Nintendo Switch, which is what it was used for for the purposes of this review.

Lightweight and sleek in design, the controller is exceptionally easy to pair to a machine of choice. A simple depression of the pairing button and selection of settings on your device of choice and a few seconds later you're away.

The fact it comes with a USB cable to link in to your device also helps matters, especially on charging. With around 25 hours of battery if the LEDS on the joysticks are turned off though, charging is less of an issue and can sustain some heavy gaming periods when required.

It may suffer from the lack of a headphone jack meaning you have to set up another piece of kit, but really that doesn't actually matter when it comes to using the controller for games. With haptic feedback and no drift on the joysticks, as well as quick latency times, the controller itself makes for smooth gaming, ensuring that playing is more on your mind than what the actual piece of kit is doing.

It's an important distinction and perhaps a major credit to the controller's manufacture just how quickly you forget that you're using a third party device and how easily your mind adjusts to the buttons that you've always had the ability to use.

Customisable paddles, extra buttons and the chance to change things around mean there's a degree of versatility in this controller, but when it comes down to it, it simply offers smooth gameplay, something which can't be discounted in use.

Whilst the lack of use with a console is perhaps the GuliKit KK3 Max's biggest downfall and while some of the battery life lacks a little when compared to its competitors, it has to be said that mostly this controller's quick ease of setup, its avoidance of dead zones on the joysticks and its lightweight portability means that it really is one that represents value for its price.