GameSir Super Nova Review: Budget Controller With One Big Catch

Ever bought a controller for one specific feature, only to find it doesn't work? That's exactly what happened with the GameSir Super Nova. Originally launched in spring 2025, this $44.99/£49.99 gamepad for PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile promised a lot, including Switch 2 wake functionality. After seeing it on sale for $30 for months, I finally grabbed one. The wake feature? Never worked reliably. But everything else? Surprisingly great.

The Super Nova looks like a third-party Xbox controller at first glance: asymmetrical thumbsticks, standard ABXY layout, and chunky grips. But it's lighter (263g) and more compact than Microsoft's design. It also has Nintendo touches, like plus/minus buttons and a home/screenshot pairing. You can even swap the face buttons to match Nintendo's layout. A small 'M' button lets you customize on the fly. Around back, there are two programmable back paddles and a connection slider for Bluetooth, wired, or 2.4GHz. My only gripe is the slider is a bit too flush, making it hard to switch modes.

For $45, the build quality feels way more premium than expected. It has a reassuring heft, no creaks or rattles, and textured rubberized grips that keep your palms locked in without feeling sticky. The faceplate is swappable via magnets, and honestly, the magnet strength beats my $220 Scuf Omega. The RGB lighting is contained and customizable, though the large ABXY legends feel a bit immature. Still, the dark blue fade on the faceplate looks nice.

Feature-wise, it works across Switch, Switch 2, PC, and mobile. Motion controls work flawlessly on Nintendo titles and can be mapped to mouse inputs on PC. Trigger locks are a rare find at this price, and while not as instantaneous as mechanical switches, they give a speed boost in shooters. Hall effect sticks are smooth and reliable, and you get 1,000Hz polling via 2.4GHz dongle on PC (125Hz over Bluetooth). The back paddles are programmable on the fly.

So, the Super Nova nails almost everything except that one promised feature. If you don't care about waking your Switch 2 with the controller, this is an incredible value. But if that was your main reason for buying, you might be disappointed. What do you think? Will you be picking one up despite the wake issue?