NVIDIA SHIELD Controller - Android

This is actually the third (that I'm aware of) generation of the Shield Controller (not including the one that is intrinsic to the original Nvidia Shield).The prior to versions have identical hardware, save for the capacitive buttons for Back/Home/PlayPause.To really understand this review, you have to consider the prior controller hardware. It was bulky but not uncomfortable, chock full of features, including a headset/mic jack (3.5mm), microUSB port for charging, volume rocker switch (that was large) and even a touch screen. It was only missing the kitchen sink. Such flexibility necessitated a larger than normal gamepad.It was actually quite comfortable to hold despite its size - and although it used the slightly inferior (opinion) PlayStation stick configuration, everything was kind of "on par". The shoulder triggers were tactile enough, and the face buttons had plenty of travel. The DPad, as with a lot of Dpads nowadays, needed a lot of work. The touchpad was useless, and the positioning of the capacitive buttons meant that there were occasional mispresses.Enter Version 2. MUCH more ergonomic to hold, feels much more dense (Read: sturdy) in the hand, and the larger triggers are a touch mushier, yet still tactile. Face button travel is a lot more responsive, and the DPad is worlds better. It's not longer mushy, and has a satisfying clicky feedback. The sticks are different, but seems to be mostly unchanged. They're far more easy to reach though, comfortably. The headphone jack has been relocated to the bottom.Gone is the touchpad (good riddance!) and it's a sacrifice I'm willing to accept. The poor volume rocker switches have been replaced by the NVidia Shield Remote-esque capacitive rocker, which works well. The previously capacitive Back/Home/PlayPause buttons are now physical, and are satisfyingly tactile, located on the bottom edge, away from the other buttons and sticks. I don't think that mis-presses are going to be an issue any longer.The look is... well, either you like it or hate it, but it is undeniably more comfortable in hand.The only thing I'm concerned with is that it appears to run on Bluetooth, which, in my experience, has lagged moreso than the 2.4GHz wireless. I could be wrong here.Anyway, time will tell if the lag difference is going to equate to more deaths in Dark Souls 3. But, for now, I am ecstatic about a purchase that I was admittedly originally on the fence about.Highly recommended for PC, Nvidia Shield K1, and the Nvidia Shield TV. Already thinking about getting a second.Pro's:* Vastly improved ergonomics.* Vastly improved D-Pad; best one out there outside of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.* Better Volume adjustment* Physical Buttons for Android OS functions* Longer Battery Life* Rumble functionalityCon's:* Bluetooth instead of WiFi direct - should mean increase latency* No more touchpad (is this really a con?)* You have to buy it (I'm stretching here, at this point)

Adding an update to help, I have a shield tablet K1 and it connects fine. You have to go to settings - Bluetooth on Android and connect. Make sure the controller is in pairing mode (hold down the Nvidia power button until the light blinks) and on your Android device there shiould be a refresh button if needed. I have even connected this to my note 4 with no issues so do not listen to anyone saying it is not compatible with the shield K1. Game streaming, local games, and the shield exclusives like half-life 2 all worked fine.----—original reviewMuch improved over the previous gen Shield controller. For anyone that has one of those I can safely say this is worth the upgrade.Buttons:-They definitely reworked the A B X Y buttons to be more firm. They are not mushy and are feel more solid than the previous generation.-The L2, R2 triggers are more like the Sony PS4 controller triggers now, and have a good response to them.-The Analog sticks are much improved and are not slippery like the previous gen was (I had to use PS4 stick covers so my fingers wouldn't slip on the previous gen controller). It feels more like an Xbox analog stick for grip.-The power "touch pad" is gone and replaced with a physical power "button" that you push down to turn on... Thank you Nvidia this was much needed.-The DPAD... my one hope was that they would improve this, and they did. The previous gen was mushy and made it hard to play emulators. I am happy to say that this is like the Xbox One S or Elite controller DPAD. Each direction on mine is clicky and very responsive.Feel:-This controller has a cold metallic feel, and the build quality is night and day compared to the creaky old controller.-The smaller form factor of the controller feels nicer in your hand (my personal preference).Connection and Latency:-I am OCD for controllers and controller lag. I have compared this against 2 previous gen Shield controllers, a Moga Power, Gamesir G3s and G4s, and the Xbox one S controller. My biggest worry with them going to Bluetooth from the previous Wifi Direct was input latency increasing. I am happy to report that when I was doing my tests the controller appears to be on par with the Wifi Direct previous gen. I saw no noticeable latency doing jumps in Mario and other emulator games. For comparison, the Moga Power has tons of input latency and should be avoided.

I think it's good.