There was a time when third-party controllers were largely a miss, but that's since changed. These days, companies are developing and selling their own versions of popular controllers with features and designs that stand apart from the rest.
Let's take a look at ten of the coolest third-party controllers you can purchase, right now! Some of these are great replacements for your stock controller, while others make fantastic gifts!
10 8BITDO SN30 PRO
Originally designed to replicate the look and feel of a classic SNES controller, the SN30 Pro came under fire from Nintendo, forcing 8Bitdo to make slight alterations to the design aesthetic.
The result is the same. This is one truly fantastic controller that feels great in your hands, with the classic SNES button layout, plus a few new surprises. Not only does it include L2 and R2 triggers, but it also sports dual analog sticks that are remarkably responsive, and clickable. It even includes rumble and turbo functionality, as well as connectivity with several devices, thanks to a unique pairing function.
9 WIRED FIGHT PAD PRO - PEACH
PDP has a few great controller designs on the market, but none are as charming as the Peach variation of their Wired Fight Pad Pro. It's built to exact GameCube specifications, and fully compatible with the Nintendo Switch. Other features include a swappable C-Stick and a 10 foot USB cable (though we'd have preferred wireless).
The aesthetics of the controller are incredible, from the candy pink-on-white motif, to the baby blue A button and red-tipped analog sticks. Peach's crown at the top, though? Yeah, that's pretty cool! It's definitely aimed at the ladies, but by Jove, even the fellas might want to give this one a go!
8 8BITDO M30
Oh yes, now this is a controller we love! Some of you more seasoned gamers may remember the excellent 6-button controller for the classic Sega Genesis console. The design would continue over to the Sega Saturn, before 6-button pads fell off the map.
Well, 8Bitdo has brought back the magic. The M30 not only looks and feels like its Sega Genesis big brother, but it's just as intuitive to use. We've always preferred 6-button pads for fighting games (especially Street Fighter), which makes this one a winner in our books.
7 GAMESIR T4W
On first glance, this X-Box derivative doesn't appear to have anything going for it, until you plug it in! Sure, the colored LED backlights are a bit gimmicky, but they work well thanks to the controller's translucent body and relatively solid styling.
The company also sells a wireless option with a 2.4Ghz receiver. We'd have preferred Bluetooth, but it's a small caveat.
6 STEELSERIES STRATUS
Wow! This third party controller might look a bit on the beefy side, but it's got a lot to show for it. First, it's a great-looking controller with a very nice finish, understated buttons and burnt-orange highlights that really make it stand out from the crowd.
Equally impressive is the 40-hour battery life on just two AAs, and the enormous customization options available via SteelSeries Engine 3 software. Compatible with both Windows and Android devices, the Stratus is definitely worth consideration.
5 RAZER WOLVERINE ULTIMATE
We'll say one thing for Razer - they never do anything quietly! The Wolverine Ultimate is one of the most stunningly cool controllers we've ever seen from a third party, but there's more to it than just rugged good looks.
This controller is packed to the brim with features, including interchangeable D-pad and thumbsticks, shoulder bumpers, four multi-function triggers and a unique control panel on the bottom to handle volume, mic muting and more! With all this extra stuff attached, the Wolverine Ultimate never feels clunky or busy, which is a feat unto itself.
4 THRUSTMASTER T.FLIGHT HOTAS ONE - ACE COMBAT 7 LIMITED EDITION
Flying enthusiasts might want to take a look at the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One, a dual joystick and throttle combo that's perfectly suited for games like Ace Combat 7, which this model is based on.
The dual rudder system recreates the pedal system used in actual aircraft, while the throttle mechanism can be detached to recreate a cockpit scenario. It's also one sleek controller, as well! Those lines and futuristic curves give the Hotas One a truly mean-looking profile; perfect for shooting down bogies!
3 QANBA DRONE JOYSTICK - TEKKEN WORLD TOUR EDITION
Qanba bears the distinction of being one of the most reputable arcade fight stick manufacturers in the world, and their Drone Joystick is no exception. This particular Tekken World Tour Edition boasts a crying Heihachi icon seen in other Tekken merchandise.
The Drone is both lightweight and portable, which is good for gaming tournaments. Beyond that, it's a shoe-in not just for Tekken, but other popular fighting games on the market today.
2 LOGITECH G29 DRIVING FORCE RACING WHEEL
Racing enthusiasts love the feel you get from a great wheel and foot pedal controller, and the G29 has long been a favorite. We chose it because of it's positively wicked styling, which never seems to tire.
Beyond that, the G29 is a dream when it comes to control options, including support for TCS and ABS. The LED lights are a nice touch, and the foot pedals look and feel great, but the only thing missing is a stick shift, which is a slight drawback. Still, this one gets a thumbs up!
1 ASTRO C40 TR
Mercy, mercy! We never thought we'd see a controller with this many customization options, but the Astro C40 has changed all that. The unit was designed to give PS4 owners an X-Box-style alternative, with a few surprises thrown in for good measure.
The controller weighs almost twice as much as a PS4 dual shock, giving it a nice feel, with a lot going on in terms of ergonomics. It even includes remappable back-facing buttons, plus two thumbstick toppers. The C40 is widely regarded as a major step up from the Dual Shock 4, and great for tournament play. The only small drawback is the rather gimmicky face plate system which can cheapen the entire look if you happen to choose the wrong one (though this is subjective).