New RGB Afterglow, REMATCH, and REALMZ Controllers by PDP – A Vibrant Pre-Holiday Launch

Before the November holiday rush, PDP, a well-known aftermarket hardware brand for consoles, is introducing new additions to their existing Afterglow line of LED products, fresh color options for their popular and imaginative Rematch line, and an entirely new presentation of character-based Realmz controllers, featuring designs inspired by popular video games.

During Comic Con, I had the opportunity to get an exclusive first look at these exciting products that PDP hopes to have featured on your holiday wish list.

REMATCH:

The Rematch controller line offers a range of controllers for both Nintendo Switch and Xbox in creative and fun color schemes, designs, and styles that go beyond the standard OEM look. Some of these designs even have a glow-in-the-dark feature.

In today’s gaming world, people seek more individuality and a means to express their favorite gaming vibes on stream, and the REMATCH controllers cater to just that. They offer a perfect way to showcase your personality with a multitude of options to choose from. I must say, these controllers feel great.

Priced at $54.99 for wireless models, these controllers offer excellent value. I personally use a Switch Rematch Pro controller and can hardly discern any difference from the more expensive Nintendo version. So, don’t limit yourself to only Nintendo-branded gear; this holiday season, explore a wider spectrum of options with PDP’s REMATCH.

In addition to this new collection, PDP has introduced a color-changing glow-in-the-dark feature. For instance, the new red Nintendo pattern controller emits a yellow glow when illuminated. It’s cooler than it sounds, trust me. This effect isn’t limited to just the red controller; their new floral design also includes color-changing capabilities, along with several other options.

PDP has launched a variety of new options for both glow-in-the-dark and non-glow-in-the-dark controllers, available for both Xbox and Switch. Plus, they offer matching Nintendo Switch cases for the glow-in-the-dark controllers. So, don’t worry; even the glow-in-the-dark controllers come with a matching case.

I almost forgot to mention that both Xbox and Switch have matching headsets to complement most of their controllers, ensuring the mix-and-match fun extends beyond your hands. Some of these headsets even glow in the dark, just like their parent controller, and they look sleek and modern.

New Glow-in-the-Dark designs for Xbox include:

• Cherry Blossom
• Blue Tide
• Jolt Green
• Space Dust
• Gray and Orange Call of Duty Monkey Bomb with a game bonus

New Glow-in-the-Dark options for Nintendo Switch include:

• Two different blue Zelda options with cases
• Overnight glow Zelda bag
• Super Icon Nintendo controller with case

New NON-Glow-in-the-Dark options for Nintendo Switch include:

• Mario Kart racers with a bag
• Mario Star Spectrum
• Red and Gray Fade
• Zelda Hero

AFTERGLOW:

Afterglow controllers offer a unique take on Xbox controllers, featuring RGB lights within the body of the controller. Specifically, these controllers have RGB lighting on the handgrips, providing a full 8-bit color spectrum that can be customized to your preferences.

These controllers offer a fresh and distinct perspective on a controller, different from the transparent RGB controllers we’ve seen before. Instead of an entirely see-through design, these controllers are opaque, giving them a more premium, high-quality look and feel. When I see a transparent controller, I usually anticipate a subpar user experience, but the Afterglow line has become my go-to choice for PC gaming.

PDP keeps the Afterglow line up-to-date by introducing a new range of Afterglow Switch controllers to complement their existing Xbox line.

With a price tag of $29.99 for wired controllers and $54.99 for wireless controllers, these controllers are reasonably priced, and you don’t have to worry much about breaking them. They are durable and comfortable to use.

Furthermore, the Xbox Afterglow controllers now include full rumble support, even in the triggers, which wasn’t available in the original black-and-white release. There were some minor issues with the USB-C cable provided in the box, but the controller itself works perfectly. This holiday season, consider adding some colorful illumination to your gaming with Afterglow.

Lastly, Afterglow has received a much-needed update to its customization and user experience through a controller app, offering a plethora of options to customize the LEDs. It even introduces new ways to activate the internal RGB lighting, such as syncing it with left or right speaker audio and providing real-time alerts based on sound direction. It can even react to your voice input, immersing you in the RGB experience. “Stick mode” changes the LED hue as you rotate the control sticks.

Unfortunately, the Switch Afterglow controller app is not licensed for the Switch, so customization of Switch Afterglow controllers must be done externally. Once again, Nintendo imposes limitations.

New Afterglow Xbox controller options include:

• Gray
• Blue
• Purple
• Red

New Afterglow Switch controller options include:

• White
• Purple
• Blue
• Gray

REALMZ:

PDP’s newest line of controllers, the Realmz line, offers a unique approach by featuring beloved video game characters like Sonic, Olimar, Transformers, and more. These controllers go beyond mere character designs by incorporating a figure within the controller that fits the theme of the game’s environment. If you’re a gaming enthusiast who appreciates innovative takes on everyday hardware, Realmz is the perfect choice. With a feel similar to their REMATCH and AFTERGLOW controllers, you can’t go wrong with this affordable controller option for Xbox and Switch.

An interesting fact about Realmz controllers, despite their see-through design, is that they are actually more robust than their matte Afterglow counterparts in terms of specifications. So, don’t worry about these controllers; they hold up well despite their lightweight build.

PDP currently offers Realmz controllers featuring Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails, as well as their newly released Optimus Prime and Pikmin controllers. They have also introduced their first Xbox Realmz Sonic controller, which has a more mature design compared to the playful design of the Switch.

PDP has hinted at the development of more controller options, particularly focusing on Transformer-themed designs, so we’ll see how they play their cards.

VICTRIX:

Lastly, we can’t overlook one of the leading brands in the world of fighting and competitive gaming: VICTRIX. Known for their award-winning modular pro controllers and renowned fight sticks, they have outsold their competitors’ controllers by a ratio of 3:1. Offering pro controllers at a more affordable price point has piqued the interest of many, including myself.

Initially, the Victrix Pro BFG modular controller did not offer replacement parts or secondary parts for stock components. However, Victrix has turned a new page, now offering replacement parts for their controllers, providing long-term security for buyers. More importantly, they are introducing Hall Effect Sticks, which promise a longer lifespan and reduced stick drift. This is significant news for competitive players and gamers who are prone to moments of frustration that involve throwing their controllers. These spare parts are set to hit the market in early 2024, though a specific date has not been announced.

To enhance the Pro BFG legacy, Victrix has introduced new color options and special editions of the controller, featuring blue and gold pattern designs inspired by Call of Duty. If you prefer something other than the default dark gray and purple design, these new colors provide additional options to match your aesthetic.

In conclusion, it can be challenging for an aftermarket gaming hardware brand to gain traction. However, as OEM hardware prices continue to rise, some of us seek better-priced alternatives. PDP seems to fill this void exceptionally well. Their controllers are not only well-constructed but also provide a fun and enjoyable purchasing experience for gamers. The designs are vibrant, original, and carefully considered to provide optimal grip and traction in the market. PDP’s controllers are designed entirely in-house, and they do not outsource any part of the process. For an affordable hardware brand, PDP exhibits great potential and creativity in the gaming industry. I eagerly anticipate their future designs and innovations in the gaming space.

All Switch products from PDP can be found here: https://pdp.com/collections/nintendo-switch
All Xbox products from PDP can be found here: https://pdp.com/collections/xbox
All Victrix products by PDP can be found here: https://pdp.com/pages/victrixpro