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Now that the Nintendo Switch 2 is here, the market is flooded with accessories vying for a spot in every gamer’s setup. Nintendo set a high bar with its own Pro Controller for the new console, but that hasn’t stopped third-party manufacturers from trying to build something better. Into this crowded arena steps MobaPad with the Huben2, a controller engineered in a lab to be the ultimate pro-grade alternative. It’s packed with an almost unbelievable amount of tech for $69.99 USD, from drift-proof sticks to high-end switches, all aimed at giving players a competitive edge.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Design
From the moment you pick it up, the Huben2 exudes quality. It has a reassuring heft and a clean, modern design, with a semi-transparent shell that gives it a unique, ceramic-like finish. The textured grips feel secure and durable, a welcome departure from the rubber coatings that inevitably peel and degrade over time. The core controls are nothing short of exceptional, featuring fast, clicky Omron microswitches for the face buttons and a swappable, mechanical D-pad. The dual-mode triggers, which let you switch between a short, snappy click for shooters and a long, smooth pull for racing games, are a fantastic touch of versatile design. The design is truly spectacular here, although the feel of the plastic is still nowhere as good as Switch’s official Pro Controller. But let’s not forget just how much cheaper Huben2 is…
The bundled case is also excellent, although I don’t know just how needed something is that stays at home 100% of the time. Maybe a charging stand would be better, but hey, it’s free.
Read also: Mobapad M6 HD review: Joy-Cons’ Final Form
Feel
The real magic is how the Huben2 feels in your hands. The capacitive analog sticks are a revelation for any Nintendo fan who has lived in fear of stick drift. They feel incredibly precise and responsive, delivering a level of accuracy in launch titles like Mario Kart World that feels like a genuine upgrade. The controller also boasts features like HD rumble – an attempt to replicate Nintendo’s haptics that feels impressive when it works, but can feel disappointingly weak in some titles. It’s a premium-feeling device that seems ready for both intense gaming sessions on the couch and the rigors of travel that come with a hybrid console.
The HuBen 2, like other MobaPad controllers, features interchangeable d-pad attachments. In a significant improvement over the Nintendo 2 Switch Pro Controller, where the d-pad remains a weak link. It eliminates the problem of accidental diagonal presses, and its versatile design performed flawlessly across all tested game genres, making the cross-shaped alternative seem unnecessary this time around. Both the d-pad and face buttons offer a satisfying, low-travel mouse-click feel.
Read also: GameSir Super Nova review: Switch controller with Hall Sticks and RGB for good measure
Compatibility
The HuBen 2 boasts an impressive array of connectivity options, a feature I particularly appreciate. It includes a robust braided USB cable for wired gameplay and charging (alas, USB-A to Type-c), a 2.4GHz USB wireless receiver, and integrated Bluetooth support. Additionally, it offers a dedicated Switch mode, compatible with both the Nintendo Switch (1 and 2) and PC. A recent firmware update further enhances its versatility, allowing PC users to connect via Bluetooth as an X-input device, recognized seamlessly as an Xbox One controller.
When connected to a PC in Switch mode, much like a first-party Switch Pro Controller, the HuBen 2 provides full gyroscope support. This motion control experience is remarkably fluid and responsive.
A controller that works with Nintendo console has to do more than just feel good; it has to feel right. And this is where the Huben2 stumbles in its compatibility with the Nintendo ecosystem. It misses the mark on a fundamental aspect of the user experience: the button layout. The A/B/X/Y buttons are fixed in the Xbox configuration. For anyone who has spent years with Xbox’s layout, this is more than a minor annoyance; it’s a constant source of friction. Having to mentally translate on-screen prompts to the buttons in your hands breaks immersion for someone who hasn’t memorized the buttons. If you ever had guests for a Mario Party session, you know the pain.
For a controller that gets so many details right, this is a critical misstep. And they were so close: since the face plate is magnetic, swapping the buttons could be a breeze. The GameSir G8 Plus already showed us how it’s done, and I expect nothing less from newer controller. Oh well, maybe next time.
Like other MobaPad controllers, the HuBen 2 offers extensive customization through its dedicated mobile and PC application. Users can fine-tune various settings, including dead zones and trigger curves, program intricate macros, remap buttons, adjust rumble intensity, and even personalize the MobaPad logo’s color and brightness on the controller’s front. These adjustments can be made seamlessly and instantaneously, without requiring the controller to be re-paired or disconnected from an active game, which significantly enhances user convenience. The application also facilitates the effortless backup and sharing of custom profiles, allowing users to export them as scannable QR codes.
Read also: GameSir Cyclone 2 review: Excellent Controller, But The Software Needs Work
Verdict
The Huben2 is a good controller that offers a suite of high-end, pro-level features that genuinely enhance the gaming experience. The build quality is superb, the sticks are a dream, and the design is eye-catching. I just wish it had more customizability.