PB Tails Crush Defender review - "The new king of controllers"

• K-Silver TMR Joysticks offer faster response rates and a higher level of precision
• Features a yellow battle-worn metal body
• A long battery life and ergonomic design allow for long gaming sessions

Hardcore is the first word that comes to mind when viewing the PB Tails Crush Defender controller. This intoxicating beauty features a yellow metal body with a battle-scarred finish, highlighting purposely made scratches and dents that give it a worn look. 

The deep yellow body and metallic buttons immediately bring ClapTrap, the adorable robot from Borderlands, to mind. Synthetic rusting around the joysticks and edges of the device adds to its worn aesthetic. 

Unboxing the PB Tails Crush Defender

The PB Tails Crush Defender comes in a sturdy cardboard box with a thin yellow slipcover featuring a white silhouette of the device and the word defender in bold letters. Upon removing the slipcover and opening the box, you’ll see a sleek rounded black case emblazoned with the company name. Unzipping the case and flipping it open reveals the Crush Defender in all its glory. You’ll also find a USB charging cord and a USB dongle in the mesh pocket. 

The bottom of the case is designed to keep the controller in place when zipped inside, allowing you to safely transport it. Also in the box is an instruction sheet that outlines how to pair the controller to iOS and Android devices as well as PC and Nintendo Switch.

The Crush controller utilizes the ergonomic design of an Xbox controller. Holding the device, with your thumbs perched atop the K-Silver TMR joysticks, your index fingers against the LT and RT buttons, and your remaining fingers wrapped around the back feels completely natural. Though the metal body adds a bit of heft, it’s not so heavy as to impede your long-term gaming sessions. 

Beyond the joysticks, d-pad and X, Y, A, B buttons you’d expect, the Crush also features a screenshot button and turbo button. These are found to the left and right of the controller-shaped home button, respectively. Below the home button, you’ll see the -Button and +Button. Between the trigger buttons, you’ll see a small silver button and a mode switch on either side of the type-C charging port. 

The PB Tails Crush Controller Series

The Crush Defender is clearly the crème de la crème of the Crush controller series, which is reflected in its $109.99 price tag. A limited collaboration edition, only 999 Crush Defenders are in existence. So, if the Defender has caught your eye, you may want to snatch it up quickly.

While the Crush Defender will put a dent in your wallet, there are other models in the series that you can snag for less. Retailing at $64.99, the PB Tails Crush China White features an elegant all-white design, while the Crush 550 ($79.99) takes inspiration from the Porsche 550 Spyder with its silver body and glossy d-pad, and trigger buttons. 

You can connect via Bluetooth, 2.4G wireless using the USB dongle, or a wired connection. Pairing the Crush Defender with your iPhone, iPad, or Android device is simple. Simply turn it on using the home button, slide the toggle button from s to x, and hold the pairing button down for three seconds. 

Introducing the Crush series' K-Silver TMR Joysticks

With the Crush controller series, PB Tails has introduced its groundbreaking K-Silver TMR Joysticks. Developed by K-Silver, these joysticks utilize Tunneling Magnetoresistance technology, making them an absolute game changer. While racing in Disney Speedstorm, I was able to effortlessly make tight turns thanks to the TMR joysticks’ insane response time and precision. The PB Tails Crush series is the first controller on the market to feature TMR joysticks.

These beauties offer up a new level of precision with 3000 points per axis. For comparison, Hall Effect triggers have around 300 points per axis. Additionally, the Crush Defender’s joysticks are capable of much faster response times than Hall Effect joysticks. This was clearly evident when escaping enemies in Forgotten Memories: Remastered Edition and artfully dodging foes in Warframe. Not once during several lengthy gaming sessions did the joysticks get stuck or feel stiff. 

Not only does the Crush Defender have exceptional response times, but it also has a long battery life. With a battery life of up to ten hours, I was able to immerse myself in Evoland 2, Disney Speedstorm, and Airoheart for hours without stopping to charge the controller.

PB Tails Crush Defender: The King of Controllers

PB Tails has outdone itself with the Crush Defense controller. The K-Silver TMR Joysticks offer a new level of precision, allowing you to nimbly outmanoeuvre enemies, make tight turns, and dodge incoming projectiles. The sleek battle-scarred metal body gives the Crush Defender a bold look. The only downside to this powerful controller is the price. However, if you're a fan of fast-paced, action-packed games in which responsiveness and precision are key, you'll want to invest in this masterpiece of a controller.