We Checked Out GameSir’s New Wireless Controller: The Cyclone 2

There is no dearth of gaming controllers in today’s market, each boasting features that set them apart from the competition. Some focus on design while others prioritize performance, but GameSir has been able to strike the right balance between the two with several of its controllers. The new GameSir Cyclone 2 is another testament to that as it brings incredible performance, stylish looks, and some level of customizability, all at a very affordable price point that is lower than the standard Xbox and PS controllers.

GameSir has been making controllers and gaming accessories for a while and has established itself as one of the go-to brands for gamers. It also has partnerships with Apple, Nvidia, Gameloft, DJI, and others. It frequently releases new models that bring the latest technology in the field of gaming controllers, like TMR joysticks, adjustable trigger actuation, customizable RGB lighting, and more.

• 1x Cyclone 2 controller
• 1x USB Type-A to C cable
• 1x 2.4G receiver
• 1x controller stand
• Stickers and documentation

The fairly straightforward packing includes the controller, a charging stand, a USB Type-A to C cable, a wireless dongle, some stickers, and the necessary documentation. There’s nothing special about the unboxing experience, but that’s a good thing because the focus is performance. I spent some time with the Phantom White GameSir Cyclone 2 wireless controller, but there is a Shadow Black version as well.

Design and Build Quality

When picking the controller from its box, the first thing you realize is the textured grip that immediately feels more grippy than the standard Xbox controller. There will be comparisons with the standard Xbox controller (and PS5 controller) throughout, because the GameSir Cyclone 2 shares its ergonomics and layout with an Xbox controller.

The Phantom White version comes with gold and red accents that look great, in my opinion. Both the Shadow Black and Phantom White options have somewhat translucent grips so you can see the vibration motors and some of the internals. This translucent/ frosted look makes the RGB lighting stand out even more.

Along with the standard pair of joysticks, a D-pad, ABXY buttons, and two menu buttons, there are two extra buttons, one of which is the multi-function M button (more on that later). You get two additional buttons on the back, and these can be customized through the GameSir Connect app. They are easy to reach, and gamers with small to large sized hands will have no problem getting a good grip on the controller. The central button acts as the power button and the LED ring around it indicates the connection status.

At the back, along with the two extra buttons, there is also the connection point for the stand that allows the controller to charge wirelessly. Speaking of the stand, it is a sharp looking Y-shaped metal frame that supports the controller and charges it as well. It has a USB Type-C port at the back and a Type-A port at the front that can be used to connect the wireless dongle. At the bottom, you get a 3.5mm audio jack, just like the Xbox and Playstation controllers, and the USB Type-C port sits at the top.

The GameSir Cyclone 2 controller is well-built and there was no creaking or rattling during my 1.5 weeks of use. It didn’t show any signs of discoloration despite my sweaty hands, but it’s probably too early to make that call. The RGB lights are bright and consistent, and the transition between colors feels smooth as well.

Specifications and Features

On paper, the GameSir Cyclone 2 has everything gamers would need, besides the fancy modularity that some more premium controllers offer. GameSir is using TMR joysticks that rely on magnets to detect input. These are even more accurate than Hall effect joysticks, and just as durable. The controller operates at a 1000Hz polling rate, and the joysticks here have a sampling resolution of 4096. Here’s a more detailed explanation of TMR joysticks and how they improve on Hall effect sticks.

The triggers, on the other hand, are Hall effect, and can be used in two different modes. The standard analogue mode where the trigger pushes in all the way is enabled by default. The Hair Trigger mode, which can be enabled using a combination of the M button and both triggers, lets you send an input as soon as the trigger is depressed. This allows for quicker activation and input. Furthermore, there is a physical toggle that can be used to fix the movement of the individual triggers in Hair Trigger mode, making the triggers feel more like mechanical buttons.

The face buttons are shallow for quicker actuation, and they have a mechanical sounding click as well, thanks to the micro switches underneath.

Since it is a wireless controller, the GameSir Cyclone 2 has a built-in 860mAh rechargeable battery, but the fact that it charges while sitting on the stand makes battery life kind of a moot point. It can easily last through long gaming sessions and turning off the RGB lights helps further increase playtime. You can also go down to a lower polling rate to save more battery. I never faced a situation where I ran out of battery in the middle of a gaming session, since I always start at 100%. The controller can also be charged via the included USB Type-C cable.

I found the convenience to be the best part about the battery and charging experience. The controller can be simply placed on the stand (it takes a couple tries to get the controller to sit correctly on the stand) to start charging wirelessly, and it disconnects from the dongle automatically. Taking it off the stand automatically reestablishes the connection with the dongle, and you’re ready to go. It can also turn off on its own when not in use for a specified amount of time.

GameSir Cyclone 2 offers three modes of connectivity: 2.4G, Bluetooth, and a wired connection. Unfortunately, it is not compatible with the Xbox or PlayStation consoles, but works well with PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. I mainly tested the controller on PC and Android (via Bluetooth), and it was a seamless experience, especially on a PC with the stand and wireless dongle. It does have a slot to connect a phone holder, which is sold separately.

There are four input modes depending on the connected device: DS4, XInput, NS (Nintendo Switch), and HID. You can switch between these modes using a combination of the power button and face buttons.

Lastly, there are four RGB zones that can be customized through the GameSir Connect software. It has a few preset lighting effects, but it lets you customize the individual zones to your liking. The brightness level and speed of the effects can also be controlled through the software.

Gaming Experience and Software

Everything else becomes pointless if the gaming experience is not up to par. Fortunately, the GameSir Cyclone 2 offers an excellent gaming experience, especially considering its budget-friendly price point. Starting from the first connection, everything was simple and straightforward. The controller connected to the 2.4G dongle within seconds, and the lights changed to indicate the same.

Immediately, I jumped into Red Dead Redemption 2 to see if I felt any obvious differences between the Cyclone 2 and a standard Xbox controller that I had been using for ages, and it was like night and day. Right out of the box, there was no noticeable deadzone for the joysticks or the triggers, and that was very apparent in the game. Arthur started moving with the slightest push on the left joystick. The vibrations felt more precise, and I got used to the shallower, yet clickier face buttons in no time.

In GTA Online, I noticed I was able to make more minute adjustments while in a car riding on a thin tube in a custom online race. While I’m not very good at shooters with a controller, I jumped into an Apex Legends match to see if my skill improved with the Cyclone 2. Unfortunately, it did not, but I felt a lot more connected to the character, as my movements in the game were more one-to-one with the inputs. The Hair Trigger mode also came in handy, as both the left and right triggers worked like the left and right-clicks on a mouse. It also took a few matches to train my brain to not squeeze down on the triggers as hard as on analogue triggers.

As for the GameSir Connect app, available only on the Microsoft Store at the time of writing, an older version of the app is listed that does not support motion controls. GameSir shared the latest version of the app with me that did have the settings enabled, but the motion controls still didn’t work. I’ve reached out to GameSir and will update this review when they respond.

What the app does allow you to do is fully adjust the joysticks, including manually changing the deadzone. For the triggers, you can change to hair trigger mode in software without physically switching the toggle, which will give you instant actuation, but with the full travel of the trigger. The intensity of the rumble motors can be tweaked as well, and it’s quite fascinating to see the motors spin and actually make you feel the vibrations. Different RGB effects can be applied, and the four zones can be individually customized here as well.

Both the controller and the dongle need to be updated, so you will need to have the controller connected via the cable and the dongle plugged in to the PC to update each of them.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the GameSir Cyclone 2 is an impressive wireless controller that not only performs like a premium controller but also looks the part, more so for the Phantom White version. Currently available for $56 on Amazon, the Cyclone 2 is cheaper than the Xbox and PS controllers, the ManbaOne, BIGBIG WON BLITZ2, and other similar controllers.

It is highly responsive, customizable, and well-built, all qualities of a product made by a company that knows what it’s doing. Despite its incompatibility with the Xbox and PS consoles, the Cyclone 2 stands as the perfect upgrade for your Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, or iOS gaming needs. The convenience of wireless charging and seamless connectivity, combined with the performance of TMR joysticks and Hall effect triggers makes for a solid, recommendable controller.