Review: PB Tails Crush 550 TMR Controller For Switch 1 & 2 -Weather Pad With Classic Car Stylings

Earlier this year, PB Tails’ Metal Crush Defender TMR controller piqued my interest, with its Fallout-themed, weathered yellow aesthetics and shimmering chrome sticks. Typically, I don’t gravitate towards ‘vintage’ effects on products, but this appeared somewhat unique. It exuded artistry and innovation in a market dominated by neon gaming accessories, clamoring for attention and ‘cheapening’ otherwise decent gear. Nonetheless, the Xbox button arrangement indicated it wasn’t particularly pertinent to Switch users.

Fast-forward several months, and there’s an updated model featuring Nintendo’s iconic button layout. Priced at $79.99, this is the company’s recognizable Crush pad but infused with ’50s automotive flair – specifically, it commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Porsche 550 Spyder.

There is no formal licensing on this homage, but the finish is striking, if that’s your inclination. The crimson light strip along the lower edge (which can be customized – more on that later) resembles a tail light, while the graphics and features across the face, along with the silver coating and the ‘grille’, faux-number plate, and crimson stripes at the back, evoke a sense of a high-quality piece of nostalgic memorabilia. The burgundy accents on the D-pad and shoulder buttons further enhance the elegant, retro flair.

Opinions within Team NL are mixed — you’ll need to be a classic automobile aficionado or possess an appreciation for mechanical artistry and retro aesthetics — but I adore the appearance and sensation. It’s a specialized visual appeal, and the pad may not be suitable for every gaming scenario, yet the opulence of the finish and the chrome highlights ignite my enthusiasm. It feels as though you ought to be using leather driving gloves when engaging with this device (and perhaps I did).

In hand, whether gloved or not, this Crush pad resembles an original Xbox 360 controller, albeit heftier, and decidedly glossier. The metal on the default sticks is merely the beginning, and the sleekness of the casing is likely a dealbreaker for gamers prone to sweaty hands.

Concerns about fingerprints arose the moment I took the pad from its black-and-white case and peeled off the small foam collars around the sticks, yet surprisingly, they haven’t posed an issue. I presumed I’d need a microfiber cloth after each session, but it’s been adequately resting on the side over the past couple of weeks, despite the dust on my TV shelf and my sticky gamer fingers.

A braided USB-A to C cable is included for charging (the claimed 30-hour life feels realistic, though that will hinge on your lighting settings), plus a dongle for 2.4G wireless connectivity and plastic/rubber sticks if you wish to swap out the zinc alloy ones.

And to be honest? If you’re a fan of your online shooters or simply wish to remain competitive in Fortnite, you’ll want to change the stick covers; channel-surfing in Blippo+ was a delight, while a high-stakes shootout in Springfield was less enjoyable. I encountered no problems racing in GRID or showcasing ninja skills in Shinobi, but chrome metal simply lacks sufficient grip for split-second, precise commands.

The sticks themselves are the TMR type, which are power efficient and provide corresponding performance along with protection against drift thanks to Hall Effect. Naturally, it will take a year or two of usage to thoroughly assess their durability, yet there’s nothing implying they’ll begin to deviate. They feel solid and responsive.

Replacing the sticks requires detaching the magnetic faceplate, which can be challenging if you lack decent nails, but grasping the front housing near the shoulder buttons while pushing down on the sticks with your thumbs will eventually free the cover. Swap the metal ones out, attach the caps into the plastic domes, replace the cover, and you’re good to go.

PB offers various faceplates, although it would be odd to purchase one of these and then spoil the visual with a clear orange cover. It’s also important to note that the carrying case’s foam insert only accommodates the two-part plastic sticks, so you’ll need to securely store the metal ones elsewhere.

Removing the chrome ones feels like an affront, akin to having slapped cheap rims on a classic Jag. It functions effectively, featuring gyro controls, impressive rumble (the growl it emits upon connecting to the console brilliantly resembles a revving engine), and satisfyingly springy analogue triggers. The D-pad was adequate for navigating some NSO classics, and the entire controller has a premium weightiness to it.

Even the RGB illumination seems refined here. Holding down the ‘T’ (turbo) button and manipulating the left stick allows you to select the exact hue of the light strip, while the right stick adjusts the face and central Home buttons. You can also modify the brightness of the LEDs, and I appreciated that everything can be adjusted directly through the pad itself, without any external software. You can’t buy a lightbulb these days without having to download an annoying app.

Face button lighting presets are adjustable as well: Super Famicom-style is set as the default, but you also have the PlayStation blue with its customary shades of Sony’s shapes, or Xbox green with matching button colors. There’s even a Dreamcast-style setting – at least, I think that’s what the orange home button and this color layout are referring to. Naturally, the Nintendo ABYX labeling remains, but it’s a charming nod to other platforms.

Having no clicky microswitches is a significant advantage for me; all the face buttons feel pleasantly responsive without the bothersome, cheap-sounding click that makes playing in a quiet environment unpleasant. Flipping the switch on the top edge alternates between ‘S’ (Switch) and ‘X’ (XInput), and everything functioned precisely as expected when tested with Steam using the included dongle (or wired if that’s your preference) and iOS over Bluetooth.

While you gain additional turbo options via the aforementioned button, you won’t find an NFC reader for amiibo or a ‘C’ button for easy access to Switch 2 GameChat.

Additionally, there’s no headphone jack available, so gamers utilizing headsets should search for alternatives, and there are no extravagant back buttons included, either.

A further minor oddity is that ‘-‘ and ‘+’ occupy the spots of the Home and Capture buttons found on Nintendo’s controller, so be ready for some unintentional screenshots at the beginning. Moreover, you can’t awaken your Switch 2 with this controller – it’s not an issue for me since I always power it on via the console, but some individuals truly appreciate the ease of seizing the controller from the side of the couch and powering it on.

This isn’t the type of controller you’ll leave wedged between the cushions of the sofa, however. At $80, there are features absent that you might expect to have. If you’re considering only one controller for Switch 2, consider Nintendo’s own model or something from 8Bitdo. Here, you’re primarily investing in the design. The Crush 550 should be matched with a high-backed, leather-studded chair and a glass of Margaux while indulging in a visual novel or a light puzzle game. It’s not what you’d prefer if you find yourself in an intense deathmatch, sweating between frantic frags and Dorito breaks. You wouldn’t wish to subject this to the rigors of twitch shooters.

Ultimately, it hinges on the type of gamer you are. I find this delightful to use, and I intend to utilize it whenever a game doesn’t require beyond what it can provide. A vintage automobile serves as an ideal comparison; this is a fair-weather pad, a stunning Sunday driver you only take out when the conditions are suitable. If you’re in search of something for the weekend and prioritize elegance over value-for-money, this will appear and feel fantastic in your collection.

The unit utilized in this review was supplied by PB Tails.