Review: SteelSeries Nimbus+ Is Best Apple Gaming Controller Yet By AppleInsider

Welcome everyone- it is Andrew here from Apple Insider and this the Steelers Nimbus, plus the latest version of the Steelers Nimbus that is specifically designed for Apple's platforms, that is iOS, TV, OS and, of course, the Mac. The Nimbus controllers have always been popular they've, been always tailor designed for iOS and include a lot of features that you don't see when just bring over other controllers like using Xbox or a PS4 controller. There are things that always just don't match up and don't always make sense. These new controllers have been really designed from the previous generation iOS specific Nimbus controller, and we'll look at a comparison of that towards the end. On the front of the controller you can see, we have the d-pad on the left, the button keys on the right hand, side two joysticks, the options button, the menu button and the home button in the center. Among all the different changes, our new Hall effect sensors.

These new triggers have a much more fluid motion to them, and they keep the same tension all the way through the buttons on the top. Those top triggers are very nice and click. There's not a lot of movement to them, and they have a good click as they're, actually depressed and again, those triggers feel just so fluid and just right, while playing all the buttons here actually have a very nice click to them, and that's what you need. You need that little of physical feedback, while you're playing games now, there's some odd inconsistencies with certain games like we're playing for tonight, you notice, oh there's a square and an X versus an X and an A. So there are just inconsistencies like that throughout the games, that's more on the game developers rather than on the controller makers themselves.

The directional pad has been redesigned instead of being that round button with the AIRS inside it. It's actually just a plus sign. Now, though, is still an eight-way directional pad. So you have the up down left and right, but you also have those angles as well. There are extra kinds of clicks into those spots, so it is an eight-way directional pad here on the left hand, side and of course we have the joysticks.

The joysticks have always been great on these controllers. Everything feels very fluid very smooth and in our testing there is almost no dead zone in the center of these there's always going to be a tiny bit with joysticks, but it is tiny and largely imperceptible. I, don't think anyone's going to have a real issue with that. This is still obviously one of, if not the best game, controller for iOS, Mac and Apple TV. These also now click compare to the previous generation.

They are now depressive, which adds O's l3 in our three buttons. This thing charges up over lightning, so no lightning cables included in the box, just use the one that came with your phone or, in my case my Mac Pro, so just plug that lightning cable in- and this is pretty incredible. It ok 50 hours of battery life, we have not tested for 50 hours, but we have not had any issues. Batteries like with this controller I love just be able to charge it with the same cables. I have for my iPhone or maybe an older iPad.

It's so much more convenient that way, and you don't have to carry it around double-a batteries. A minor gripe here is, it comes out a little too easily. We wish it was just a little more firm in there. It's not too weak just completely, but it just is a little light on that tension across the top. Here you can see the status bar.

It's used for pairing, your phone, so hold on that power button or the home button for just a few seconds turn it on. For the first time, then go into Bluetooth settings and if it doesn't flash right away, you can hold the pairing button. That's on the front of the controller. Those lights are also used to tell you what controller you are. So if you're on your Apple TV, you get four controllers put on there to show you which player you are in will give you your battery life from 25%, 25 to 50 50 to 75 and 75 to 100.

The Steelers N?mes plus also comes with an iPhone mount here. This is pretty awesome. It is just an expandable mount. We do wish the rails on the inside were metal instead of plastic, because there is a little of give there, but it feels very solid feels very smooth, nice and premium to go with this controller. There's little paddle flip up on the front.

It expands to fit any size of the phone we fit our iPhone 11 Pro max without any issue whatsoever. Then, on the back, you just slide out these little prongs that go into the front of the controller. This controller looks very similar to the Stratus duo, which is for Windows, Android and VR applications, even though that controller only gets 20 or so hours of battery life and the phone mount is actually included separately. You have to pay extra for that. It's called a smart grip, and it's sold separately, whereas here on the Nimbus plus for iOS Apple Mac, Apple TV, all of that it just comes included in the box, so another great value, you're getting 50 hours of battery life and that mount that adapter included inside the box once you've gone ahead and slid that into place just slide.

Your iPhone in, as you can see, we had no issues with our biggest iPhone yet because easily into there ain't as you jiggle it around you're in the car. Whatever it is like there's not a lot of motion there. It does move a little, there's a lot of shaking, but it holds it very. Secure controllers like this are great because you can use them with things like Apple Arcade, now, it'll work with a ton of different games in the App Store, but Apple Arcade is special because for that one monthly fee you have access to all of these games. There are a pile of games here at Apple that continues to release new games each week, so for any gamers that are out there, there are so many options.

There are kids game. There are adult games, there's just a huge wide, ranging gamut of games available, your Apple Arcade as well just the App Store in general, so whether you're playing Sponge, Bob or real racing or just want to jump into some fortnight, there's definitely something you're going to find on iOS or Apple, TV or Mac. There's going to be perfectly suited to use this controller. We definitely jumped into a bunch of games, attested out there was no lag, is connected over Bluetooth. It was a very responsive.

It worked great I mean it was just so much easier to play these games for the controller versus just trying to use the touchscreen to do them, especially pretending like fortnight or raising I, just like having that more responsive nature and physical fuel of a controller. Some things are awkward like the fact that it really does fall over a lot. If you try to put your phone on the front of in just don't want to smash your phone down too hard, but really it is a huge improvement over the previous generation image controller. Here you can see them side-by-side and it does. It makes a lot more sense.

Now, with this newer version, we have obviously the controls here in the center all updated. His overall design has been cleaned up and refined a bit definitely smoother. Overall, we have the phone mount included. The battery life sensors control sensors was redesigned. It just really is an overall improved controller and pretty much every way those triggers have been overhauled.

The buttons have been changed, a d-pad change, the layout changed. You have the clickable joysticks on there. We will say that if you're looking at the joist or not the joysticks, but that triggers themselves- and this is gonna- be a preference thing- there's a little more movement in the previous generation there and there's older Nimbus controller. You can see how there's a lot of movement here now. It's not always the same tension and just you're kind of running on a spring versus the Hall effect of the new ones, but the new ones are just a little shallower, so some people may prefer the shallower triggers because they are quicker to pool and there's less tension on them.

Some people may prefer the longer pull of the older generation and a little more attention on them. I do love how this works across the Apple platforms. You know your iPhone, your iPad, your Apple TV, your Mac Apple arcades is already bringing all those games to all of those platforms. So, just an even better way to use a controller. It's just such a great value.

It's easy to pair, it's reliable has incredible battery life and the hardware is just top-notch, and this thing is even more expensive than a PS4 or Xbox controller and for good reason. Furthermore, it's literally specifically designed for Apple's platforms, and it really shows there's no better controller right now. You can pick up for any of those platforms, but I want to know what you guys think. Let me know over on Twitter at Andrew underscore OSU what your favorite controller is hey everyone. Did you guys like that video be sure to click on that like button, so we can create content that we know that you guys want to see and follow Apple Insider on all social media channels? If you want the best prices on any Apple gear check out the Apple Insider price guide that is updated daily and until next time we'll see you later.

Source : AppleInsider