Having liked what we saw from the GameSir G7 SE controller for Xbox, we simply had to check out GameSir’s latest controller for the Nintendo Switch. This latest offering comes in the form of the GameSir T4 Cyclone. The T4 Cyclone is a wireless controller that is designed for wireless use with the Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS and Android devices. It employs the same Hall Effect technologies that empowered the G7 SE and features an assortment of customization options. All of this comes in a nice and neat $39.99 price point.
So, let’s dive into the GameSir T4 Cyclone to see what we get from $39.99.
Build, Features, and Comfort
A purchase of the GameSir T4 Cyclone comes with a USB-C to USB-A cable.
The GameSir T4 Cyclone is a controller with a design resembling that of the Nintendo Switch Pro controller. It sports the usual dual analog sticks, a D-Pad, four face buttons, dual bumpers and dual triggers. The face buttons utilize the YXBA face button layout that Nintendo controllers tend to use. You also have the +, -, and capture buttons as well as motion control sensors, also seen on today’s Nintendo Switch controllers. The controller can be used wired using the supplied cable or wirelessly using Bluetooth. There is also a second wireless option, using a low-latency USB dongle which is sold separately.
Unique to the GameSir T4 Cyclone are the inclusions of the GameSir button at the top, an M button for controlling various mapping features and two programmable paddle buttons on the rear of the controller. The paddle buttons can be remapped to mirror other controller buttons, execute rapid fire of those same buttons, or execute a simultaneous press of multiple buttons.
The GameSir T4 Cyclone also utilizes the same Hall Effect analog sticks and analog triggers that we saw in the GameSir G7 SE. Taking from that review…
This technology allows the controller to detect movement in the analog sticks and triggers without physical contact with internal sensors. Thanks to this contactless sensing technology, the natural wear and tear from the G7 SE’s analog sticks and triggers is significantly reduced. As such, GameSir touts up to 5 million cycles of anti-drift uses from these sticks with up to 0.1mm of tracking accuracy. Not only is the GameSir G7 SE built for precise and accurate inputs, but it is built to last.
– GameSir G7 SE Review
The GameSir button in the top center of the controller’s front is multi-functional. Holding the button powers the controller on and off, using the last connection mode the controller was in. Holding this button with specific combinations of the face buttons allow you to change the connection mode of the controller. This lets you toggle the controller for use with the Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS and PC. Once paired with the platform of your choice, this button then acts as the “Home” button for that platform.
The also multi-functional M button lets you control other various functions of the T4 Cyclone. When used in combination with the triggers, you can toggle between hair and linear trigger modes. Using the M button with the D-Pad, you can control the controller’s vibration intensity using Up and Down. M button with the analog sticks lets you toggle their dead zone modes. Lastly, pressing this button with the “A” face button lets you toggle between ABXY (Xbox) and BAYX (Nintendo) layouts.
When you have the T4 Cyclone connected with your mobile device, you can also control these functions using the free GameSir app for Android and iOS. The GameSir app also allows you to employ controller firmware updates, when available.
The general feel of the T4 Cyclone is almost identical to that of the GameSir G7 SE that we reviewed in July. That is actually a good thing as I had nothing but positive things to say about the level of comfort that I experienced with that controller…
The controller’s plastic does not get too warm after hours of continuous use and the textured grips make the controller very easy to handle. The rubber textured tips of the thumbsticks felt both comfortable and easy to grip. Thanks to its familiar Xbox controller layout, there was no learning curve whatsoever with the [T4 Cyclone].
…
The [paddle] buttons do not protrude too much or get in the way of comfortable handling. Yet, they are still highly accessible and easy to reach for. If you are the type of gamer that crouch spams in shooters, then these buttons are a solid option for you.
– GameSir G7 SE Review
The M button continues to be a handy addition to these GameSir controllers. They offer you a good range of controller customizability in scenarios where you do not have access to the GameSir app.
Going off of its build, comfort and feature set alone, the $39.99 GameSir T4 Cyclone is already a solid alternative to Nintendo’s $69.99 Switch Pro controller offering. Despite the $40 difference in price, the T4 Cyclone still sports the feel and functionality of a quality controller.
Performance
Like with other multiplatform GameSir controllers I have used, the T4 Cyclone’s main GameSir button displayed a specific color depending on the platform you have it set to. This is handy as you may not always remember which GameSir and face button combination to use when swapping between gaming platforms. You have red for the Nintendo Switch, green for Windows, yellow for Android and blue for iOS.
I did not bother remapping the controller’s BAYX face button layout when I connected it to the PC or Android. That is because the controller respected an Xbox button layout by default when connected to these platforms. While the BAYX buttons were executing that of an ABXY layout, I was able to play PC games or Xbox Game Pass games easily using my muscle memory. While that may not be ideal for some, the fact that the T4 Cyclone gives you the option to swap the layouts on the fly is a nice touch.
The D-pad performs well in your run-of-the-mill 2D platformers. When it came to using it specifically in fighters, it was serviceable for your quarter-circle and DP inputs. I did have some trouble with half-circle motions, however. So, the D-Pad was just ok when I played King of Fighters 15 remotely from my PC using the Steam Link app. Taking stream delay out of the scenario, it was better yet when I played SNK vs Capcom 2 locally off my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5. I just had lean away from characters with half-circle command inputs.
However, when it comes to the analog sticks and triggers, the T4 Cyclone handled just as well as the G7 SE. The Hall Effect analog sticks and analog triggers continued to impress with this controller, promoting both a solid feel and crisp accuracy. When I was connected to my PC, the controller handled well during my Destiny 2 Trials of Osiris runs while I farmed for the perfect adept Cataphract GL3 roll.
So, when it came to shooters, the T4 Cyclone’s Hall Effect components and general feel established it as a very solid and effective controller.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a controller with the build and features of a Nintendo Switch Pro controller, then your first stop should be to check out the GameSir T4 Cyclone. You get the traditional feel of a console controller reinforced with Hall Effect components that are built to last. Beyond that, you get some customizability and multiplatform support, all for just $39.99. When it comes to deciding between the T4 Cyclone and the Nintendo Switch Pro controller, the T4 Cyclone is the obvious and more cost-conscious choice for what you get. It is simply a no-brainer.
If you want to check out the GameSir T4 Cyclone for yourself, you can do so by clicking here. Use coupon code CYCLONE to get 10% off.
Or if you prefer Amazon, you can get it on Amazon by clicking here and using coupon code GST4CP01 to get 15% off
† There are no affiliate links contained within this post. We were provided a GameSir T4 Cyclone controller for review purposes and were not compensated for this review.
