Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
GuliKit’s new Switch controller features next-generation anti-drift thumbsticks
GuliKit has unveiled the ES Max, its first wireless Switch controller to use an upgraded version of the anti-drift tunnelling magnetoresistance (TMR) thumbsticks previously seen in its budget ES Pro. The new sticks measure a magnet's rotational angle rather than changes in magnetic field strength, meaning the signal never weakens and movement is registered more accurately, addressing the stick-drift problems that have long affected Nintendo's Switch controllers.
The ES Max costs $49.99, more than the $29.99 ES Pro but still less than Nintendo's own Switch 2 Pro Controller, and is compatible with all Switch models, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Steam. It adds two remappable rear buttons, swappable thumbstick caps, and Hall-effect linear triggers that can switch to micro-switches for shorter travel. GuliKit is also bundling a Hyperlink 2 Bluetooth adapter for lower-latency wireless play and launching its first mobile app for customising and updating its controllers.
In short
- GuliKit's ES Max controller uses improved anti-drift TMR thumbstick technology
- Costs $49.99, cheaper than Nintendo's Switch 2 Pro Controller
- Adds remappable buttons, swappable caps, faster triggers and a new app
Explained simply
Nintendo’s Switch controllers let players steer characters and cameras with thumbsticks. Some players have reported “stick drift”, where a character or cursor moves even when the stick is untouched, making games harder to control.
GuliKit is a company that makes controllers and accessories for gaming devices. Its ES Pro controller introduced TMR thumbsticks, which use changes in a magnet’s rotational position to track movement; the ES Max builds on that design.
The ES Max is an alternative controller for Switch consoles and several computers and mobile devices. Its price and extra controls place it among third-party options for players looking for different features or a replacement for a worn controller.