The Super Mario movie has finally arrived, and to help bring on the hype, Turtle Beach has once again teamed up with Nintendo for some very special new Nintendo Switch 2 controller designs. That’s right, there’s a new Rematch Wireless Controller that not only features our two favorite plumbers but also marks the company’s first-ever RGB controller for Nintendo!
This might be my favorite Nintendo Switch 2 controller yet.
It’s A-Me, RGB!
Last year, I had the opportunity to go hands-on with Turtle Beach’s Rematch Switch controllers for a review. It was a controller I had high praise for, and with the review now nearly a year old, I can happily report that the controller is still holding strong. That’s with daily usage, from either me or someone else in my family, and for hours at the end of the day. The battery is holding strong, as are all of its buttons.
This is a great update to provide, because I rarely get the chance to revisit a device in the same line, which, of course, coincides with the release of the new Super Mario Galaxy movie. For such a big IP, making its way back to the big screen, that also means plenty of marketing, and plenty of new merchandise and products. So unsurprisingly, Turtle Beach has once again partnered with Nintendo on new Rematch controller designs, though this time, instead of being glow-in-the-dark controllers (which, in all honesty, were great), Turtle Beach has taken things to the next level by introducing RGB lighting.
That’s right, the new Rematch Wireless Controllers for the Nintendo Switch 2 all feature RGB lighting. There are three Mario-themed versions of the controller: one of Rosalina (available at a later date), one of Koopa Troopa (available at a later date), and a Mario and Luigi edition (now available) that features both brothers on each side of the controller. We were sent the Mario and Luigi edition to test, which keeps its general design simple compared to the other available options. But sometimes the simplest of designs is all one needs, and his particular controller proves that even a minimalist approach can shine. I mean that quite literally, as it features RGB lighting (as do the other models) that looks pretty stunning.
Main Specs:
- 4 RGB lighting modes ignites unique Super Mario™ designs
- TMR thumbsticks deliver smooth, accurate gameplay
- C Button for GameChat features
- Up to 30-foot low latency wireless connection
- Rechargeable battery with up to 40 hours per charge with RGB lighting off or up to 12 hours with vibrant RGB effects on
- Built-in motion controls for immersive gaming
- Dual mappable quick-action back buttons
- Textured thumbsticks and grips
- Officially licensed by Nintendo®
In total, the controller has four selectable lighting modes, which can be changed by holding down the small black button next to the thumbstick and alternating between the trigger buttons. Easy enough. I will say that with some of Turtle Beach’s past products, I do think it could have been cool to be able to program the lighting and customize it ourselves, but it still looks great as is.
For those who aren’t too big on RGB, you can lower the brightness and even turn them off completely, in which case, you have yourself a very clean and beautifully designed Super Mario-themed Nintendo Switch 2 controller.
As highlighted by Turtle Beach, the RGB lighting does take up quite a lot of battery life, depending on the effect and brightness, with “vibrant RGB effects” providing 12 hours of life. It’s still a lot, certainly more than what my PS5 controllers have been giving me, and this is with full RGB effect. With them off, the controller can last nearly 40 hours on a full charge. If you game 8 hours a day, that equates to five days of use without charging. I don’t game that long, so I can probably push it to two to four weeks before I have to charge it.
Sadly, as with the previous iterations, there is no rumble, likely due to Nintendo’s proprietary tech. It’s the same case for many third-party DualSense (PS5) controllers, since both Nintendo and Sony use unique motors to provide “immersive” feedback. Given how well-built Turtle Beach made this controller, to the point that it can almost be considered official, I do hope that one day Nintendo will work with them to get that HD rumble 2 inside it. Not a problem if you don’t care about rumble, though.
Many of my thoughts on the controller itself remain unchanged from my initial review, which were generally positive, aside from a few things, like the lack of Rumble. Otherwise, with the addition of RGB lighting, Turtle Beach has made a controller that was essentially “perfect” even better. I’ve grown fond of RGB lighting over the years, mostly on the PC side with internal components and mouse and keyboards, but for controllers? I usually dream about the idea, mostly because I know how impactful it can be on battery life. But giving us the option to turn them off entirely is a massive plus in my books, and the numbers provided by Turtle Beach speak for themselves. Choices are great, and that’s been one of the most defining aspects of Turtle Beach and their lineup of products, something I know they’ll continue to grow and expand on.
But for now, the new Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless RGB Controllers are excellent alternative options for anyone looking to add a splash of color to their Nintendo Switch 2 setup. Whether you’re picking up the controller to celebrate the new movie and treat it as a collector’s item or you simply want a reliable, high-performing gamepad that can actually withstand daily family use, this is a fantastic choice. It balances that playful Nintendo charm with the sleek, modern tech that Turtle Beach is known for.
Where to buy:
- RGB lighting that looks fantastic, with brightness options and the ability to turn them off.
- Excellent design and build quality.
- Gorgeous and stunning colorways.
- Long-lasting battery to keep you playing longer.
- Back buttons that are easily programmable.
- “Unofficial” PC support if you have the patience to map everything.
Verdict
9.5/10
Turtle Beach continues to deliver on exciting new controller offerings, with the latest Rematch Controllers now adding even more flair with RGB lighting.
Hardware was provided by Turtle Beach for review purposes. You can read MP1st’s review and scoring policy right here.
