Review: Despite drawbacks, QRD Spark N5 has surprising bells and whistles

Controllers have grown more uniform and complicated as the video games have matured. The industry has a fairly set format when it comes to the number of buttons, analog sticks and a D-pad. If longtime gamers pickup a DualSense, a Switch and an Xbox controller, they’d have no problems navigating a first-person shooter or a racing game.

Although the face buttons may have different symbols, the general positions and functions are the same. With a format so stable, that has enabled companies to design around the edges and offer features that set their products apart. One of the newer companies entering the peripheral fray is QRD Game with its Spark N5.

SOMEWHAT DATED

On the surface, the device looks dated, and it is. The controller supports the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, which are consoles of the past generations. Although it works on backward compatible PS4 games on the PlayStation 5, it generally isn’t compatible with the newest system. That’s a strike against it and a deal killer for some.

But those looking to dive into its features will discover that the Spark N5 versatile. One of its strengths is that it supports other devices including iOS, Android and PC. It comes with a mobile attachment accessory that holds a phone while players game with controller. That means it can work on several higher profile games on mobile such as “Death Stranding” on iOS or “Dead Cells” on Android.

Because more mobile devices allow emulation (We’re looking at you, iPhones.), having a physical controller makes playing older emulated games more natural on those mobile devices as well.

On the PC side, the Spark N5 is a plug-and-play device and acts exactly like an Xbox Wireless controller. It works well on a slew of Xbox titles or anything on Steam. The face buttons are responsive with a convex shape while the triggers have a nice give to them. The shoulder buttons are bit mushier compared to the stock controller.

THE PLUS FEATURES

As for the build quality, the Spark N5 has a strong plastic shell with buttons and D-pad that feel as if they’re made from the same material. It’s doesn’t shout quality but it gets the job done. QRD Game does try to spruce up the Spark N5 with RGB lighting around the analog sticks and face button in addition to the customary lighting scheme of a PlayStation 4 controller. Players can change it on the fly from 9 presets using a Set key.

Under the hood, the Spark N5 has more things going for it. The device features Hall Effect analog sticks so that it won’t have annoying drift. It also features two paddles on the back. They jut out from the rear and are sturdier than they look. They can be mapped to replace face buttons or the L3 and R3 buttons, which are helpful in first-person shooters. In addition, these N1 and N2 buttons can also be tied to macros, which can be helpful in other genres like fighting games, but don’t expect them to be legal in tournaments.

The Spark N5 also has Turbo button. It’s a throwback feature that lets users hold a button and the controller reads it as rapid tapping. It’s helpful in old-school games and adjustable to 3 speeds with the max being 25 button taps per second. The Turbo button is also used to adjust the controller’s force feedback on the fly.

All of these extras can be overwhelming, and it takes a while to navigate all the extra buttons used for setting up the Spark N5. After a short learning period, it ends up being a good controller that holds value at $48.99 even though it doesn’t support contemporary consoles and only has wireless options for PlayStation and mobile devices.

The Spark N5’s strength lies in its versatility. Aside from easily being used on older PlayStation consoles, PC and mobile devices, it has features that prove helpful in several types of games with programmable paddles and turbo buttons. The most practical feature though is the Hall Effect sticks, which will allow the controller to have mroe staying power than others. If players are looking for a higher-quality product, a stock controller or an elite-style version would be a better investment.

QRD Spark N5 controller

Two and a half stars

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PC, iOS and Android