We recently reviewed the G7 SE Xbox Wired Controller from GameSir, arguing that it's one of the more underappreciated brands on the market if you're shopping for cheaper alternatives. With the GameSir T4 Kaleid now covering the PC and Nintendo Switch platforms, most of it still holds true. However, while the G7 SE Xbox Wired Controller went above and beyond to deliver plentiful features at a moderate price point, the T4 Kaleid cuts back in a few crucial areas that knocks it down a few pegs.



The GameSir T4 Kaleid is a beautiful-looking controller and I rarely say that about third-party transparent third-party controllers where its entire gimmick is the RGB light show. The RGB lighting isn't exactly modest on the T4 Kaleid but that isn't its only selling point, if that's your preference. You can tinker the RGB settings with the controller's built-in software, which comes with its own set of challenges since the Chinese translation to English in the settings isn't very good. If you can get over that hurdle, you'll have just enough customisation options at your disposal, though I prefer the standard light show left on because it brings out the best qualities of the design.



The transparent build of the T4 Kaleid is eye-catching, even if it's not the most original idea on the market. Where it sets itself apart from other similar controllers is the build quality. GameSir took no shortcuts in the controller's sturdiness - perhaps not as sturdy at the G7 SE, but for a cheaper alternative to Xbox's official gamepads, it's surprisingly solid and I had no problems with getting a good grip on it (it's a few millimetres smaller than the official Xbox controller but hardly noticeable). Overall, it's a gorgeous controller that will fit right into PC gaming setups with a lot of RGB on display.

As for the buttons and analogue sticks, the T4 Kaleid really shines in those areas. The trigger/bumpers, D-pad and face buttons are incredible, offering a slight clickiness with exceptional rapid feedback. I tried it out with Killer Instinct on PC and the responsiveness was terrific, allowing me to execute combos with pin-point precision - dare I say, better than the official Xbox controller. It also works decently with first-person shooters like Halo and Call of Duty, though you might miss the more aggressive clicky feedback of the standard controllers. As a casual option that will cater to a wide variety of gaming genres on PC, the T4 Kaleid does its job well.



Where it almost lost me was its setup on Nintendo Switch. It's stated that the T4 Kaleid is compatible with the Switch but you wouldn't think so at first glance. In fact, there were some Switch games that completely failed to register the controller, requiring me to unplug and plug it back in a couple of times to properly register. Whereas on PC, it was simply a matter of plugging it in and playing with little to no hassle. While I'd personally recommend that all Switch players rather invest in a licensed Pro controller (since third-party Switch controllers have a history of being unreliable and terrible), the T4 Kaleid might give you better mileage thanks to its sturdier build, but you can't help but feel like this is, first and foremost, a PC controller with only modest Switch support.

The T4 Kaleid also features two mappable back buttons if you want a couple of extra buttons for support in games like first-person shooters or RPGs like Diablo 4 that will make your gameplay a little easier for control, though you'll do just fine without them since, as mentioned before, this is a controller largely catering to a casual market that might not find use for the back buttons unless attempting to play competitively - in which case, there are multiple other controllers on the market better suited for the competitive scene.

In fact, there were some Switch games that completely failed to register the controller, requiring me to unplug and plug it back in a couple of times to properly register.

The lack of wireless connectivity is also a bit problematic. It comes packaged with a lengthy 3m cable, and while I could mostly forgive the G7 SE controller for this same problem since you'd mostly be using it on an Xbox while sitting on your couch, the T4 Kaleid is primarily for PC usage where PC players are usually close to their screens - needless to say, the cable is going to look messy on your PC setup. For Switch, the benefit is you can kick back and use it fine sitting on your couch, but honestly, most Switch players will probably opt to use a wireless Pro controller or a cheaper third-party gamepad for convenience.



Thankfully, the T4 Kaleid makes up for some of its shortcomings with style, affordability and ease of use. At R1099, it's actually decently priced for what it offers. Like I said before, it's a very aesthetically pleasing controller that's going to stand out in any gaming setup with a solid build that takes into account comfort and functionality with its textured grips and firm, high-quality plastic body. Like the G7 SE, GameSir also included Hall Effect sticks, essentially eliminating stick drift problems and increasing its lifespan. Without extensive testing, it's hard to deduce if it actually lives up to that claim but for Nintendo Switch, it's better than PowerA controllers which have notoriously bad stick drift, even after a few weeks of usage (I speak from experience).

The GameSir T4 Kaleid controller isn't going to blow you away by any means. It's a perfectly good multi-platform controller that's going to do fine on PC and Nintendo Switch. The price point is great, the design is wonderful with a lot of thought put into the shape and feel, and it's pretty easy to quickly set up and use (minor Chinese translation errors not withstanding). However, GameSir also exacerbates some of the problems I had with the G7 SE. The lengthy cable is messy on a desk and there's no way for me to really say if the Hall Effect sticks will live up to their promises. If you can look past the issues, I'm sure the T4 Kaleid will give you bang for your buck.