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Gioteck Smart TV+ Duo Wireless Controller review: Basic but can work well

Console gaming may disappear in future as firms like Xbox and Playstation look to cloud-based gameplay and tech firm Gioteck has released a new budget controller built for TV app only play

[Gioteck Smart TV+ Duo Wireless Controller]

Gioteck Smart TV+ Duo Wireless Controller

The future of gaming is almost certainly in the cloud and there will one day be a time where consoles are a thing of the past.

Were already starting to get a taste of that future thanks to services like Xbox Game Pass.

You can now log into your virtual Xbox machine on a Samsung telly via an app and play your games direct from their servers using the cloud-streaming play service.

No consoles are needed at all as it is all streamed over the web.

And peripheral firm Gioteck is looking to cash-in on this new-look way of playing video games with a cost-friendly controller aimed specifically at TV streamers.

The Smart TV+ Duo Wireless Controller looks and feels very much like a budget Xbox controller.

At 25 youre not going to be getting top draw tech here.

[We played Fifa 23 on Game Pass direct through our TV]

We played Fifa 23 on Game Pass direct through our TV

But its a solid if somewhat plastic-feeling white and grey unit thats pleasant on the eye with its glowing RGB thumbstick radials.

You can connect to your TV of choice either by bluetooth or via a little USB adapter that plugs into a port on the telly itself.

The firm claims it delivers a rock-solid, low-latency wireless connection and in that regard we were somewhat impressed playing games like Fifa 23 over the Xbox app.

Halo Infinite however didnt fare so well and there seemed to be quite a lag between button presses and action on screen.

At worst, its unplayable. But at best, we were enjoying our footie masterclass as Arsenal at the Emirates stadium.

As the technology stands, this is always the issue with cloud gaming.

A good strong internet connection gets you very very close to the console gameplay experience.

But a wavering one, perhaps when others in the household are also using wi-fi and affecting the connection, can make it unpalatable.

Thats not the Gioteck controllers fault though, thats just cloud gaming as it stands today.

That said, some of the button mapping seemed off and I had to spend time reassigning joypad buttons to try to replicate a proper Xbox or PS5 experience.

[Its a solid white and grey unit thats pleasant on the eye with its glowing RGB thumbsticks]

Its a solid white and grey unit thats pleasant on the eye with its glowing RGB thumbsticks

And that wasnt ideal because the comfort level wasnt quite there and it took time and effort to get closer to what is now just expected instantly when you turn on your trusty machine.

The controller is fine for a budget player but those seeking a more pro experience should opt for a device in much higher cost brackets.

The Gioteck has a handy switch that allows you to connect it quickly to PC, iPhones and Android handsets too, which gives you more connectivity bang for your buck.

And it runs on cheap AA batteries, two of which come handily in the packet.

Overall, a budget controller that does the job and sets a low-cost example for the future of TV-only video gaming.

One that works pretty well as long as your web connection is fast and strong.

But this fledgling gaming tech does need more time to develop and, ultimately, improve to really deliver a proper alternative to console play.

VERDICT 3/5

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