The folks at SteelSeries have a long history of quality controllers for mobile platforms, and the Stratus XL kicks that up a notch. Instead of focusing on portability and pocketability like the other controllers in this product line, SteelSeries focused on comfort and capability which makes it an incredible choice for the Oculus Go. It has all the quality of a major console controller, with great battery life and a $35 price tag to match.It pairs instantly to your phone and works with dozens of Oculus games right out of the box. Stratus XL is an all around quality gamepad, with a layout that is easy to remember when you eyes are in VR.Bottom line: If you want the best overall gamepad for your Oculus Go, SteelSeries is where you want to be.One more thing: This version of the controller only comes in black. If you see a white version of this controller, it's the iOS-only version and won't work with the Oculus Go.
Why the SteelSeries Stratus XL is the best
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While the Oculus Go comes with its own Remote, there are plenty of VR games you play on this headset which require or are enhanced by a good ol' fashioned gamepad. It's just not as enjoyable to play Minecraft with a motion controller, which is why Oculus supports games and gamers who prefer this gameplay mechanic.
Three things matter most when it comes to a VR-friendly gamepad — comfort, battery life, and durability. SteelSeries has checked all three boxes with the Stratus XL. This is an Xbox-esque gamepad that looks and feels familiar with a button layout you will quickly become comfortable with despite not being able to look down at it while in VR. This gamepad will easily survive the occasional drop when you are spooked in VR thanks to its rugged plastic design, and the use of standard thumbsticks means the chances of breaking them on a drop is unlikely. On average this controller will get you through 30 hours of constant use, which means the only way you're charging this controller once a week is if you are really and truly invested in Minecraft. If you do run out of power in the middle of a game, a pair of AA batteries will have you back up and running in no time.
Having an Xbox-style gamepad is great for familiarity, but the Oculus Go is a portable virtual reality platform and it makes sense that you'd want the gamepad to be equally as portable. That means it stows in a bag easily, and doesn't take up a ton of space. Moga's Hero Power gamepad offers this exact experience, with buttons and joysticks nearly flush with the casing and shorter palm grips that flow in line with the rest of the body. This gamepad also doubles as a more traditional phone gamepad with its foldable phone clip, which is pretty sweet when you consider it'll only set you back $30!Bottom line: If you value portability above all, Moga Hero Power is what you want.
It's portable, it's plasticky, and at $26 it's way cheaper than most other Bluetooth gamepads that play nice with the Oculus Go. Beboncool makes a bunch of gamepads for tablets and phones alike, but this smaller controller is perfect for portable Oculus Go gameplay. The battery is rated for 12 hours of constant gameplay, but the auto-off feature ensures you'll only be using power when you're actually playing.Bottom line: If you want a better Oculus Go gameplay experience without spending a ton, Beboncool has you covered.
Conclusion
If you're looking for console-class gaming on your Oculus Go, SteelSeries is where you want to spend your money. There's always a place for portability, though, and Moga has what you need if you're on the go. If all you really want is an affordable gamepad to save you from reaching for the Oculus Remote, Beboncool is a great gamepad at a reasonable price.
The folks at SteelSeries have a long history of quality controllers for mobile platforms, and the Stratus XL kicks that up a notch. Instead of focusing on portability and pocketability like the other controllers in this product line, SteelSeries focused on comfort and capability which makes it an incredible choice for the Oculus Go. It has all the quality of a major console controller, with great battery life and a $35 price tag to match.It pairs instantly to your phone and works with dozens of Oculus Go games right out of the box. Stratus XL is an all around quality gamepad, with a layout that is easy to remember when you eyes are in VR.Bottom line: If you want the best overall gamepad for your Oculus Go, SteelSeries is where you want to be.One more thing: This version of the controller only comes in black. If you see a white version of this controller, it's the iOS-only version and won't work with the Oculus Go.
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