It all changed when Apple pretty much pulled the plug - no pun intended - on earphone jacks on the iPhone 7 a few years back. It was unheard of - not being able to plug into your device with a pair of wired headphones? Almost immediately I bid farewell to all of my wired gadgets - from headphones to speakers - and more than 5 years later, I have experienced the most mind-blowing surprise of appreciating the power of wired awesomeness in the form of Turtle Beach’s Recon and React-R controllers.

For starters, this ‘is’ the ultimate back to school controller option for anyone wanting to enjoy next generation gaming and not blow the bank - because, of course, those school books add up along with everything else. At this very moment, you can get your hands on a Recon Controller - either Black or White - for the sale price of $44.95, from $59.95 - while minus a couple insanely fun audio features, you can secure a React-R controllers - either Black or White/Purple, for $39.99. Needless to say, either of these will be cheaper than a Date Night-approved outing to go see Bullet Train and getting a large popcorn plus two drinks, because who shares beverages anymore, right?

For starters, let’s focus on the trippy and vintage GameBoy-looking themed React-R wired White/Purple controller. Just imagine gaming on an intense Call of Duty: Warzone session and your kill streak is in jeopardy because of a crying baby on someone’s headset. Those critical headphones-only features like mic muting, game and chat volume controls are literally at your fingertips. Crotch down in a safe zone, punch the button you need and keep the streaking going.

I experienced this playing with the React-R controller last night. A wild night of Call of Duty gaming with a wired controller I never thought would hold me down just as much - and I am not capping here - as my Xbox Elite.

I’m talking about a couple of mapping buttons on the back of the controller but really getting your full bang for the buck being on the headphones options on the controllers. The one feature I can never seem to make sure is activated or not is the mute option - whether looking to mute myself on the headset or trying to find the option in-game, the controller immediately allowed me to stop the mic and go off in a very expletive fashion during my Call of Duty gaming.

Good news and bad news? Well, let’s do a little reversal. Bad news is despite my heroics and finishing Top 3 in my gaming sessions each time, my team as a collective lost those rounds. Just think of Kobe Bryant during those 2005-2007 seasons - superstar playing but with a roster not championship built. The good news? The whole time I was saying to myself thinking about this review - ‘Damn, this is an insane controller. I’m actually wired up and loving it.’

I’ll take things a step further. I actually get a majority if not all my gaming in from a stationary workout bike. So the fear of getting the wires caught up and tangled was on my mind - but given the multi-foot length - at least three I would say - of the wire and the comfort of the controller, this never came close to happening.

Now, here’s where things get interesting.

While I do love the vintage GameBoy vibe of the React-R White/Purple controller, the truest challenge for my Elite controller honestly came in the form of the Recon experience.

Insane.

It’s worth dropping $60 on a wired controller because of all the features. Just like the React-R had the audio options, this controller goes even further with audio controls only Turtle Beach could serve up including the EQ presets, game and chat mix plus mic monitoring. All of these options are conveniently placed right above the controller’s power button.

While both controllers have mappable quick-action buttons on the back, the overall grip and feel of the Recon made me forget at times I was gaming on this work of magic versus my Elite Xbox controller.

Without getting super nitty gritty - especially because by this point you’re either waiting for me to tell you something which would make you ‘not’ want to own one of these controllers or just want to see more pics, let’s just keep it simple and acknowledge this was pure comfort in my hands.

Turtle Beach chalks it up to ergonomic cooling grips and I’ll just say, hell yes. The controller just feels comfortable from the moment you start up your game to those final moments before you turn off your console.

Playing both Madden 23 and NBA 2K22 with this controller was non-stop fun. I actually had to stop myself to make sure to give the React-R controller proper attention.

The proof is in the pudding and when you have the option of dropping as low as $40 and as much as $60 - unless you secure a controller ASAP as the Recon sets are going for $44.95 - it’s really a no-brainer.

While I take pride in living in a wireless world, I must admit this is the first wired handheld experience I could not get enough of and found myself forgetting I was even plugged in because of the comfort and controller features.

Attack The Culture score: 10/10

Turtle Beach's Recon and React-R are the best wired controllers I've ever used