Whenever companies contact us about reviewing new Xbox controllers, we obviously have to be quite picky about how many we cover, and it typically comes down to whether they have any unique qualities that make them stand out.
The Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline is pretty much your standard Xbox controller in terms of how it functions (albeit with some excellent features such as TMR sticks and mappable back buttons), but with two key differences – the vibrant design on the front, and the fact that it also happens to light up in the dark.
In some ways, you might even say that it’s an ideal Xbox controller for GTA 6, despite not being based on Miami itself.
I’ve been a fan of Turtle Beach’s Xbox controllers for some time now (the Recon and React-R remain part of my rotation to this day), and this one is no exception. The Pacific Skyline actually feels quite different to the standard Xbox controller though – it’s not as heavy, the handles feel push inwards a little more and therefore wrap around your palms in a different but arguably more comfortable way, and the small bumpy grips you get on first-party controllers don’t exist here. That last one isn’t necessarily a bad thing — my hands haven’t slipped once while using it — but it just feels very smooth to the point where it might seem a bit offputting at first.
That’s not the case after a while, however. I’ve now settled into using the Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline as my main Xbox controller, and I’m not noticing any real downsides. I actually think the TMR thumbsticks are better than the ones on the main Xbox first-party Series X|S controller, primarily due to the extra circular ridges that appear on the inside of the sticks. My thumbs nestle into them perfectly, and I feel like I have more control over my movements as a result. The buttons and triggers are basically identical between the two, aside from how smooth they feel on the Pacific Skyline. And the d-pad? Well, I’m admittedly not someone who plays many d-pad heavy games these days, but it does the job well enough for me – just with less clickiness and a more rubbery feel to it, which probably still gives the first-party version the advantage.
This is a wireless controller as well, which works by inserting a USB dongle (included in the box) into the front or back ports of your console. The controller recognises it pretty much immediately, and then you’re ready to go. Battery life seems to be very good — I’ve only had to charge it once since initially doing so when it arrived (for what it’s worth, 20 hours seems to be how much you typically get from a single charge) — and there’s always the ability to connect a cable and play wired if you wish. It’s worth noting that the USB dongle can be inserted into a PC if you want to play wirelessly on Windows too. I use it when docking my ROG Xbox Ally X.
Let’s address the key selling point of this controller though – the artwork and light-up visuals. The design on the front is actually based on San Diego rather than Vice City’s take on Miami, but it still matches the vibe of Rockstar’s upcoming GTA game, featuring a beach, palm trees, skyscrapers and blue/orange skies.
In the background you’ll find even more of a hidden skyline that can be lit up at will, and there are multiple ways to display it, including as a solid colour (customisable via the left-stick) or via a couple of preset animations that change colour and brightness over time. This is obviously just a gimmick that has no influence on your experience of actually playing games, but I personally really like it! It’s remained turned on at all times throughout my time with the controller so far, primarily due to the fact that it’s a subtle feature rather than anything that harshly lights up the entire room.
Taken as a whole, I think the Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Xbox controller is at least worth considering if you find it in stock. Turtle Beach is only selling this one directly on its website right now, and the price comes in at £79.99 / $89.99.
I can tell you for a fact that it’s going to become my controller of choice for sitting down with GTA 6 this November, and I’m hoping that the premium TMR joysticks mean I’ll be using it for years to come without any fear of stick drift. Another win for Turtle Beach? It’s still early days, but I’m certainly enjoying my time with the Pacific Skyline so far.
“The Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller blends a Pacific Coast color scheme with reliable Turtle Beach® performance. Inspired by the San Diego skyline, the pastel artwork features palm tree silhouettes and RGB lighting that glows to reveal the hidden skyline. Premium TMR thumbsticks, dual rumble motors, and mappable back buttons support responsive personalized gameplay. Wireless play works with Xbox and Windows 10/11 through the included USB transmitter, and Bluetooth® supports gaming on Android devices. With onboard audio controls, a dedicated mic mute button, and support from the Control Hub companion app, this controller delivers comfort, color, and control for any gaming session.”
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Have you got one of these? Any interest? What will you be using for GTA 6? Tell us in the comments.
Fraser is the News Editor at Pure Xbox, where he spends his time reporting on the biggest stories in the world of Xbox and beyond.