Amazon Luna’s cloud game streaming service is a user-friendly, cost-effective platform. While Luna is compatible with tons of different controllers including Xbox One gamepads, the PlayStation 4 DualShock 4, and third-party options such as the 8BitDo SF30, Amazon offers its own Luna controller. With a slew of unique features and a low-latency mode, it’s a great choice for Luna subscribers. But should you get one? Find out if the Amazon Luna controller is worth it in our hands-on Amazon Luna review!
What is the Amazon Luna Controller?
Although the Amazon Luna controller looks much like the Nintendo Pro controller, it’s a purpose-built gamepad engineered for use with Amazon Luna’s cloud gaming platform. You’ll find a pair of joysticks, four shoulder buttons, a directional pad (D-pad), plus a set of X, Y, A, and B buttons. Additionally, there’s a microphone hotkey for utilizing Alexa push-to-talk, as well as home, action, and menu buttons. A USB-C port allows for wired connections while an audio port lets you connect a wired headset. Aside from compatibility with Amazon Luna, the Luna Controller does work as a standard gamepad in apps such as Steam.
Amazon’s Luna game controller features Bluetooth connectivity for simple pairing with a bevy of different devices including PCs, macOS laptops or desktops, streaming set-top boxes such as Fire TV streamers, and iOS or Android mobile devices. It’s powered by a pair of AA batteries which are included. The Luna Controller uses special Cloud Direct technology for interfacing with Amazon’s servers. This delivers an impressive 17 to 30 millisecond (ms) reduction in latency when compared with a more traditional local Bluetooth connection.
Amazon Luna Controller specs:
- Engineered for use with the Amazon Luna cloud gaming platform
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Wi-Fi Direct for low-latency connectivity with Luna and up an up to 30ms latency reduction over Bluetooth
- Compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV
- X, Y, A, B buttons, 4 x shoulder buttons (left trigger, right trigger, left shoulder, right shoulder), 1 x D-pad, 2 x analog thumbsticks, 1 x home button, 1 x action button, 1 x menu button
- USB-C port
- 3.5mm audio out jack
- AA battery-powered
- Amazon Luna controller cost: $69.99 normal retail price, $82.98 with phone clip
Amazon Luna Controller Review
The Amazon Luna Controller is, in many ways, standard fare. And that’s a good thing. Though the Luna gamepad doesn’t deviate too much from most video game controllers such as the Nintendo Pro Controller, Xbox One gamepad, or DualShock 4, that means it’s familiar to most gamers. At 235.5 grams without batteries and 281.5 grams with batteries, the Luna Controller is light enough to feel comfortable during several hour-long gameplay sessions, yet heavy enough to so that it doesn’t feel cheap. Built-in vibration motors provide haptic control, and an LED ring around the home button lights up to indicate various states such as Bluetooth pairing, connected to Wi-Fi Direct, low battery, or any number of other statuses.
Its rubberized hand grips feel great to the touch as to the soft, rubber-tipped analog sticks. All buttons and the analog sticks are responsive and firm but not too difficult to press. However, it’s the Amazon integration that makes the Luna Controller a compelling choice for Amazon Luna subscribers. In addition to Bluetooth pairing, the Luna Controller can directly pair with different devices such as phones and tablets using the Amazon Luna Controller app. Because of the Wi-Fi Direct feature, the Luna Controller can reduce latency by up to 30ms when compared with a local Bluetooth connection.
Additionally, there’s fantastic interfacing with various Amazon services. Tapping the home button on Fire TV will launch Luna automatically. Similarly, hitting the home button will launch a Luna in-game menu during gameplay. And the built-in microphone button lets you utilize Amazon Alexa push-to-talk functionality. An onboard headphone jack allows you to easily hook up a gaming headset to the controller itself.
Outside of Amazon Luna, the Luna Controller does function flawlessly with a number of other apps. The Amazon Luna Controller driver provides generic Windows 10 gamepad operation. As such, the Luna Controller is a good multi-purpose gamepad that works extremely well for
How to Use the Amazon Luna Controller With Steam
Although the true benefits of Amazon’s Luna Controller derive from its Amazon, Alexa, and Luna integration as well as Cloud Direct low-latency connectivity, the Amazon Luna Controller works just as well as a generic gamepad with Steam. To use the Amazon Luna Controller with Steam, you’ll first want to put the Luna Controller in Bluetooth pairing mode by pressing the Action and B buttons simultaneously.
After that, you should see the LED ring around the home button begin blinking white. Then, under Bluetooth devices, select Add a Bluetooth Device. Once that’s finished, look for Luna Gamepad in your list of available devices and wait for it to finish pairing. Now, just fire up Steam and enter Big Picture Mode. Your Luna Controller should work out-of-the-box.
Final Thoughts – Should You Buy the Amazon Luna Controller?
If you’re an Amazon Luna subscriber, the Luna Controller is a must-use. Its Cloud Direct connectivity reduced lag significantly over a standard Bluetooth connection. What’s more, Cloud Direct makes switching devices such as PCs and phones a breeze. It’s comfortable to hold and offers a bevy of different Luna-specific features for a great overall experience. Additionally, with generic gamepad support for Steam and other Windows 10 apps, the Luna Controller is a good multi-purpose gamepad.
Your turn: What game controllers are you using?
Amazon Luna Controller
$69.99
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Lots of Amazon Luna-specific features
- Wi-Fi Direct connection for low-latency and Bluetooth 5.0 as well
- Great support for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Fire TV
- Works with Steam and other apps in addition to Amazon Luna
Cons
- No USB-C cable included
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