GuliKit KK3 Max Controller Review: A Step Beyond Console Controllers for PC Gamers

Sajjad Hussain

As Tech4Gamers’ Founder and Editor-in-Chief, I bring over 13 years of PC Hardware Reviewing and 8+ years of IT Project Management experience. Certified in Google IT Support, my focus is on providing honest product reviews and analysis and fostering a strong gaming community with 130k+ members in PPG.

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Abdul Hannan

As Tech4Gamers’ editor, I leverage years of hardware exploration to provide nuanced insights. Stay updated with the latest in gaming and tech through my perspective.

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Now that I’ve revived my interest in playing some games on PC using a controller, I can finally see reasonable-priced options, and GuliKit KK3 Max is one of them. Although functional, traditional console controllers lack a few of the latest cutting-edge features for PC gamers and further customization possibilities to fit our needs. Moreover, they often come at heftier prices. 

Even though you probably would have a console and its controller at home, first-party controllers just cannot keep pace with the apparent supremacy of third-party options, particularly given that they’re so much cheaper. Having said that, in this review, I’ll be taking an in-depth look into the Gulikit KK3 Max, a successor to the renowned King Kong 2 Pro. 

Key Takeaways

• The GuliKit KK3 Max Controller is a well-built gamepad. Its Hall Effect joysticks eliminate stick drift, while the detachable rear paddles and trigger locks offer versatility for various gaming styles.
• You should buy the GuliKit KK3 Max Controller if you appreciate premium features at a mid-range price, play games specifically on PC and Nintendo Switch, and want versatile customization. 
• You should not buy the GuliKit KK3 Max Controller if you need broad console compatibility, prioritize lengthy battery life, and prefer a refined D-pad. 

Here are the specifications: 

How Is The GuliKit KK3 Max Different?

The GuliKit KK3 Max has refined features like Hall effect joysticks, which eliminate stick drift and offer precise control, which is particularly beneficial for long-term use. Unlike its predecessors, which focus heavily on multi-platform compatibility and automation features, the KK3 Max focuses on improving the tactile experience with buttons and trigger locks, which enhances gameplay in shooters and other fast-paced genres. Compared to the general competition, the KK3 Max offers unique advantages like customizable paddles at a lower price point.

Packaging & Unboxing

Here, you’ll find a surprising variety of extras when you take it out of the packaging. You also receive a standard USB-C cable for charging and an elegant hard shell case with a charging cutout. In addition, you’ll find a convenient compartment for storing your controller’s USB wireless adapter, which includes rear paddles and buttons.

Box Contents

1. GuliKit KK3 Max Controller
2. Travel Case
3. USB-C Cable
4. Button Puller
5. Extra Buttons and Rear Paddles
6. Wireless Hyperlink Reciever
7. Quick Start Guide and Manual
8. GuliKit Sticker

Design

You must have already anticipated much from the design already, but I will still try to cover all my bases. The front incorporates the Xbox and Nintendo layouts for sticks and face buttons in terms of appearance and functionality. The two hall effect triggers on the rear correspond with the two full-sized hall joysticks placed on the front.

There are also four places for rear paddles. If you’re familiar with controllers designed for Xbox consoles, you’ll find the layout spot on. Since, the KK3 Pro shares design cues and the front-panel button arrangement with an Xbox One controller.

It is mostly identical to the Xbox One controller except for its small dimensions. It’s hardly noticeable, maybe half an inch, but it still maintains the controller’s familiar and comforting feel. This put me at ease, as I’ve always preferred the playing experience of an Xbox controller.

Comfort

The controller’s plastic construction gives it a pleasant semi-soft feel on top, with a more rigid, more textured bottom for better grip. Most importantly, the face buttons provide a smooth travel experience. On the downside, the D-pad might be an exception as Gulikit uses a 4-way cross-style D-pad rather than an 8-way radial one.

The D-pad has no diagonal movement, so using it for input may be a little more hassle. On the other hand, the joysticks, which use Hall effect sensors, are top-notch. They spin freely across their whole range and don’t have any dead zones until you set them up, which is doable. It is also worth mentioning the Hall effect triggers.

Using Gulikit’s trigger lock, which can be activated by a switch, you can limit the physical movement of the triggers to just a few millimeters. It’s a standard controller function nowadays, but Gulikit takes it to the next level with a nice tactile click that isn’t there when the lock isn’t switched on.

Features

A few of its many features include a magnetic hall effect triggers  and field-sensing joystick and that eliminate stick drift over time. Moreover, trigger stops support for turbo and Auto-pilot macros.

Arguably, when compared to other gamepads, not many can provide this much value for the money. That doesn’t mean every feature is useful. For instance, PC players will probably prefer the removable rear paddles since they provide additional buttons for personalized keybindings.

That isn’t as helpful because custom keybindings are far harder to configure on consoles. Although the Auto-pilot feature allows you to record and replay controller input for up to 10 minutes, I failed to discover any situation in which it might be useful. However, I can see this being rather helpful for games with many repeated activities.

Battery Life

As per my actual usage, the controller’s built-in lithium-ion battery can last up to 25 hours with the LEDs turned off. However, they can decrease the battery life to 13 to 15 hours if left on. The battery only died twice on me during the whole testing period, where I could easily use it for three days without charging.

On the downside, these numbers are lower than competing alternatives, such as the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 Core, which offers up to 40 hours of playtime. Some gamers may find this annoying since they tend to sit for longer periods of time while playing.

Compatibility

This section serves as a caution rather than as an altogether bad thing. Unfortunately, the KK3 Max isn’t compatible with MacOS, PlayStation 5, or Xbox One X, but it is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and Nintendo Switch. You need to take several steps to connect it to these platforms.

This significantly narrows the gamepad’s potential market and lessens its appeal. Those who play most games on Xbox or PlayStation should probably pass on this. As it turns on, you can easily change the connection to any platform with a simple button. Remember the steps to sync it with each device, and then continue accordingly. When you get the hang of it, it’s not that difficult, but nevertheless, don’t toss out the manual for this one.

Performance

Once you get the hang of using the adapter to connect to your controller, it works like a charm, and as far as I can tell, it positively impacts gaming performance. Speaking of which, the hall sticks give you great precision and fluidity when playing. Using the left stick to steer in racing games was a breeze. Moreover, the tactile button switch from GuliKits gives the face buttons a pleasant actuation.

In my opinion, they’ve found an excellent balance. Furthermore, the rear bumpers have a pleasant, subtle click that is pleasant to the touch. However, although the D-Pad is generally functional, it becomes annoyingly stiff compared to other options after a while. In fact, I would rather prefer the clickier D-Pad available on Xbox series controllers. On the downside, the triggers have one problem for me.

They snap into place after a smooth drop on Xbox. In contrast, KK3 Pro has them go down smoothly for the most part, but before ramping up the pressure at the bottom. Even after you believe they have reached their lowest point. You can still apply a little more pressure.  Despite my enough time with the controller, it sometimes throws me off when playing. However, if you get comfortable with it, I don’t believe it will be much of a problem.

I will be upfront and honest about the rear paddles. For the first time, I used the controller without them, acting like this option didn’t exist. They’re metal and of excellent quality, but they’re difficult to put on and take off and aren’t really pleasant to have on. However, these back paddles can be amazing if this is what you really require. On the other hand, I’m a huge fan of the flat-back buttons. I have used them to get a better hold. All things considered, the controller is clean, simple, and really lovely.

Should You Buy it?

Buy it if

✅ You Appreciate Premium Features at a Mid-Range Price: The GuliKit KK3 Max offers features such as Hall Effect joysticks, trigger locks, and customizable rear paddles, typically seen in higher-end controllers, but at a more affordable price.

✅ You Play on PC or Nintendo Switch: This controller is ideal if you primarily game on PC or Nintendo Switch. Its Hall Effect sensors ensure durability and precision, while its compatibility with these platforms gives you an outstanding gaming experience.

✅ You Want Versatile Customization: The KK3 Max offers customizable button layouts and detachable paddles, making it a good choice for players who like personalizing their controllers for different games or playstyles.

Don’t Buy it if

❌ You Need Broad Console Compatibility: If you’re a PlayStation or Xbox player, the KK3 Max may not be compatible with these platforms.

❌ You Prioritize Battery Life: While its 25-hour battery life is decent, it’s shorter than competitors. You may want to consider other options if you need a controller for long gaming sessions without frequent recharging.

❌ You Prefer a Refined D-Pad: If a highly responsive and smooth D-pad is essential to your gaming experience, the KK3 Max may fall short. The stiff D-pad could hinder movement in games that require quick directional inputs.

Final Verdict

Once again, for me, Gulikit has succeeded in delivering. An earlier wave of previous gamepads from the brand caused quite an uproar. As a successor to the renowned King Kong 2 Pro Wireless, the Gulikit KK3 Max goes beyond. They are still using a tried-and-true recipe. At a reasonable $80 price tag, the Gulikit KK3 Max offers features like removable paddle buttons and trigger locks. Though it’s $10 pricier than the King Kong 2 Pro, the KK3 Max makes up for it with extra features that were absent in its predecessors.

At its current price point, the KK3 is clearly superior. With these enhancements, the KK3 Max’s feature set is now competitive with more costly competitors. I have compared the KK3 Pro with a series controller in some parts of my review. Therefore, it can be considered a cheaper alternative to that with premium features. In general, the KK3 excels at the essentials, but I find a few aspects lacking. Maybe this is being overly harsh, but these things have come to my attention throughout my use.

The biggest problem with the Gulikit KK3 Max is its device compatibility. For console players who aren’t totally dedicated to their Nintendo device, the absence of Xbox and Playstation compatibility is a major letdown. You should Invest in an Xbox or Playstation controller if you want to use it with your desired platform. But if you’re a Nintendo Switch and PC gamer, the KK3 Max is a no-brainer. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Henceforth, choosing between them is a matter of personal preference because they are both so comfortable to use. Having said that, at this price, very few controllers come close to the KK3 Pro in terms of connection, face buttons, and sticks. Ultimately, it is an affordable controller with many features and a sturdy and pleasant design. At the very least, I will continue to use it on my PC since it is a fantastic controller.

Another Controller That I’ve Reviewed Recently: FlyDigi Apex 4 Review

Abdul Hannan

[Hardware Reviewer]

After many years of exploiting various pieces of hardware, Abdul Hannan now serves as an editor at Tech4Gamers. He’s been in the PC hardware reviewing industry for almost a decade, and his staff of passionate geeks and reviewers is second to none.

Abdul Hannan is constantly seeking new methods, you will always see him running into New Computer Courses to improve the performance of his computer components since he is an ardent overclocker. He is well-known for providing the most extensive and unbiased analysis of the newest and greatest hardware for PC gaming, including everything from GPUs to PSUs.