Hyperkin’s $35 Xbox/PC Challenger Controller Brings Pro-Style Features

Hyperkin’s new Drakong offshoot is launching a budget-friendly Xbox and PC controller called The Challenger, priced at just $35—yet it still aims to deliver a bunch of higher-end “pro” features that could make it stand out in a crowded controller market.

Key takeaways

• The Challenger controller is priced at $35 for Xbox and PC.
• It includes hall effect sticks, textured grips, two programmable back buttons, and haptic feedback.
• You get hall effect analog triggers and a 3.5mm headphone jack mounted on the bottom edge.
• The controller is wired-only and comes with a 10-foot USB-C cable.
• Orders open today, with shipments scheduled to begin on July 9.

What The Challenger offers for the money

In look and function, Drakong’s The Challenger is designed to feel like a typical “pro-style” pad. The exterior uses textured grip surfaces for more secure handling, while the analog sticks are built around hall effect technology to help with longevity and consistency over time. On the rear, there are two programmable buttons intended to reduce how often you take your thumb off the sticks during gameplay.

Drakong also includes haptic feedback, plus hall effect analog triggers—an especially notable inclusion at this price point. For audio, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack placed on the bottom of the controller. Out of the box, the bundle includes a 10-foot USB-C cable, so you’re ready to plug in immediately.

The main compromise: wired-only

The most obvious trade-off is that The Challenger is wired-only. That’s not necessarily a dealbreaker for everyone—some players prefer a direct connection for reliability—but it does raise practical questions about comfort and ergonomics. Without hands-on testing, it’s hard to know how the controller feels in play: whether any seams or edges show up against your palms, how the buttons sound and respond in practice, and how the directional pad performs during fast inputs.

Those details will only become clear once reviewers get time with it—or once you try it yourself. The good news is that at $35, the risk is relatively low if you’re curious. Drakong says The Challenger is available to order now through Amazon, and that it will start shipping on July 9.

About the writer

The piece was written by Wes, a freelance technology and gaming writer active since 2020 across outlets including Gizmodo, Tom’s Hardware, Hardcore Gamer, and most recently, The Verge. The author describes having two competing instincts: one about collecting game consoles again, and another about doing it even more strongly.