NYXI Flexi Review: A $59.99 Gaming Controller with Swappable D-Pad and Joystick

Gaming controllers have come a long way, haven’t they? From the chunky, one-size-fits-all designs of the early days to the sleek, customizable masterpieces we see today, it’s clear that companies are really starting to listen to what gamers want. And let me tell you, the NYXI Flexi is one of those controllers that makes you sit up and take notice. Priced at $59.99, this controller promises to deliver premium features without breaking the bank. Swappable D-pads and joysticks? Check. Hall effect triggers and joysticks for pinpoint accuracy? Double check. RGB lighting that looks like it belongs in a cyberpunk movie? Oh yeah, it’s got that too.

But here’s the thing: with so many gaming controllers flooding the market, does the NYXI Flexi actually stand out, or is it just another flashy gadget trying to grab your attention? I spent some quality time with this controller, putting it through its paces in everything from fast-paced fighting games to precision-heavy platformers and even some casual racing titles. Spoiler alert: it’s good—but it’s not perfect.

What really caught my eye (and my thumbs) was how much freedom this thing gives you. Want a PlayStation-style symmetrical layout? Done. Prefer the asymmetrical Xbox setup? No problem. Heck, you can even swap out the ABXY buttons if you’re feeling adventurous. But—and there’s always a but—there are a few quirks that might make you pause before hitting “buy.”

Unboxing Experience: What’s in the Box?

The unboxing experience of the NYXI Flexi sets the tone for what feels like a premium product, even at its budget-friendly price point of $59.99. The controller comes in a sleek, minimalist box that slides open smoothly—almost like an Apple product. It’s simple but effective, giving off a polished vibe right from the start. On the back of the box, you’ll find a quick rundown of the key features: removable magnetic cover, replaceable D-pad and joystick module, RGB lighting, and mechanical switches. There’s also a note about its multi-platform compatibility with Windows, Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch.

What’s Included in the Box: When you open the box, here’s what you’ll find:

• The Controller Itself
• Swappable ABXY Key Caps
• 2.4 GHz Wireless Dongle
• USB Type-C Charging Cable
• Manual Instructions

Design and Build Quality

When you first lay eyes on the NYXI Flexi, it’s hard not to feel like you’re holding something out of a sci-fi movie—or maybe even Mad Max. It’s got this rugged, metallic finish that screams “I’m not your average controller,” and honestly, I kind of dig it. The design is bold, unique, and definitely not for everyone, but if you’re into standing out from the crowd, this thing will turn heads at your next gaming session. That said, let’s break down what makes this controller tick—and whether it lives up to its flashy looks.

Size and Shape

First off, this is one big boy of a controller. Seriously, it’s wide. Like, really wide. If you’ve got smaller hands or prefer compact controllers, this might feel a bit overwhelming at first. But here’s the thing: despite its size, it actually feels pretty comfortable once you get used to it. The horns (those curved grips on the sides) are fat and chunky, which gives you plenty of real estate to rest your palms. They sit nicely in your hand, almost cradling them, and after a few minutes of playtime, I found myself forgetting how bulky it was. Still, it’s worth noting that the sheer width means your thumbs might touch when you’re reaching for the joysticks, depending on how you hold it. For me, it wasn’t a dealbreaker, but it could be annoying for some players.

The overall shape leans more toward asymmetrical Xbox vibes rather than PlayStation’s sleek symmetry. That’s fine—it works—but it does mean the controller feels less versatile right out of the box unless you take advantage of its swappable layout feature. One nitpick? The bumpers and triggers have this weird flat kick-up design that doesn’t quite sit naturally under my fingers. Instead of feeling smooth and ergonomic, they feel a little too sharp-edged, especially during long sessions. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s noticeable enough to mention.

Materials and Build Quality

Now, let’s talk about what this thing is made of because it’s a mixed bag. On the plus side, the NYXI Flexi feels solid as heck. There’s no rattling when you shake it, and the combination of metal and ABS plastic gives it a premium vibe. You can tell they didn’t skimp on materials here—it’s built to last. The metallic faceplate adds to the aesthetic appeal, giving it a high-end look without breaking the bank.

But then there’s the rubberized grip on the back. Or should I say… the almost-rubberized grip? See, the rubber only covers the handles where your fingers rest, and even then, it’s super thin. Like, paper-thin. While it feels okay initially, I couldn’t help but think about how sticky it’ll probably get over time, especially if you’re prone to snacking while gaming (Doritos, anyone?). Rubber grips tend to degrade faster than other materials, so keep that in mind if you plan to use this controller daily.

The buttons themselves are glossy—like, super glossy. At first glance, they look cool with their metallic silver lettering, but in practice, they’re slippery AF. If you’ve got sweaty hands or just don’t have great nail traction (raises hand), swapping out those ABXY buttons is going to be an absolute nightmare. Trust me, I tried. There’s no lip or recessed edge to help you pry them off, so unless you’ve got long nails or a tiny screwdriver handy, good luck getting them out. It’s frustrating, especially since the box includes spare button caps. What’s the point of including extras if you can’t easily swap them?

RGB Lighting

Ah, RGB lighting—the gamer’s favorite flex. And let me tell you, the NYXI Flexi delivers on this front. The RGB strips run along the underside of the grips, glowing softly through the gaps between the handle and the main body. It’s subtle yet eye-catching, creating a breathing effect that looks straight-up futuristic. Unlike some controllers where the RGB feels tacky or over-the-top, this one strikes a perfect balance. You can cycle through different modes and colors using the dedicated RGB button on the back, and it vibrates every time you change settings—a nice touch that lets you know it worked. Honestly, I’m not usually someone who cares much about RGB, but even I had to admit this looked dope.

Port Placement Issues

Here’s where things start to get a little messy: the USB-C port. Don’t get me wrong—I love that it uses USB-C for charging and wired connectivity. But whoever designed this clearly didn’t think about usability. The port is ridiculously recessed, making it nearly impossible to plug in third-party cables. Seriously, I had to dig around for the cable included in the box just to charge it. If you’re someone who prefers braided cables or already has a collection of USB-C chargers lying around, prepare to be annoyed. Why couldn’t they have made the port flush with the surface? It’s such a small detail, but it makes a huge difference in day-to-day use.

Overall Impressions

So, is the NYXI Flexi a looker? Absolutely. Is itpractical? Mostly. The build quality is solid, the materials feel premium, and the RGB lighting is genuinely impressive. But there are quirky design choices—like the recessed USB-C port and slippery buttons—that make it feel unfinished in places. At $60, you’d expect these little details to be ironed out, and while they’re not dealbreakers, they do add up.

Still, for the price, it’s hard to complain too much. This isn’t a flimsy knockoff controller; it’s a well-built device with personality. Sure, it’s big and takes some getting used to, but once you settle in, it feels sturdy and reliable. If you’re willing to overlook its minor flaws, the NYXI Flexi offers a lot of bang for your buck in terms of both aesthetics and functionality.

Hall Effect Joysticks and Triggers

One of the biggest selling points of the NYXI Flexi is its hall effect joysticks and triggers. For those who aren’t tech nerds, hall effect technology uses magnets to detect movement instead of physical contact, which reduces friction and wear over time. The result? Smoother, more precise controls that feel buttery under your thumbs.

The joysticks themselves have just the right amount of resistance—not too stiff, not too loose—and they don’t suffer from stick drift, thanks to anti-friction rings. However, there’s one downside: you can’t adjust the tightness or customize the dead zones. While this might not bother casual gamers, hardcore players who like fine-tuning their controls might find this limiting.

As for the triggers, they’re quiet and smooth, making them great for quick taps. But here’s the kicker—there are no trigger locks, which could be a dealbreaker for competitive FPS players. Without trigger locks, maintaining consistent pressure during rapid-fire situations becomes a challenge. Still, for most genres, the hall effect triggers perform admirably.

Turbo and Macro Functions

If you’ve ever wanted to spam a button without wearing out your thumb, the NYXI Flexi has you covered with its Turbo and Macro functions. Enabling Turbo is as simple as pressing the T button followed by the button you want to turbo-charge. For example, if you press T + A, the A button will start inputting repeatedly every second until you let go. It’s perfect for games that require rapid button presses, like fighting games or platformers.

Macros are equally straightforward. To record a macro, press T + the desired back paddle, then input your sequence of commands. Once recorded, pressing that paddle will replay the sequence exactly as you entered it. It’s a handy feature for streamlining complex inputs, though it’s worth noting that you can’t assign Turbo to macros—a minor limitation.

The only downside? There’s no way to adjust the input rate for Turbo. Some controllers let you tweak how many inputs per second you want (e.g., 10, 50, 100), but the NYXI Flexi sticks to a fixed rate. It’s not a huge issue, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re particular about timing.

Four Programmable Back Paddles

Another standout feature is the inclusion of four programmable back paddles. Most controllers only give you two, but NYXI went all out here. Assigning buttons to the paddles is easy—just press T + the paddle you want to program, then press the button you want it to mimic. If you ever need to disable the paddles (say, when sharing the controller with someone who doesn’t use them), you can do so by holding down the M button for three seconds. The controller will vibrate to confirm, and voilà—the paddles are disabled. Press and hold M again to re-enable them, and it’ll remember your previous mappings.

While I personally don’t use back paddles much, I can see why they’re a big draw for some gamers. Having four instead of two is a nice bonus, especially for those who play complex games that require lots of inputs.

Connectivity and Compatibility

When it comes to connectivity and compatibility, the NYXI Flexi is like that one friend who gets along with everyone—seriously, it plays nice with just about every platform you throw at it. On your PC, Nintendo Switch, Android phone, or even an iPhone (yes, iPhones too), this controller has got you covered. It’s not just a one-trick pony either; it supports both 2.4 GHz wireless for low-latency gaming and Bluetooth for more casual use.

Wireless Options: 2.4 GHz Dongle vs Bluetooth

First up, let’s talk about the star of the show—the 2.4 GHz wireless dongle. This little guy is what gives the NYXI Flexi its bragging rights. With a 1000Hz polling rate and sub-1ms response time, it’s lightning-fast. For those who aren’t tech nerds, that basically means when you press a button, the action happens almost instantly on screen. I tested it in fast-paced games like fighting titles and shooters, and it felt incredibly responsive—no noticeable lag whatsoever. Honestly, for $60, I wasn’t expecting performance this good. Kudos to NYXI for nailing this part.

But wait, there’s more! If you don’t want to use the dongle—or if you’re running out of USB ports—you can also connect via Bluetooth. Now, Bluetooth isn’t as fast as the dongle, obviously, but it still holds its own. During my tests, the Bluetooth connection worked flawlessly for slower-paced games like platformers or casual racers. The only downside? You lose that ultra-low latency you get with the dongle, so hardcore competitive gamers might want to stick to the 2.4 GHz option. Still, having both options is a huge plus, especially if you’re switching between devices frequently.

Multi-Platform Compatibility

Now, onto the fun stuff: compatibility. One of the biggest selling points of the NYXI Flexi is how versatile it is across platforms. Want to game on your PC? No problem. Got a Nintendo Switch? Done. Even mobile gamers aren’t left out—it works with both Android and iOS, which is rare for controllers at this price point.

Setting it up was surprisingly painless. On my PC, all I had to do was plug in the 2.4 GHz dongle, and Windows recognized it immediately without any drivers or software installation. Same deal with the Switch—I held down the pairing button, went into the controller settings, and boom, it connected in seconds. For Bluetooth, it’s the usual process: turn on Bluetooth, search for devices, and pair. Easy peasy. What really impressed me, though, was how seamless the experience felt across all these platforms. There were no weird glitches, no dropped connections, nothing.

No Software Needed (Mostly)

Another cool feature? You don’t need any extra software to customize the controller. Everything—from swapping layouts to mapping buttons to adjusting RGB lighting—is handled directly on the controller itself. For example, to change the RGB mode, you just hit the dedicated RGB button on the back. To map the paddles or enable Turbo/Macro functions, you follow simple button combinations outlined in the manual. It’s straightforward enough that even non-tech-savvy users won’t struggle.

That said, I do wish they’d included some kind of companion app for finer adjustments. Being able to tweak dead zones, sensitivity curves, or trigger thresholds would have taken this controller to the next level. But hey, for $60, I can live without it.

Performance Testing

Performance is king. No matter how flashy or customizable a controller might be, it’s not worth your time or money if it doesn’t deliver when it counts—during intense gaming sessions. So, how does the NYXI Flexi stack up? I put this $60 controller through a series of tests across different genres, from fast-paced fighting games to precision-heavy platformers and even some casual racers.

Polling Rate and Response Time

One of the standout claims of the NYXI Flexi is its 1000Hz polling rate and sub-1ms response time when connected via the 2.4 GHz wireless dongle. To verify these numbers, I ran it through some benchmarking software, and guess what? It delivered. In 2.4 GHz mode, the polling rate consistently hit 160Hz, with an average response time of just 0.9ms. Even in Bluetooth mode, the performance was solid, clocking in at 159Hz and the same 0.9ms latency.

For context, that kind of performance rivals controllers that cost twice as much. Inputs register almost instantly, and there’s no noticeable lag between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen. If you value speed and precision, this controller won’t disappoint.

Fighting Games

First up, I tested the NYXI Flexi in a fighting game—Tekken 8. Fighting games are notoriously demanding regarding controller performance because every millisecond counts. The swappable D-pad and joysticks were a godsend here. I opted for the asymmetrical layout (Xbox-style) with the D-pad on the left for directional inputs.

The mechanical face buttons felt snappy, and the D-pad had a satisfying clickiness that made executing combos a breeze. There was no input delay whatsoever, and the vibration feedback added an extra layer of immersion. If you’re into fighting games, the ability to swap out the D-pad and joystick positions is a huge plus. You can tailor the layout to your playstyle.

Platformers

Next, I switched gears to a third-person platformer—Tomb Raider. Platformers require precise controls, especially when navigating tricky jumps or timing movements perfectly. Here, the hall effect joysticks really shone. They’re smooth, sensitive, and have just the right amount of resistance to prevent accidental inputs.

Navigating Lara Croft around the environment felt natural, and the camera controls were buttery smooth. The anti-friction rings helped reduce stick drift, which is always a concern with cheaper controllers. Button presses were accurate, and I didn’t experience any unwanted inputs or delays. The only minor gripe? The glossy buttons felt a bit slippery after extended playtime, but it wasn’t enough to ruin the experience.

First-Person Shooters

Now, onto first-person shooters—a genre where controllers often fall short compared to keyboard and mouse setups. I booted up Fortnite to see how the NYXI Flexi handled. Right off the bat, I noticed how responsive the triggers were. They’re quiet and smooth, making them great for quick taps, but there’s one glaring issue: no trigger locks.

For competitive FPS players, trigger locks are essential for maintaining consistent pressure during rapid-fire situations. Without them, you’re stuck relying on muscle memory to keep your finger steady, which can be frustrating. That said, the overall responsiveness of the controller still made it easier to aim and shoot compared to other budget options. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely usable if you’re not a hardcore FPS enthusiast.

Racing Games

Finally, I took the NYXI Flexi for a spin in a casual racing game—Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch. Racing games rely heavily on analog triggers for acceleration and braking, and the NYXI Flexi’s hall effect triggers performed admirably. The sensitivity was spot-on, allowing for gradual acceleration without sudden spikes.

Turning corners felt smooth, and the controller’s wide design actually worked in my favor here—it gave me plenty of room to rest my hands comfortably during longer races. However, the lack of adjustable trigger tension could be a downside for fans of simulation-style racers. If you’re into games like Gran Turismo or Forza Horizon, you might find the triggers too loose for precise control.

Gyro Support

Another feature worth mentioning is the 6-axis gyroscope. While I didn’t test it extensively, it worked fine in games that supported gyro aiming, like Splatoon. It’s not as refined as the DualSense or Joy-Con, but it’s functional and adds another layer of versatility to the controller. For $60, having gyro support is a nice bonus that many competitors don’t offer.

Battery Life and Charging

Let’s not forget about battery life, because nobody wants to be tethered to a charger mid-game. According to NYXI, the built-in 800mAh battery should last up to 8 hours on a full charge. In my testing, I found that number to be pretty accurate. Playing wirelessly through the 2.4 GHz dongle drained the battery faster than Bluetooth, but that’s to be expected given the higher performance demands. Still, 8 hours is plenty for most gaming sessions unless you’re marathon-ing Elden Ring or something.

Charging is done through the included USB-C cable, which is convenient… except for one major gripe. Remember earlier when I mentioned the recessed USB-C port? Yeah, that comes back to bite you here. Because the port is so deeply set into the controller, third-party cables often don’t fit properly. I ended up having to use the cable from the box every single time, which was frustrating since I’ve got a drawer full of braided USB-C cables I prefer over the flimsy stock one. A minor annoyance, sure, but it adds up over time. BTW, Charging takes about 2.5 hours, which isn’t bad.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

After spending a significant amount of time with the NYXI Flexi, it’s clear that this controller is trying to carve out a niche for itself in the crowded gaming accessory market. At $59.99, it’s not the cheapest option out there, but it’s also far from the most expensive. The real question is whether it delivers enough value to justify its price tag—and whether it’s the right fit for you.

If you value customization and multi-platform compatibility, the NYXI Flexi is a strong contender. Gamers who frequently switch between devices (like PC, Switch, and mobile) will appreciate how easy it is to use this controller across platforms. It’s also a great option for those who want the flexibility to switch between symmetrical and asymmetrical layouts depending on the game.

However, if you’re a hardcore FPS gamer or someone who prioritizes trigger locks and adjustable sensitivity settings, you might want to look elsewhere. Similarly, if you’re not particularly interested in customization features like swappable D-pads or programmable paddles, other controllers at this price point might better suit your needs.

At $59.99, the NYXI Flexi offers a lot of bang for your buck. Its customization options, performance metrics, and multi-platform support make it a compelling choice for gamers looking for versatility without breaking the bank. Sure, it has a few quirks—like the recessed USB-C port and lack of trigger locks—but none of them are dealbreakers. It’s not perfect, but it’s damn close for the price. If you’re willing to overlook its minor flaws, you’ll find a controller that’s as flexible as its name suggests.