QRD Stellar V5 Controller Review

QRD Stellar V5 Controller Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 1 & 2

24 years ago, the Nintendo GameCube was released, and it feels like the perfect moment to look at the latest controller in The Armory, the Stellar V5 Wireless GameCube-style controller. The GameCube was the console that taught me what precise controls and button layouts could feel like, and I wanted to capture that same feeling with the NSO GameCube titles. It may sound silly, but I actually held off playing those games until I could get a controller that felt authentic. I reached out to QRD Game, who you may remember from my T5 Wireless review, and they sent me the QRD Stellar V5 Controller to put it thoroughly through its paces. While it channels the GameCube, the V5 adds modern touches like hall-effect sticks, programmable back buttons, and gyro support, which I was eager to test across a range of games. I spent a few hours with classics like Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, Luigi’s Mansion, and Mario Strikers, and even took it for a spin in Smash. Charge it up, snap it on, and let’s get old school as we dive into the QRD Stellar V5 Controller for Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.

Controller Features and Build

The QRD Stellar V5 Controller follows the larger form factor of the T5, and the size gives it a more substantial feel in the hands compared to standard controllers. Its biggest departure from the original GameCube controller design is found in the triggers. Instead of the classic curved and indented GameCube style, the QRD Stellar V5 Controller uses a design similar to the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, which gives the controller a more modern profile while keeping the familiar GameCube silhouette.

The front of the controller mirrors the traditional GameCube button layout, which plays an important role later in the review. Alongside the classic layout, the V5 includes additional front buttons, such as the Capture button, Home button, and a Turbo button on each side. Surrounding the main button area is an RGB lighting ring that supports several colour patterns. Each side can be customised individually, which allows for personalisation. For example, I set one side to green and the other to purple to match the What’s It Like colours. The input buttons are micro switch buttons, which click in a satisfying fashion to that of a mechanical keyboard. The V5 also includes interchangeable hex rings around the control sticks, allowing players to swap between designs suited for more precise fighting movements or smoother aiming.

On the back of the controller, several features are grouped together for quick access. These include the RGB lighting controls, vibration adjustment, macro buttons, and a battery indicator for each half of the V5. The rear also features programmable XR and XL buttons. The grip areas are rubberised in a style similar to the Xbox Elite Controller.

When it comes to design and physical features, the QRD Stellar V5 Controller clearly places a strong focus on comfort and customisation. But, as you know, I like to really put a controller through its paces, and all these features would mean nothing if they didn’t work correctly, so we are going to do some gaming… lots of gaming…

Performance Testing – GameCube (Nintendo Switch Online)

I love the NSO GameCube app, but I held off starting The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker because I wanted to play it with a GameCube-style controller. The QRD Stellar V5 Controller delivered exactly that feeling. The traditional button layout fits the game naturally, and the controls responded cleanly. The micro switch buttons added a satisfying click to every input, which made exploring and battling feel authentic to the original hardware.

Switching to Soul Calibur II showed how sharp the V5’s inputs can be. The responsiveness of the face buttons made parries and deflections easier to execute, and it helped with maintaining a steady flow when chaining together combos. The interchangeable hex rings around the sticks supported precise movements during fights, especially when performing quick directional adjustments.

Moving into Luigi’s Mansion, the shift was smaller. I had recently played it using a Switch 2 Pro Controller, and the overall configuration isn’t drastically different. Even so, using a GameCube-style controller for this particular game just felt right. It matched the way the game was originally designed to be played and brought a nice sense of familiarity to the experience.

The biggest surprise came from F-Zero GX. This was the largest improvement I noticed across all the GameCube titles. Having the A button in the central GameCube position meant I no longer clipped the brakes when hitting boost, which immediately made each race feel smoother. Mapping the shoulder actions to the rear XL and XR buttons transformed cornering as well. Being able to dig into turns with that setup made a dramatic difference in control and flow, and it felt like a natural extension of the way the game wants to be played.

Performance Testing – Modern Games

For Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, I kept the hex rings installed to support more precise movement inputs. The difference was noticeable right away. Directional attacks, tilts, and aerial adjustments all felt much more controlled. I can understand why so many players prefer GameCube-style controllers for Smash. Every input felt sharp, and even moves that require tight timing, such as the triple jump or directional throws, landed exactly as intended.

For Fortnite, I swapped the hex rings for the circular rings. The C-stick ring was a little tricky to remove, but once everything was in place, I jumped into matches to focus on quick aiming and shooting. The Hall Effect joysticks performed well and responded cleanly, but the GameCube-style face button layout was less suited to the demands of building, swapping weapons, and firing under pressure. Where the layout enhanced control in F-Zero GX, it had the opposite effect here, and I struggled a lot with picking up weapons and ammo, as well as reloading.

Kirby’s Air Riders was a much more natural pairing for the V5. The original game was designed for a GameCube controller, and the V5 feels right at home here. The controls were responsive and kept up with the fast and furious pace of the races and boosts. It matched the rhythm of the gameplay in a way that felt true to the series’ roots.

Comfort

The rubberised grips on the Stellar V5 give the controller a secure and comfortable hold, and they held up well during longer sessions. I ended up spending more time on Wind Waker than I planned and never felt my hands slipping or needing to readjust. The larger size of the V5 also played a part here. It sits naturally in the hands and spreads the pressure out more evenly, which means I didn’t run into any cramps or strain during extended play. One detail that stood out was the positioning of the rear XL and XR buttons. With similar controllers, I often find myself brushing against these buttons by accident, which can interrupt gameplay. On the V5, the placement felt deliberate and out of the way, so I didn’t trigger them unintentionally. It allowed me to use the back buttons when I needed to without worrying about accidental presses during normal play.

Drawbacks

The main drawback of the Stellar V5 is the charging design, which is the same issue present on the T5. Each side of the controller has its own individual charging port. For Switch 1 owners, this isn’t much of a problem since the Joy-Cons can charge directly on the console. For Switch 2 owners, however, it means plugging in two separate cables at once, which can feel cumbersome. It’s unclear why QRD retained this design for both the T5 and V5, I would say this design will be changed in the future now the Switch 2 is here.

Verdict

The Stellar V5 feels like a high-quality controller from the moment you hold it. The build doesn’t feel cheap; it has a solid, premium weight and finish. It’s feature-rich, offering both quality-of-life options, like macros and programmable back buttons, as well as customisation that lets you make the controller feel personal, from RGB lighting to interchangeable hex rings. The Hall Effect sticks are precise and a joy to use, giving excellent control across a variety of games. At around $100 AUD, the V5 offers a strong value for a GameCube-style controller. It performs well with most titles outside of NSO, is comfortable for long sessions, and has a sleek, attractive design. While the button layout may not suit fast-paced FPS games, for anyone looking for a precise, old-school GameCube feel combined with modern improvements, the Stellar V5 is an easy recommendation.

In the interest of full disclosure, a review controller was provided by QRD Game, but this doesn’t influence my score.

Want to grab one for yourself? You can purchase them here:

QRD Website – QRD Stellar V5: https://qrdgame.com/products/qrd-stellar-v5-wireless-joy-pad-for-switch-switch-oled

AliExpress – QRD Stellar V5: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008539667358.html

These are NOT affiliate links, and I do not receive a commission or any monetary benefit from them.

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