Brook Gaming has launched the StarRay Wireless Controller, a new multi-platform gamepad that combines native PlayStation 5 support with an asymmetrical Xbox-style stick layout. The controller is available now through Brook’s official store and supported retailers, with a listed price of $74.99. It works with PS5, Steam, Windows PC, iOS and Android through Bluetooth or USB-C.
The StarRay’s main hardware feature is its use of Hall Effect analog sticks rather than conventional potentiometer-based modules. Brook says the magnetic sensing design reduces friction and is intended to eliminate the stick-drift problems associated with mechanical wear, with the sticks rated for 5 million cycles. The layout places the left analog stick above the D-pad, making it closer to an Xbox controller than Sony’s symmetrical DualSense arrangement.
Brook has also replaced conventional face-button switches with mechanical components. The controller uses short-travel micro-switches designed for faster actuation, including 0.7mm mechanical buttons and a 0.3mm ultra-short trigger mode. Brook claims the mechanical buttons can improve response speed by up to 30% compared with conventional designs, although actual differences will depend on the game and player.
The triggers can be switched between two operating modes depending on the type of game being played. A 15mm linear mode provides a longer analog pull suited to racing games and other applications where gradual input matters, while a 0.3mm quick-trigger setting is intended for shooters and action games where faster activation is preferable. That combination gives the StarRay some of the flexibility normally associated with more expensive enthusiast controllers.
PC players can run the StarRay at up to a 1000Hz polling rate when using a wired USB connection, meaning the controller can report input to the system up to 1,000 times per second. That feature is limited to wired PC mode rather than Bluetooth operation. The specification puts it in the same performance-focused category as controllers such as the Nacon Revolution 5 Unlimited, which also targets PS5 and PC players with high-polling-rate input and upgraded analog hardware.
Customization is handled through Brook’s StarRay app. Players can configure Turbo and Macro functions, remap buttons, change joystick sensitivity and dead zones, and install firmware updates. The controller includes two additional buttons on the top edge and two rear buttons, giving players four extra inputs that can be used without relying entirely on the standard face-button layout.
Brook has included several features aimed specifically at console use rather than treating the StarRay as a PC controller with basic PS5 compatibility. The controller can wake a PS5 directly using its Home button, supports full six-axis motion input and includes a 3.5mm stereo headset and microphone jack. Dual vibration motors are also built in, though the StarRay does not attempt to reproduce every DualSense-specific feature such as Sony’s adaptive trigger system.
Its internal 1100mAh lithium battery can be charged over USB-C while the controller remains in use. The StarRay weighs approximately 250g and measures 150 x 110 x 64.7mm, while anti-slip grips are intended to improve stability during longer sessions. RGB lighting is also included, with breathing and rotating ring effects available through the controller’s lighting modes.
The launch comes as more manufacturers move toward magnetic stick technologies in enthusiast gamepads. Hall Effect and TMR designs are increasingly being used to reduce mechanical wear and improve long-term stick consistency, with even a reported next-generation Xbox Elite controller potentially offering Hall Effect or TMR options. Brook’s approach is notable because it combines Hall Effect sticks with native PS5 support at a price well below many premium controllers.
At $74.99, the StarRay sits much closer to mainstream first-party controller pricing than high-end competitive models that can cost well above $150. Its mix of native PS5 compatibility, asymmetrical sticks, mechanical buttons, adjustable triggers and 1000Hz wired PC polling makes it a relatively feature-heavy option in that range. The Brook StarRay Wireless Controller is available now through Brook’s official online store, with availability through additional retailers varying by region.
