GameSir announces three new Tarantula controllers for Xbox and PC

GameSir has announced not one, but three new controllers under its Tarantula series. The new controllers include the Tarantula Pro for Xbox, Tarantula 8K PC, and the Tarantula Ultra 8K PC, and all three have symmetrical thumbsticks like PlayStation controllers. Two of them are available to pre-order now while the third will be released later.

The Tarantula Pro for Xbox is a wired controller, and as the name says, it is compatible with Xbox consoles including the last-gen Xbox One series. The spec sheet says it is also compatible with PCs and Steam. The controller features's GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, micro switch ABXY buttons, and a mechanical D-pad. It also has a 1,000Hz polling rate and a 6-axis gyroscope, both of which only work with PCs.

The dual-mode triggers have a switch for alternating between micro switch trigger mode and Hall Effect analog trigger mode. There are also two back buttons with their own switch locks. In addition to the two back buttons, there are seven other customizable buttons on the controller. Both the laser-engraved textured grips and triggers have vibration motors.

The Tarantula Pro for Xbox connects via an included detachable USB-C cable. It has RGB lighting, an audio jack, weighs 235 grams, and is compatible with the GameSir Nexus software. Priced at $69.99 and available in white, the Tarantula Pro for Xbox can be pre-ordered now from GameSir's website. It is expected to ship in June.

The Tarantula 8K PC is also a wired controller but it is compatible with PCs only. Sporting a bright orange shell and black buttons, the controller is equipped with Gen 2 of GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks. It also has dual mode triggers, micro switch ABXY buttons, and a tactile switch D-pad.

Unlike the Tarantula Pro for Xbox, the Tarantula 8K PC has macro support (up to 32 steps macro recording) and a three-level adjustable turbo function (10Hz, 20Hz, and 30Hz). Like the GameSir G7 Pro 8K Aimlabs Edition, it has an 8,000Hz polling rate which can be adjusted to four levels (250Hz, 1000Hz, 4000Hz, and 8000Hz). There are also nine customizable buttons including two lockable back buttons, a 6-axis gyropscope, RGB lighting, and an audio jack.

Despite being a wired controller like the Tarantula Pro for Xbox, the Tarantula 8K PC is much lighter at 180 grams, but that is because it lacks vibration motors. It also works with the GameSir Connect Software and not the Nexus software. The Tarantula 8K PC also costs $69.99 and can be pre-ordered now, with shipping expected to begin in June 2026.

The Tarantula Ultra 8K PC sits at the top of the list. Exclusively for PCs, the controller supports both USB-C wired connection and 2.4GHz wireless connection. It has GameSir Mag-Res TMR sticks Gen-2, dual-mode trigger stops, micro switch ABXY buttons, and a tactile-switch D-pad. GameSir says the ABXY buttons and right thumbstick have capacitive touch sensors but doesn't elucidiate further.

The controller has an 8,000Hz polling rate and a 0.5ms response time which works in both wireless and wired modes. It also has macro support (up to 32 steps), dual asymmetric motors in its laser-engraved textured grips, 9 customizable buttons, dual 6-axis gyroscopes, and RGB lighting.

It is also compatible with the GameSir Connect software and GameSir app. Surprisingly, it lacks an audio jack. GameSir also doesn't state the controller's battery capacity but says a charging station will be sold separately. According to the press release, more details of the GameSir Tarantula Ultra 8K PC controller will be released this summer.

None of the new Tarantula controllers are compatible with the Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS. If that's what you need, there's the Tarantula Pro which is compatible with the aforementioned platforms as well as PCs. It is a wireless controller with a neat little trick which is a gear mechanism that changes the layout of the face buttons from Nintendo's to that of the Xbox.