Holding it down for a second will turn on the platform and give some vibration feedback to let you know it’s on. This menu allows you to do things like view notifications, start parties or check settings.

Right in the middle of the thumbsticks is the Stadia button, which allows users to turn the platform on or off, as well as access the home menu. You’ve got the start and select buttons in the middle, a D-pad on the left, four inputs on the right (X, Y, B, A), two bumpers and two shoulder triggers, two analog sticks, and some unique extras. Your standard buttons and layout are all here. The grips have some slight texture on the back, and the face has a smooth matte touch made entirely of plastic. Ergonomically, it feels pretty average compared to most designs you see today, tending toward the cheap and light side. The Stadia controller is a bit basic, most closely matching the Switch Pro or DualShock controller. Sure, there is the Stadia controller that comes with the package, but you actually don’t even have to use it if you prefer a different one. Lifewire / Zach Sweat Design: Sleek and minimal, like all Google thingsĪssessing the overall design of the Stadia is a bit odd because unlike other consoles or even some streaming services, there isn’t a physical component.

Read on for our full in-depth review of Google’s new game streaming service and see for yourself. Google being Google, only time will tell if the service can hold out long enough to avoid being axed in the long run. While most of the basic underlying tech works well, there are tons of lacking features with Stadia in its current form. So, what did we think of the Stadia? It’s ambitious but still feels a bit like a beta. Being able to play your favorite games from a budget laptop, your TV or even your smartphone is something many have only dreamed of⁠, but now Stadia lets you do just that-with some caveats. While Google isn’t the first tech company to enter this realm, they are one of the biggest to throw their weight behind a new platform. Keep reading for our full product review.Īs internet speeds and computing power have steadily increased over the years, streaming games has become a lot more practical for gamers around the world. We purchased Google Stadia so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it.

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