Today, I’m checking out the Mamut Touch Grips for the Oculus Rift S and Oculus Quest. These little bits of plastic aim to bring the standard Oculus controllers more in line with Valve’s high-end Index Knuckle controllers.

In other words, the Mamut Touch Grips allow you to let go of the controllers entirely without dropping them. But are they worth the cash?

Design: Simple but Effective

The Mamuts are essentially two rubber grips that slide onto your existing Oculus Touch controllers. They extend and widen the handle, providing a bit more surface area which is excellent for those with larger hands. On the outside, a textured surface helps improve your grip.

While the standard Oculus controllers are already quite comfortable, the Mamuts add a nice layer of bulk and texture, though the difference in pure handheld comfort isn’t massive.

The “Knuckles” Experience

The real selling point here is the strap system. Two “shoe-lace” style strings weave through holes in the grip and tie around the circular tracking ring of the controller. An anchor on the bottom lets you adjust the tightness for a snug fit.

Why does this matter?

• Let Go Completely: The straps hold the controller firmly against your palm, meaning you can completely uncurl your fingers.
• Better Immersion: In-game, this allows you to naturally grab and release objects. Instead of constantly holding a plastic handle, you can just wrap your hand around a virtual sword or release a grenade naturally.
• Throwing Mechanics: Throwing items in VR becomes much easier to judge when you can physically open your hand rather than just lifting a trigger finger.

The Drawbacks: Comfort and Price

My one real complaint regarding the design is the strap itself. I would have preferred a single, thick padded strap. The current design uses two thinner laces, which create two distinct pressure points across the back of your hand. It isn’t painful, but a single wide strap would distribute the force more evenly.

Then there is the price. Currently, a set costs $37 (approx. £31). Considering these are essentially shaped plastic and shoe laces, they don’t exactly feel like a bargain.

The Verdict

All in all, the Mamut Touch Grips are a solid addition to an Oculus setup. They are a relatively small upgrade, but one that is hard to give up once you have tried it.

Now that I have them on my controllers, I don’t want to take them off. The added immersion of being able to “let go” of your virtual hands is fantastic. If you have the cash to spare and want that Valve Index feel on an Oculus budget, these are worth the buy.

Also Read : 5 Cheap Gaming Microphones You Can Grab

The post Mamut Touch Grips Review – Making Oculus Controllers Feel Like Valve Index Knuckles appeared first on GamingGear 360.

While the DualSense Charging Station and the Pulse 3D Headset are the obvious choices, there is something a bit less obvious on the shelf: the official PlayStation 5 Media Remote. It promises to be the ultimate tool for navigating your entertainment. But is it actually any good at that?

Let’s find out.

Design and Build: Sleek, but Lightweight

The remote is a sleek piece of kit built to match the PS5’s stark black-and-white color scheme and sweeping lines. It’s light in the hand—perhaps a bit too light—and doesn’t feel like the most luxurious item for its £25 price tag.

However, it fits neatly into the palm. The “rounded arse” of the device means it settles comfortably in your hand, and as a bonus, it spins incredibly well on a table if you need something to fidget with. The buttons offer a satisfying click, avoiding the squishy, “prodding a jellyfish” feel of cheaper remotes.

• The Battery Situation: It runs on two AA batteries (included). The compartment on the bottom is slightly overdesigned, requiring a fingernail to pop a button rather than a standard slide-cover.

The Setup: Easy, But Limited

Connecting the Media Remote to the PS5 is a doddle. You simply head to the settings, select the setup option, and follow the on-screen instructions. It can also link to your TV, allowing you to control volume and power.

However, this is where the remote stumbles. Sony had a chance to create a universal remote to rule them all, but they missed the mark.

• No Input Switching: You cannot change the input source on your TV. Want to swap to your Xbox Series X or Nintendo Switch? You’ll need your old TV remote.
• No Menu Access: You cannot access TV menus or change channels.
• The Verdict: As a universal remote replacement, it kind of sucks.

Functionality: Good for Streaming, Weird for Navigation

When used strictly with the PS5, the remote is competent but has strange caveats.

• The “PlayStation Shapes” are missing: There is no Triangle, Circle, Square, or Cross button. If an app (like Now TV) asks you to press Triangle to search, you are out of luck.
• Dedicated App Buttons: The bottom features four non-reprogrammable shortcut buttons for Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, and YouTube. This is great if you use them, but frustrating if you prefer Amazon Prime or Plex.
• Media Controls: You get standard Play/Pause and Fast-Forward, but no Chapter Skip.
• The Mystery Mic: There is a microphone button at the top that, as of writing, does absolutely nothing.

The Verdict: Who Is This For?

Ultimately, the official PlayStation 5 Media Remote is 100% “okay.”

Whether you should buy one depends entirely on your habits. If you use your PS5 as a primary media center for movies and music, this remote is worth picking up to save your DualSense Controller battery (and to stop the controller from timing out during a film).

But if you mostly just play games, or if you were hoping this would replace your TV remote entirely, there is little reason to pick this up.

Also Read : Mobapad M6 HD Review: The Joy-Con Upgrade You Have Been Waiting For?

The post PS5 Media Remote Review – The Ultimate Accessory or a Missed Opportunity? appeared first on GamingGear 360.