The Samsung Gaming Hub, the cloud gaming interface built into the Korean company’s TVs, will be supplied with its own official video game controller by accessory maker PDP, Samsung said in a Friday press release ahead of CES 2024.
The controller, which looks a lot like the Xbox Gamepad, will be available later this year for $50. It will be colored “Replay Midnight Blue” and will say “Designed for Samsung Gaming Hub” on the back.
This controller from PDP is the first in a “Designed for Samsung Game Center” program, which will see the release of more accessories for Samsung TVs. Samsung says the “Designed for Samsung Game Center” designation will ensure products are tested for quality, compatibility and safety and will “guarantee the best possible game streaming experience.”
“We will introduce more first-class products for gamers to choose from, starting with PDP’s Replay wireless controller,” Mike Lucero, director of product management for Samsung Game Center, said in a statement. “This is in line with Samsung’s ongoing commitment to provide gamers with Providing more options for gaming with Samsung Gaming Hub.”
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Samsung Game Center also works with existing Xbox and PS5 controllers. While the “Designed for Samsung Gaming Hub” controller works with select Samsung TVs, monitors, and second-generation Freestyle projectors, the company clarified that it should work with most Bluetooth-compatible devices. So, most likely it will be PC and Android. Game consoles and iPhones may require specific licensing.
The PDP-designed controller offers 40 hours of gaming time per charge, 30-foot low-latency Bluetooth connectivity, a dedicated Samsung Game Center button and TV volume control.This controller is currently up for pre-order People’s Democratic Party’s website and Amazon. The Best Buy listing should be coming soon.
The PDP did not respond to a request for further comment.
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look at this: Can Samsung Game Center replace Xbox?
As gaming continues to become more mainstream, TV manufacturers are always looking for ways to attract gamers. Samsung launched Gaming Hub in 2022, an interface to game streaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass. LG is positioning its OLED TVs as ideal for gaming, with support for Dolby Vision, 4K resolution, variable refresh rates up to 120Hz and low latency. Sony is also marketing its Bravia XR TV range as gaming TVs. Considering gaming is a $225 billion industry, TV manufacturers want to solidify themselves as the best place to play.
Samsung Game Center works similarly to the Netflix app on your TV, but instead of streaming movies, it streams video games. As with Netflix, playback quality depends on your internet connection, with slow streaming speeds resulting in lower image quality. While our Samsung Game Center review noted that streaming games doesn’t look as good as actually having the console under your TV, overall it’s still a solid and usable experience.
Correction, 1/7: An earlier version of this article misspelled Mike Lucero’s name.