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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesImperialHal’s ZD Ultimate controller was barred from use at the ALGS Year 5 Championship roughly 12 hours before competition, according to his contemporaneous posts and reporting. Apex/Respawn later said officials removed it because its programmable inputs and wireless settings could be changed through an external phone app during gameplay, raising fairness and LAN-security concerns. It returned only after a modified firmware update disabled those features and external connectivity.
What happened to ImperialHal’s controller?
On January 14, 2026, Team Falcons player Phillip “ImperialHal” Dosen said his controller had been banned the day before the ALGS Year 5 Championship in Sapporo, Japan. The tournament was scheduled for January 15–18, with a reported $2 million prize pool. In a post quoted by Insider Gaming, he wrote: “My controller gets banned the day before $2 million tournament. Gotta be a joke surely.”
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The device was the ZD Ultimate. The report described the notice as coming about 12 hours before competition. This was a restriction on using a peripheral at the tournament—not an account penalty, a suspension, or a permanent ban on ImperialHal.
Why did ImperialHal say it was banned?
In his initial explanation, ImperialHal said the controller had wireless capabilities that could be changed through a mobile app and macro functionality that could not be disabled. He also argued that similar devices had been used at other events and that the controller had been accepted in earlier ALGS competition. Those comparisons were his claims; the available reporting does not independently establish them.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
His explanation was not the tournament operator’s formal reasoning. Apex/Respawn later published a separate account of the inspection and removal.
What reason did Apex/Respawn give?
In a later official statement carried in the Apex Legends Steam announcements feed, Apex/Respawn said routine equipment inspection identified a third-party controller with programmable inputs and wireless configuration features. The statement said those features could be changed externally through a phone app during live gameplay, creating a competitive-fairness concern and a potential risk to the secure LAN environment. Officials removed the device before the event began.
Rank #2
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
The official explanation identifies the concern as the ability to alter functionality externally while play was live. It does not quantify any competitive advantage or say that every third-party controller is prohibited.
Was ImperialHal’s controller unbanned?
Yes, with conditions. ImperialHal posted “Controller is unbanned now 😎” on January 16, according to esports.gg. Apex/Respawn later explained that the controller was allowed back only after an unreleased firmware update removed the non-compliant functionality and disabled external connectivity. Officials monitored it for the rest of the tournament.
Rank #3
- Versatile compatibility: supports Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X/S consoles and PC Win10 and above (including the game platform Steam).
- Precise control: features Hall joysticks and Hall triggers for a comfortable feeling, long service life and improved game accuracy.
- Plug and Play Convenience: Wired USB connection (removable) for easy setup and instant play without the need for additional drivers.
- Customizable experience: Includes 2 custom backbuttons that allow users to eliminate false triggers and improve their gaming experience.
- Impressive gameplay: Provides a pulsating vibration trigger and an asymmetric vibration grip motor for intense tactile feedback.
That outcome did not amount to approval of the retail ZD Ultimate: the official statement said consumer versions remained non-compliant. The approved tournament configuration was the modified device, not the standard consumer version.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you use an Xbox or PlayStation controller in ALGS?
Under the current Year 6 ALGS rules, competitors may use a keyboard and mouse or a PlayStation or Xbox controller as their input device. Competitors supply their own peripherals, and event officials review and approve them before use at live events. The rules also say a competitor who changes input devices must inform an official before the next match. See the ALGS Year 6 Official Rules.
Rank #4
- XBOX WIRELESS CONTROLLER + USB-C CABLE — Includes the XBOX Wireless Controller in Carbon Black and a 9' USB-C cable. Play wirelessly or plug in for a wired gaming experience, right out of the box.*
- WIRED OR WIRELESS, YOUR CALL — Connect the included 9' USB-C cable for zero-setup wired play on console and PC. Go wireless when you want the freedom to play from the couch, the desk, or anywhere in between.
- PC READY. NO EXTRAS NEEDED — Plug the USB-C cable into your Windows PC and you're playing instantly. No adapters, no Bluetooth pairing, no additional purchases required. Works across the XBOX app, Steam, and more.*
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience sculpted surfaces and refined geometry designed around how you actually hold a controller. Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back case.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of wireless battery life on standard AA batteries. When the batteries run low, plug in the included cable and keep playing without missing a beat.*
These are current Year 6 requirements; they should not be treated as the exact wording or approval process applied to the Year 5 incident. The available official retrospective explains why the inspected device was removed, but does not establish that a published Year 5 rule specifically named the ZD Ultimate.
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Best Value
- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
How competitors can avoid a last-minute equipment problem
- Ask event staff about the exact device. Do this before travel, especially for third-party peripherals with configurable inputs, wireless functions, companion apps, or macros.
- Explain what can change during play. Make clear whether settings can be altered externally and whether those features can be disabled. An event’s review and approval—not the controller’s brand or category alone—determines whether it can be used.
- Plan a compliant backup. A standard Xbox or PlayStation controller is within the input categories named by current Year 6 rules, but that does not guarantee approval of any particular model. Confirm the exact peripheral with officials.
- Do not rely on a firmware workaround without approval. ImperialHal’s controller returned after a specific unreleased update and monitoring; that does not make a consumer firmware version or a similar device automatically eligible.
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