VKB Gladiator NXT EVO Space Combat Edition review and specs

What changes in the cockpit

Most sticks feel the way the factory decided. Here you choose: swap springs to change how hard the stick pushes back, then set the dry clutch to add friction. A heavier feel for fighters, a lighter one when you're chasing small inputs in a hover.

The mini stick is the space sim piece: strafe or slew a sensor without letting go. We count six axes on VKB's sheet, including the lockable twist and a throttle wheel on the base, plus a rapid-fire trigger and three 4-way hats on the Premium grip.

Desk and grips

VKB publishes no product weight and no button total, so those cells stay empty. What it does say: the grip is interchangeable, so the base can wear another VKB grip later, and there's a left-hand version for a two-stick setup.

Price check on the trim level: the Premium grip is $139; the SCG Standard grip version is $119, without the rapid-fire trigger and the mini stick. Warranty is two years from VKB.

Great if you…

• fly space sims and want a mini stick under your thumb
• like to tune spring force and friction to the aircraft
• might add a left-hand stick for a two-stick setup

Skip it if…

• you want a throttle in the box: pair it, or look at a HOTAS like the X56
• you want a published resolution figure: VKB doesn't give one
• you fly on Xbox or PlayStation

What VKB promises

Points taken from the official manufacturer spec sheet.

• Contactless MaRS sensors on the X and Y axes, plus a lockable twist axis on the grip
• Premium grip adds a rapid-fire trigger and an 8-way analog mini stick to three 4-way hats
• Adjustable dry clutch and three included spring rates (#10, #20, #30) to tune stick resistance

Compatibility and contents

Stated platforms: PC. Version: Right-hand, SCG Premium grip (US store SKU GNE-SCG-R-P-US); also sold with the SCG Standard grip for $119 and in a left-hand version.

Price and availability

US price checked on October 29, 2026: $139. Linked merchant: VKBSIM US. The price at the merchant is the one that applies.

Better fit elsewhere?

For $59.01 less, the Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS states 16-bit Hall sensors and wins our stick ranking, without the springs or the mini stick: Gladiator NXT EVO vs T.16000M FCS. Going premium, the VIRPIL Constellation ALPHA Prime + WarBRD-D adds a brake lever axis and 14-bit sensors for $549.90.

Space-first pilots should read the best HOTAS for Star Citizen; the full stick order is in the best flight sticks.

The verdict

The Gladiator NXT EVO is the tuner's stick at a mid-range price: contactless sensors, springs and clutch you set yourself, a mini stick for space, $139 on October 29, 2026.

If you fly one airplane, the Thrustmaster is enough. If you fly everything, this is worth the difference. Check today's price.