I’m a firm believer in “professional” controllers. As someone who spent over a decade as a console-exclusive gamer, managing to rack up thousands of hours playing Call of Duty, Halo, Rainbow Six, and various other shooters over the years, it didn’t take long for me to discover the routine Controller restrictions on players. For shooters, and fast-paced games in general, the last thing you want to do is take your thumbs off the analog stick to press a button (for shooters, this usually means losing the ability to aim or turn so you can reload your gun), which is why I find myself enamored with pro-style controllers. Because these devices have inputs on the back of the controller where you can wrap your fingers around the device, it means you can manage a ton of extra inputs without having to take your thumbs off the sticks.
While Scuv and even console manufacturers have tried to develop professional controllers, so has French video game company Nacon. This came in the form of the Revolution series, and now a new contender has joined the series, it’s called the Revolution 5 Pro and is primarily designed as a PlayStation 5 controller.
When I opened the box of the Revolution 5 Pro, I was immediately struck by the customization options that come with this controller. Where Scuf’s product line often relies on purchasing additional or replacement parts and then being able to tweak minor parts of the controller, Nacon opted for something more akin to an Xbox Elite device. In the premium-feel carrying case, alongside the controller, you also get a small box of parts that includes different styles and sizes of joysticks, D-Pads, and adapters that you can easily replace by pulling off the individual parts with a little force . Every part of the tuning process is easy and intuitive, and in that regard, the Nacon definitely delivers.
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But anyway, what about the controller? It’s a fairly heavy device, but it’s no bigger than the DualSense controller. It features asymmetrical analog sticks (which will no doubt frustrate some PlayStation exclusive gamers) and all the typical buttons in all the typical places, except for the left stick and D-pad which are swapped in place. At first glance, the main difference is the grip, which is rubberized and designed to make the controller feel more grippy, and the rear grip is even removable in case you want to replace some old grips that have worn out with age and use. The only part of the device that I find a bit ugly is the trackpad, which grabs your attention and stands out from the otherwise sleek design.
Look at the rear of the controller, this is where most of the additional inputs are. There are four main extra buttons, which can be button mapped as needed and connected to one of a handful of profiles, or easily swapped with a double press of another button on the back. There’s also a switch that lets you change the platform the controller is connected to, available for PS5, PS4, and PC. And then as icing on the cake, the controller even supports Bluetooth, so you can connect your headphones directly to it and then also adjust their volume with the click of a few rear buttons. The trigger also mirrors other pro controllers, which include a system where you can adjust the amount of pressure you need to apply before activating the trigger.
In terms of customization, the Revolution 5 Pro can also interface with Nacon’s own software, which allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the joysticks, the RGB of the LED lighting, and more. It’s a simple and easy-to-use platform, but it throws a wrench in the works for PS5 players because you need a PC to access the software.
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The controller can operate as a wired or wireless system via a wireless dongle plugged into one of the PS5’s USB slots, which does present some issues. Of course, this is mostly a PS5 issue, but it doesn’t change the fact that it does affect the controller and how you use it. Because PS5 only has three USB ports. So if you put the dongle in one and have the dongle for the Pulse 3D headphones in the other, you are left with only one USB slot, which is a problem because when charging the wireless system you will have to Keep fiddling with your PlayStation to make sure there’s room for two different USB cables. It would be very beneficial if the Revolution 5 Pro’s charging cable was USB-C to USB-C, as this would greatly eliminate or alleviate this issue. This is a problem because Nacon claims the controller will last 10 hours on a full battery, which is about the same duration as the DualSense, which also failed miserably compared to the Scuff controller, for example.
The main problem with the Revolution 5 Pro is that it really lacks the features that make the DualSense so special. It doesn’t have haptic feedback or adaptive triggers, and in fact it doesn’t even have built-in speakers, so if you like (mostly) single-player games that take advantage of these systems, the Revolution 5 Pro will disappoint you.
But when it comes to multiplayer offerings or games where fast response is more important than solid immersive quality, the Revolution 5 Pro is better than the DualSense. In fact, I’d even say it’s as good as an Xbox Elite controller or a ScuffInstinct Pro. It doesn’t have the battery life or sleek looks of the latter device, but where it lacks in those areas, it makes up for in customizability and repairability. At 230 euros, the Revolution 5 Pro is an expensive system, but it’s built to last and gives you the possibility to mold it into a device that suits your gaming style and favorite games, and it’s for this reason that it’s This controller stands out and will probably continue to be my go-to controller for the PS5.
