When the DualSense controller first landed in our hands, it was a game-changer with its comfortable size, remarkable haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. But, as time wore on, many of us faced the dreaded stick drift, turning that initial burst of quality into well-known and disappointing frustration as your controller decided to derail your intricate sniper shot at the last moment. Enter the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro, a controller that not only aims to tackle these issues but also offers a suite of features that might make you reconsider your default gaming gear – and you can even pick it up in an awesome camouflage design.
Straight out of the box(which is a lovely box, by the way), the Revolution 5 Pro exudes a premium feel. The smooth, lightly rubberised finish ensures comfort during those marathon gaming sessions, and its size and weight (which I’ll come to in a moment) is ideal for adult hands. Its asymmetrical joystick layout, reminiscent of Xbox controllers, caters to those who prefer this configuration over the traditional PlayStation design, and in an awesome stroke of genius for those particular about weight, the controller offers adjustable options using the included changeable weights, allowing you to fine-tune it to your liking by just popping off the cover of the handle and switching one set of mini-dumbbells for another heavier or lighter set. Pretty cool if you tend to find controllers (especially third party efforts) a little light and flimsy.
One of the standout features is the incorporation of Hall Effect sensors in both the thumbsticks and triggers. Unlike traditional potentiometer-based sensors, these utilise magnetic fields to detect movement, significantly reducing wear and virtually eliminating the risk of stick drift, which after the number of controllers we’ve had to stop using in this house because of that very issue is a massive win, and potentially a bit of a money saver over time. Even being around the £200 mark, if you never have to buy another £60 controller again it won’t take long to get your money back.
Along with all this the Revolution 5 Pro doesn’t skimp on personalisation. You can adjust trigger sensitivity using the Trigger Blocker feature, which allows you to flick a switch on the controller and reduce the movement on the triggers – handy for those first person shooters where you don’t need the intricacy of a full analogue trigger and want something more akin to a mouse click. The controller also includes interchangeable thumbstick heads, letting you modify the feel and responsiveness of the sticks and reduce any kind of thumb slippage. Additionally, there are four back buttons that can be remapped to various functions, providing quick access during gameplay. However, some might find the placement of the S3 and S4 buttons, integrated into the grips, a tad unconventional, requiring a bit of an adjustment period and the ongoing potential of accidentally catching them during frantic gameplay.
In terms of connectivity, flexibility is the name of the game here. The controller supports both wired and wireless connectivity (through the included 2.4Ghz dongle) and boasts an impressive battery life of approximately 10 hours on a full charge. There’s no apparent lag using the wireless option, so you’re only probably going for the USB connection if you want the tiniest amount of input lag or you forgot to charge it. Not the kind of thing I do before a mammoth gaming session, obviously…
In terms of performance, the Revolution 5 Pro delivers a responsive and precise gaming experience. The Hall Effect thumbsticks provide accurate input detection, which is particularly advantageous in fast-paced or competitive games, and the controller’s ergonomic design ensures comfort during prolonged sessions, with the textured grips offering a secure hold. However, it’s worth noting that the controller lacks haptic feedback and adaptive trigger functionality (a decision by Sony and not Nacon’s choice), features that are integral to the standard DualSense controller’s immersive experience. Additionally, the controller cannot power on the PS5 console, a convenience feature some players may miss. Depending on your use of all this tech you might not care about this, but if you’re looking to get the most out of games such as Astrobot, Gran Turismo or any other game where vibrations and dynamic triggers enhance the experience you’re going to really miss it – it’s surprising how empty some games can feel without any kind of haptics onboard. This is, however, a competitive controller, and as a lot of people disable these features on the DualSense when playing games such as Call of Duty online this will either bring about you instantly going off the idea, or not caring about these omissions.
So when looked at as an entire package, the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro is a formidable contender in the realm of high-end gaming controllers, offering extensive customization, durable Hall Effect technology, and a genuinely premium build quality. Its design caters to gamers seeking a personalised and precise experience, especially with the changeable components, weights and trigger travel. However, the omission of certain PlayStation 5-specific features like the haptics and resistant triggers (and its premium price point) may deter some users. For those who prioritise customisation and longevity however, the Revolution 5 Pro presents a compelling option.