Nacon Revolution 5 Pro (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
- Official Store: https://www.nacongaming.com/en-GB/revolution-5-pro
Nacon has recently unveiled its latest controller compatible with PS4, PS5 and PC, the Revolution 5 Pro. The gaming accessory is launching on the European market this month, with US availability coming later this year, and costs 200 GBP/230 EUR.
While priced towards the premium end of the spectrum, the hardware quality also reflects on the price tag. The Revolution 5 Pro packs a nice heft that, in addition to the sturdy shell made of high-end material, makes it feel like a premium product to hold. With its ergonomic design, the controller sits comfortably in the hands while in use and the rubberised, textured handles ensure a secure grip.
As you’ll likely want to protect the controller from damage while not in use or while travelling, Nacon includes a handy hard carry case in the package. It not only stores the Revolution 5 Pro but also all of the accessories that come with it.
While it is geared towards PlayStation gaming and is an officially licensed PlayStation product, the Revolution 5 Pro strikes with its asymmetrical layout. This makes it stand out from traditional symmetrical PlayStation controllers but Nacon tells me that this is exactly the point of the controller: to offer an alternative for PlayStation gamers. Since Sony already has its DualSense Edge controller with pro features and a symmetrical layout, the Revolution 5 Pro offers a different option. As I personally prefer asymmetrical controllers, I welcome such an option with open arms.
Nacon’s Revolution 5 Pro can be used both in wired or wireless mode, and is compatible with PS4, PS5 and PC. I’ve used it on both PS5 and PC and the controller’s input is accurate, with no discernible lag in wireless mode while each button press delivers satisfying feedback. As the sticks of the Revolution 5 Pro are Hall effect based, its controls are swift while eliminating stick drift worries. Also providing some peace of mind is the battery life. The controller can provide around 10 hours of use but mileage can vary such as having a Bluetooth headset connected to the controller can drain more battery.
Such a user experience might also be reflective of other controllers but the Revolution 5 Pro differentiates itself with its range of hardware and software customisation options. On the hardware side, you can adjust the weight, stick shaft size and stick head from the sets included in the package to suit your preferences. For example, I prefer convex heads for controller thumbsticks and the Revolution 5 Pro allows me to swap to these within seconds. The controller also packs Trigger Blockers which limits the travel distance of the triggers, further allowing you to adapt the device to your playstyle and gaming needs.
Having swappable hardware components not only allows you to customise the controller to your needs but also enables it to be more repairable. For instance, the sticks have dedicated electronic cards that can be changed independently. This is a commendable feature as it increases the lifespan of the device as you can replace parts instead of the whole controller in case of damage.
Other customisation options come with the back buttons. This controller comes with 4 back buttons, two on each grip. You can map most of the controller’s buttons to these and create shortcuts for ease of access. I think back buttons should be an integral part of controllers and having them featured here was a personal delight. However, their positioning on the Revolution 5 Pro can make them occasionally hard to reach. I wish they were raised or adopt a paddle-like design to make accessing them easier.
On the software side, there is a companion PC/Mac software for the controller, with mobile versions coming at a later time. Through it, you can configure aspects such as the trigger sensitivity, stick dead zone and LED colour. You can save 4 profiles per platform on the device, so you can have different configurations for different games that are accessible within seconds.
However, the downside with such a range of customisation is that there is a learning curve to getting the hang of it. In addition to the companion software, you can map the back buttons on the device as well as control audio from the controller as well. But learning the ropes of these options can easily become overwhelming at first as it involves some combination of buttons that you'll need to memorise.
And while the Revolution 5 Pro boasts the officially licensed PlayStation product tag, this comes with some restrictions from Sony’s side. For example, face buttons cannot be mapped to the back buttons and rumble isn’t available on PS5 (although it is available on PS4/PC). This is a downer for those looking for a premium controller to enjoy single player games as such limitations makes the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro more geared towards competitive gaming on PS5. But hopefully Sony reverses its decision and Nacon can push future updates to unlock such features.
Overall, if you do get the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro. you will find in it a premium, durable controller that stands out with its range of hardware and software customisations.
Verdict
- Build quality and buttons feedback
- Range of hardware and software modifications
- Customisable profiles stored on-device
- Sony limitations on rumble on PS5 and back buttons mapping
- Back buttons can be shallow and hard to access
- Learning curve to customisation
