PS4 Nacon Revolution Pro Controller Unboxing And Impressions

The Nacon Revolution is one of two pro-style controllers for the PlayStation 4 licensed by Sony--the other being the Razer Raiju. It has extra features like additional buttons and fully customizable mapping.

It's packed tightly into a fancy box that opens like a door. Inside you'll get the controller, the required USB cable, and weighted cylinders to make the controller heavier.

Take note that this controller is only available in Sony EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) markets, like the Razer Raiju PS4 controller. It costs around $90 GBP which converts to about $115 USD. Those in the US will have to factor in the cost of importing it, which can vary.

Here are the packaged contents; the controller, 10-foot USB cable, the 10/14/17 gram weights (two of each), and a key to open the compartments where the weights go.

You must use the packaged USB cable for this controller, since it has a unique five-pin connector on the controller's end. There is also a screw cap to secure the cable and prevent it from being pulled out.

You get two of each weight--10, 14, and 17 grams--to keep the controller balanced if you choose to use them.

The weights go into each of the controller's handles, accessed with the key. Up to two weights can go into each handle, and they simply snap into place.

L1 and R1 shoulder buttons are larger than what the DualShock 4 offers, and they have a satisfying tactile feel. However, the L2 and R2 triggers are the biggest drawbacks of the Nacon Revolution.

L2 and R2 have a sharp outward slant that doesn't feel comfortable to pull when you hold the controller in a natural fashion. They also feel stiff and more resistant than necessary and can tire your fingers in longer play sessions.

You can see the extra programmable buttons here as well--labelled M1, M2, M3, and M4.

The outward buttons (M3 and M4) are responsive and effortless to pull, even in the most frantic situations, but not to the point where they can be mistakenly pressed. And their sensible placement makes for the most natural-feelings paddle-type buttons to use, since they reside on the handle right where the middle finger goes.

However, the inner buttons (M1 and M2) are inconsistent and tough to use, making them more trouble than they’re worth.

The enlarged face buttons stand out immediately, and feel similar to stock Xbox One controller buttons, which isn’t a bad thing. Their size neither helped nor hindered our gameplay experience.

The Revolution features a disc-like 8-way directional pad that felt responsive. It’s the best of any PS4 controller. D-pad sees limited use in most games, but it works great for fighting games.

These analog sticks are light to the touch and offer consistent, fluid movement. It's a significant improvement over the DS4 and helps with precise aim and overall ease of use. It’s also the only PS4 controller we tested that takes on the stick placement of Xbox controllers.

The right stick has the Nacon logo engraved in a convex fashion, while the left stick is concave. They offered enough grip to keep our thumbs from slipping while gaming.

Beneath the controller is a 3.5 mm audio jack. Here, you can also see height of the thumbsticks.

A matte finish makes for a sleek look, but it also provides great grip with a nice chalky feel.

There’s a lot to like about the Nacon Revolution, from its smooth analog sticks to its smartly placed M3 and M4 buttons. But it’s held back by the odd design of the L2 and R2 triggers, which also feel too stiff and resistant for longer play sessions.