Nacon Revolution 5 Pro (PS5) Controller Review: A True Contender

The Revolution 5 Pro may lack functionality, but it makes up for it elsewhere. An Xbox Elite-like controller for the PS5? Nacon, your hardware had my curiosity, but now you have my attention. It’s for good reason, too–the Revolution 5 Pro proves to be one of the most compelling peripherals for competitive PS5 gamers as we go into 2024.

If you’re looking for an asymmetric, high-end PlayStation pad, it must be on your list. It’s all thanks to a combination of smart design, comfort, and those all-important Hall-effect joysticks– , and something that should become an industry standard at every level. One thing that can’t be argued is how the Revolution 5 Pro may be the best-quality PS5 controller on the market.

You’ll need to make a couple of sacrifices, as it’s not without its foibles–some because of Nacon’s decisions, but mainly due to Sony’s somewhat odd restrictions on third-party pads–but the R5P is a contender among the DualSense Edge, Xbox Elite Controller Series 2, and the barmy Victrix Pro BFG. What’s in the box? As with most of Sony’s Official Licensed Products, the packaging for Nacon’s R5P is far from inspiring, but once you open the box, it starts to feel as special as its $200 price tag–everything’s nicely housed in a molded carry case with a separate, sturdy container for accessories. The Nacon R5P is presented nicely but unpretentiously.

Feeling good As far as build quality is concerned, the R5P is superb–probably the most premium-feeling controller I’ve held. Everything from the Pro BFG to the Switch Pro Controller has a bit of give–a slight twist or turn brings about an audible creak or crack–but the R5P is as solid as a rock. Modular connections are firm, but not so much that you feel you’re potentially going to break something when you remove a cover or replace a head.

However, detaching the four-way D-pad is a massive pain, and could do with a thin tool in the box. Fundamentally, the Revolution 5 Pro feels fantastic in your hands thanks to its smooth, lightly rubberized finish. It’s a little on the light side, but this is helped by those all-important weights.

You’ll be amazed how much difference 20 or 30 grams makes. It’s girthy, but no more bulbous on the grips than a Series X controller; its thicker center initially feels odd, but this proves useful as it raises its rear buttons. The Nacon R5P is easily adjusted for weight with removable back covers.

The R5P is especially good if you prefer the form of an Xbox pad; the obvious stick layout aside, the R5P also mimics Microsoft’s shoulder button and trigger design, giving extra purchase. Its oversized action buttons are firm but forgiving; it makes you wonder why they’re so comparably small on the standard DualSense. Nacon’s four-way D-pad is a go-to option outside of fighting games (though it’s still remarkably responsive if you prefer an old-school layout), but the dish-like circle pad takes some getting used to.

Nacon makes a big song and dance about how it drafted pro Nathan “Mister Crimson” Massol to help design it. Far be it from me to disagree with a master/mister, but the definition of the four-way played just as well to me; if anything, my up-left and down-rights were more regularly missed on the disc. I’m not exactly in line for a place in the UFA, but I favor the classic style.

Bells and whistles In the back, the Revolution 5 Pro has four programmable buttons, which can be changed by plugging it into a PC–a mobile app is in development but wasn’t available on Android at the time of review–and the process is surprisingly straightforward. You can build different profiles for a range of games, and for PC and PlayStation games separately; the quick switching between profiles is as easy as flipping a switch. You can even change the color of the ring light around the right thumbstick–neato.

One thing that may bother some players is how light the lower, flush S3 and S4 buttons are. The slightly trigger-like S1 and S2 buttons are more resistant to accidental pushing and feel much better on your fingers because they’re pronounced. I found myself resting more of the controller’s weight on my middle fingers to compensate, admittedly safe in the knowledge S1 and S2 wouldn’t budge unless I wanted them to.

Tricky triggers The Nacon R5P doesn’t have adaptive triggers–certainly not something I personally care for, as they can feel like a novelty in some games and can cramp my shovel-like hands–but this isn’t the fault of Nacon, rather the first of several restrictions imposed on it by Sony. It’s mad to think that Sony gives Official Licensed Partner status, takes its cut, but locks away certain innovations. Lack of haptics aside, the R5P’s L2 and R2 triggers are less resistant than standard Xbox and PlayStation 5 controllers, making them a little imprecise when playing games that demand a greater degree of depth control–for instance, accelerating and braking in took some getting used to.

Trigger blockers are also available when you want a shallower input, or you’re playing a game that uses them in a binary way–perfect for fighting and FPS games, and great if you don’t like using front shoulder buttons for primary fire or button combinations when trying to compete at a reasonable level. It’s only a two-stage setting–not the more comprehensive three-setting option of the DualSense Edge–and when locked in, the triggers come to a blunter, noisier, finger-shaking stop. Better dampening would’ve been well received.

I’m picking up no vibrations The Nacon Revolution 5 Pro’s most obvious missing element is vibration on PS5. The R5P’s blockbuster third-party restriction is a complete lack of rumble–there isn’t even an entry-level vibration free from the DualSense’s unique (and phenomenal) haptic system. The controller still comes with two vibration motors for PC and PS4 games (a switch for different platforms is on the back).

They’re… fine, I guess? It’s amazing how little you care about the rumbles when they’re removed, or how fundamentally unimpressive standard vibration is once you’ve enjoyed the DualSense and Edge. Still, I suppose that’s the point; if you want full functionality, you have to stick with Sony. The trouble with quibbles Aside from those Sony-imposed drawbacks on the Revolution 5 Pro, the controller still has a few slight annoyances.

The most visible is its finish; the face’s smooth, lightly rubberized texture picks up and shows any moisture on your hands, making it look greasy in minutes, even if your hands feel bone dry. The space between its four supersized buttons also acts as a moisture trap, and is also very difficult to keep clean. It also claims to have a 10-hour battery life, though it runs closer to eight or nine.

Nacon says advanced features can lower it, but this was still the case when used casually on PS5 games, without vibration. Luckily, the R5P charges incredibly quickly. Another frustrating quirk of Sony’s limitations is the inability to switch the console on with the R5P due to its dongle-based connection–something you’ll forget several times, bouncing in and out of your seat to turn your PS5 on manually.

A controller worth investment It’s understandable that many people may be put off by the R5P’s lack of vibration or haptic feedback, and while there’s the odd quirk or annoyance, Nacon has focused on getting the important things more or less right–as right as Sony allows it to, at least. If you prefer asymmetric, Xbox-style controllers, and you’re looking for a high-end PS5 pad that offers superb build quality, long-term comfort, great looks, and ease of personalization, there isn’t a strong case against getting the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro–it may well be the best thing out there. .