NACON Revolution Pro Controller 3 | Tech Review

RRP: R1899 | Provided for review by: Gamefinity

Pros: Comfortable in the hand | PC and PS4 | Improved accuracy | Weight options | Asymmetric thumbsticks

Cons: Wired | Price | Rear button placement and size

When it comes to competitive gaming, you always want to try give yourself the best advantage you can get with some solid equipment. Now I’m no eSports competitor these days, but that doesn’t mean that a solid controller isn’t going to help me show all those snotty 12 year olds on nightly COD servers that I’ve still got it.

This is completely subjective (although I find that my peers all agree), but the Xbox controller is just hands-down the better controller when pitted against the DS4. The controller fits in your hand better, the asymmetric thumbstick layout is better suited to accuracy and comfort in shooters, and the triggers feel a bit longer and more predictable. This controller wants to give you a lot of those features and more.

Is this controller more for eSports or people who just like topping leaderboards at home? Here’s what the official site has to say:

Discover the REVOLUTION PRO CONTROLLER 3, NACON’s new wired controller. A natural evolution of the Revolution Pro Controller 2, it benefits from NACON’s know-how to improve player comfort and performance. Its ergonomics adapted to the longest game sessions offers a perfect grip.

So we’re talking about long gaming sessions where you’re trying to make other people cry because of your l337 skillz, probably at home. Sounds right up my alley!

Triggered

The difference was both immediate and apparent. I loaded up Modern Warfare and jumped into a few rounds as I usually would, and instantly felt the effects of the entire setup. My accuracy seemed to jump a notch, and I found the longer thumbsticks helped me track targets way better and get those final bullets into their skull in a way that had me come out on top. While the controller felt most at home with COD, I also had a similar feelings playing Apex Legends and even the more casual Star Wars: Battlefront II.

The triggers took a bit of getting used to, as they’re a bit longer and flatter than I’m used to on either a standard PS4 or Xbox controller, but ultimately found that they worked out just fine and neither felt like they really helped or hindered my performance.

Touch My Buttons

The back of the controller has a switch and some extra little buttons around the inside of the stalks. The mode button allows you to do things like switch between console and PC. The little buttons really didn’t feel great though, and were hard to find with my fingers and use without mashing all of them by mistake. If these are meant to function the same as paddles on the Elite controller, they really aren’t up to the task for people who need precision during moments of intensity. I also quite liked the d-pad, and while it maybe isn’t perfect it felt big and really easy to jam the button I needed without issue.

It’s also worth noting that it still also has a standard audio jack below, meaning that plugging in a set of headphones is no different to the normal controller.

I’m Feeling Pretty Wired

Now what I didn’t like, and I’m sure this is because I’m not down-with-the-kids and fully into the eSports scene… is the wired aspect of the controller. I’m sure it helps cut down bajillionths of milliseconds to help your input time be the best it can be, but despite being a really quality cable with very decent length, it’s something I wouldn’t recommend and would probably suggest that anyone rather goes for the wireless version if they can. It’s 2020, I can’t do the cable thing anymore. My setup had it pulling so far that I had to hold up the whole weight of the cable the entire time.

The controller was also surprisingly light, almost too much so, which is why it was a good thing that it came packaged with little weights that can be popped into the stalks on either side. Even with the heaviest weights in I felt like it was only just about right, but I can see some people finding value in the lighter weight.

The setup also comes with a really nice, sturdy and good looking carry case to move your controller around to comps or events. It also provides space for the wire as well as a box to hold the weights.

Verdict

The NACON Revolution Pro Controller 3 is a pretty good looking, comfortable, quality piece of hardware. It felt good to play with and I definitely felt that it helped with performance in-game. It’s really not cheap though at around R1,899.00 locally, especially for something that you have to keep plugged in with a wire.

So while I liked the controller, as a more casual gamer that still wants a bit of an edge in shooters, I’d want to save up a few extra pennies and go for the wireless equivalent or even take a look at a few alternatives. If the wire doesn’t bother you, or you need it for an edge, then definitely give this controller a look.

I honestly just liked having an “Xbox” controller for my PS4, although it’s worth noting that this console generation is nearing its end.