A colossal, aggressive and asymmetrical controller, where PlayStation players are confined to symmetrical sticks. Nacon’s Revolution 5 Pro promises us many wonders, including great versatility, exceptional precision and thunderous software support. We will see that in this test.
Even before unboxing, we feel that Nacon is seeking to offer a premium user experience and to put us in the mood, the Revolution 5 Pro pad is sold with a durable shell, and quite beautiful in fact, in which the controller fits. perfectly taking advantage of a molding of its shapes and a protective lining inside. The pad also comes with a small toolbox that’s overflowing with accessories and a USB dongle. A rather generous package therefore, a habit for Nacon.
A premium controller for PS5
Visually, the Revolution 5 Pro controller is seriously impressive. Much more massive and heavier than a traditional DualSense, the Revolution opts for an aggressive design inspired by the Sony pad. We therefore find a relatively similar shape with a central touch pad, the legendary geometric buttons as well as the Home PlayStation, Option and Share buttons. For the rest, Nacon has changed practically everything.
The joysticks are now asymmetrical, something that many players prefer, it’s more ergonomic. The D-Pad, or directional cross for dinosaurs, takes the form of a multidirectional disc, like what can be found on certain high-end controllers like the Xbox Elite.
An ultra-versatile pad
In terms of new features, the Revolution 5 Pro does it all and adds no less than 12 buttons on the back. Yes, you read correctly, 12 buttons. We will first find two under the imposing L2/R2 triggers. They will be used to block/shorten the travel of the triggers in order to mechanically recover responsiveness and therefore precision. Then, between the handles, we have 3 buttons to manage the parameters of the controller, in particular the profiles or the platform on which we will pair the controller.
Just below, three other buttons are present and are reserved for the on-board audio system: bluetooth to pair your device with a headset for example, and two buttons for the volume. Finally, on the inner edge of the handles will slide four large paddles which perfectly match the shape of the pad to blend completely into the design.
The S1, S2 buttons which form the joining angle between the handle and the rear face of the controller, protrude slightly to be reached easily, but without being able to activate them unintentionally. The S3 and S4 buttons are completely invisible and rest on the edges of the handles. Here too we reach them easily without effort, but we will never activate them without doing so on purpose.
The location of these additional buttons is carefully considered. A real added value when we know that other high-end controllers like the excellent Scuf Vision had ideas that were a little less good in the end.
A top finish for a massive controller
The placement of the different buttons and sticks has been carefully studied, there is nothing to complain about here. But that doesn’t mean the controller is ergonomic. In fact, the Revolution 5 Pro is a bit too massive, too imposing, even for large hands. An unnatural feeling emerges when used. If the fingers fall right where they need to be, the thick shell of the controller forces us to have a different, less flexible hold. Too bad because when it comes to stability, the Revolution 5 Pro is also flawless.
With such a build, it’s impossible to lose your hands. Nacon has also made a point of ensuring complete handling by placing soft plastic grips everywhere. Very pleasant to the touch, they give an almost futuristic look to the controller at the same time. There are ribbed grips on the sides at the handles, but also on the slightly rounded rear part and on the S3 and S4 buttons. The joysticks also have the right to their spiral grips (it doesn’t matter which one is chosen) just like the R2 and L2 triggers whose support surface opts for a harder plastic point grip this time.
It’s casually very pleasant in the hand and the fit is absolutely perfect, even if you’re very nervous. For even more stability, it is possible to open the handles from the rear to insert weights in small compartments provided for this purpose. By adding an additional 20 to 32 grams, you can customize the stability of the controller to your liking. But in my opinion, the already quite high base weight will be more than enough for you.
The Revolution 5 Pro aims for performance
In terms of performance, the Revolution 5 Pro does not disappoint but did not transcend me, certainly because of its size and its handling. The fact is that it is very precise, there is no denying it. The joysticks naturally respond very well, the glide is perfect and you can mechanically shorten the rotation with small flanges supplied with the accessories. The triggers, whether they are blocked or not, are also very precise and responsive as standard.
Nacon has largely highlighted its Hall Effect Magnetic technology, which allows for increased precision and maximum comfort, and I am forced to admit that this is the case. As a bonus, it promises a colossal lifespan for the materials, an excellent thing. Special mention to the multidirectional D-Pad which in addition to being ultra pleasant to use, combines comfort and performance. Ultra responsive, precise, it will be the ideal partner for fans of fighting games.
In terms of autonomy, the Revolution 5 Pro is more than reasonable and promises nearly ten hours of play without recharging. A promise kept during the test with daily use.
A pad that is not always very comfortable
Not much to say about the raw performance of this Revolution 5 Pro which, as a bonus, benefits from full software support with a wide range of customizable parameters and above all the possibility of switching from one profile to another directly from the controller, something quite rare. The Nacon software is rather easy to access and very well provided. An essential traveling companion for players seeking ultimate performance.
But once again, I have a real problem with the size of the beast. The controller doesn’t particularly invite us to make the most of its capabilities, and yet I have big hands. Small hands will even lack precision when activating the triggers in particular. Fortunately once again, it is possible to customize quite a few things, notably the height of the joysticks which, in addition to changing the degree of travel, will allow little ones to use them comfortably.
The revolution 5 Pro, a real fake PS5 controller
But where the serious problem is in the fact that the controller is absolutely not optimized for the PS5. Despite its name and its design, the Revolution 5 Pro will not allow you to take advantage of all of its features on PS5. Already, no adaptive triggers or haptic feedback. Nacon told us, it’s patented, it belongs to Sony and the company jealously keeps its technology to itself.
We will therefore not hold it against this and we cannot blame Nacon, even if it will inevitably weigh in the balance if you hesitate to make the purchase. But what is less understandable is that we don’t even have the right to standard vibrations, although they are available on PS4 for example. A software story tells us Nacon, but it’s difficult to accept as an average player. So, those who swear by performance and/or who don’t care about vibrations will not be upset by this lack, but for others on the other hand…
For the rest, the Revolution 5 Pro works perfectly, regardless of the mode chosen. You can use it in wired mode using the reinforced USB-C cable provided, or wirelessly using the dongle (also provided obviously). Both offer a top experience. The responsiveness is impeccable, even wirelessly since the latency is only 4 milliseconds, a revolution compared to the brand’s other controllers. As for audio, you can connect the controller via Bluetooth to your peripherals or use the 3.5 mm jack port between the handles.
Revolution 5 Pro technical specifications
- Name : Revolution 5 Pro
- Price : €229.90
- Compatibility : PS5/PS4/Windows
- Connection : RF USB key, detachable USB-C / USB-A cable, Bluetooth 5.2 connection with headsets
- Wireless : Yes
- Wired : Yes
- Cable included : Yes
- Cable length (cm): 300
- Software : Yes
- Headphone jack : Yes
- Storage case : Yes
- Joystick position : Asymmetric
- Profiles : Yes
- Configurable buttons : Yes
- Configurable triggers : Yes
- Configurable joysticks : Yes
- Multifunction button : Management of sound, lights and button mapping
- Customizing joysticks : Yes
- Directional cross : 2 formats
- Shortcuts : Yes
- Volume control : Yes
- LED : Yes
- Adjustable weight : Yes
- Battery life :More than 10 hours