At first glance, the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited might look like “Just” another Pro-class Xbox controller that competes with Microsoft's frequent Elite Series 2, but including a Hall effect stick, screen and some unique PC features can help it become the best PC controller we've tested. That said, it does have weaknesses – an intoxicating asking price. This is after a few weeks of testing with the Elite Series 2 and Scuf Instinct Pro, what I found is the highest third-party option.
The Revolution X Unlimited is a huge beast in terms of looks and feel, quite a bit more with the Xbox Elite Series 2 and my trusty Scuf Instinct Pro. It also feels wider, with a thick grip on the bottom, but its soft plastic and rubber parts are comfortable.
If you want to make this controller heavier, there is a removable panel on the bottom of the grip, where you can add weights if you have the option. Just like the old Logitech G502 hero mouse. In a great hard carry case, the thumb keys can also be used with some concave options if you want them to be more traditional than the textured convex surfaces that already exist as well as the more traditional D-pad.
The layout here is familiar, with the traditional Xbox array with diagonal opposite simulation sticks, D-Pad and Abxy buttons in the upper right corner. The top is home to the shoulder buttons and triggers, as well as a pair of new, bright green buttons marked S1 and S2. If you want more control and lockable triggers, there are two more sets on the back.
Revolution X Unlimited also has a convenient LCD screen that provides you with methods and means to configure your controller without delving into any software. You can restart the button, or enable different profiles from the LCD and easily restart any control in seconds. The screen also allows you to control pairing via Bluetooth or a bundled 2.4GHz receiver (it can be played on Xbox or PC in my experience), and even pairs wireless headphones with Bluetooth.
You can also swap between the controller's configuration files and have two notable additions that professionals may want to take advantage of. Revolution X Unlimited's PC profile can be delayed when connected to a PC via wires, and even enables keyboard shortcuts for the removable rear and top buttons, while its shooting game Pro mode eliminates the stick deadzone for more precise inputs in FPS games, even though I've never got the strongest effect in FPS.
One of the biggest advantages of the NACON controller over veteran Xbox Elite Series 2 is that both triggers and simulation sticks are hall effects, which is a growing trend in the controller space. These magnetic sensors do not lose accuracy over time as much as other potentiometers, causing some of the most common reliability problems such as Stick Drift to occur. They also have the potential to improve accuracy and responsiveness to narrower Deadzones, although this depends on the quality of the sensor and how it can be implemented in the rest of the controller.
The rumble of revolution is so powerful that it can be said that I have more feedback than what I trusted Scuf Instinct Pro provides, and it has a higher quality in itself when playing from Forza Horizon 5 to Hitman 3 to Hitman 3. Heavier rumbles are more pronounced in the former, with more vehicles when driving a race or flowing through traffic. This also makes the crash more impactful, especially when playing Beamng Drive on PC, sometimes smashing cars into the walls to make me feel better, which is fun.
The lockable trigger offers more PC-like experiences in console shooting games, lowering the distance to shoot when I play some good robberies online on GTA or when I encounter some guarded places in HITMAN 3 – sometimes it's nice to try out the “Kill Everyone” challenge on New York Bank.
The ability to instantly remove the controller's shortcut buttons is a godsend that changes the controls to make them more familiar – for example, I remap the up and down movements in Forza Horizon 5 into the S3 and S4 buttons at the back of the controller to get it using the Paddle Shifter shifter shifter hyperter on the appropriate wheels. Both hands fingers are easy to access on both hands and come with responsive input.
Actually, I feel responsive input to all Revolution X Unlimited buttons, which seem to use haptic microswitches. If I need to mash the buttons to run on Hitman or GTA Online, I'm impressed with the feedback under my fingers.
The software controls available in Windows only are also good. It provides you with a convenient means to use more selection buttons in options other than buttons on the controller. You can also remap the controller to keyboard keys, as well as the motion of the controller's gyroscope, and up to four profiles that can choose your own remapping or lighting effects on the controller itself.
Naken said the Revolution X Unlimited will last for at least 10 hours, meaning its battery life is not as good as its competitors, including the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and Xbox Elite Series 2, which will last until 40 hours. During my weeks at the controller, I noticed that the controller's endurance matched Nathan's claim to run time – you'll charge more often than your competitors. At least a convenient magnetic charging dock is provided to keep it simple, but if you plan to attend a marathon session or just not used to leaving the controller on the dock every day or twice.
The Revolution X Unlimited price is £180/£200/$200, which is £50/$60 more than Microsoft's Elite Series 2. This is far from a trivial premium, but Nacon does justify the extra cost, both physically and through software, with plenty of customization. The controller's hand is also great if it's a bit heavy for the key competitors and responds well to triggers and buttons within the title range I tested. Thanks to the effects of those halls, it should be able to maintain good capabilities in the future.
If the Elite Series 2 has a reputation for reliability and therefore doesn't make your finalists, Revolution X Unlimited is worth considering. Just make sure you have convenient access to the charging dock.
