When it comes to controller design, size definitely matters. In fact, one of the very first things I consider when it comes to controllers is the size of the gamepad. Too small, and you are going to get some serious hand cramp after a long session, too big and you aren’t going to be able to use it well. Luckily though, the Nacon Revolution Pro Controller 3 is just right.

Larger than the standard Dualshock 4 that comes with every new Playstation 4, the Revolution Pro Controller 3 is fantastically proportioned, with a size comparable to that of the Xbox One controller. This might be considered odd as the Revolution Pro Controller 3 was designed and officially licensed for use on the PS4, but I can’t see any harm in looking to the major competition for inspiration.

When you consider size, you are also going to consider weight - and this is where the Revolution Pro Controller 3 breaks out one of its real highlights for me; customizable weighting.

Just open up the back panels of the controller, and use the included weights to adjust the actual in-hand weight of the controller to your liking. You can have the controller as light or as heavy as you like it, making it incredibly comfortable in your hand and easy to manage over those longer play periods.

So, we’ve talked about weight and size, but what about the button layout? Well, the folks at Nacon have once again taken inspiration from Xbox, with the joysticks on the Revolution Pro in the Xbox One controller layout, rather than in the Dualshock Four side-by-side configuration.

Honestly, I prefer it, and with usability the name of the game when it comes to the Revolution Pro Controller 3 it makes sense that the joysticks would be in this layout as it makes the d-pad much more accessible. In fact, the joysticks themselves impressed me, with their rubberized tips providing a lot of extra grip, which I always felt the Dualshock lacked.

Aside from that though, the button layout is largely the same. If you’re going to be using a controller for PC gaming, then the PS4 touchpad might not be a great necessity - but it’s there, and fully functional if you are going to be using this on a console.

The story is the same for the share and options buttons as well, and the four action buttons are placed on the right as they should be. The shoulder buttons are where this controller diverts again.

The L2/R2 buttons are designed with quite a sharp upward angle, which means it’s much easier to grip and use them without slipping, and the spring inside allows for quick presses.



Then, you have the back buttons. Dubbed S1-4, these are what really set the Revolution Pro Controller 3 against the competition, as you can easily map different button functions to these back buttons.



This is a basic rundown on what to expect on Nacon’s PS4 elite controller, and overall, the design is great. Comfortable, functional, and easy to get used to.

But, what is it like to actually use?