Nacon Revolution Pro 3, the review

It is surprising how quickly nacon brings new controllers to market. Since its debut a few years ago, the will of the French house to reach the pinnacle ofhardware gaming has always been very clear, but this does not mean that it has decided to forget a market made up of many different groups of buyers.

After adding the version "unlimited", a kind of elite pad that we had reviewed some time ago, now is the time to test the third iteration of the most famous Pro Controller, the one from which it all started somehow. Let's see in ours Nacon Revolution Pro 3 review how it behaves in practice.



Nacon Revolution Pro 3, the review

A clear middle ground

Let's start from the basics: the Nacon Revolution Pro Controller 3 certainly represents the most advanced controller of its range for the French house. This can already be assessed only on a purely aesthetic level and design, given the almost extreme proximity to the Unlimited version. The position of the keys, their size, the slightly hollow touchpad, the programmable keys, the grip of the handles and the doors for inserting the weights all represent elements taken in weight by the top of the range.

For this reason it is important to start wondering, especially in view of a price market around € 100 (now close to the figure at which you can find the Unlimited) if it really makes sense to buy this new version today. What we mean is that in any case what you take home is a controller for PlayStation 4 e PC (hoping to have some news about compatibility with the next generation as soon as possible) of excellent workmanship but which inevitably compromises on some details. On the other hand, it is also a pad designed mainly for the competitive world and that's why it doesn't work in wireless, but it comes with a cable Usb-c. The connection with PlayStation 4 and PC is immediate, it does not create any kind of incompatibility and the step forward compared to the classic Dualshock 4 is evident.



Whether or not you are a lover of analog asymmetric, Nacon's choice to carry on this tradition is based on the awareness of greater ergonomics and on the importance that this brings with it, especially compared to very long gaming sessions. The possibility then to modify virtually and to your liking sensibility and dead zones of the analogs, are elements that can somehow obviate the lack of thicknesses present in the Unlimited version. It is certainly not the same as having a tactile response, but with a little practice you can still achieve excellent results.

On the other hand, lights and shadows regarding the positioning of some buttons. While I triggers remain among the best on the market, the same certainly cannot be said for directional cross (which then collides with the original Sony one undefeated for twenty-five years) and for the two backbones, which give back a strange plasticky feeling to the touch, like objects capable of ceasing their functions too quickly. It is certainly more of a feeling than a reality, but it is still strange to perceive it. What we just can't digest, as happened previously with the Unlimited, is the positioning of the four programmable keys. These are laid in such a way as to be easily reachable by those fingers that wrap the grips of the pad. Although this consideration is successful, their sensitivity and the fact of being present where the grip of the hands must, inevitably, be firm, ends up in more than one occasion to become a reason for involuntary actions.


Nacon Revolution Pro 3, the review

Software and possibilities

We come to what are the possibilities of programming side software. An application can be downloaded from the Nacon website through which some elements of the controller can be managed. As anyone who has ever had to deal with this type of advanced pad will know, i profiles are among the most important configurations to be made. While it is possible to plug in the pad and start playing without any kind of customization, it would certainly be a capital sin. By opening the software on your PC you can choose between three different configurations: the first is that standard for PlayStation 4, which does nothing but replicate the original pad and which works perfectly for those who, as we said before, have no special needs. However, it is possible to remap the four customizable keys, "binding" any other function assigned to one of the main buttons. The second and third possibilities represent the two advanced versions for both PlayStation 4 and PC. Within this configuration (to be honest through an application that is anything but intuitive) it is possible to change a series of internal values ​​that can make the difference for the most savvy. As we said previously it is possible to change the sensitivity of the analog sticks, as well as that of the triggers. In the same way, you can decide to create dead zones on the stroke of these keys via software, thus making the length of pressure shorter and reducing the risk of involuntary touches.



Once you have decided which type of configuration to save, it is time to create your own profile. Also through the software it is possible to keep up to four configurations different, with the possibility of uploading your own online or downloading some already made by others and optimized for some particular use. This element certainly represents one of the best possibilities related to the world of Nacon controllers.

As mentioned, these advanced choices can be made both in the PlayStation 4 and PC environment, but being able to keep separate from each other and choosing which one you need to use from a practical knob on the back of the pad. The same goes for the profiles, which can be exchanged using a button also positioned on the back of the pad and which sends back a visual feedack via LEDs, inserted below the touchpad.

Nacon Revolution Pro 3, the review

Final details

We conclude this examination of the new Pro Controller 3 by talking about packaging and accessories. Also in this case we are dangerously close to what the experience with the Unlimited has been. Once the pad box is opened, the only thing inside is a rigid fabric case on some is present the logo and closed by a zip. To tell the truth also some various leaflets and stickers of Nacon, but we know that this element interests you the right. The shape and manufacture of the case are identical to those of the higher version. Inside we can obviously find the pad, a retina that protects the three-meter usb-c cable and a cloth useful for cleaning the external surface from blows and similar actions. Finally, a white box, this is profoundly less elegant than the Unlimited version, which it contains inside three pairs of weights of 10, 14 and 16 grams. The latter, as mentioned, are inserted inside the handles and are very useful for all those who feel the need to increase the weight of their pad in their hands.


Nacon Revolution Pro 3, the review

Comment

Resources4Gaming.com

8.0

The Nacon Pro Controller 3 certainly represents one of the best choices a premium user can make. The ability to use it at its best on both PlayStation 4 and PC is not to be underestimated and the customization is more than enough to justify the increased price compared to the classic dualshock. What really fails to fully convince are some design choices, which do not allow you to better appreciate the additions such as the customizable keys. Furthermore, one cannot fail to consider a launch price that is now in direct competition with the Unlimited version and that it is difficult to recommend against the latter, both for the great versatility and for the accessories supplied.

PRO

  • The design is still of excellent workmanship today as a whole
  • Customization via software
  • The ability to change cables at will
AGAINST
  • The customizable keys are still very uncomfortable
  • It competes in price with unlimited
  • The lack of a wireless feature can be difficult for some to digest
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