Nacon has announced the Revolution 5 Unlimited, a new PS5 and PC controller with a built-in screen, because why would you not want a little screen to go with the other little screen in your pocket and the big screen you’re already gaming on? According to the company, it’s the first officially licensed PS5 controller to offer one, with pre-orders already open following its October 2 reveal.
The announcement puts the price at hefty £179.99/$229.99/€199.99. There’s a slight wrinkle here, though: Nacon’s UK shop currently displays £199.90 and lists an October 21 release date. So the announced UK price and the shop listing don’t currently agree. I’ll reach out and try to figure out what’s going on.
As for that screen, it lets you adjust stick sensitivity, remap shortcuts and change your audio mix directly on the controller. I can see the appeal of being able to tweak something without reaching for another device, although how pleasant those menus are to navigate is something that needs testing.
There’s also simultaneous Bluetooth audio mixing, allowing you to bring calls or music from your phone into your headset alongside your game. A companion app for iOS and Android provides further customisation, including audio EQ and the RGB lighting around the right stick.
The Unlimited sticks with an Xbox-style asymmetric layout and uses TMR magnetic thumbsticks. Nacon is promising improved precision, reliability and lower power consumption from the technology, while its Shooter Pro Mode removes stick dead zones. Those are promising claims, but obviously the interesting bit will be how it actually feels in your hands.
The face buttons and D-pad use mechanical microswitches, while the triggers can switch between analogue travel and a short mechanical click. Basically, you can keep the longer pull for controlling the throttle in a racing game, then shorten it when you want to fire a gun as quickly as possible. Nacon also lists seven programmable shortcuts.
A charging dock comes in the box, complete with a USB port for the wireless receiver. There are interchangeable stick tops and D-pads, grip weights and a carry case, too, giving you a fair amount to fiddle with before you’ve even launched a game. Nacon advertises 1ms latency when playing wired on PC.
There are some PS5 compromises to consider. GamesRadar reports that it lacks the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, with vibration available in PC mode. This is pretty common with third-party PS5 controllers. That’s a meaningful trade-off if you enjoy those features, however many buttons and settings Nacon adds.
Still, I’d be interested in trying this one. A screen that makes the controller easier to configure could be useful; whether it earns its place will depend on how often you actually want to use it. It’s probably more of a gimmick. But for me, the actual selling point is the stick layout and size, because I’m one of those unlucky people that find the PS5 controller slightly painful to use.
