Nacon Revolution X Unlimited controller review - superb performance with a game-changing feature

The newest premium Xbox and PC controller is here, with Nacon's Revolution X Unlimited gamepad offering a unique mix of features that help it stand out, despite being in a saturated market.

is no stranger to premium controllers, having already released the Revolution 5 controller for and back in 2023. However, the new Revolution X Unlimited is their first foray into the and PC market, competing against established options like the and . Thanks to some vital, modern features being present alongside some new, unique ones, it's a compelling option for those who want the very best performance from their controller on Xbox and PC.

The Nacon Revolution X Unlimited costs £179.99 / $199.99 / AU$311.90 (rough conversion), which is above the price point of Xbox's Elite Series 2 but actually slightly cheaper than Razer's Wolverine V3 Pro (£199.99 / $199.99 / AU$349.95).

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Nacon Revolution X Unlimited controller features and design

Being specifically for Xbox and PC players, it's no surprise that the Revolution X Unlimited features the standard A, B, X, Y buttons, with two joysticks, a D-pad, a 3.5mm audio jack, an Xbox button, a menu button, a share button and a start button. There are also the standard shoulder buttons, adjustable back triggers, and six additional buttons, two on the top of the controller and four on the back, where your fingertips end up. What isn't standard, even for premium controllers like the Elite Series 2 or 's , is that both the joysticks and triggers are hall effect, meaning not only are they more precise, they're also much more durable and far less prone to the dreaded joystick drift. I'm looking at you, .

The buttons feature micro-switch components, too, so they have a lovely, satisfying sound, although they don't sound quite as good as they do on the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro. As you would expect, there are loads of customisation options included in the box, including three sets of weights which I didn't use personally, but I know a lot of players who prefer that experience. You also get 6 joystick heads, 2 D-pads, a storage case, and four joystick rings, so if you don't get on with the controller out of the box, you can customise it exactly how you'd like. You also get a smart, if slightly basic, charging dock included too, so you can store your device and charge it at the same time. Neat!

Without doubt, though, the most unique and most useful feature is the LCD screen, which gives players the ability to customise the controller's performance on the fly. It's not some superficial feature either, no sir, because you can change things like the joystick deadzones, button mapping, audio settings, vibration modes, battery saving options and even different joystick response curves. It's genuinely extremely helpful, particularly for gamers who switch from games like EA FC 25 to Call of Duty and then Elden Ring in the same session, like me, for example! You can also do this in the desktop PC app, but the ability to do it on the controller itself is a game-changer. And I'm not finished, because there are also four profiles per platform (Xbox and PC) that you can customise and quickly switch to with the press of a button.

The controller has Xbox Wireless, 2.4GHz, and Bluetooth (although only to Android devices). The wireless connection is available via an included dongle, which, according to Nacon, has as low as 2ms latency (although it's locked to 4ms on Xbox), slightly more than the 1ms you get via a wired connection.

Nacon Revolution X Unlimited controller performance

No matter which genre of game I threw at it, the Revolution X Unlimited was superb. The joysticks were brilliantly reactive and accurate, as you would expect from Hall Effect joysticks, with the buttons, bumpers and triggers being much of the same. But that's only half the story, really, because it delivers this performance whilst also being incredibly comfortable. Despite being slightly larger and heavier than some alternatives, it sat perfectly in my hands, and thanks to the high-quality rubber on both sides of the controller, which goes all the way up to the top of the body, it has a real quality feel in the hands.

In fact, the only issue I had with the controller was the battery life. Nacon advertises a 10-hour battery life, and although my testing backed up their claims, this is still average at best, especially considering Razer's Wolverine V3 Pro offers 30 hours. I understand why, with the screen, of course, being a drainer on the battery, but I did feel like I was having to charge it a lot more regularly than other controllers I've tested. Nacon has tried to negate this somewhat by providing a handy charging dock with the controller, so as long as you remember to put your controller on the dock when you're finished, you probably won't notice the battery life, but it's something to bear in mind.

Nacon Revolution X Unlimited controller verdict

Overall, the Nacon Revolution X controller is the best Xbox and PC controller I've ever used, offering superb performance and great comfort. Plus, the fact that it has a screen that allows you to change settings on the fly is genuinely a game-changer. So much so that when I've used another controller after the fact, I've really noticed, and missed, having that feature available.

Despite its relatively poor battery life, the fact that you get a charging dock included does negate this somewhat, and the controller's impressive performance in all other categories means I can't mark it down for what is a minor inconvenience, all things considered. It's a premium controller, with a premium price, but it's by no means the most expensive on the market, making the Revolution X controller a truly standout option, despite being in a saturated market.

Nacon Revolution X Unlimited controller rating: 5/5