Following our review of the NACON Revolution 5 Pro earlier this year – Nacon’s flagship controller for PS5 – we now turn our attention to the updated Nacon Revolution X Unlimited, designed for Xbox and PC.
Nacon appears to have aimed for a comprehensive feature set with this controller. Specifications reveal an impressive array of capabilities, including Hall-effect sensors in both joysticks and triggers, interchangeable weights, an integrated LCD screen, and a total of six additional programmable buttons. However, the critical question remains: does this extensive feature list translate into a genuinely competitive controller capable of challenging top-tier alternatives, or does it risk feature bloat? This review will explore its performance.
First Impressions
The Revolution X Unlimited arrives with a comprehensive accessory package. This includes the controller itself, an elegant charging dock, a dedicated USB dongle, a lengthy braided USB-C cable, and a durable storage case.
The included storage case, however, is notably large.
Compared to the case for Microsoft’s Elite Series 2, it appears almost twice as large. Furthermore, a design oversight is the absence of an opening to facilitate in-case charging of the controller.
The substantial size of the case is attributed to its capacity to house the additional box containing interchangeable weights and buttons.
Installation
Our installation process began by connecting the controller via a wired connection to an Xbox console to download the requisite companion application for configuration. The initial critical step was a firmware update, which proved to be exceptionally challenging and fraught with persistent issues.
On multiple occasions, the application would unexpectedly close prior to initiating the update. In other instances, the update process would fail prematurely. We replicated these issues on a second Xbox console. After numerous attempts involving cable swaps and system restarts, the firmware update eventually completed unexpectedly.
The controller incorporates a small central LCD screen capable of displaying battery level, active profile, and audio settings. While responsive and intuitive to navigate, its functionality is somewhat limited. For example, remapping of the back buttons is not directly achievable via the screen and must instead be performed within the companion software.
Battery Life & Charging
A compact charging dock is provided, offering an alternative to direct charging via the USB-C cable. Frequent charging, however, proves to be essential. While specifications claim approximately 10 hours of playtime, our testing yielded a more realistic 7–9 hours. Recharging times are also substantial; expect around 6 hours when using the charging station and roughly half that duration with a direct USB-C connection.
In comparison to Microsoft’s Elite Series 2, which claims 40 hours of battery life and typically provides around 30 hours in practice, the disparity in endurance is notably substantial.
Performance During Gameplay
While prior observations may suggest criticisms, the paramount factor for any controller is its performance during gameplay. Nacon has implemented Hall-effect sensors for the analog sticks, a technology utilizing magnetic fields that theoretically eliminates “stick drift.” These sticks offer exceptionally smooth and precise movement. However, a significant drawback is the remarkably low resistance, which hinders fine, precise adjustments crucial for competitive FPS titles.
The ABXY buttons and D-pad represent arguably the controller’s most robust features. The ABXY buttons are marginally larger than standard and employ tactile microswitches, delivering highly satisfying tactile and audible feedback. The D-pad also features a responsive, clicky mechanism, providing excellent precision.
The triggers also leverage Hall-effect sensors, providing a smooth and precise feel. The integrated “trigger-stops” function operates effectively and is a beneficial inclusion. Diverging from the paddle designs common on Xbox Elite controllers, Nacon has embedded additional buttons directly into the grips. Regrettably, this implementation proves less successful. The upper buttons are challenging to access without altering one’s grip, while the lower buttons are positioned so flush that they are both difficult to discern tactilely and prone to accidental actuation. While adaptation is possible, it requires a significant period to retrain muscle memory.
From a performance standpoint, the controller exhibits excellent responsiveness and low latency, whether connected wirelessly or via cable.
Conclusion
The Nacon Revolution X Unlimited presents a mixed performance profile. Its D-pad and primary buttons are arguably among the best available on any controller. However, the analog stick resistance may not suit all users, despite their high precision, and the positioning of the back buttons requires a period of adaptation.
A significant drawback, however, is the companion software. Its initial setup is cumbersome, it exhibits notable instability and bugs, and the overall user experience is suboptimal.
Furthermore, the battery life is considerably inadequate for a controller in this price segment. The recommended retail price is 2000 kr.
NACON sent review copies for this test. Material providers have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with our readers and consumers in focus.
