Pro controllers feel like a dime a dozen these days, with each platform now having its own first-party option, like the DualSense Edge for the PlayStation 5 or the Elite Controller for the Xbox Series X/S. In many ways, these controllers do give players the edge, thanks to customisable triggers, swappable controls and even additional buttons found on the sides and back of the controller.
Now make no mistake, there’s nothing wrong with a standard controller for either of those platforms, but if you’re into competitive gaming of any sort, you might want to give the Turtle Beach Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded Wireless Modular Controller a look.
It sounds like a mouthful, but that name is about as long and diverse as the features you’re getting, not only from customisable controls and additional buttons, but also a solid, well-built controller that is equipped to tackle any gaming scenario.
Keep in mind that while this controller is available in both PlayStation and Xbox variants, we reviewed the PlayStation version of this controller and will therefore refer to specific PlayStation-based commands throughout the review.
Design
As far as controllers go, the design of the Pro BFG Reloaded is as clean as it gets. I mean, there’s actually plenty going on, but none of the controllers feels wasted in terms of their space and placement. Both variants of the controller are available in Black and White, but aside from the default analogue stick placement, they share the same design.
In the box, however, you’ll get a bunch of additional options to mess around with and customise the controller to your liking.
You’ll notice as soon as you open the included hard shell carry case (nice touch), that there’s even an additional fighting module, essentially replacing the right analog stick with the right shoulder buttons (in this case R1 and R2) now on the face of the controller. Aside from this, you’ll find two analogue stick guards, which limit movement to one of eight directions. While this won’t please everyone, it’s a massive deal for competitive fighting fans.
Beyond this, you’ll find one shorter dome-capped analogue stick for increased responsiveness, and a longer standard analogue stick for more precise aiming, along with two directional pad replacements, if the included one isn’t to your liking.
I always opt for the more standard cross design, but the standard flat pad included on the controller is once again a much better option for fighting game fans.
You’ll find the USB-A adapter for wireless play on either the PlayStation 5 or PC, and an Allen key driver to help replace parts and modules on the controller, which is a relatively smooth process. There’s even a 3m braided USB-A to USB-C cable for wired play or charging the controller.
On the top of the controller, you’ll find a dedicated switch that, while incredibly small and hard to read, allows you to change between PS5, PS4 and PC platforms.
The back of the controller holds four nicely placed buttons, which can be programmed as additional commands. Finally, there are two sliding toggles for adjustable trigger settings and a dedicated button to switch between saved profiles. Just below that, there’s another specific toggle to switch between wired and wireless connectivity.
It might seem like I’m rambling on here, but I feel like that’s the point. The fact that there’s so much to go through only really highlights the specific customisable options you have at your disposal, which is a huge deal for competitive gamers.
Performance
The Pro BFG Reloaded is a fantastic controller when it comes to performance. I’ve obviously highlighted its crazy customisable nature, but the inclusion of things like Hall-Effect thumbsticks to essentially eliminate stick drift is a huge bonus.
While the controller is missing the DualSense’s adaptive triggers, I can tell you right now that they are always off when I’m playing something competitive like Call of Duty anyway. In that respect, there are five specific points the trigger can be locked at to help it feel more responsive. Simply push the trigger in while holding the slider around the back of the controller, and release the slider where the trigger feels most comfortable. I’ve been using R2 at its highest, most sensitive Hair-Trigger option, and it’s made a massive difference for me personally.
The modular design of the Pro BFG Reloaded controller, while specific, is great for those playing competitively across multiple genres. The swappable sticks do feel a little tricky to get off and replace, in the sense that they need only be pulled right off and clicked in to be replaced, but unscrewing the modules is honestly a breeze.
With the included Allen key, you only need to unscrew the left and right screws before the module pops out safely. While I mentioned the PS5 and Xbox versions have different stick placements, you can indeed turn the left module upside down if you like the asymmetrical analog stick placement of the Xbox controller, which is a nice touch.
However, I do have a few small gripes. I’ve tried as hard as I can to find the answer, but at the time of writing, it seems as though the Pro BFG Reloaded cannot turn the PS5 on remotely. It’s something I’m extremely used to, and given the nature of the dedicated USB-A adapter, it just doesn’t seem like it’s an option.
Secondly, without a quick setup guide, it is a little tricky to learn how the buttons on the back work, especially because they’re not labelled in any meaningful way. The central Profile button on the back of the controller with two human silhouettes on it can actually do a bunch of things, including switching between three saved profiles for various customisable commands and even activating a Tournament Lock mode, which enables you to actually lock the system-centric buttons like Options and Share, which can actually disqualify you during tournaments. But unless you read the guide, there’s really no way to know that from the controller itself.
Beyond these gripes, it’s hard to complain. There’s a decent 2,000mAh battery for up to 20 hours of gameplay, and an audio jack for wired headsets that supports PlayStation 3D Tempest audio. You can hold the profile button on the back of the controller to remap buttons on the fly, all of which is mighty helpful for PlayStation users, which we’ll get into soon.
This is undoubtedly a fantastic controller built for all kinds of games and experiences, even if the more competitive gamer will explore and customise it to its full potential.
Software
While the Victrix Control Hub app can be downloaded for free on both Xbox and PC, there’s no such app for PlayStation users. This means you’ll unfletkoy need to head over to your PC in order to get the most out of the controller when it comes to a range of customisable options, and even more importantly, firmware updates for both the controller and USB-A dongle.
While you can actually hold the Profile button to remap commands on the fly, the dedicated software also allows you to recalibrate and test every single command on the controller. Once again, a rather important feature, more so for competitive gamers, but an important feature nonetheless.
It’s not the most interesting app, but it’s easy enough to navigate and customise to your liking. While I relied on the local Profile button as a PlayStation user to help swap commands, it’s nice to see that Xbox users can also download this from the Xbox marketplace instead of having to go back and forth between a PC.
Verdict & Value
While most of these features feel geared towards competitive gamers and, more specifically, fighting game fans, there’s no doubt that the Pro BFG Reloaded feels solid and versatile enough to compete strongly with the likes of something like a DualSense Edge or Elite Controller.
The real question is not how good of a controller it is, but more so if it’s the right fit for your gaming needs.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Solid build quality that feels great in the hands; Modular design is easy to customise; Buttons can be remapped on the fly; Made for competitive gamers
Lowlights: No dedicated software on the PS5; Toggle and Profile buttons feel like a bit of mystery without the setup guide handy
Manufacturer: Turtle Beach
Price: A$339.95
Available: Now available at JB Hi-Fi and via the official Turtle Beach website.
Review based on unit provided by Turtle Beach.
