Looking to elevate your competitive edge with a high-end Xbox and PC controller? Nacon thinks the answer is the Revolution X Unlimited, a premium wireless controller aimed squarely at the serious gamer. Between its striking feature list, hefty customisation options, and some truly next-gen tech under the hood, it’s clear this isn’t your average gamepad. But does it justify its steep price tag? After extended testing and dozens of hours across various genres, the answer might be yes.
All the right moves
First off, let’s talk fundamentals, because at its core, this is a fantastic controller. Nacon’s Revolution X Unlimited sticks to the familiar Xbox/PC layout, so there’s no learning curve. It does feel slightly larger and bulkier than a standard Xbox controller, but in the best way possible. The build feels solid, and the anti-slip coating ensures it stays comfortably in place during long sessions. The buttons are made from pro-grade components and offer a clicky, mouse-like responsiveness that’s hard to go back from once you’ve felt it.
The joysticks, meanwhile, use magnetic Hall Effect technology, which greatly reduces internal wear and lowers the long-term risk of stick drift. They also feel extra precise and nicely weighted. The triggers are slightly larger and positioned closer together, delivering a snappy, responsive feel that’s perfect for shooters or racers.
To really put it through its paces, I played RoboCop: Rogue City from start to finish using the Revolution X Unlimited. I can confidently say it’s the most ergonomic controller I’ve ever used. Across multiple play sessions, it felt like a natural extension of my hand, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the game without ever having to think about the hardware.
Shortcut to Success
Of course, even with near-perfect joysticks and pro-level buttons, the Revolution X Unlimited wouldn’t fully justify its premium price tag on core build alone. What sets it apart is what comes after the basics, a suite of advanced customisation options that go a long way toward elevating the gameplay experience.
The controller features six programmable shortcut buttons, designed to adapt to your preferred playstyle. Two of them sit alongside the standard triggers, which might appeal to players who favour a top-heavy grip. Personally, I found those a bit less convenient than the other four, located on the inside of the handles, which fall naturally under your middle and ring fingers for quick, intuitive access.
These shortcuts can be mapped directly from the controller’s onboard screen, which makes on-the-fly changes remarkably simple. No need to dive into software menus or pause your game. These tweaks might seem minor, but they can offer a serious edge in competitive scenarios. For instance, I’ve always dreaded pressing L3 or R3 in tense action moments, as I often end up unintentionally nudging the joystick while trying to click it. Remapping those functions to one of the shortcut buttons solved that problem instantly and made accessing those inputs far more natural in the heat of the moment.
Another standout feature is the Instant Trigger Blocker for the LT and RT buttons. These mechanical switches can be toggled on or off in seconds, letting you transform a traditional analogue trigger into a fast, mouse-like click. Even better, each trigger can be adjusted independently. In RoboCop: Rogue City, I kept the left trigger fully analogue for zooming (which felt more natural) while setting the right trigger to blocker mode for rapid, responsive shooting. The result? Faster reactions, tighter control, and a setup tailored exactly to how I like to play.
Physical Mods and Deep Software Tweaks
As if a top-shelf controller with fully customizable shortcut buttons wasn’t enough, the Revolution X Unlimited takes personalisation even further. Starting with the physical side of things, you get a set of spare parts that let you tweak how the controller feels in your hands. The handle grips can be opened easily, no tools required, to insert different weights. While it’s not something you’ll likely adjust often, it’s a nice touch for players who prefer a heftier or lighter feel. I started out using the heavier 16g weights, but eventually settled on the 10g set. A 14g option is also included.
Joystick customisation is another strong point. You can swap out the stick shafts to alter the joystick range and add extra resistance if you prefer more feedback. Three shaft sizes are available, and like the weights, they’re simple to install. The Revolution X Unlimited also comes with both concave and convex stick heads, letting you mix and match depending on preference. Even the directional pad isn’t fixed. You can swap between a classic 8-directional D-pad or a 4-directional one, depending on what feels right for the games you play. It’s all modular, intuitive, and refreshingly tool-free.
And for players who want even more control, there’s the Revolution X Unlimited app available for both PC and Xbox. Once connected via wired mode, you can dive deep into profile customisation from dead zones and sensitivity curves to trigger response and vibration intensity. Up to four profiles can be saved and toggled with the press of a button on the controller itself, making it easy to switch setups between games or playstyles. Personally, many of the options went beyond what I needed, but I can absolutely see how competitive players, or those looking to get there, could benefit from the fine-tuning. For some, adjusting a curve or response threshold might be the difference between a win and a loss.
Battery Life, Connectivity, and Travel-Ready Design
Connecting the Revolution X Unlimited to an Xbox or PC is as simple as it gets. The controller includes both a low-latency wireless dongle and a separate charging dock, so setup is plug-and-play on either platform. Battery life clocks in at around 10 hours, which should easily cover a full day of gaming. Just drop it onto the cradle at the end of your session, and you’ll be ready to go the next day. Need even more uptime? You can always switch to wired mode, which also offers the lowest possible latency for those situations where every millisecond counts.
One clever extra is the controller’s ability to mix audio from multiple sources. When connected in wired or wireless paired mode, you can link the Revolution X Unlimited to a Bluetooth device (like your phone) and pipe that audio through the controller’s built-in 3.5mm headphone jack. Game audio and, say, your favourite podcast can play simultaneously, and the mix between the two is adjusted directly from the onboard screen. It’s a surprisingly useful feature that makes multitasking feel effortless.
For players on the move, Nacon includes a premium travel case that fits everything neatly: the controller, dongle, spare parts, and cables. It might feel a little extra at first, but it’s a welcome inclusion, especially for pro or competitive players headed to events. This isn’t the kind of controller you casually toss into a backpack, so having a sturdy, well-designed container feels appropriately high-end.
Conclusion
This is, without question, the best pro controller I’ve had the chance to use, full stop. From now on, Nacon’s Revolution X Unlimited will be my go-to for Xbox gaming. Yes, the price tag is on the steep side, but for those looking to elevate their play, the investment feels justified. Once you’ve experienced this level of comfort, responsiveness, and customisation, it’s hard to imagine going back to anything else.
