Ah, Nacon – how we love your quest for domination of the gaming accessories market.
Whether that be a headset, a mobile controller for Game Pass use or that of the everyday standard pad offerings, there’s no doubt that Nacon have got their fingers in many a pie.
With the Nacon EVOL-X Pro Controller for Xbox and PC, they’ve tried to muscle in on the lower end of the market, delivering a product that is high in quality but easy on the wallet. If that was the brief back at Nacon HQ, then it’s time for the bonuses to be handed out.
The very first thing that you’ll notice about the EVOL-X Pro Controller is the weight. We’ve been using this alongside our Elite Series 2 controller, and frankly, the difference in feel when in hand is astounding. Some 330 grams make up the components of the Elite Series 2, but Nacon have managed to bring the EVOL-X PRO in at more than 100 grams lower – 227 grams by our reckoning. It’s something that allows you to use this controller for hours at a time, without ever placing any strain on your hands. For some, that low weight may feel cheap, and accompanied by the slightly tappy-tappy plastic feel, many could well be put off, but stick with it and you’ll find a controller that more than rises above the initial cheap feels.Â
From there, things just get bigger. This is a larger than standard Xbox controller, with just a smidge of an increase over what you may be used to; in height, width and depth. If you’re one of those who prefer a smaller pad for your console gaming needs, you may therefore struggle with this one, but on a personal level we’ve found it to be absolutely fine; slightly different, but fine. Consider that size increase, and the whole ‘lower weight’ angle is even more impressive.
A wired controller that runs USB-C to USB-A, the rest of the Nacon EVOL-X Pro is as you would expect of any Xbox related controller. The face buttons are extremely tactile, again, ever-so-slightly larger than standard. Meanwhile, the thumbsticks run a nicely concaved upperside to ensure that you should find just enough grip. There is a differing texture on top of each of the sticks though, and we much prefer the texturing and vibes of the left stick over the Nacon-logo feel of the right; it just seems a bit grippier in use. Both are extremely clickable in the L3 and R3 extremes though.
We also like the trifecta of Menu, View and Share buttons, with the Xbox Nexus button slap bang in the middle of the three. They are easy to hit without worry and ensure that the controller itself looks decent. We’re also big fans of the oversized, highly textured, vibration-filled triggers. These are quite probably the largest triggers we’ve seen on an Xbox controller – and we’ve used a good few controllers – and in use are extremely welcome. Whacking down the throttle as we come out of a hairpin bend in Forza Motorsport is an absolute breeze.
But that said, we’d have preferred the bumpers to feel as good. Alas, they don’t. A little too small for our liking, untextured and a bit ‘soft’ in use, we’ve never really felt at one with them. Similar goes for the d-pad – that seems to be the one real letdown with the Nacon EVOL-X Pro Controller, basic at best.
Keeping positive though and overall, the Nacon EVOL-X Pro feels great in the hand. It comes with a soft touch top face, which is a joy to behold. We had initial thoughts that this may scratch up a bit over time, but we’ve been using the EVOL-X Pro for a good few weeks with nary a hint of a mark on that front face. It allows for the controller to come across with a higher quality feel than you may expect. That soft touch is complemented very well by a fully textured rear, ensuring that keeping grip of this thing is never an issue.
Also around the back are a couple of remappable back buttons (S1 and S2), working in conjunction with the rear-mounted multi-function button. A simple set-up, holding that multi-function button for a few seconds starts a flashing LED and from there all you need to do is hit the programmable button, followed by that of which you want shortcutting. We’ve found it an easy enough thing to put in place, utilising those rear-mounted remaps to aid our gaming prowess. Occasionally.
With the detachable USB cable sitting pretty on the top of the controller, running at some three metres in length, an integrated 3.5mm audio port and the whole thing vibrating away as you game thanks to the inclusion of four vibration motors, if you’re after a cheap, but well kitted out new Xbox controller, you’d do well to have this one on the consideration list.
Highlights come in the form of the feel, the weight and those brilliant triggers. If something could be done to increase the quality levels of the d-pad and bumpers, whilst throwing in some wireless action, Nacon would be on to an absolute winner with the EVOL-X Pro Controller for Xbox.
Huge thanks go out to Nacon for providing the EVOL-X Pro Controller for Xbox. Grab one for yourself from Nacon direct. You’re looking at the equivalent of €39.90.
