Turtle Beach Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded Review - Modular Excellence
The world of premium controllers just keeps expanding. It seems that there are new entries in the category almost every month. Some go for a high-end feel with the standard configuration, some go for innovation, and some try to entice with the latest lag-free technology. Very few seem to tackle all three, that is, except the Turtle Beach Victrix Pro BFG controller, a device that lives on the edge when it comes to tech, design and new features in a way that no other controller out there does.
Let me start by diving into what’s in the box. There are bits and bobs everywhere. This is because this is easily the most customisable controller I have ever used. With the provided tool, you can change the sticks from the standard Xbox-style asymmetrical configuration to the symmetrical PlayStation configuration, based on your preference. The other big customisable option is that you can remove the standard four buttons and thumbstick on the right of the controller and replace it with a six-button layout for fighting games, similar to what you would find on the six-button Mega Drive controllers of yore. This is wild, and while it is for a very limited group of gamers, the fact that you can do this is something I just have to applaud.
None of these customisable parts would be any good if the build quality were second-rate. Thankfully, that is not the case. The screw-in nature of the parts means that there are no plastic clips to wear or rubber seals to break. I can’t see these connectors breaking, especially considering that most people won’t be swapping the configuration all that often. In more good news, the tool has a standard hex head on it, which means that should you lose it, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a replacement at your nearest hardware or electronics store.
Further customisation options include three different d-pads and two different thumbstick sizes, all of which are easy to swap in and out. It all comes in a nice tidy case, tucked neatly away so you can keep all the bits and pieces together and hopefully not have them end up as random crap in your shit drawer (you know you have one.) Speaking of the d-pad. This is frankly the best d-pad I have used. It is often such an underrated part of a controller, especially in this day and age, but here it is wonderful. Combining that with the six-button layout means that this is easily the best controller for fans of Street Fighter, Tekken and Mortal Kombat. It isn’t quite as good as having an arcade stick or leverless fight controller, but it is certainly more practical and cost-effective while still providing an excellent device for your dragon punches and fatalities.
All the other buttons and sticks are of equal high quality. Like many of the high-end controllers, the depth of the triggers can be adjusted. Most controllers use a switch for this, but the Victrix Pro uses a spring system on the back of the controller, which makes it easy to swap on the go once you are used to the positioning. It is a novel change and one that works well, though I do worry that due to its spring-loaded nature, it may be susceptible to wear over time. The other slight problem I have is with the position of the rear buttons. This may be a personal thing (as these problems often are), but I found I accidentally bumped the rear buttons way more than I would have liked. The positioning just seemed a little off for my large hands.
I used the Victrix Pro with both my PC and my Xbox Series X and got excellent performance out of both. It can be connected via USB, Bluetooth, or the vastly superior 2.4Hz dongle, which provides super low latency. I honestly couldn’t tell the difference between the wired connection and the dongle, something that I can usually spot in fast-paced action games. Bluetooth is, of course, an inferior option for a controller connection because of the slight delay, but it is nice that it supports it for people who want to use the controller on a Smart TV or other such device.
I really liked the feel of the controller in my hand, too. The textured grips and shape of the wings both show some smart design, and I loved the nice size of the share and option buttons, something that no other controller I have ever used does. Usually, my fat fingers struggle to hit those small buttons, but here it was not an issue at all. What’s more, the designers have managed to include these much bigger buttons without sacrificing the size of any other part of the controller, which is a win for all gigantic-handed folks out there without alienating those with a smaller glove size.
Finally, the whole package is tied together with an easy-to-use software app that allows for button customisation. Here, users can adjust what the rear buttons do, set up effects, play with audio settings and adjust the deadzones. It is a solid little app that does everything power users expect without being too complicated for those who don’t usually fiddle with these sorts of things. To top everything off, the Victrix Pro is retailing for about $310, more expensive than the Xbox Elite Controller but about $40 cheaper than both the Razer Wolverine and ROG Raikiri, so its price is certainly competitive in the market.
The reality is that this is an expensive controller, but it is one that offers more than just about any other option on the market. The Victrix Pro BGF sports a high build quality, smart design and market-leading customisation options at a price that comes in under its main competitors. My only slight concern is that there is a possibility for wear and tear down the road with some of the parts. Only time will tell on that score, but from my time with the controller, I think that it is unlikely. If you are shopping for a high-end controller right now, I strongly suggest getting your hands on the Victrix. It is unlike anything else out there and is all the better for it.
