I would never claim to be anywhere near the level of a «pro» gamer, and I always thought high-end controllers like Sony’s DualSense Edge and Microsoft’s Xbox Elite were a bit overkill. I considered them great for the pros and streamers, but not worth the money for everyday gamers like me.

Then Turtle Beach, PDP’s parent company, sent me its Victrix Pro BFG controllers, and my eyes were opened. The controllers certainly haven’t turned me into a superstar gamer, but they’ve absolutely convinced me that they offer benefits for nonprofessionals that make the extra cost worthwhile. The granular levels of customization combined with the superb in-hand feel make for a highly compelling pro-level experience, making it one of the best console controllers I’ve tested.

What I like about the Victrix Pro BFG

The design is top-notch

For me, one of the most critical aspects of a controller, if not the most, is how it feels in my hand. I have small hands, so my palms and fingers need to sit comfortably on the controller and easily reach all the buttons. I also prefer solid, tactile feedback that lets me know my input registered. I use a mechanical keyboard during the day, so I’m simply used to reliable, clicky feedback from my devices.

The Victrix Pro BFG controller nails that aspect. When I unboxed it, I was a bit worried at first that it would be too big, but after a few hours with it, that worry vanished. It’s almost exactly the same size as a PlayStation DualSense controller and just slightly longer than an Xbox controller, but its ergonomics feel better in my hand. The added rubber grips on the handles also help. It weighs slightly more than either first-party controller at 298 grams (10.5 ounces), but I hardly noticed.

PDP makes two versions of the Victrix Pro BFG — one for Xbox and one for PlayStation — and both are officially licensed by Microsoft and Sony. The designs are mostly identical, with some minor functional exceptions. The only major difference is the touch panel on the PlayStation controller in place of the Xbox button. Unlike the Xbox controller, the PS version also has a PlayStation logo on the function button.

From a design perspective, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a DualSense or Xbox controller. The Victrix Pro just feels so great to hold and use for prolonged periods. I gamed for hours with it and my hands never got tired, unlike they would with the DualSense controller.

Another nice bonus is that the Victrix Pro BFG’s battery life is solid as well. It beats the DualSense Edge controller handily (which isn’t hard to do) with a 2,000mAh battery and a stated 20-hour play time. That lines up with my testing. The Elite Series 2 controller gets closer to 30 hours of battery life, so it may not quite get there, but 20 hours is still respectable.

Customization is the name of the game

While I love the design of the Pro BFG controllers, their functionality is what truly sets them apart from almost every other controller out there. It’s not too uncommon now to see controllers that let you replace the sticks and possibly the D-pad, but PDP lets you swap out entire control modules, giving you deep levels of customization across the whole controller.

Two modules can be swapped out: the left module houses the left stick and D-pad, while the right module houses the right stick and X, Y, A, B (or PlayStation) buttons. Using the included screwdriver, you can physically remove the entire module. You can rotate them to change the position or even replace them.

PDP includes a fightpad module with each controller, which swaps the right analog stick and buttons with a six-button layout designed for fighting games. These buttons are flat and slightly larger, and also add RB and LB buttons for quicker reach.

Extra modules are sold separately with Hall Effect triggers and buttons so that you can upgrade your gameplay even more. And they include two additional D-pad layouts, two additional thumb sticks and two different gates for the thumb sticks.

For connectivity, there’s an included USB-C cable and a 2.4 GHz wireless dongle, and the Xbox version also has Bluetooth. Both models will work with PCs, but the Xbox version also works with compatible Bluetooth devices. The Xbox controller supports the Series X and S, Xbox One and Windows 10/11 PCs, while the PlayStation controller supports the PS4, PS5 and Windows 10/11 PCs.

Not only can you customize most of the buttons physically, but you can also remap them via the Victrix Control Hub for Xbox and PC. In the app, you can map nearly every button to a different input and diagnose and calibrate any issues with the buttons, joysticks or triggers. It can also store up to three different profiles on the controller to quickly switch your layout between games. For example, jumping between game modes and maps on a game like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, or even loading up an entirely different game.

The Pro BFG has a five-position trigger stop to set the depth wherever you want. This was huge for me as it drastically reduced my response time and improved my performance in Halo Infinite, Black Ops 6 and other shooters. I instantly noticed a big difference in my gameplay after I adjusted them.

Lastly, both controllers have solid audio enhancements. The Xbox controller supports Dolby Atmos, while the PS version supports Sony 3D audio on PS5. They both have low-latency audio and support for EQ profiles and customization.

What I don’t like about the Victrix Pro BFG

For all that I like about these controllers, they aren’t perfect. The first thing I noticed was that the PC app is a bit buggy. It also looks like it was designed for mobile devices, as the UI is big and spread out, and feels a little like an app that’s still in beta.

The only other downside for me was trying to use the Hall Effect module in the right slot of the Xbox controller. Once installed, it bugged out pretty hard and acted like I was constantly pulling the left trigger. This seems to be a known issue, though, going back at least several months, so who knows if or when it will ever get fixed.

Worth every penny

I consider myself somewhere between a casual and hard-core gamer. I’m a bit more advanced than someone who just logs on occasionally to kill a few brain cells, but I’m far from a pro — or even particularly good. And I can say that every aspect of my gaming was improved when using the Pro BFG.

The feel in the hand, the immense customization options and even the simple addition of back buttons have made playing games much more enjoyable. The BFG isn’t cheap, but it is competitively priced — at least the base package is. At $180, it’s more affordable than the DualSense Edge, only about $20 more than the Elite Series 2 and cheaper than many other pro-level gaming controllers. However, most of the latest pro-style controllers, like Razer’s Wolverine V3 Pro, come standard with Hall Effect sticks and triggers, which can increase longevity and keep drift in check. You’ll have to pay an extra $40 for the module to add that feature to the Pro BFG. 

You’re paying a little more for the modularity, but if you want to improve your gaming experience, the PDP Victrix Pro BFG is absolutely worth it.