Despite it being a modicum of an upgrade over its predecessor, the Vixtrix Pro BFG Reloaded is one of the best competitive controllers you can get for the PlayStation 5.
I love my Victrix Pro FS Fight Stick. It is easily the best fighting arcade stick I own, but realistically, sometimes, it feels like a chore having to make the space required to use it, not to mention the fact that I am a controller user, so having to switch my brain into fight stick mode, after not having used one in a while, can take some time to get used to. Enter the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded, the follow-up to the already excellent controller released back in 2023.
For the uninitiated, the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is a professional-grade controller featuring a hot-swappable fight pad and controller module, which can drastically change the feel of the game pad, making it a chameleon of a controller fit for any genre. Swapping modules on the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is easy with the included screwdriver, which features a special bit that makes it simple to identify and chuck into the included carrying case that ships with Victrix’s latest offering.
Outside of the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded controller itself and its included carrying case, prospective buyers can expect to find a high-quality braided USB-C cable, similar to the one included with the Victrix Pro FS Fight Stick, along with an extra controller button module to swap out with the stock PlayStation 5-styled one, and finally, two additional ring covers for the analogue sticks that sit on the face of the controller.
In terms of aesthetics, the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is essentially unchanged from its 2023 counterpart—at least on the surface. It sports a grey and white accent on the white variant, giving the controller a slightly more understated look. The more significant updates lie within the device, specifically in the stick and trigger mechanisms, which now feature hall-effect sensors designed to reduce wear and extend longevity. The modular design of the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded also allows for easy replacement of parts if something goes wrong, similar to Sony’s DualSense Edge controller.
“The Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is a professional-grade controller that features a hot-swappable fight pad and controller module, which can drastically shake up the feel of the game pad, making it a chameleon of a controller fit for any genre.”
Speaking of the Dualsense Edge, the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is a similar controller in terms of pricing, while offering fighting game fans and FPS players a more robust set of customization options, with better battery life (around 25 hours) at the cost of a lack of haptics and gyro. In other words, the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is a no-frills, pure performance-based controller designed for use with competitive games, such as Street Fighter and Tekken.
On that note, the included button module for the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded features large face buttons and the R1 and R2 bumpers as buttons placed on the same axis on the face of the controller, making it ideal for fighting game players who want an experience more reminiscent of something like the Sega Saturn/Genesis six button layout, or many of the old school Hori-branded fighting game pads offered offered over the years. In terms of the D-pad, the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded comes with three options: a traditional cross-style directional pad, a flat-hexagonal pad, and a hybrid disc with distinct cardinal markings. I personally gravitated towards the hybrid disc, as it felt closest to the hovering D-pad found on SEGA-style controllers.
“All in all, this latest refresh is only a slight iteration on the already solid controller, making it only worthwhile for newcomers looking for a good controller to use in competitive situations.”
Sticks with variable heights, trigger stops, programmable back bumpers and a satisfying actuation when pressed round out the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded, completing the package. Overall, this latest refresh is a modest iteration of an already solid controller, making it worthwhile mainly for newcomers seeking a reliable option for competitive play. The lack of haptics and gyro controls limits its appeal for casual players or those who want to use it for PlayStation 5 exclusives that rely on the DualSense Edge’s advanced features. Even so, Victrix set out to design a controller for core players—and has succeeded.
If I had to nitpick, the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded could have used a few more upgrades, as it is by and large the same controller on offer from 2023, specifically, a higher polling rate would go a long way in giving players the peace of mind in knowing that they’re playing with a controller with as little latency as possible, particularly for a device that requires a dedicated dongle or wired USB-C connection to operate (no turning on the PS5 from rest for you).
At the end of the day, the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded improves upon the already stellar controller put out by the company in 2023, making it ideal for newcomers or those wanting a second controller to keep around for fighting games or other competitive-style sessions.
