Victrix has launched the Pro BFG and Pro BFG Reloaded, a pro controller for PS5 and Xbox. MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann has tested both models and explains where the differences lie and which controller he can recommend.
The company Victrix, which now belongs to TurtleBeach, is known primarily for its controllers. With the “Pro BFG” series, they have brought pro controllers to the market that are highly customizable: many components can be swapped and easily replaced.
In everyday life, I have tested both a model for the PS5 and a model for the Xbox. Does the Reloaded feel better than the old model, and for whom is the controller particularly worthwhile? You can find all the details in this review.
Product in review, quick overview:
- Contents, design, and construction
- Victrix Pro BFG vs Pro BFG Reloaded
- Processing
- Software
- Ergonomics, weight, and battery life
- Gameplay
- Conclusion
Who tested it?
Benedikt is a tech editor at MeinMMO and has been testing hardware for readers for many years. He tests mice, keyboards, headphones, and pretty much everything you can use with a computer, console, or other devices.
Transparency note: The two models were provided to MeinMMO by TurtleBeach for testing.
Benedikt Schlotmann
Hardware editor MeinMMO
Here you can find the technical details in table form (click to expand):
| Design/Interface | Wired, Bluetooth, or wireless connection |
| Button Type | Micro switches (Pro BFG) or Hall effect switches (Pro BFG Reloaded) |
| Programmable Buttons | Yes |
| Lighting | No |
| Compatibility | PC, PS5 / Xbox (depending on the model) |
| Included Accessories | Pro BFG Wireless Controller with USB Wireless Dongle, Reversible D-Pad and left analog stick module; button and right analog stick module; 6-button fight pad module, 3-meter braided USB-C cable, interchangeable D-Pads, sticks, and gates, carrying case, module exchange tool |
| Special Features | Modular and interchangeable buttons |
| Price (RRP) | 199.99 Euro (Pro BFG) or 199.99 (Reloaded) |
Contents, design, and construction
Positive: Protective case, plenty of accessories | Negative: Strong smell upon unpacking | Neutral: Rear buttons instead of paddles; battery not removable
What’s included? In addition to the controller itself, Victrix has equipped the device with a generous set of accessories:
- A USB dongle for connecting to the PS5, without the dongle, a connection to the PS5 is not possible.
- A 6-button fightpad module
- Transport and carrying case for the controller, including USB-C charging cable.
- Additional, differently high button caps (so-called gates and caps) and interchangeable D-Pad buttons.
Annoying: The unpacked controller had an unpleasant plastic smell for the first weeks. It eventually faded away, but it wasn’t pleasant. This applied to both the Pro BFG and the Reloaded controller.
Design and construction: The special thing about the controller is that the model is modular: You can remove the thumbsticks including the buttons as a module, rotate or even swap them. In the case of partial defects, you can easily replace these parts.
Thus, you can also transform the normally symmetrical design of the PS5 controller into the asymmetrical design of the Xbox model and vice versa. This makes the controller very dynamic and flexible. The conversion, by the way, is child’s play: With the included screwdriver, you can remove the screws, then remove the module and insert a new one.
It’s a pity that Victrix opts for buttons instead of paddles on the back of its BFG series. Paddles generally feel more ergonomic and intuitive. But that’s often a matter of taste.
Victrix Pro BFG vs Pro BFG Reloaded
What are the differences? The most significant difference is the “Hall Effect” modules, which are said to be significantly more durable than the conventional stick modules. Otherwise, you get a more or less identical controller with the same haptics and functions. This applies to both the PS5 and Xbox version of the Victrix Pro BFG (Reloaded).
This also means: If you already own the standard Pro BFG, you can also buy the “Hall Effect Module Pack” for around 40 euros and receive the upgrade of the Reloaded model. Currently, you can get the module pack only directly from TurtleBeach.
Victrix Pro BFG (Reloaded): PS5 vs Xbox
Are there differences? Yes, there are a few important differences. One is the buttons: on the Xbox model, you find the Xbox glyphs, on the PlayStation model the PlayStation buttons.
Furthermore, the difference concerns the software: You can install the Victrix Control Hub on PC and Xbox. If you want to use the controller on the PS5, you must do this beforehand on a PC.
On the other hand, with the Xbox version, you get a lifetime “Dolby Atmos” subscription, which you can use on PC and Xbox with the controller.
Otherwise, you get an absolutely identically constructed controller: the haptics and technology are identical, at least I couldn’t notice any significant differences in everyday life.
Processing
Positive: Hall effect switches (Reloaded), modular components | Negative: – | Neutral: Fixed battery; a lot of plastic
The controller is primarily made of plastic. This makes it feel less premium than, for example, the official DualSense Edge for PS5 or the Elite 2 for Xbox.
Basically, you can disassemble the controller into several parts and remove all pads and thumb buttons. However, you cannot remove the battery. A decision I find unfortunate but find forgivable when looking at the other components.
While the standard Pro BFG uses micro switches, you get Hall effect switches with the Reloaded model. These offer a significantly higher longevity as no moving parts are used.
Software
Positive: Extensive settings possible | Negative: Victrix Control Hub only available on PC; software only available in the Microsoft Store | Neutral: –
With the Victrix Control Hub, you can configure the controller in detail. The problem: The software is only available on PC and Xbox. Therefore, you inevitably need a PC or laptop to adjust the controller in detail for the PS5. I could not find or install the software on the PS5.
Also annoying: You can only get the software through the Microsoft Store. This means you have no chance of installing the software on Linux.
Through the software, you can adjust the L2 and R2 triggers, for instance, to customize the dead zone for triggering the triggers. Additionally, you can set up various profiles, which you can then switch on the controller. The only prerequisite is that you have set up the profiles on the PC.
Ergonomics and Weight
Positive: Lighter than the competition, ergonomics very flexible | Negative: | Neutral:
How heavy is the controller? The Pro BFG officially weighs 298 grams. This makes it both heavier than the official DualSense (280 grams) and heavier than the official Xbox controller (277 grams).
At the same time, the Victrix model undercuts the official pro models: The official DualSense Edge weighs 325 grams, and the Elite Series 2 even weighs 345 (+15) grams.
This makes the Pro BFG a very good alternative if all the official pro models are too heavy for you. If you play for an hour, you won’t notice much of the weight, but if you play for several hours, you will immediately feel the 20 to 40 grams less.
Ergonomics: When it comes to posture and ergonomics, the Pro BFG is very flexible, as you can rearrange the buttons and thus design it completely freely. Since the basic ergonomics strongly resemble the official PS5 and Xbox controllers, you don’t have to completely retrain.
That’s how it was for me in practice: Since I mostly played with the DualSense Edge on the PS5 before, the switch was not a big problem. My wife plays a lot with the official Xbox controller and has smaller hands, for her, switching to the Pro BFG was not an issue as both are very similar.
Gameplay: Brilliant Modularity, Good Haptics, Annoying Software
Positive: Module exchange easy and fast, good haptics/grip, snappy and adjustable triggers | Negative: Adjustments only possible on PC/Xbox | Neutral: Rear buttons a bit getting used to; higher latency over wireless, almost nonexistent via cable.
How does it play? Both the Pro BFG and Reloaded provide a very good haptic experience. The rubberized surface provides a good grip, so the controller doesn’t slip from your fingers. Not even when things get hectic.
What I find most annoying is that the software for the controller is not natively supported on the console: If I want to change settings, I have to do so on the PC. Here, the DualSense Edge is clearly at an advantage: Its software is natively integrated into the PS5 interface, and it couldn’t be easier.
One point that should also be noted: There is a slight latency over the wireless connection, which can be measured at least via software: Here the latency ranges between 12 and 16 ms. Over cable, the latency is rather between 6 and 8 ms. As an average player, you won’t notice much of this, but if you’re a professional athlete, the 5-8 ms difference can be noticeable.
On the Xbox, you also have the software available directly on the console. Here I spare myself the intermediate step via the PC.
In everyday life, however, the modularity feels brilliant, even if I don’t use it that often: Once I’ve adapted the controller to my hands and set up the modules, the controller stays that way. For everyday use, the modularity may not be that important, but it has clear advantages for long-term durability: If a part does break, it can easily be replaced – at least if Victrix/Turtle Beach sells replacement parts.
Conclusion: Recommendable upgrade if you don’t own a pro controller
For whom is the controller worthwhile? The market price of the standard controller for PS5 and Xbox is around 120 euros, for the Reloaded version, you pay 150 euros. If you do not yet own a Pro BFG, definitely opt for the Reloaded model. The Hall effect sticks feel significantly better and promise longer durability.
For the DualSense Edge, you currently pay around 180 euros, while the Elite 2 Wireless is already available for 140 euros. The Pro BFG Reloaded is somewhere in between. Overall, I just prefer the paddles of the large competitors over the back buttons of the Pro BFG, but you get better haptics and Hall effect sticks. The triggers also feel more precise.
If you already own a pro controller for PS5 or Xbox, you may not get anything new with the Pro BFG (Reloaded), otherwise, you get a very good alternative with enormous configuration options and lighter weight than the official controllers.
Alternatives:
- On PS5: The official DualSense Edge offers native integration in the PS5 and has interchangeable thumbsticks. The controller is expensive, but in my opinion, worth the money.
- On PC/Xbox: The Scuf Valor Pro Wireless offers TMR sticks, great trigger buttons, and a good battery life. The software is less convincing.
- PC/Xbox/PS5: The Wolverine V3 Pro is now under 200 euros, here you get a comfortable controller with good battery life. However, the Synapse software is annoying on PC.
More controllers: If you are looking for more controllers for your console or PC, check out the following buying guide directly on MeinMMO: You can find more controllers in our buying guide for controllers for PC and Xbox.
