When it comes to alternatives to the PlayStation 5's DualSense controller, there haven't been any. Now, that's changing, as Scuf Gaming has revealed the first third-party PS5 gamepad. Corsair's subsidiary brand has three different variants available--the Reflex, Reflex Pro, and FPS--offering programmable rear paddles, "improved thumbstick design" and extra thumbsticks, anti-friction rings, low actuation triggers (for the FPS model), or just compatibility with the PS5's adaptive triggers (Reflex models). These controllers pack a premium price, much like the Xbox Elite Controller, starting at $199.99 for the Reflex, $229.99 for the Reflex Pro, and a whopping $259.99 for the FPS.

The first wave of controllers have already sold out, though Scuf promises more in the near future, along with faceplates, customizable thumbstick placement, and different color patterns. The Reflex Pro has already launched, while the other two models will be releasing in 2022.

● Four rear, remappable paddles that can be configured to 12 functions
● Profile Switch allows you to save three remapping configurations for different games
● Adaptive triggers, from the PS5 DualSense™ controller, changes force and tension to improve in-game immersion (Reflex and Reflex Pro only)
● High-performance grip for advanced comfort and endurance (Reflex Pro and Reflex FPS only)
● Instant triggers and bumpers alleviate pull distance for faster activations (Reflex FPS Only)
● Wireless connectivity to play comfortably from a distance
● Improved thumbstick design and material for more grip and durability
● Interchangeable thumbstick options, including long, short, domed, and conclave, for optimized fit
● Removable faceplate trim to swap colors and thumbsticks easier
● Anti-friction rings for smoother, more controlled thumbstick movement
● Mute your headset at the tap of a button
● Built-in rechargeable battery, charged via USB Type-C

Source: GBAtemp Press Inbox

 

[rantex92]

scuff are just overpriced hunks of plastic ... hope razer will bring back a og 2015 wired raiju/wildcat for the new gens

 

[Tsukiru]

That orange.... isn't pleasant.

Edit: I didn't even notice the starting price of 199.99?!

 

[NyaakoXD]

I'm kinda surprised that it took this long for a third-party controller to appear.

 

[Plazorn]

You could get one of those modded ones for cheaper

 

[Asia81]

Lmao almost half the real price of the ps5

 

[DKB]

lol that price is fucking nuts

 

[Lazyboss]

Who's out of their minds to buy this overpriced controller?

 

[pedro702]

lol the price is ridiculous imo.

 

[Xzi]

More like scum gaming, amirite?

Seriously though, they slap some back paddles on a DualSense and think that makes it worth $200? Hopefully they're in for a rude awakening where sales of this thing are concerned.

 

[Foxi4]

More like scum gaming, amirite?

Seriously though, they slap some back paddles on a DualSense and think that makes it worth $200? Hopefully they're in for a rude awakening where sales of this thing are concerned.

There’s a whole lot more that goes into a Scuf controller than just “paddles”, they’re a market leader in terms of high-end tournament controllers for a reason. This price tag isn’t out of the ordinary for them, and it will sell like hotcakes. In fact, as per the article, the first wave has already sold out. This isn’t a third-party controller the guest kid gets to use because someone’s parents were too cheap to buy a second original pad, this is a dedicated eSports pad. By the looks of it, there isn’t a single part on this controller that wasn’t custom-made or modified in some way, the “average consumer” isn’t the target demo for this kind of thing, it’s for people who want to squeeze every inch of performance out of a gamepad.

 

[Julie_Pilgrim]

scuff are just overpriced hunks of plastic ... hope razer will bring back a og 2015 wired raiju/wildcat for the new gens

>overpriced hunks of plastic
>says razer is better
i kek'd

 

[Xzi]

There’s a whole lot more that goes into a Scuf controller than just “paddles”

Oh sorry, it also has a profile switch and swappable thumbsticks. That's totally gotta be $130 worth of materials there eh?

This price tag isn’t out of the ordinary for them, and it will sell like hotcakes. This isn’t a third-party controller the guest kid gets to use because someone’s parents were too cheap to buy a second original pad, this is a dedicated eSports pad.

I give it a year until it's half off. The DualSense already feels quite premium on its own, gonna be a tough sell to anybody who isn't already a pro gamer.

 

[Foxi4]

Oh sorry, it also has a profile switch and swappable thumbsticks. That's totally gotta be $130 worth of materials there eh?


I give it a year until it's half off. The DualSense already feels quite premium on its own, gonna be a tough sell to anybody who isn't already a pro gamer.

I mean, you can say that if you want, it certainly didn’t take any steam out of the Xbox Elite controller’s sales, and the price tag isn’t dissimilar. Scuf will be just fine, as they have been for many years now. If you have trouble finding a real life analog to a custom controller like this, think sneakers. There’s no practical reason why a pair of shoes should cost four figures, and yet here we are. You’re paying for attention to detail, quality materials, perfect assembly and QC of each and every controller that leaves the assembly line and custom features that are tested and approved for eSports leagues, unlike household mods which are overwhelmingly banned in competitive play. It’s the difference between a Fiat and a Mercedes - they’re both cars, they have four wheels and they’ll both take you places, but one is objectively better than the other. It’s not for me either, I’m happy with my vanilla Dualsense, but for someone who aspires to enter eSports leagues this is obviously an investment in maximising their performance.

 

[Xzi]

I mean, you can say that if you want, it certainly didn’t take any steam out of the Xbox Elite controller’s sales, and the price tag isn’t dissimilar.

True, but I'm pretty sure those have been sale priced a number of times by now as well.

It’s not for me either, I’m happy with my vanilla Dualsense, but for someone who aspires to enter eSports leagues this is obviously an investment in maximising their performance.

I mean is it though? Seems like that would be more a placebo effect than anything else, given that games are always gonna be designed with the standard DualSense in mind.

 

[Foxi4]

True, but I'm pretty sure those have been sale priced a number of times by now as well.

I mean is it though? Seems like that would be more a placebo effect than anything else, given that games are always gonna be designed with the standard DualSense in mind.

This is the spaghetti factory argument. Just because the games are designed with a specific controller in mind doesn’t mean that it cannot be improved, otherwise custom or modded controllers wouldn’t be a thing and people wouldn’t carry around their arcade stick setups to tournaments because “the console comes with a perfectly good controller in the box”. Everything depends on how you play, just a hair-trigger alone as seen in the Reflex FPS can be worth the price of admission for some players, especially in a competitive settings where the length of your trigger pull can be the difference between fragging and getting fragged. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Xzi]

This is the spaghetti factory argument. Just because the games are designed with a specific controller in mind doesn’t mean that it cannot be improved, otherwise custom or modded controllers wouldn’t be a thing and people wouldn’t carry around their arcade stick setups to tournaments because “the console comes with a perfectly good controller in the box”. Everything depends on how you play, just a hair-trigger alone as seen in the Reflex FPS can be worth the price of admission for some players, especially in a competitive settings where the length of your trigger pull can be the difference between fragging and getting fragged. Different strokes for different folks.

Oh I can totally understand purchasing genre-specific peripherals like arcade sticks or racing wheels, but it's a lot harder to justify paying a premium for something so closely resembling and mimicking the stock controller. Granted the hair trigger does seem like the one potentially useful addition here, so it figures they'd charge an extra $50 for that alone.

 

[shaunj66]

Someone needs to make a DS4 shaped PS5-native controller.

I don't know what it is but the dualsense just doesn't sit right with me.

 

[pedro702]

so the features dont list the rumble? does this not have the dualsence rumble in it?

 

[x65943]

Someone needs to make a DS4 shaped PS5-native controller.

I don't know what it is but the dualsense just doesn't sit right with me.

The face buttons are way too far apart