Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

The best third-party video game controller is about to get even better

Giovanni Colantonio
By
A Victrix Pro BFG and all its parts sit splayed out on a table.
Giovanni Colantonio / Digital Trends

The Victrix Pro BFG is getting an upgrade in the form of new modules that feature Hall Effect joysticks. Those who own the modular controller will be able to purchase the new pieces in early 2024 either as a a two-pack or individually.

Released last year, the Pro BFG is a unique third-party controller that allows players to swap out several components on the fly. That includes taking out its joystick modules and slotting in a fight pad, or switching the orientation of the sticks to match PlayStation and Xbox layouts. Victrix will not double down on that design by releasing a standalone module that replaces its joysticks with those using Hall Effect technology.

Recommended Videos

If you’re not familiar with the concept, Hall Effect joysticks have become a popular alternative to analog in recent years. The technology uses magnets to detect stick movement, which means that components inside a controller don’t actually touch. As a result, Hall Effect joysticks tend to be more resistant to general wear and tear, avoiding dreaded drift issues. The Pro BFG will offer those sticks in new modules that can be slotted into the current model, no upgrade needed.

Related

Victrix plans to launch the modules in 2024. Pro BFG owners will be able to buy a set of two for $40. Individual left and right joystick modules will be available as well, with pricing yet to be determined. They’re scheduled to launch in early 2024.

It’s a small upgrade that shows the potential power of modular gaming tech (something we saw this week in Sony’s new PS5 models). Rather than replacing a full controller when a joystick drifts, Pro BFG owners will be able to fix theirs up and upgrade for much cheaper. It’s a strong selling point for the controller, which Digital Trends called “the best PS5 controller you can buy right now” in a 2022 review.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Giovanni Colantonio
Giovanni Colantonio
Section Editor, Gaming
Giovanni is a writer and video producer focusing on happenings in the video game industry. He has contributed stories to…
How we test video game consoles
Living room with Microsoft Xbox Series X (L) and Sony PlayStation 5 home video game consoles alongside a television and soundbar.

For a long time, video game hardware cycles were pretty straightforward. You’d only have to worry about three major video game systems and a handheld or two at any given time. It was possible to own pretty much every major piece of gaming tech released in a generation without going into debt.

The gaming hardware landscape has significantly changed in the 2020s, though. You’ve got consoles and their frequent upgrades, VR headsets, handheld PCs, cloud-streaming devices, quirky indie hardware, and much more. It can be extremely difficult to keep track of it all and know what’s worth buying. Luckily, you don’t have to; we’re here to help.

Read more
The best multiplayer games on the Xbox Series X
how to get ashen keys in sea of thieves chests

Multiplayer games are certainly at their best on the current-gen systems. With the power of the Xbox Series X, we're seeing online experiences that were never possible before. Killer graphics, smoother frame rates, and slick loading screens make this the best time to jump into a game with your friends. The only question becomes: What game will you play?

Rather than being strapped for choices, you'll find that there are way too many options for multiplayer experiences on the Series X. Rather than waste your time and money on a lackluster or half-baked title, check out this list of the best multiplayer games that you and your friends should jump into.

Read more
I can rest — my search for the ultimate PC gaming controller is over
The Scuf Reflex controller sitting among several other controllers.

I have over a dozen controllers that I cycle through often. These aren't just relics from past consoles, either; they've all been on a quest to find the one controller that I want to pick up and use. Scuf's Reflex controller has ended that search.

If you're unfamiliar, Scuf has a long history of building premium controllers, but the controller custom shop for the most intense (and well-off) gamers has felt less necessary over the past several years. Xbox has continued to iterate on its Elite Series 2 controller, and although Sony was late to the party, we now have the DualSense Edge pulling its weight as a premium controller for PlayStation fans.

Read more