Evil Controllers has been in the game for quite some time now, manufacturing both a pre-set series of Pro Controllers for sale, as well as the ability for players to customize their own however they see fit. I’m sure a lot goes into not only the design of the controller, but also the feel, as it has to be more than a good-looking peripheral for any serious gamer to consider.
Fortunately, Evil is up to task, based on the new Red Skullz Pro Controller that the team recently sent us to review. It’s pretty much built in a similar manner to the Xbox One controller – I mean, why change something that works? – but has a couple of notable extras that people will definitely take note of.
First, let’s talk about the build of the control itself. The glossy finish on the controller is very nice, feeling just as smooth as other models you’d find in the Xbox market (with the exception of the Elite, because, well, that’s just an industry standard at this point). I did notice some slight warps on the back of the controller, but something tells me that’s just a one-time thing. The build itself is very good, and it looks nice sitting next to other controllers on your shelf.
As for durability, there are a couple of things to point out. The D-pad, triggers and analog sticks are all excellent, with fast response time to games like Titanfall, Call of Duty: Black Ops III and Tom Clancy’s The Division, with nary a misstep. However, there’s a unique choice with the face buttons (A, B, X and Y), as they have more of a “clicky clicky” effect than the mushy feel that we’ve gotten from Microsoft’s controller.
It’s a curious choice, if only because you can hear the buttons press in while you use them – and some may be concerned over their long-term durability. But the buttons worked extremely well through a number of playtests, and something tells me that Evil Controllers made the choice just to have something different. They perform accurately enough that you probably won’t notice, though.
Finally, let’s talk about the real standout feature – the installation of four action buttons on the bottom of the pad, right where your fingers rest on the grips. This is a neat little idea, where you can perform actions without letting your right thumb do all the work. This is bound to become a favorite feature for hardcore players that want to give their thumb a rest, although it takes a little getting used to when it comes to discovering which button does what with your favorite games. Still, the buttons perform wonderfully, so no complaints there.
As for controller designs, there are a number available, including Blue Urban, Sticker Bomb, Glossy White, the one we got (the Red Skullz, loosely based on Gears of War) and others. It depends what you’re in the mood for, but the Blue models, along with Red Skullz, look fantastic. But no matter what you choose, you get a mostly solid controller with a reasonable build and well-functioning buttons.
Evil Controllers has adapted well to the peripheral game over the past few years, and its new Xbox One line (which includes the Red Skullz one just reviewed) seems to be amongst its best yet. While I’m still a bit curious as to the choice of face buttons, this is a peripheral that’s well worth the money – and if you need a good custom controller to go along with your Elite. (C’mon, you know you have one, or want one.)
