Review – Nacon Pro Compact

April 14, 2021October 16, 2021 Pendragon

Courtesy of the folks at Nacon I’ve been taking an in depth look at the Designed for Xbox wired Pro Compact controller. This programmable controller works with Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC as well, providing a versatile option for those looking for further input.

The Basics

Like most 90s kids, I grew up with a slightly irrational fear of the dreaded third-party controller. Stemming from a time where pretty much every non-original controller was a little lightweight and plasticky, it’s given me an aversion to them which has lasted to this day. In fact, as far as I can remember it’s been over twenty years since I last used a controller which didn’t come with one of our consoles.

Putting trepidation aside. When I was offered the opportunity to review this programmable wired controller, I decided to give it a chance, and I’m really glad I did. While it doesn’t contain all the swappable bells and whistles of controllers such as Microsoft’s own Elite or Thrustmaster’s eSwap Pro, it’s available for roughly 70% less than the premium options.

For around £45 at the time of writing, the Nacon Pro Compact controller is fairly cheap to grab, and functionality across multiple platforms means that it’s seen a lot of use here in Pixel Bandits towers.

Functions

The Nacon Pro Compact is an officially licensed controller, and comes with a nice selection of features for the price point, including:

Ergonomic, textured grip
Programmable buttons and sticks
15% size reduction vs standard controller
3 metre braided cable

Genre-specific presets
Dolby Atmos for Headphones
On-the-fly switch between custom and standard controls
3.5mm audio jack

While it is third party, a sleek enough design means that it manages not to feel too alien

The addition of Dolby Atmos, which works well with pretty much any wired headset, provides a lovely audio boost to your gameplay as well. Alongside the easy switch customisation to button layout and trigger and stick ratios, the ability to have Atmos functionality within headsets gives an added audio edge to competitive play.

The Pro Compact app for Xbox Series X|S works really well, with easy customisation to ensure you get what you need from the controller. The rear two-way switch lets you switch your custom profile on or off at any point, making it really easy to take advantage of as and when you need.

I’ve been using the Nacon Pro Compact controller for a mix of titles, and I’ve found it has given some noticeable differences to gameplay, predominantly noticeable in FPS and racing genres. Whether you are looking to play competitively and gain an extra edge, or just want to upgrade your solo play, it’s definitely one which is worth a look.

The Run Down

Build – Great: While the controller does have a certain “old person phone” look about it, the actual build quality is rock solid. I’ve got absolutely no concerns with this one giving up on me unless it takes a serious thrashing from the Micro-Bandits.

Storage – Good: The three-metre USB cable for the Pro Compact does mean that you can get some good distance between you and your console or PC. Sadly this does also make things a little more awkward while storing, as it’s a significant amount of cable to find a home for.

Price – Good: The hardware doesn’t go out of its way to feel lavish, but it still provides a customisable experience which significantly undercuts premium controllers. With a decent saving even against regular controllers it’s not going to break the bank, and the multi-platform compatibility means that if you have the hardware, this one could see an awful lot of use.

It doesn’t *not* look like an old-person phone, but my old-person fingers are becoming more ok with that

Overall the Pixel Bandits verdict for the officially licensed Nacon Pro Compact controller is Grab It!. If you’re in the market for a new controller for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S or even PC, this one is a good shout. The lack of wireless functionality may mean that it’s just not on your radar anyway, but if you’re happy with a wired controller we’re pretty happy with this one.

Looking back at my reluctance to take on a third-party controller, I’m really glad to have given this one a chance, as it’s managed to remove that 90s kid “ick”. It’s especially handy for the young micro-bandits, with the 15% size reduction meaning it fits a little nicer in their teeny tiny little bandit hands.

With fully programmable buttons, sticks and triggers with easy genre-specific presets, Dolby Atmos and an easy way to turn customisation on and off on the fly, I’ve got a lot of love for this one. It might not be the absolute cheapest controller you purchase this year, but with a solid build, and great functionality, it definitely has a shot at being the best.