HexGaming Hex Rival PS5 controller review: A high price for minor revisions

The DualSense controller is without doubt one of the superb portions of the PS5 and is ceaselessly introduced up when any individual talks about “next-gen” era. Sadly, lots of the superb PS5 controllers in the marketplace presently are older PS4 fashions that occur to be suitable. If you wish to get probably the most from your PS5 video games that fortify haptic comments and adaptive triggers, you want a DualSense controller. Different firms have not in reality made third-party controllers particularly for the PS5 but… till now.

Smartly, type of. HexGaming’s Hex Rival PS5 controller is successfully a DualSense in each and every approach, form, and shape. The largest distinction is a again attachment that provides two remappable paddles. In a way, it is nearly as though HexGaming modeled this after the again button attachment for the DualShock 4 controller, and in truth, that is what it looks as if. It is a modded DualSense. That works in its choose in many ways for the reason that DualSense is already an impressive controller, however other folks will have to be expecting a lot extra if they are going to spend just about $300 on a glorified replica.

HexGaming launched the Hex Rival in June 2021 for $290, and it is recently simplest to be had on Amazon and thru HexGaming’s personal site. There are about 18 designs you’ll be able to make a choice from, all of which come on the similar price. Those designs vary from undeniable colour swaps like white, black, yellow, purple, and silver, whilst others are extra distinctive, that includes other patterns like the nice wave, nebula galaxy, and magic area.

Hex Rival PS5 controller: What I appreciated

As I discussed within the earlier phase, the Hex Rival controller is available in about 18 other designs. A few of them are downright unpleasant, personally, however I used to be fortunate sufficient to obtain the best-looking one to study, the nice wave. If it were not for the shiny textures of the faceplate, which make it tougher to carry for longer sessions of time — sweaty arms are a factor — it might make for a near-perfect design. It seems to be unbelievable; it simply is not nice for lengthy gaming periods.

Having the similar precise shell as a DualSense controller additionally works in its choose. Sony already nailed the shape issue, and because the adage is going, “if it ain’t broke, do not repair it.” A part of me is susceptible to hope that HexGaming had put a bit of extra effort into making a novel controller, however I will’t fault them for the use of a attempted and true design.

The bread and butter of the Hex Rival is the again attachment that sports activities two additional paddles. Those will also be mapped to fifteen buttons (X, O, Triangle, Sq., Up, Down, Left, Proper, L1, L2, R1, R2, L3, R3, Touchpad) and are simple to remap. All you want to do is press and hang the small button at the again for a couple of seconds prior to the LED indicator glows purple. As soon as it is purple, simply hang the button you want to remap and the rear paddle concurrently. Press the small button at the again of the attachment once more, and you can have stored your settings. With out a supported app, I respect how easy the entirety is.

Regardless that the Hex Rival controller is claimed to come back with six-in-one interchangeable thumbsticks with 3 other heights, I did not obtain those in my bundle, so I will’t pass judgement on how they would have an effect on the controller. Having interchangeable thumbsticks is all the time a plus in my guide, although, as it lets in extra gamers to search out the easiest are compatible for themselves. As great as the usual thumbsticks at the DualSense are, one dimension does now not are compatible all.

Hex Rival PS5 controller: What I did not like

The remappable again paddles are a web sure in my guide, however they are not preferrred. I discovered that they have a tendency to be too delicate, such a lot in order that I might be continuously urgent them on twist of fate when I used to be preserving the controller in my herbal grip — and thoughts you, this might occur if the facet of my finger calmly brushed towards the button. The slightest quantity of drive, and it clicks. That is an issue for evident causes. Nobody desires to inadvertently press buttons in the course of a sport, particularly on a controller dubbed the “final esports controller.”

In relation to the DualSense’s signature adaptive triggers, the Hex Rival takes them out of the equation by way of including a hair-trigger reaction, lowering the space it takes to sign up a press to only 2mm. Whilst it does “save treasured time in aggressive video games,” as HexGaming places it — which I do know some will respect — additionally it is now not one thing that you’ll be able to flip off or deactivate. You are caught with the ones hair triggers, which means that you will not really feel the stress of the adaptive triggers.

And I might be remiss if I did not point out its price. At $290, it is insanely dear for what you might be purchasing. If it have been perhaps round $100, I may just see it being a good acquire, however now not on the price it is recently introduced.

Hex Rival PS5 controller: Pageant

The Hex Rival’s greatest pageant is what Sony already gives, the usual DualSense controller. No longer simplest is it significantly better, personally, however additionally it is a fragment of the price at $70. It won’t have the additional again buttons, however I believe that is a good trade-off for its running adaptive triggers.

There also are top rate controllers which might be suitable with PS5, although they were not particularly designed for it: the Astro C40 TR, Scuf Vantage 2, and Razer Raiju. Whilst additionally they would possibly not fortify adaptive triggers or haptic comments in the similar approach that the DualSense does, they are one of the superb PlayStation controllers ever made.

Hex Rival PS5 controller: Will have to you purchase it?

You will have to purchase this if …

• You completely will have to have additional again paddles
• You in reality need any of the designs they provide
• You will have nearly $300 to throw round

You should not purchase this if…

• You do not want to spend a ton of cash
• A same old DualSense is excellent sufficient for you

3
out of five

I will respect that parts of this controller, like its hair triggers, have been designed for esports and aggressive gaming — it is not constructed for informal gamers. But if they take away one of the superb options of the DualSense to make it an “esports controller,” I don’t believe the sacrifices are value it. What would have made it nicer is that if the controller had a handbook toggle to turn on/deactivate its hair-trigger responses, just like the Astro C40 TR.

Or even relating to aggressive gamers, I’ve a difficult time recommending this understanding that businesses like Razer, Astro, Scuf, and extra are most probably running to construct their very own high-end PS5 controllers within the coming months. Because the previous has confirmed, each and every of the ones firms makes very good merchandise which might be greater than easy money grabs. For $290, that is onerous to suggest to any individual these days.