Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Controller: Customizable Comfort with Some Shortcomings

For our final controller review on TouchArcade, I've been thoroughly testing the Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition across my Steam Deck, PS5, and PS4 Pro for over a month. Before diving into this review, I was eager to explore its modular capabilities, having previously enjoyed the Xbox Elite (1st generation) and DualSense Edge. The Victrix Pro BFG piqued my interest with its promise of versatility and customization.

Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition Controller – what’s in the box

When you purchase a controller, you typically expect just a cable and perhaps a charging stand. However, the Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition goes above and beyond, offering a comprehensive package. Inside, you'll find the controller itself, a durable braided cable, a high-quality protective case, a replacement fightpad module optimized for fighting games, two gates, two replacement analog stick caps, two d-pad caps, a screwdriver for modifications, and a blue wireless USB dongle. Everything is neatly organized within the premium case, which complements the Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition's vibrant aesthetic. Note that themed accessories might not be available for separate purchase, but I'm hopeful that Victrix will offer them soon.

Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition Controller compatibility

The Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition is officially compatible with PS5, PS4, and PC. As I've moved away from Windows, I was particularly interested in its performance on the Steam Deck. Setting it to PS5 mode and using the dongle with my Steam Deck Docking Station, it worked seamlessly without requiring any updates. For console players, the same dongle is necessary for wireless play, toggling between PS4 and PS5 modes. I experienced no issues on my PS4 Pro and PS5, making it an excellent choice for cross-platform testing.

Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition Controller features

The modular design of the Victrix Pro BFG is its standout feature, allowing for a symmetric or asymmetric stick layout, a dedicated fightpad for fighting games, adjustable triggers, thumbsticks, and d-pads. This flexibility means you can tailor the controller to suit different games; for instance, I used the symmetric layout for Katamari Damacy Reroll and switched to an Xbox-style asymmetric setup for DOOM Eternal. The trigger stop adjustment is particularly useful, enabling quick toggles between analog and digital trigger support for various gaming genres. The multiple d-pad options enhance versatility, though I prefer the default diamond shape for most games. However, it's important to note that this controller lacks rumble, haptic feedback, adaptive trigger support, and gyro/motion control, which can be a drawback for some players. The included four paddle-like buttons are a nice touch, which I mapped to L3, R3, L1, and R1 for games like Monster Hunter World.

Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition Controller look and feel

Aesthetically, the Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition dazzles with its bright and bold colors, featuring light blue, pink, purple, and Tekken 8 branding. While it might not match the elegance of the standard black model with purple highlights, it stands out as a visually appealing themed controller. Comfort-wise, it feels good in hand, though it's a bit lighter than I'd prefer. The material quality varies from premium to satisfactory, not quite reaching the luxurious feel of the DualSense Edge but offering a comfortable grip for long gaming sessions.

Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition Controller on PS5

On the PS5, keep in mind that while this is an officially licensed controller, it can't power on your console, a common limitation for third-party controllers. Additionally, it lacks haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and gyro features. However, it does include touchpad support and all essential buttons, including the share button, making it a versatile choice for PS5 gaming.

Victrix Pro BFG on Steam Deck

As mentioned, the Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition works flawlessly on the Steam Deck with the dongle plugged into the official Docking Station. It's recognized as a PS5 Victrix controller, with the share button functioning for screenshots and the touchpad working as expected in games with PlayStation controller support.

Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition Controller battery life

One of the most significant advantages of the Victrix Pro BFG over the DualSense and DualSense Edge is its superior battery life, lasting significantly longer on a single charge. The touchpad logo also serves as a convenient low battery indicator, which is particularly useful on the Steam Deck.

Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition Controller software

Unfortunately, I couldn't test the software as it's exclusive to the Microsoft Store, and I no longer use Windows. However, it works out of the box on Steam Deck, PS5, and PS4. I was disappointed to find that it doesn't work on iOS devices, whether wirelessly with the dongle or wired.

Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition Controller negatives

The controller has several notable drawbacks, including the absence of rumble, a low polling rate, the lack of Hall Effect sensors in the standard package, and the requirement of a dongle for wireless connectivity. The absence of rumble may not bother everyone, but the polling rate is a significant issue for a "Pro" controller. Additionally, while Victrix now sells Hall Effect sensor modules, they're not included with new purchases, and the available modules don't match the aesthetic of the Tekken 8 edition.

Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition Controller Review

After logging over a hundred hours across various platforms and games such as UFO 50, Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Persona 3 Reload, I've come to appreciate the Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition's capabilities. Despite its high price, the controller offers a lot but is held back by a few critical issues: the lack of rumble (potentially due to Sony restrictions), the need for a dongle, the extra cost for Hall Effect sticks, and the polling rate. These limitations prevent it from being a perfect "Pro" controller, but it still earns a strong rating.

Victrix Pro BFG Tekken 8 Rage Art Edition Review Score: 4/5

Update: Added more information for the lack of a rumble feature.