A new, officially licensed PlayStation 4 'pro' controller has been revealed, this time from Scuf Gaming. The company's known for crafting custom pads, and the Scuf Vantage comes with all of the bells and whistles that you'd expect. Except the left analog stick is stuck up at the top. Ugh.
To be fair, the Vantage sounds pretty impressive. Here's everything it does broken down into neat little bullet points:
- Side-mounted right and left ‘Sax’ buttons – designed to fit the natural placement of a player’s fingers and provide additional configurability
- Removable faceplate – makes it easy to change thumb sticks & personalize the controller
- Advanced audio control for wired connection – a simple swipe of the audio touch bar adjusts the volume while players can keep their hands on the controller
- Removable vibration modules – players can reduce the weight of the controller and lessen hand fatigue
- Paddle control system with four removable back paddles
- A quick-access remapping switch
- Customizable thumb sticks with 3 different heights in either a concave or convex configuration
- Adjustable Hair triggers
- Trigger stops and extenders
- Choice of D-pads
- Interchangeable magnetic faceplate
Of course, this isn't the first 'pro' controller that Sony has officially marketed -- we even reviewed the Razer Raiju a while back. But once again, this just makes us question why Sony hasn't made its own 'pro' DualShock 4. Quite clearly there's demand for such a controller and the company's obviously aware of it -- why else would Sony be pushing these third-party pads? It's a query that we'll probably never get a proper answer to.
Anyway, what do you make of the Vantage? Would you rather Sony finally wheel out a luxury controller of its own? Reposition your thumbs in the comments section below.
[source blog.us.playstation.com]
Comments 48
The analogue sticks are in the wrong place.
The RIGHT analog stick is in the wrong place. Screw that placement one every console its so damn awkward for my screwed right hand to reach.
Also, lol, "Wrong" place. Imagine some N64 kid saying that XD
Also the price. $200 for a wireless one, plus this doesn't mention the gyro or other features of the DS4 (Not that any games seem to use them anyway) but adds another touchbar for audio?
Plus, this wireless controller is damn near the price of the SYSTEM! Come on!
There's high quality and then there's....Scuf apparently.
@get2sammyb what would you say if the DualShock 5 comes out and is configured like that?
"why don't Sony just make one"
simple because this way they don't have to spend time and money developing it but they still get money from every one sold, not to mention the money from the company making it
for Sony it's a win-win situation
@Turismo4GT I'd quit my job and get my PlayStation tattoo lasered off.
Should note for $200 the wireless one better have a damn 40 hour battery.
Hopefully Sony launches their own next gen, they’re leaving money on the table. If they did day 1 with the PS5 i’d jump on it (price dependent).
@get2sammyb I agree with you so much!
This position of the analog sticks is the most stupid thing...why would people prefer this? Simmetry is perfection
I prefer that there is a choice of pro controllers. The market then dictates which one is best. Plus sony would charge a extra premium for their controller
@STLamy i don't see how they are leaving money on the table, in order for this to be an officially licensed product the company making it would have had to buy the licence form Sony
plus Sony would also get a percentage of each sale, like i said in my earlier post for Sony it's a win-win situation no development cost for them but still getting money for them
@AFCC because some people have big thumbs and don't want their thumbs to be crashing into one another.
Part of the reason that I disliked the 360 pad is that weird stick placement. I kinda wish there'd be a controller that would let you customize the placement, but that would probably be too much trouble.
@Turismo4GT xD ok...I'm sorry for people with big thumbs, it's still stupid! Makes no sense...if it's because of the thumb thing then just make a larger controller with the analog sticks a little bit farther away!
Having one hand higher than the other is extremely uncomfortable!
I don't want pro controller anymore, it has been 5 year, just make sure ps5 launch with ds5 that has at least double the battery of ds4.
I'm always torn on whether I prefer symmetrical sticks or the classic PlayStation layout. Really like the silver/black look of this one new though.
What's really the point of Sony spending cash and man power to create a 'pro' pad when others are willing to do it for them. This one sounds rather good. Any word of a price?
Hideous. I really hope Sony's official, first-party controllers stick with the symmetrical sticks.
Bad stick placement - this isn’t Xbox people. @Get2SammyB is right. Oh the horrid if this was the PS5 controller. I’d hope they’d get boo’d out in the system announcement.
"The asymmetrical design of the analog sticks is based on ergonomics and the typical use case. The left stick is at the neutral position for your left thumb, while the buttons on the right are at the neutral position for your right thumb. The vast majority of the time, you will be using the left stick and right buttons, so it makes sense that they are positioned for the most comfortable thumb position.
If you were to make the sticks symmetrical, you would have one of your thumbs out of a neutral position for the majority of the time, which is likely to increase fatigue and possibly cause cramping."
I'm used to the Dualshock placement but there is logic behind having the left thumbstick where the d-pad is.
I wish Sony would make their own, more robust pro controller, I'm sick of my standard dualshocks wearing out.
To be honest, this looks like the best Pro controller available for Sony. The thumbsticks are perfectly placed to suit me better although the DS4 is the ONLY symmetrical layout that hasn't caused hand cramps and discomfort from prolonged use.
It does seem 'odd; to me that Scuf are making this - considering they have their own 'Pro' range anyway - including the 'best' of the lot which has the more 'Xbox' shape. It must be the 'best' as Nintendo copied it for their 'Pro' controller too.
I do wonder though how it compares on Price - like I said, Scuf do a few different Pro controllers - inc one that is identical to the DS4 for all those people who prefer symmetrical (aesthetics over comfort ). The BIG issue I have with the other 'Pro' controllers is that they are wired use only and would probably buy a 'Scuf' controller over those anyway. I would want to know how this compares to their own Scuf, build quality and whether it can be used wirelessly too - as well as wired for the extra few ms that can be saved on lag. If this is 'more' expensive and/or wired only, then why not just buy the Scuf controllers they did before - chances are they have a 'colour' combination that you will like...
@get2sammyb tbh I've used both types extensively and have to say I prefer the staggered analog sticks. More comfortable for my freakishly large paws.
Your thumbs are naturally symmetrical. If you hold your hands out in front of you, your thumbs rest in the same position.
This is the correct placement for thumbsticks. Wish there was an option to change their placement on regular ds4 controllers.
Yet another heavily modified Xbox one shell disguised as a PS4 controller.
I never felt like the DS4 thumbsticks felt oddly positioned... Then again, these are probably not designed for people like me, so much as for people who play XBOX on a regular basis, can't adapt to different controller layouts, game competitively... and have deep pockets.
I think SONY makes enough money. Just let some parts of PS demand be filled with 3rd party options (if of quality). They still get a licensing fee.
I honestly think that paying that kind of money for a controller is nuts? And the left analog stick is in the wrong place. My advice; don't be such a try hard, and just get better with the dualshock
What I love about the DS4 design is the way it enables easy, comfortable access to both the D-Pad and the analog sticks. As the D-Pad protrudes less from the rest of the pad than the sticks, it makes perfect sense to locate it closer to the outer edge of the controller. It also makes sense to have the thumbsticks located lower on the controller for easy access (compare: the Wii U pro controller, where the thumbsticks sit at an uncomfortably high location on the controller; symmetrical, but still inferior).
anti-symmetric sticks=FAIL. i'm not really liking where sony's been going with its licensed controller designs, this is the 3rd i think officially licensed design that's mimicked the xbox stick placement. if the dualshock 5 for PS5 has that placement, i am out (at least until they license a 'classic design'). i find that placement awkward as hell.. it's way too cramped for my left hand.
I think they just dont want to. Gives the third party people some sales.. spread the wealth. Like with xbox. There's perfectly good controllers that are just as good as the Elite controller. It's just some people want the Microsoft brand. Plus you can tell how little effort they put into their new controllers as far as colors go.. all grey.. all blue.
Yes! I absolutely want this controller. Sorry, the thumbstick placement makes more sense in terms of FPS/TPS games and generally more comfortable.
Also love that the sticks have ridges! DS4 sticks are slippy as hell.
I always wanted an "Elite" controller like Microsoft has, but for use on Sony's console. I really don't play too many shooters anymore as I used to, but if I do start, I'll most likely buy some thing like this, the stick placement is off putting for me though.
I much prefer the asymmetrical design of the Xbox controllers, i have always found it much more comfortable, up until the PS4. I would automatically buy all third party games on Xbox purely because i found the dual-shocks so uncomfortable to use, but to their credit Sony improved the DS4 massively from the PS3 controller so it doesn't bother me as much any more,.
It's all about preference at the end of the day, i really think all three console manufacturers should offer both styles as official releases from the very start of a consoles life going forward, that's the easiest way of keeping everyone happy no matter which style they prefer, and more choice can never be a bad thing.
@AyanamiReign Got my controller for years nothing wrong with them. 😁
I got two grips on the sticks €2,50. 😂🤣
I almost never use the dpad with the games i play. 😉
Playstation's analogue sticks should be level, period, I'd never buy because of that...
Yay. Another Xbox controller. Whoo.....
Price, dpad, and stick locations (in that order) ruins this for me. Just put paddles on the DS4 and it will be perfect........ no need for this nonsense
No thanks, I'll keep on using my normal PS4 controller, that looks too weird XD.
$200?? LOL I bought the red and blue crystal controllers on black Friday for $39 each! I could understand paying something like $99 for a extra few buttons but $131 more no way.
Pass.
Whether high or low, sticks should be symmetrical in my personal opinion. I just find the lopsided approach to be too uncomfortable.
But either way, no way would I pay more than half the price of the console itself for a single controller.
@FullbringIchigo their leaving money on the table because of the current Pro Controller market on PlayStation. You have XBX Elite controllers selling for around £115, vs this current SCUF which will be priced at £200.
The added cost comes from the “SCUF” name (which granted, seems to be something of question this gen), the markup due to licensing and the current ‘no competition’ situation with Pro controllers on PlayStation.
Development costs isn’t a story argument for backing off imo, due to the current proof of success on competing platforms. If it was a gamble, I’d agree. But this isn’t a gamble, this is a guarantee (XBX Elite Controllers were and still are struggling with stock issues and the Nintendo Pro Controller is always a big seller).
Sony could create this Controller, ship it at the £100 - £120 mark, and laugh. Licensing fees are nothing compared to the profits received for these controllers, and with the current crop of Battle Royale games, I’d say yes, they are leaving money on the table.
1) After 27 years of symmetrical layout controllers and a bazillion hours of play i have never have hand pain or cramping. That is with SNES, PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS4 contollers. The only exception is right thumb pain and swelling after hours of thumb mashing the SNES controller while playing Super Mario World. 8 hours of GTA games no pain, no cramps, and no wishing my sticks were asymmetrically positioned.
2) What is the deal with that the asymmetrical sticks placement is the "natural" position? Also that the left stick and right buttons are the most used so the offset stick position is ergonomic???
Well i move with the left stick and look with the right stick and the d pad and buttons execute functions. So the symmetrical sticks and d pad-buttons are very natural and ergonomic to me.
3) To be honest i have never used an asymmetrical controller. The layout does feel odd. I have average size male hands and most controllers do not feel too small or too big. One exception is the original x box sasquatch controller that felt too big. Those with small and large hands would benefit with size options available.
4) Not only do i think symmetrical sticks are natural and normal i also invert the Y axis to my " normal". That is i tilt the stick back to look up just like i tilt my head back to look up.
5) I will make do with the regular DS4.
Yes! Love the analog stick placement, I will have to pick one up later. I can't stand the DualShock series.
Sony needs to make there own already.
After another look at this Scuf model i do like that the share and option buttons protrude more than the near flush with the surface DS4 design. Should be more easy to press those buttons on the Scuf i think.
@Turismo4GT I would get a adapter for the PS4 controller. 😉
@BraveBiT Im playing since the PS One with the sticks like they are and i love it. And if you dont play a lot of shooters its bad. Just a option to change the sticks.
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