The Nacon Asymmetric PlayStation 4 Controller is an affordable third-party option for players who may not be keen on Sony's traditional analog stick layout. You can find the Nacon Asymmetric for around or under £40 at some retailers, often pricing it below Sony's official DualShock 4. The price point obviously means that this isn't a "pro" or "elite" controller -- it doesn't come with any bells and whistles. However, if you're on the market for a simple alternative to the aforementioned DualShock 4, the Nacon Asymmetric is probably your best bet.
Build quality and comfort
The Nacon Asymmetric feels good to hold. It's a little weightier and a little wider than the DualShock 4, but the plastic's smooth, and the curves of the controller's "arms" allow it to rest easily in your hands. While said plastic does feel a touch cheaper than the DualShock 4's, there's still a solidity to the overall design that goes a long way in providing comfort, even during longer gaming sessions.
Face buttons
Nacon's done a good job of laying out the Asymmetric's face buttons. Unlike the regular DualShock 4, the circle button curves with the controller's body, angling it very slightly off to the right. This is actually quite a comfortable little quirk, and it's helped by the fact that the X, square, triangle, and circle are placed close together. Pressing these face buttons in, they're a tad "clickier" than what you'll find on the DualShock 4, but they're just as responsive and easy to push.
Shoulder buttons and triggers
Much like the premium Nacon Revolution Unlimited's, we're big fans of the Nacon Asymmetric's R2 and L2 triggers. Firm and responsive, they've got a satisfying spring to them. Unfortunately, R1 and L1 don't fare quite so well. While they're far from bad, the distance between them and the lower triggers feels off. It's something that you'll no doubt get used to, but if you've been playing with a DualShock 4 for a while, you'll notice that there's a slight awkwardness to lifting your index fingers up to R1 and L1. The good news is that they've got a definite click to them -- you'll find no sponginess here.
Analog sticks
As its name implies, the Nacon Asymmetric's main selling point is its asymmetrical design. The analog sticks mirror the positioning that you'll find on an Xbox pad or Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Again, if, for whatever reason, you're not a fan of the traditional PlayStation DualShock stick layout, then the Nacon Asymmetric is clearly trying to appeal to you.
And it does a great job of doing so. The analog sticks themselves have just the right amount of resistance to them, and the grips on top of them are high quality. They do make a noticeable click when pressed in as R3 and L3, but that's not a huge deal unless you enjoy gaming in absolute silence. All in all, these are some slick and responsive sticks.
Directional pad
At first glance the Nacon Asymmetric's d-pad doesn't look great -- it's quite pronounced and it's just one big cross-shaped button -- but give it a chance and it's actually pretty good. While we don't think it's quite as effective as the DualShock 4's design, this is a surprisingly accurate d-pad. That said, it may take some getting used to. At first it can definitely feel a touch too spongy, but give it some time and it's more than serviceable.
Functionality
The Nacon Asymmetric has all of the features that you'd expect of a DualShock 4. A touchpad, a headphone jack, and a share button are all present, and all do their job well enough. The touchpad doesn't have the kind of click to it that the DualShock 4's does, though, but that's not really an issue given how rarely the input is used for anything other then opening a map or menu.
If there's one sticking point that we have with the Nacon Asymmetric, it's that the controller can only be used wirelessly. A wired connection to your PS4 simply doesn't work -- although it does charge the battery -- which means that you'll need to use the wireless USB dongle that comes with the controller. Fortunately, it's easy to connect -- just one press of the PlayStation button and you're good to go.
Should you buy the Nacon Asymmetric PS4 Controller?
The Nacon Asymmetric gets an easy recommendation from us, especially if you're looking for an Xbox-style layout. The controller has a nice weight to it, its build quality is solid, and its buttons, triggers, sticks, and d-pad are all hard to fault. It may take some time to adjust if you're switching from a regular DualShock 4, but overall, this is an affordable, admirable effort from Nacon.
Looking for something more "elite"? Check out our review of the premium Nacon Revolution Unlimited "pro" PS4 controller.
Are you a fan of asymmetric analog sticks? Let us know if you're thinking about picking one of these controllers up in the comments section below.
Comments 35
nope, can't stand the asymmetrical stick layout, and it never made any sense to me. If sony were to adopt the layout for PS5, I'm out.
If anyone's got any questions about the controller I'll try to answer them. Just @ me.
I own this pad and it is very comfy. I'd say as comfy as the Switch's Pro Controller. I prefer playing third and first person games with the asymmetric stick layout and I also can absolutely recommend this one.
The only bummer is that you need to log in with your dual shock first and then you can use the Nacon pad. So you can't wake up the console from sleep, for example. But that's a very nitpicking issue for me.
I really don’t like the asymmetrical layout, so I’m not getting one. That’s my only gripe with the Switch Pro controller as well.
The biggest gripe about the DS4 isn't mentioned here...
Battery life.
Come on guys, add a couple of words in there
@leucocyte
Out of what? Gaming?
I really hope the PS5 controller has a better battery life and adopts the asymmetrical analog sticks. It's just better on your joints these days.
@ShogunRok
Does it have rumble? And what about the light bar? 🙂
@BrettAwesome Yep, it's got rumble, but no light bar. It just has a small light on the front.
@notdead Seemed roughly the same battery life to me, so I didn't think to mention it. I think you're looking at around 3-6 hours depending on how much controller interaction there is in the game you're playing.
It doesn't even have the left analog stick in the right position.. 1/10
Not for me. I'm glad Sony has stuck to its guns and hasn't switched to an asymmetrical layout that disprivileges people who make regular use of the D-Pad in 2D games.
@BrettAwesome - from PS5, but quite possibly gaming altogether, because i absolutely detest s**tdows 10 which puts a huge downer on PC gaming for me.
Asymmetrical is a sin, but the controller looks good for those heathens who like that.
Asymmetrical R2 and L2 triggers? Asymmetric to each other?
The asymmetric sticks make it an automatic no for me. However the options and share buttons look much more easy to use as those buttons are on a flat surface and protrude more than the near flush on a curved surface as on the DS4.
The thumb on my left hand is not longer than the thumb on my right hand.
@leucocyte
Well, both Microsoft and Nintendo use asymmetric thumbsticks, sooo if PS5 gets it too, you're out of luck
@ShogunRok
Thanks 🙂 I can live without the light bar. I'm holding out on vr till the new one comes out.
@ShogunRok, do you know how to reset them extra buttons on the grips?. I accidently set one to O and i seem to press it to often accidently. I think its a great pad, very weighty and well designed.
Hey, it doesn't have that silly bright battery wasting light like the regular controller. That's a big point in its favor!
@Heavyarms55 3 to 6 hours is that great. 😃
@get2sammyb there is a typo in your message. I'm pretty sure you meant "Symmetrical is a sin". This is what I choose to understand anyway.
Can you turn on your PS4 with this controller as with a dualshock?
I have this controller and it's good. Very comfortable and almost as precise as the DS4 BUT, you can't use the controller to turn on the console and you can't use certain functions like turning off the controller from the settings or dimming the led which is CRAZY bright at night. Had to tape some thick toilet paper to cover the damn light as it was actually hurting my eyes.
For a licenced peripheral I think it's unacceptable of Sony to gimp features for third parties.
If you don't mind having to turn the console on manually by getting up like a chump or you don't care about being blinded then crack on. It's actually a very capable alternative.
@TribalRivals Do you mean on the Nacon Revolution? This one's just a basic controller without any extra buttons.
I reviewed that one as well, though. If I remember right, I had to go into the software on my laptop and remap the buttons there. I think you can download the program from the official Nacon site? Hopefully that helps.
@TribalRivals Just checked, you can find all the manuals and software downloads here: https://www.nacongaming.com/my-nacon/support/
I have never enjoyed Playstation's controller layouts, it's awkward how you have to place your thumbs. It feels much more natural and relaxed with the off-set, your thumb resting on the stick. I already use a Hori instead of the regular PS4 controller, but this looks nice as well.
@koaeinferno not for me it isn't, the xbox layout really hurts my hands after prolonged play so i would rather they DON'T go to this layout on the PS5
@ShogunRok Yeah its the revolution iv got. I somehow have done it by messing around with the controller itself. Ill check out that site thanks.
@Rhaoulos No he said it right i totally agree. 😆
@Lando_ Ok that makes it useless to me cant use it too turn on my PS4. 😆Led too bright, asymmetric, R1 and L1 gave me cramps on the smaller edition.
@FullbringIchigo We need a controller that you can swap the dpad and analog stick placements at our own will.
I don't get it. If you want an Xbox controller why not just play Xbox? I quit Xbox after finding out PlayStation had remote play. And at first I wasn't used to the controller but now I sold my Xbox I can't even hold them controllers they hurt my thumbs after a bit they are heavy and just blahhh. But I do understand everyone is different in their likes and dislikes so kudos! But not for me.
@koaeinferno could be expensive though but honestly best way is the way they are doing it now, officially license an alternative like this so people like me can use the symmetrical layout and people like you can use the asymmetrical layout
that way we can all use the one we are comfortable with
@twofer ummm because it's just a controller - people buy consoles mainly for the games. Does it really matter if one person prefers a controller layout style over the other?
I've been using the standard controller for the div 2 and I get cramps, especially in my left index finger, ds controllers are too small for me, I might try this.
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