The PS5’s DualSense controller is easily one of the most technically advanced console controllers we’ve ever seen. Besides all of the necessary buttons that have been standardised by the passing of multiple console generations, it packs in a speaker, microphone, touch panel, and some of the most advanced haptics we’ve ever had. It’s a feat of engineering – that is, other than the battery life – but the Miami-based Mega Modz have asked one simple question: “what if we could make it better?”.
The FPS Professional Tournament Gamepad is essentially a DualSense controller that has had the Dr. Frankenstein treatment, with Mega Modz taking the role of mad scientist and exchanging and adding components to make a mechanical monster. It makes smart changes that can take you to the top of a competitive shooter’s leaderboard, though you’ll still have to supply the skill.
The first thing you have to decide on is what you want your controller to look like, as these are fully customisable beasts. If you fancy holding something that’s been inspired by zombie viscera then you can, but our review unit was a much more subdued skin featuring Hokusai’s The Great Wave. The finish on the shell is bright and glossy, and it looks fantastic, immediately making you feel as though you’re holding something special in your hand.
The FPS Professional Tournament Gamepad is aimed at those who spend their time with Call of Duty, PUBG and Overwatch 2, and the first major change that Mega Modz implement is the replacement of the analogue triggers with mechanical buttons. These triggers boast the shortest trigger-travel possible at an insane 1mm, helping to make each press feel practically instantaneous. During play I felt as though my reactions had taken a serious step up, and I was suddenly getting the drop on players in the Modern Warfare 3 beta that I’d never have taken out previously.
Having short travel buttons instead of triggers does take getting used to – not even the Switch’s trigger buttons compare – and it marks out something that you need to know from the off; this is a controller that’s aimed specifically and wholly at FPS players. Losing the analogue control means that many games simply won’t work, so you have to be serious about wanting the best FPS performance and wanting the best tool for the job. This is it.
Mega Modz also swap out the bumpers, D-pad and face buttons for mechanical switches, adding mouse-like tactility and response to everything you press. You have the sensation that everything is faster with this controller, and your response times will definitely be better than with the standard controller, accompanied by what is a very satisfying click.
That’s further enhanced by the addition of a set of back buttons on the rear of the controller. I have something of a love/hate relationship with back buttons, and they need to be in just the right place for me to comfortably use them. The Mega Modz versions are in the perfect spot – much better placed than my Xbox Elite Controller’s – and you can remap them to perform the function of any face button, including L3 and R3. Sadly, you can’t map them perform multiple button presses, which is a tad disappointing, but in terms of keeping you in control without giving up any accuracy they’re spot on.
Programming them is simple too, with a dedicated program button in the centre of the unit, and an LED display to tell you when you’ve successfully completed the action. This means that you can change things around on the fly or as you shift from game to game, though I have the feeling that if you’ve purchased this controller, you’re heavily invested in just one or two titles.
My only real negative is that the analogue sticks remain the same as the stock DualSense, albeit with the ability to swap out the toppers so you can tailor them to your own personal taste – there’s three included pairs with a choice of heights and concave/convex tops. Given the possibility of stick drift, particularly in a controller that’s going to take a serious hammering, I’d have loved to see the inclusion of Hall Effect sticks instead to increase its longevity, but that’s not an option here. Admittedly, I’ve not had any problems with my launch DualSense controllers, but you may want to consider whether to upgrade to the DualSense Edge which has its replaceable stick modules. Mega Modz also do a modified version of that controller, though it comes in at over $300 marking it out for the serious esports competitor.
Speaking of price, the FPS Professional Tournament Gamepad isn’t cheap, with a $249.99 list price which is you can currently find on sale for $219.99. When a standard DualSense comes in at $70 you have to be certain that this is a product that suits your gaming plans. Serious about Call of Duty and only Call of Duty? Then this is an awesome controller that not only feels like a substantial upgrade, but looks like one too. However, you must be aware that with all of the upgrades, particularly to the triggers, you’re losing the versatility of the standard DualSense.
