While the PS5 remains elusive to get as we cross into the second half of 2021, there is no shortage of available DualSense controllers. While the DualSense may be the first PlayStation controller I have absolutely enjoyed, I know it doesn’t cater well to the competitive player with all of its bells and whistles. That is, until now, as custom controller makers, Hex Gaming, have turned their attention to the DualSense and given it the esports makeover treatment!

What’s In The Box

The Hex Gaming Rival Controller comes in a fairly bland box with only the Hex Gaming Logo and controller name being displayed. The sides are also bare of any information about the controller while the back sheds light on the design process. Inside the box you will find your Rival Controller, swappable thumbsticks, warranty info, and finally a quick start guide.

Aesthetics And Build Quality

Since Hex Gaming uses the official DualSense controllers as a base, the Rival Controller shares the same profile and basic layout. That being said, Hex Gaming has customized every aspect of the controller from its shell to its buttons. They have 17 different options to choose from as of this review! I love the contrast between the glossy and matte finishes on my Nebula Galaxy version. It looks sleek and doesn’t feel cheap by any stretch of the imagination. I do miss the transparent design of the Dualsenses buttons and d-pad but what we have here matches the aesthetic well. I do wish the buttons could have been labeled in some fashion though. The addition of better-textured grips is also a welcomed addition!

Besides the visual overhaul, the Rival Controller is sporting a number of upgrades over the official DualSense. The first is the addition of 2 mappable buttons that have been added to the back of the controller. These buttons are easy to map to any of the controller’s buttons, allowing you quick access and on-the-fly customization in games. The placement is also superb with the paddles being perfectly usable with either your middle or ring fingers depending on your playstyle. They have a satisfying click to them as well, which makes pressing them all the more enjoyable!

Each of the shoulder buttons has been redesigned, giving them faster response times. Hex Gaming refers to these as Flashshot triggers and they reduce the range on R1 and L1 by .7 MM and the ranges on R2 and L2 by 5 MM. This allows for far faster firing of these buttons, ideal for competitive players. This does come at the cost of the impulse triggers and use in things like racing games but the Rival Controller is focused solely on esports so it shouldn’t be used in such titles to begin with. Finally, swappable thumb caps have been added for you to fine-tune your playing experience with regular and tall concave and convex variants included.

The overall build quality of the Rival Controller is solid and matches that of an official DualSense. I have little concern over the back paddles and the modified triggers feel solid in the hands. Unless you are an absolute brutalist to your equipment, this one should serve you well through normal wear and tear!

Gameplay

The Hex Gaming Rival Controller can be used with both the PS5 and PC in supported titles. Since the primary focus of the Rival is for esports, I immediately put it up against some Apex Legends. I have been alternating between the official DualSense and an Xbox Series X controller for the last few weeks as I have played on PC and the upgrades Hex Gaming has brought with the Rival Controller are immediately noticeable by comparison. Swapping the thumbstick configuration over to a tall concave stick for aiming and a regular convex stick for movement is my typical go-to from a Pro-style controller, and the Rival doesn’t disappoint. Aiming feels great with the extended stick and having 2 rear paddles is perfect for quick mapping some additional actions. There is a bit less grip than I would like on the domed sticks but it works out overall. To me, face buttons and D-pad are identical in feel to a standard Dualsense so they present no problem during gameplay.

While shooters are what I feel will be the primary use for the Rival Controller, the customized build can do well in a number of competitive genres, like fighters for those who prefer gamepads over fight sticks. The D-pad is accurate and responds well to input which makes it ideal for getting in your combos. Thanks to the quick response on the triggers it is also much easier to get your moves in using them. Now, even though esports is the primary focus of the Rival Controller it can be used in any number of titles that don’t require the use of analog triggers. Across an assortment of games, it has turned in a great performance. Being able to use the different thumbcaps depending on the genre is always a plus.

To further expand the Rival Controllers compatibility on PC, users can choose to install the DS4windows program. With it installed, all Xinput titles are now supported by the controller and you can even use the trackpad as a mouse. This certainly opens the door for more use for players looking to get more out of the Rival's near $300 price point.

What It Could Have Done Better

As far as my personal complaints with the Rival Controller I don't have much to say. The thumbstick grips could be improved upon to give better handling. But I think my biggest complaint is that my unit seems to have battery drain issues. After fully charging it and leaving it unplugged over this past weekend while I was out of town, the controller is completely dead. My official DualSense which I haven't charged in a week is still alive. Might just be a bug in my Rival controller, but something I still want to bring up.

Verdict

The Hex Gaming Rival Controller is an amazing customization job to the official DualSense controller. It performs well in games it is meant for and for anyone looking to get into the competitive scene it is well worth looking into. But for the more casual player, the asking price is a bit steep, and one I know I wouldn't have paid personally. So look deeply into your play habits and decide if the Rival Controller is for you. If you think so, you won't be disappointed!