Third-party PS5 controllers have been revealed and they look swish

The first third-party PS5 controllers add a better grip, removable back paddles and new colours that belong at the top of your wish list.

If you’re a child of the 90s, you likely had at least one third-party controller for your game console of choice. You know, the one you’d always throw upon your friends so that you’d have the cheeky upper hand. But as the years have gone on, companies have gotten much better at providing quality alternatives that add in neat little extras.

Except for the PS5. To date PS5 owners have only really been able to game with DualSense controllers, but if you’ve been wanting to break away from tradition it’s time for your Christmas miracle.

Enter Scuf – creators of high-performance gaming controllers – who have announced the Scuf Reflex, Reflex Pro and Reflex FPS. The first thing you’ll notice is how pretty they all look. We’re especially smitten on the orange number, but each faceplate can be removed and swapped with more colours promised in the future.

According to IGN, all three models of the Reflex PS5 controller will feature four removable back paddles – a long-requested feature for the existing DualSense. Much like Xbox’s Elite Series 2 controller, these paddles not only provide infinitely more flexibility in controller mapping, but can also be reprogrammed, or switched off, on the fly.

Stepping up to the Reflex Pro and you’ll also be treated to a “high-performance” grip around the back of the unit. Essentially, it’s designed to be more comfy and prevent slippage for anybody cursed with sweaty palms.

Then we have the Reflex FPS, which has all the aforementioned features then adds in instant triggers. Once toggled, these triggers will significantly shorten the pull action – turning them more into a button press. Long story short: expect faster responses which lead to better performance.

Each box should come bundled with the controller and a few different thumb sticks, but it’s not entirely clear if/when shipping to Australia will occur. Regardless, the basic Reflex will set you back US$199.99, while the Reflex Pro will retail for  $229.99 and the Reflex FPS US$259.99. A quick conversion brings that to about $360 AU.

Best start saving those dollars.

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