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We’ve been waiting some time for custom PS5 DualSense controllers to bring back button functionality, as well as more companies to make them in order to drive the expensive prices of these custom builds. After reviewing the Mega Modz Macro Remap Controller for PS4 a couple of years ago, we couldn’t wait to see what the company had in store for the PS5. Enter the Mega Modz Custom DualSense PS5 controller. To be clear, the Mega Modz controller builder offers a ton of options, not just cosmetically, but also in what functionality you want the controller to have. While I’ll be covering the specific build we got (Macro Remap), I will also be touching on additional options and features present in the controller builder, some of which we didn’t choose for our production unit.
Mega Modz gave us the opportunity to design our own build, from the customizable shell and buttons, to what special features it had packaged in. One of the biggest build items I opted out of was the hairpin triggers, which I’d already found to completely render the DualSense controller’s Adaptive Trigger feature useless when we reviewed the HexGaming Hex Rival Custom DualSense. It’s great for quick reaction times in shooters, but if you plan to use this controller for almost any other game (and don’t want to destroy a prominent feature of the DualSense), I’d recommend not getting what they call the “mechanical shoulder buttons.” As mentioned previously, I’d love to see a company solve this with trigger stops, similar to what the Astro C40 pro PS4 controller uses.
On the other side of things, I did want to get the mechanical face buttons, which reduces the button press activation distance on the D-pad and shape buttons for faster input response, but these are not compatible with the back button module at this time. Additionally, you’ll need to choose whether you want to get a Macro Remap controller or a modded controller, as they aren’t cross-compatible. We opted for the Macro Remap back buttons.
For its back buttons, Mega Modz uses the exact same module as the HexGaming controller, which is comfortable and rests nicely under my fingers, but is too big for these controllers to fit on the Sony DualSense charging stand. The PS4 Mega Modz controller built its paddles/buttons right into the grips, but it seems like the DualSense’s packed internals don’t allow the remap components for back buttons to be housed entirely inside the controller body. It’s a bit disappointing, even if inevitable, because I was hoping for the button configuration on the Mega Modz to be more streamlined. It’s arguably not an issue for a lot of people, but my setup relies on the convenience of the charging stand to swap out controllers, which means the Mega Modz PS5 controller tends to sit uncharged for extended periods of time. Your mileage may vary, depending on how you keep your controllers charged.
Mega Modz PS5 Controller – Building the Perfect DualSense
But I’m getting ahead of myself. For this build, I wanted to really test out some of the interesting options, including clear components, dual color thumbsticks, and a smooth matte finish color on the body of the controller. There are a lot of options to choose from, and I’m really happy with how the cosmetic design turned out. Using the Chameleon Green back plate as a base, we opted for a solid Mint Green body (which as a soft matte finish that feels great to the touch), transparent purple trim and shoulder buttons, and semi-metallic Rose Gold buttons, including the touchpad. We also went for pink thumbsticks with white underneath.
The Mega Modz Custom DualSense PS5 controller looks and feels better than the controller builder’s little image can adequately communicate. Trust that you’ll be getting a quality product—which, for the money spent, you really should be. It’s an impressively solid controller that feels just as sturdy as a DualSense straight from Sony, even under heavy use. And being a modded DualSense itself, the Mega Modz retains the same form factor as the first-party controller. I haven’t tested it long enough to see if it eventually suffers from the same stick drift issues that the DualSense faces, however. (Based on how the mechanical parts of thumbsticks work, I would guess that yes, these will also be susceptible to stick drift over extended use.)
Assigning the back button to one of the controller’s buttons is very easy—simply hold the remap button, the back button you want to remap, and the face button you want to assign it to. Now that back button while act as, let’s say Square or Cross, for example, letting you reload or jump without taking your thumb off the stick. Each can be set to any one of the fourteen primary buttons on the DualSense (excludes touchpad, Share, and options).
There are then five “sub-modes” you can enter, which is the benefit of the Macro portion of the Macro Remap controller. The first is the default remap. Second is a turbo function that will press and release the button repeatedly, as long as the back button is held down. Third is a double tap. Fourth is a triple tap. And finally, fifth is a continuous press for a specified amount of time. Timings of the presses and holds on all sub modes can be adjusted. Small added LED indicators on the top of the controller give feedback on what mode you are in and allow you to change the settings easily without guessing.
These macros can then be used for a number of functions that mods would normally offer. Any button press that requires a hold can be done in a click. Rapid fire that would require you to repeatedly press the trigger can instead be done via the turbo function. Think of anything in a game that requires double clicks, rapid presses, or long holds and the Macro Remap Controller can step in to make it all a bit easier. Most notably these functions are designed for first-person shooters and competitive games, with Mega Modz offering plenty of Call of Duty-specific examples like healing, inserting armor plates, and making automatic weapons out of ones that are normally single-shot. But the use of the Macro Remap is only limited to your imagination (and the fact that each button can only have one other button assigned to it. You can’t program macros for combos in fighting games, for example).
Cost and Caveats
If you don’t want the Macro functions, you can save about $20 and just get a standard back button module, but if you are spending that money in the first place, you might as well spend the extra to have the Macro function should you decide to use it in the future. Being modded from a stock DualSense, battery life is comparable to a traditional Sony controller. The Macro Remap functionality doesn’t noticeably detract from the battery life in any way, lasting just as long as any of my other DualSense controllers. And so long as you don’t get the mechanical triggers, the Mega Modz Custom PS5 Controller retains both of the biggest DualSense functions—Adaptive Triggers and Haptic Feedback.
Though not quite as spendy as the HexGaming Hex Rival (which can exceed $300, if you max out the customization options), the Mega Modz Custom PS5 Controller will still run you around $250, depending on what features you decide to add, so it’s not exactly cheap. But the benefit you get is the Macro Remap back button functionality, which allows you to not only map the back buttons, but create custom single-button macros as well. You’ll also get a custom designed DualSense that is uniquely your own. Most can probably get by just fine on the standard DualSense, but for those players who want a controller that can really improve performance with a unique custom look, Mega Modz PS5 DualSense Macro Remap Controller is about as feature-rich as you can get at the best price on the market currently. Whether or not that’s a price you’re willing to pay is up to you.
Mega Modz PS5 DualSense Macro Remap Controller provided by manufacturer for this review. We were allowed to create our own custom build using the Mega Modz PS5 Controller Builder. For more information, please read our Review Policy.