A gamer will always have a special connection with a controller. Not only is it a required means that links the gamer to their favorite games, but it also reflects our personalities with a variety of colors, shapes, and even themes. While it’s natural to want something that is shiny and pretty, performance is always the most important feature of any controller. Mega Modz proves you can have the best of both worlds with their Macro Remap PS4 controller.
Mega Modz offers a multitude of customizable controller options from cosmetics to performance enhancers. If you head over to the Mega Modz website, you can set up a profile and then design your own controller. From there, you can mix and match textures and colors on every button or trigger, or choose from a pre-designed theme based on certain games and franchises, such as God of War or Call of Duty. I designed my own and went with the Dark Matter body, a rubberized back that really helps with grip, a metallic purple D-Pad, thumbsticks, with traditional action and home buttons. As you will see from the pictures, it is stunning.
Right out of the box, the Mega Modz Macro Remap made a good first impression. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it felt sturdy and well-made. After admiring its beauty for a bit, it was time to see what the controller was made of.
I won’t argue the semantics of which controller is best and why, because it’s a subjective discourse with no right or wrong answer. I’m a multi-platform gamer, but my heart has belonged to Sony since the original PlayStation. The PS4 Pro is currently my main gaming system, and I am a big fan of the DualShock 4. But when the Xbox Elite Controller by Microsoft came out and introduced me to the world of back paddles/buttons, it was a game-changer.
I hoped Sony would counter the Elite with its own official DualShock 4 Pro controller. Unfortunately, they didn’t dabble in the back button craze until the recently-released back button accessory. They did of course endorse the Vantage from SCUF and the Astro C40 TR gaming controllers. Both controllers are great, especially SCUF’s updated Vantage 2, but they don’t feel like a regular DualShock 4; they feel and look like an Xbox controller.
Maybe it’s my girl hands or the familiarity of the inline thumbsticks of the DualShock, but I prefer the shape and design of Sony’s controller. For me, it’s much more comfortable. I can game for hours upon hours with no discomfort, whereas after using the Xbox controller for extended periods of time, I experience slight fatigue. I’ve tested the official Sony back button accessory and a few other third-party DualShock Pro controllers, but often I find myself hitting the back buttons accidentally, and usually at the worst of times. None of that has been an issue with the Mega Modz Macro Remap controller.
Mega Modz uses the standard DS4 as a base and heavily modifies it. They also include two triangle-shaped, perfectly placed buttons on the back of the controller. The placement and size feels so natural that even if you have never used back buttons before, the transition will be easy. The fact that they are buttons rather than paddles really helps with the responsiveness and eliminates accidental activation. They are relatively small in size, which also allows me to hold the controller as I would normally.
The back (or macro) buttons are easily customizable without needing an app or PC, and they map to any of the stock PS4 controller buttons except for Share, Options, the PS button, and the Touchpad. You can re-map them right from the controller with the help of the small mod switch found on the back of the controller. All you have to do is hold down the mod switch, then the macro button you wish to program, and the stock button you want to assign to it for a few seconds until you feel the controller vibrate. This indicates that the remap was a success, which adds a lot of flexibility to how you want the controller to function.
Another cool addition to the Mega Modz controller is the tiny four-light LED panel located directly under the headphone jack. Each stock button is represented by a color; you can find a list in the included manual or the Mega Modz website. For instance, If you have the right macro set up to use the X button, the coordinating LED display will be light blue. The LED panel does seem to deplete the battery slightly quicker than a normal DualShock 4, but not enough to be a concern or deterrent.
The Mega Modz Macro Remap controller also features Turbo functions that allow you to set up macros that will turn a single button tap into a double tap, triple tap, or allows continuous button mashing. For some, this is a bit of a grey area. While these turbos and macro functions have been around for years, some people feel that it is a form of cheating. However, they are not mods, and you can’t program them to trigger a sequence of buttons; the turbo functions are bound to one button only. It’s a little trickier setting up these sub-modes, especially if you want to adjust the timing of the macro press. This is really where you will need the LED panel and the included manual. If you are still confused about the sub-modes, Mega Modz has several guides on their website to help you.
If you play a lot of shooters, the sub-modes of the Mega Modz Macro Remap controller can definitely work to your advantage. For instance, you can take a single-shot or burst-fire rifle, which generally has less recoil and is more precise, and turn it into a full-auto rifle with the continuous press function. That’s where we get into that grey area I was talking about. With that being said, these sub-modes are optional and you can use the back buttons without activating these Turbo features. The controller can store and remember up to 28 configurations.
The Xbox Elite 2 and SCUF controllers give you the option of having up to four back paddles or buttons, while the Mega Modz only offers two. For me this isn’t a problem, as that is generally all I use, but I know that might be a deal-breaker for some of you. Just like all Pro controllers, the Mega Modz Macro Remap controller is considerably pricier than a standard DualShock. It starts at about $150-$160, which is still cheaper than the Astro or SCUF Vantage.
I’ve been using the Mega Modz controller for several weeks now with no issues. The added features and buttons are a big part of the controllers’ charm, but it also feels like even the regular stock buttons and triggers are slightly more responsive than a standard DualShock 4. My one complaint about the controller is the fact that Mega Modz didn’t include any form of adjustable hair triggers. Hopefully it’s something they will look into for a future controller, but even without it, the Macro Remap controller is worth checking out if you are looking for a Pro controller to elevate your game on PS4.
I have put the Mega Modz Macro Remap controller through rigorous testing across a variety of games and genres including Call of Duty Modern Warfare, Darksiders Genesis, Control‘s The Foundation DLC, and Bayonetta. Throughout all the button mashing and trigger pulling, the Mega Modz controller has performed with precision and durability. While I wish that Mega Modz had adjustable hair triggers, the Mega Modz Macro Remap PS4 controller has instantly become a favorite and is one of the best controllers I’ve used.
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