Let's talk pricing since it is no doubt what most people here would want to know more about. The bog standard Sony Playstation DualShock 4 wireless controller in black costs $45 as I write this, and some color options for the shell as a first-party offering are $65. Add in the back-button attachment, if it ever comes back in stock, and the total price for the Sony offering goes up to $95. The SCUF Impact starts at $150 and goes from there, although their current limited time deal gives you a good reason to bump the controller all the way up to $190 for potential savings of over $85 depending on how you configure the controller ($275.45 seems to be the maximum before the code). This is a high base price, especially if you want to remap the paddles from the base configuration, which requires the EMR key for $15.

Unlike Microsoft with the XBOX Elite controller, or even to an extend the Adaptive controller, Sony does not have a first-party offering that comes close to the functionality configurations allowed by the SCUF Impact at this time. There are signs pointing towards back paddles on the next-gen DualShock 5, but it is still telling that Microsoft had to license SCUF IP for use on the XBOX Elite controller itself. Over 100 granted patents and another potential 50+ in the making is no doubt what CORSAIR found attractive in acquiring SCUF Gaming, with the new parent company no doubt wanting to make a grand entry to the global gaming market as part of a strategy that involves mobile gaming laptops (Origin PC), game controllers (SCUF), and game streaming (Elgato).

In some ways, I do wish my first SCUF controller review were of their XBOX controller lineup, because of my familiarity with the XBOX 360 and XBOX One controllers. Before you ask, that is going to happen in the future too, but the point remains that this was actually my very first Playstation DualShock controller in hand, so I have little context for reference on how well SCUF does beyond other first or third-party offerings. I have to say that I may actually prefer the layout of the DualShock 4 more than the XBOX controller, particularly with Steam games having native support now, but a lion's share of this must be credited to SCUF with their various improvements throughout. The innovative paddle system is an integrated part of my user experience now, and I can definitely see how this may not be the case for others. Underrated are the thumbsticks and grip on the back, and the removable thumbsticks and control pad offering combined with the customizable triggers is the cherry on top of that giant cake flavored with the various colors and finishes that go into making this controller more unique than most other offerings on the market.