SCUF Instinct Pro Review: ‘Super effective in the heat of FPS battle’

SCUF INSTINCT PRO REVIEW FOR XBOX SERIES X|S, XBOX ONE, AND PC.

SCUF’s Instinct Pro aims to set itself apart from the pack by offering a unique paddle system, incredibly fast “Instant Trigger” shoulder buttons, additional grip in all of the right places, an on-device mute button, and a wide range of fantastic color options. It’s a compelling option that Xbox and PC players should take notice of, but how does it compare to the competition, and is it worth paying the premium for it? This is my SCUF Instinct Pro review.

Go premium or go home

When it comes to more premium products, it’s important to have a great first impression. As a buyer, you want to see a high-quality box with good-looking printing, with the controller itself sitting snugly and safely inside. And that’s exactly what you get with the SCUF Pro Instinct. As you reveal it from its foam bedding, you’re hit with the stellar design and great feel in the hand. It’s a fantastic moment and it’s a positive feeling that carries through to the simple connection process, which is just like any official stock Xbox Series pad.

I found it curious that SCUF opts for disposable batteries rather than an internal solution, but I actually prefer this for giving a boost to overall longevity. Batteries are included, thankfully, and there’s also a high-quality braided USB-C cable for easy connectivity.

Paddle kings

With the Instinct Pro connected successfully and without issue, I booted up the Halo Infinite beta. SCUF controllers shine brightest in Halo games, I feel, where verticality is a huge factor in gameplay. Being able to jump and maneuver the aiming stick at the same time offers a huge advantage and I’d feel incredibly limited by a stock pad.

Of course, it’s not just Halo where the rear paddles come in useful. Being able to jump around corners in Call of Duty to surprise enemies with a well-placed headshot is just as crucial, as is quickly tapping the melee button when an enemy surprises you up close.

The SCUF Instinct Pro has the best four-paddle implementation I’ve ever seen. I love how they are more button-like, and they are positioned perfectly beneath and above my fingers, which makes activating them super quick and easy.

Mouse clicks… on a controller

Turning our focus to the “Instant Triggers,” these things are very impressive. While we’ve seen trigger stops before, which limit trigger movement to make it easier to rapidly input a series of actions, like spamming a semi-automatic rifle in a first-person shooter, the SCUF Instinct Pro has the best implementation yet.

Honestly, they feel closer to a mouse click than a trigger pull. The trigger pushes down just enough to activate the desired effect, before rebounding back up.

As for the additional grip on the SCUF Instinct Pro, it’s a nice touch. It might not be the standout feature, but I can definitely appreciate a pad that stays in my hands more easily, versus the slippery plastic on other options.

Those looking to customize a more premium pad will want to check out the SCUF Instinct Pro builder, which is an on-site configurator that allows users to pick and choose from a wide variety of cosmetic choices.

SCUF Instinct Pro Review: The final verdict

With a starting price of $199.99, the SCUF Instinct Pro is one of the most expensive Xbox/PC controllers out there. That price can quickly climb, too, with the many different designs and additional personalization.

The elephant in the room is the competing Xbox Elite Series 2 pad, which is already $20 cheaper and regularly goes on sale. While the official controller is going to be the more sensible buy for those on a budget, the SCUF option’s unique offering of custom designs, different paddle implementation, additional grip, and impressive trigger stops may well sway those looking for something a bit different, but still just as effective in the heat of first-person shooter battle.

If you can get past the price, the SCUF Instinct Pro is a heavily customizable piece of kit that boasts an arsenal of features that bestow a tangible advantage in first-person shooters and other competitive titles.

SCUF Instinct Pro review unit was provided by SCUF.