Competitive players hit a wall that no button layout can fully solve. In a shooter you want to jump, crouch, and aim simultaneously, but on a standard Controller your thumbs sit on the sticks, which leaves every other input a trade-off. Premium pro controllers solve this with back paddles, and they charge a premium for it. The eXtremeRate RISE4 V4 kit aims to bring that same idea to a standard PS5 controller at a fraction of the cost.
This kit adds four programmable back paddles to a DualSense, with a redesigned bottom shell and a remap board that connects without soldering. I installed it on a PS5 controller and used it through competitive shooters and long sessions to see whether the upgrade lives up to the promise.
Before the details, a note on this review. It contains affiliate links, and if you buy through one of them the site earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. That never changes what I recommend.
Design and Build
The RISE4 V4 kit is a complete bottom-shell Replacement. It ships with the redesigned shell in matte black, four back buttons, the remap board, and the hardware needed for installation. The shell matches the DualSense's profile closely, and the two front pieces fit together cleanly with the original face of the controller once installed.
The build quality is respectable for an aftermarket part. The shell is sturdy plastic with a comfortable texture, the back buttons are placed where your middle and ring fingers naturally rest, and the whole assembly feels solid in hand rather than creaky or hollow. The buttons themselves are quiet and responsive, with a satisfying press that avoids accidental actuation.
The kit is designed to be reversible. The installation replaces the bottom shell and plugs a small board into the controller, and eXtremeRate's approach means the stock shell and parts can be reinstalled if you ever want to return to standard. That reversibility is a meaningful point for anyone nervous about modifying their controller.
Key Features
The headline feature is the four programmable back buttons. Each paddle can be remapped to mimic any standard face button, so jump, crouch, reload, or healing can all move to the back of the controller. That frees your thumbs to stay on the sticks, which is the whole point of a pro-style controller upgrade.
The remap process is straightforward. A remap button on the shell starts the programming mode, and you hold the paddle together with the face button you want it to copy. Each of the four paddles is mapped independently, and the settings persist across play sessions, so you set them once and forget them.
Compatibility is broad across the modern DualSense family. The kit is built for PS5 controllers with BDM-030, BDM-040, BDM-050, and BDM-060 motherboards, covering the common revisions of the current controller. A quick check of the board number printed inside your controller confirms the fit before you commit.
The installation uses a plug-and-play board, so there is no soldering involved. For players comfortable opening a controller, the process takes a short time and the kit includes everything needed to complete it.
Real-World Performance
In practice, the RISE4 V4 changes how a shooter plays. Mapping jump and crouch to the back paddles means both thumbs never leave the sticks, which turned bunny hops and mid-air aim corrections from awkward finger gymnastics into smooth, natural motions. The difference in a competitive shooter was immediate and obvious.
The back buttons felt comfortable through long sessions. Positioned where my fingers rested naturally, they did not cause fatigue or accidental presses, and the actuation force kept them quiet and deliberate. The controller kept its overall feel, with the redesigned shell adding a slightly grippier texture that I actually preferred to the stock surface.
The remap board performed reliably. The mappings held across reboots and long play sessions, there was no added input lag that I could detect, and the face buttons and the back paddles worked together without conflict. I tested remapping several times to confirm the process sticks, and each new configuration took effect immediately.
Build integrity held up through testing. The assembled controller felt as solid as stock, with no rattling, creaking, or loosening over time. I also confirmed the shell's ports and buttons lined up correctly, which is the detail that separates a clean install from a frustrating one.
I also spent time with the kit in less frantic settings to see whether it added value beyond shooters. In a sports title, mapping the sprint and pass actions to back paddles let me steer with the left stick while still triggering inputs without shifting grip, and in an action RPG the paddles comfortably hosted dodge and item shortcuts. The flexibility of independent mapping for all four buttons means the kit adapts to whatever game you play, not just the competitive titles it is marketed for. That breadth of usefulness is what turns a niche mod into a worthwhile everyday upgrade, and it is a big reason the paddles stayed installed after my formal testing ended.
The installation process itself deserves a closer word, because it is the hurdle most buyers worry about. The kit's instructions are clear, the board and shell key into place with obvious alignment points, and the whole job from start to finish is a calm, methodical procedure rather than a tense one. I ran through the swap a second time on a second controller to confirm the process was repeatable, and it went smoothly both times with no broken clips and no leftover screws. For anyone who has ever watched a controller teardown video and assumed it was beyond them, this kit is reassuringly manageable.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Four programmable back paddles at a fraction of pro controller prices
- Simple, reliable remapping that persists across sessions
- No soldering required, reversible installation
- Comfortable button placement with quiet actuation
- Broad compatibility across BDM-030 through BDM-060
Cons:
- Requires opening the controller to install
- No back-brightness or wireless tuning options
- Fit depends on confirming the board revision
How It Compares
Players usually weigh this kit against official pro controllers and cheaper clip-on paddles. The table below shows how the options compare.
| Feature | RISE4 V4 Kit | Official Pro Controller | Clip-On Paddles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back buttons | Four, programmable | Two or four | Two, limited |
| Price | Low | High | Low |
| Installation | Open controller | None | None |
| Comfort | Excellent | Excellent | Varies |
| Warranty impact | Voids controller warranty | Covered | None |
An official pro controller delivers the same idea with no installation and full warranty support, but it costs several times as much. Clip-on paddles avoid opening the controller but often add bulk and offer fewer, less comfortable buttons. The RISE4 V4 hits a strong balance of price, comfort, and function, which is why controller-modding coverage at PCMag's best gaming controllers guide continues to mention the appeal of back-paddle upgrades for competitive play.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the RISE4 V4 if you play competitive shooters, battle royales, or any game where keeping thumbs on the sticks gives an edge. It is also a smart buy for players who want the pro-controller experience without the pro-controller price, and for anyone comfortable following a controller teardown to install it.
The kit makes sense as an upgrade for a controller you already own, since it costs a fraction of a new premium pad. If that sounds like your setup, you can check the current eXtremeRate RISE4 V4 price on Amazon.
Skip it if you are unwilling to open your controller, if your controller is under warranty you want to protect, or if you need a wireless pro controller with tuning software. For everyone else, this kit delivers a genuine competitive upgrade.
How We Test
I installed the RISE4 V4 kit on a PS5 controller with a BDM-040 board, confirming the board revision before starting. I followed the installation through shell removal, board connection, and reassembly, and I used the modified controller across competitive shooters, battle royales, and long sessions over several weeks.
I remapped all four paddles to different face buttons, tested that the mappings persisted across reboots and multiple play sessions, and watched for any input lag or button conflict. I checked the shell fit, port alignment, button feel, and long-term build integrity, and I compared the experience against a standard controller. I did not measure input latency with laboratory instruments, so the responsiveness observations come from real competitive play rather than instrumented data.
The eXtremeRate RISE4 V4 listing on Amazon shows the supported board revisions, included components, and current price, which is worth confirming before you order.
Questions People Ask
Which PS5 controllers are compatible with the RISE4 V4 kit?
The kit is built for PS5 controllers with BDM-030, BDM-040, BDM-050, and BDM-060 motherboards, so check the board number printed inside your controller first.
How do I remap the back paddles?
Hold the remap button and press the paddle together with the face button you want it to mimic, and each paddle can be mapped independently.
Does the kit require soldering?
No, the RISE4 V4 uses a plug-and-play board that connects without soldering, though it does require opening the controller to install the redesigned shell.
Will installing the kit damage my controller?
When installed carefully the kit is reversible and safe, and it includes a compatible redesigned shell, so the controller stays functional throughout the process.
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