The PlayStation 5 controller is called DualSense. It’s wireless and is charged via USB-C connection. It also looks very different than what we’re used to.
Sony had gone through “several concepts and hundreds of mockups over the last few years” before they arrived at the controller you see here. That’s because they had to come up with a way to add all these extra features, and still maintain a lightweight, comfortable design.
As Sony explains on the official PlayStation blog, they kept many features that their gamers loved about the DualShock 4, and added new functionality while “refining the design.” And here’s the final product:
Let’s talk about this “new functionality” and features.
First, we have haptic feedback. The DualSense uses advanced rumble technology to simulate what’s going on on the screen. Varying levels of vibrations in your hands can help you feel more immersed while driving a car on a dirt road, or getting punched in a fighting game.
On top of that, we have new adaptive L2 and R2 triggers. This new feature should allow developers to add a sense of tension to actions like squeezing the trigger of a gun or drawing the string of a bow.
The Share button is now called the Create button. It should let players experience “new ways for players to create epic gameplay content to share with the world, or just to enjoy for themselves.” Sony will reveal more details about this new feature closer to launch.
Another cool new addition is a built-in microphone array. With it, you don’t have to connect a headset while playing online with friends, though you still have the option to use one if you choose.
And, of course, Sony also claims the PlayStation 5 controller has a better and stronger rechargeable battery.
“In all, we went through several concepts and hundreds of mockups over the last few years before we settled on this final design,” the blog post concludes.
“DualSense has been tested by a wide range of gamers with a variety of hand sizes, in order for us to achieve the comfort level we wanted, with great ergonomics. Our goal with DualSense is to give gamers the feeling of being transported into the game world as soon as they open the box. We want gamers to feel like the controller is an extension of themselves when they’re playing – so much so that they forget that it’s even in their hands!”
The PlayStation 5 controller looks and sounds pretty great, in my opinion. I’m not sure I love the two-toned design, but all these new features and additions do sound very handy to all types of gamers.
Hopefully, we’ll get our hands on it soon, alongside Sony’s upcoming PlayStation 5 console.
Some of our posts include links to online retail stores. We get a small cut if you buy something through one of our links. Don't worry, it doesn't cost you anything extra.
