Sony Has DualSense
Sony chose a random Tuesday in April to reveal the PlayStation 5 controller, which they’ve coined the “DualSense” controller. It’s a reflection of our current Pandemic-stricken time and the unique way in which they’re choosing to detail every facet of their next-generation system. It feels like this should have been a bigger event given how different this controller will be compared to the main variants for previous PlayStation platforms.
The PlayStation controller designers have remained on familiar ground since the original DualShock controller released about halfway into the original PSOne’s life, with only minor modifications being made to successors. They took the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mantra as far as it could go. They almost made a new controller with the early Sixaxis controller, cheekily known as the “Boomerang” controller thanks to its shape, but caved to pressure and made a traditionally-designed one. (The Sixaxis itself didn’t have rumble due to a patent dispute Sony lost, but Sony later released the DualShock 3 after resolving it.) The DualShock 4 contained minor-but-welcome modifications, but was largely the same controller in terms of its base design.
Not so with the DualSense, which shows how Sony’s hardware designers are getting risky. Most of its buttons are in the same positions, and the analog sticks remain symmetrical. But it’s tough not to notice how much larger it is from the pictures compared to previous controllers, comparable to several Xbox controllers. It should be more comfortable to hold for those of us with big, beefy, and masculine man hands. (I may or may not be talking about myself there.) The touchpad will also be easier to hit and move your thumb on for games that will still use it. Its haptic rumble feedback will allow for all sorts of vibration sensations, and the adaptive triggers will provide increased sensitivity. These features will all ideally work well while using it.
For the first time in a while, the main controller won’t be all black, but a two-toned white and navy blue one. This suggests that Sony will perhaps — maybe — abandon the Batman-ish colors for the main console too. The colors make the controller either appear that it’s wearing chaps or a bikini bra, whichever you prefer. (Good luck unseeing those, by the way.) The buttons will also be clear, an interesting decision. I’m waiting to get it in my hands before fully judging some design decisions, because controllers tend to look better in person and in photographs compared to company stock photos. But I’ve seen several comments critical of the design.
There are more general criticisms that you can easily level at this thing right now. For one, the white color tone will get dirty as hell unless the player scrubs it down at least every other day. A lot of you nasty bastards will be too lazy to do this, and the dirt, dust, grease that will gather on it will be perfectly visible. The “Share” button is also being replaced with the “Create” one, which will… actually, they didn’t detail what the difference will be. If I can’t easily hit the button to take screenshots, there will be hell to pay. Trust me. They’ll never forget it.
Fortunately, it will retain a headphone jack on the bottom. They’re not, let’s say, “courageous” enough to remove that — yet. That controller will also have a built-in mic for streaming and commands is nice, though.
There’s still a lot they have to say about the PS5 controller, like with everything else PS5 related. How long that will take will depend on how long this Coronavirus pandemic lasts, which could delay further reveal events and perhaps even the system itself if manufacturing and distribution continues to be impacted. Regardless, Sony’s having a good time with this slow info rollout, and there’s no way they’ll stopping this pattern now. Hopefully it will be entertaining.
About The Author
Geoff
News Editor | Geoff is some nerd who writes for a blog and thinks he's knowledgeable. He write a lot about video games, but is capable of writing about other subjects, too. Twitter
