Credit: Sony
Thank goodness, it’s not a boomerang.
The DualShock controller is one of the most enduring mainstays of gaming hardware. Ever since a brilliant designer thought to stick two analog sticks on an ordinary PlayStation controller, the DualShock has been the one to beat. Almost every new controller design to come out since then has opted for the two-joystick design, and that powerful brand recognition is why Sony has more-or-less stuck to the regular DualShock design for over twenty years (original Sixaxis notwithstanding). But with the arrival of the PlayStation 5 nearly upon us, Sony has decided that it’s time to move on to the next best thing after the next best thing. Introducing… the DualSense.
Okay, so on the surface, it’s pretty much just a DualShock with a new paint job, but there’s some cool stuff cooking under the hood. The DualSense features haptic feedback to give you a more personal feeling than your standard rumble, as well as adaptive trigger buttons with adjustable resistance. The PS4’s Share button has been replaced with a “Create” button. It fills the same role, offering social features in the games you play, though Sony has hinted at something a little more creatively-minded. The controller even features a built-in microphone array, good for quick-and-dirty chatting, though Sony does recommend using a headset if you’re planning on chatting regularly. Lastly, the backside light bar has been relocated to behind the touch pad in an effort to make it “pop” a little more.
Credit: Sony
Sony’s pretty hyped about this new design. They’re so hyped, in fact, that the President & CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Jim Ryan, gushed about the controller on the company’s blog. “DualSense marks a radical departure from our previous controller offerings and captures just how strongly we feel about making a generational leap with PS5. The new controller, along with the many innovative features in PS5, will be transformative for games – continuing our mission at PlayStation to push the boundaries of play, now and in the future. To the PlayStation community, I truly want to thank you for sharing this exciting journey with us as we head toward PS5’s launch in Holiday 2020. We look forward to sharing more information about PS5, including the console design, in the coming months.”
