PlayStation 5 controller finally revealed

We’ve yet to get a proper look at the PlayStation 5, but the new controller suggests we’re likely to see a drastic design change from last gen consoles. 

With the Xbox Series X’s official unveiling happening back in December 2019, Sony were expected to follow suit shortly after. However, here we sit four months later with nought to go on but unconfirmed devkit mock-ups of the PlayStation 5. 

Today, we’re excited to say we’ve finally been given a look at the next gen of PS5 controllers. And it’s not the ‘DualShock 5’. 

The next series of PlayStation controllers is being kickstarted with the DualSense – a new design that will keep ‘much of what gamers love about the DualShock 4 intact’, while cramming in a whole host of features to enhance the modern gaming experience.

You’ll have instantly noticed the new curvature, which is (dare I say it) more than a little reminiscent of the stock Xbox One and Xbox Elite models. There’s no denying the overhauled shape looks an improvement over the DualShock 4 though. Geographically, everything is where you’d expect, but the curved grips and buttons provide a more natural navigation across the gamepad and its different features. 

There’s plenty to address on that front too. The DualSense replaces standard rumble technologies with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. This will provide a ‘variety of powerful sensations’ to reflect gameplay events. Whether you’re driving a supercar through thick mud, or being shelled by a tank, the controller will react differently in your hands to make the experience as immersive as possible.

The controller will have a built-in mic which is a first for Sony, so a headset will no longer be essential to chat to friends online. Fans will be chuffed with the integration of a long-overdue USB-C port for its rechargeable battery, and the new Create button certainly sounds intriguing. Thus far Sony has refused to comment on exactly what this function is, but has assured players that they’re ‘pioneering new ways for players to create epic content to share with the world’.