Verdict
It’s uncommon that essentially the most enthralling facet of a brand new console is its controller, however that is precisely the case with PS5 and the DualSense. It’s a surprising peripheral, and one which introduces options we have merely by no means seen executed like this earlier than.
Pros
A daring departure from earlier designs that actually pays off
Solid and weighty construct high quality provides off a premium really feel
Haptic suggestions and improved vibration motors are really feel actually next-gen
Improved battery life in comparison with the DualShock 4
Cons
White color scheme leads will result in scuffs and marks
Key Specifications
Review Price: £59.99
Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers
Compatible with PS5, PS4 and PS3
3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack
The PlayStation 5 is nearly right here, and the DualSense controller is what actually units it other than the competitors.
It’s a peripheral that seems like a significant step ahead, that provides an entire new stage of immersion to gaming classes. Here’s how.
DualSense builds upon the elemental design ethos of the DualShock 4, whereas increasing upon it with some unorthodox adjustments to the color scheme and enhancements to its general characteristic set. This means the touchpad, speaker and share capabilities have grow to be extra established parts of the blueprint, as an alternative of present as hesitant outsiders.
The mixed bundle makes the DualSense really feel like a key launch that pushes the medium ahead, and an enormous differentiator for the console, in contrast the comparatively acquainted new Xbox controller.
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Design – An sudden departure that continues to be drenched in acquainted parts
Picking up the brand new controller, I used to be stunned by its weight. The majority of console controllers developed by Sony have been on the slim aspect, a consequence of the plastic supplies used to place them collectively. PS5 bucks this pattern with a peripheral that feels impactful in your palms, proving earlier than you’ve even pressed a button that it will likely be able to unimaginable issues.
Its color scheme follows the identical two-tone strategy because the console, with the physique consisting of two plastics with various thickness. Black will be discovered in direction of the underside, stretching throughout the thumbsticks, residence and mute buttons. It’s softer to the touch, giving option to the raised white which dominates a lot of the controller’s physique.
The remaining plastic is way smoother, with the controller’s again supporting a texture which makes for a snug grip within the fingers. Unfortunately such whiteness means the DualSense is well vulnerable to seen scuffs and marks which have been beforehand disguised by the black paint job of outdated fashions.
I needed to be cautious when inserting it on tables and different flat surfaces, figuring out that letting it slide throughout just about something would end in some unpleasant scars. This seems like a bizarre mistake for Sony to make, and can doubtless make the inevitable controller variants and restricted editions a worthwhile funding.
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The DualSense contains a headphone jack alongside a USB-C port for charging the controller, which is way sooner than earlier strategies utilized by the DualShock 4. In phrases of buttons and inputs, issues stay largely unchanged, though the iconography of the share and choice buttons have been modified to a collection of strains, nevertheless it’s nonetheless easy sufficient to inform them aside due to how they’re positioned.
Performance – A strong enchancment over the DualShock 4 with loads of surprises
I’ll admit it’s downright weird to see the sq., circle, triangle and cross buttons now adorned in gray as an alternative of the quartet of colors which have outlined them for over 25 years. Once I managed to flee my very own nostalgic misgivings, I used to be shortly smitten with the brand new aesthetic. The buttons are raised excessive above the plastic physique, which means every push feels satisfying and responsive, although they nonetheless use membrane switches.
Travelling between them can also be glorious, which ought to make the DualSense superb for exact platformers and preventing video games. The thumbsticks are additionally textured with a a lot larger high quality of rubber. The outer rings sporting a texture which prevents your fingers from slipping all through extra hectic gaming classes. It seems like it’s going to put on away far slower than earlier controllers, which was a daily concern for shoppers with the DualShock 4.
DualSense actually comes into its personal when you experiment with the triggers. Sporting the identical concave design as its predecessor, they’re hiding some revolutionary expertise that transforms the way you strategy contextual actions in a wide range of totally different video games. Sony has applied haptic suggestions into rumble alongside adaptive triggers which may realistically replicate the efficiency of actions in actuality.
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In Astro’s Playroom, you have to to carry down the set off to activate a spring, or pull an object and really feel the stress mount up in your fingers earlier than an explosion of aid hits you. Controlling a robotic monkey, you have to tilt the controller whereas holding the triggers to cling onto precarious cliffs, with the sensation within the adaptive triggers altering as you progress nearer and nearer to your purpose. Rockets of a miniature ship will blast in opposition to your digits as they’re ignited, or a toy minigun’s fixed rotation can ship the same stage of influence.
The same sense of magic will be felt within the DualSense’s vastly improved vibration motors, which will be engineered to as soon as once more mimic the actions on display proper into the palm of your fingers. Gusts of wind pushing again in opposition to Astro Bot are mirrored within the controller’s vibrations, as are particular person drops of rain as they gently hit in opposition to your cutesy umbrella. It’s nothing like I’ve ever felt in gaming earlier than, and there’s so many potentialities to be explored.
Astro’s Playroom is undoubtedly essentially the most full showcase of the DualSense’s potential, nevertheless it’s additionally briefly explored in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition. While swinging via Manhattan because the web-head, you solely want to use a lightweight contact to the triggers to unleash a strand of net, or press down more durable to reinforce the momentum being positioned into every particular person motion. Nero’s sword in Devil May Cry will be revved up like a bike, emulating the sensation of a miniature engine at your fingertips. It’s rad as heck.
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DualSense additionally has a microphone which will be activated with the contact of a button should you don’t fancy Sony listening to all the things it’s important to say. It appears to be restricted at a system stage proper now, however ought to turn out to be useful when partaking in on-line multiplayer or utilizing the voice search operate on sure purposes. It’s utilized in Astro’s Playroom as a nifty platforming mechanic, the place you might be requested to blow into the microphone to imitate the blowing of wind. This is used a handful of instances to glorious impact as you keep away from obstacles and activate an assortment of untamed contraptions.
Battery life for the DualSense is a profound enchancment, with my testing leading to a complete time of 13 hours and 11 minutes earlier than it switched off and required a cost. Your personal private mileage will doubtless range relying on the video games and purposes getting used, nevertheless it’s onerous to disclaim how significantly better that is when in comparison with the DualShock 4.
Verdict – Should you purchase the DualSense Controller?
It’s uncommon that essentially the most enthralling facet of a brand new console is its controller, however that’s precisely the case with PS5 and the DualSense. It’s a surprising peripheral, and one which introduces options we’ve merely by no means seen executed like this earlier than.
Adaptive triggers and haptic suggestions introduce a newfound stage of immersion, and whereas I’ve solely seen it in just a few video games, it has the potential to be one thing actually particular. One of the one downsides is the white color scheme, which is just begging to be adorned with all kinds of irritating marks.
Such a grievance is simple to forgive, and one that can doubtless be addressed in future fashions anyway. Beyond this the construct high quality, battery life and common collection of capabilities is way past any PlayStation controller earlier than it, and a strong step ahead for the medium in its personal proper.