‘We know how much our fans have been looking forward to the return of transparent controllers’: Sony’s latest PS5 controllers bring back the luscious see-through look of the 1990s

A three-way image of the new PS5 DualSense prism colorways — (Image credit: Future/Sony/PlayStation)

Sony has announced a new range of PS5 controllers and console covers
They come in three translucent finishes, including orange, green, and gray
They play upon the transparent look that was popular in the 1990s

Translucent gaming hardware is having a moment right now, with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 and Microsoft’s see-through Xbox Series X leading the charge. Now, Sony is getting in on the act with a new range of PlayStation 5 covers and controllers that take you back to a time when seemingly everything had a touch of transparency about it.

Dubbed the Prism range, the new accessories are available in three translucent forms: Flare Orange, Emerald Green, and Graphite Gray. They come with a “premium glossy sheen for a sleek and elevated design,” Sony says, and those finishes “give players a closer look into the design and craftsmanship behind our DualSense controllers and PlayStation 5 consoles.”

As Sony alluded to, it’s not just the DualSense controller that gets the Prism treatment. The PS5 console itself can take on one of the collection’s looks thanks to three dedicated console covers that can be fixed to your PS5 to overhaul its appearance.

Retro revival

Three Prism controllers and covers for the Sony PlayStation 5 games console. — (Image credit: Sony)

Many tech companies have brought out translucent devices in recent years as they seek to capitalize on the nostalgic hit the look provides for fans of ‘90s design and throwback gaming culture.

Sony is no different, with company designer Leo Cardoso saying: “We know how much our fans have been looking forward to the return of transparent controllers. We wanted to bring back the iconic see-through trend of the late ‘90s in a fresh, modern way that complements the PS5’s industrial design.”

With Sony’s main console rival Microsoft launching a translucent green Xbox Series X alongside an “OG Green” see-through controller, PlayStation bosses might not have wanted to feel left behind — or for their fans to cast envious sideways glances at their Xbox-toting friends and family members.

Now, they might not have to worry about that. And if you’re a fan of the retro aesthetic and want to bring a touch of the 1990s to your PlayStation 5, this could be one way to do it.

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The best PS5 controllers for all budgets

➡️ Read our full guide to the best PS5 controllers
1. Best overall:
DualSense Wireless Controller
2. Best pro:
DualSense Edge
3. Best for versatility:
Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded
4. Best for remote play:
PlayStation Portal
5. Best for accessibility
PlayStation Access Controller

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Alex Blake has been fooling around with computers since the early 1990s, and since that time he's learned a thing or two about tech. No more than two things, though. That's all his brain can hold. As well as TechRadar, Alex writes for iMore, Digital Trends and Creative Bloq, among others. He was previously commissioning editor at MacFormat magazine. That means he mostly covers the world of Apple and its latest products, but also Windows, computer peripherals, mobile apps, and much more beyond. When not writing, you can find him hiking the English countryside and gaming on his PC.

Forget Xbox, Sony just launched its own translucent controllers in the form of the PS5 Prism collection — and they’re a nostalgic hit of retro gaming aesthetics that channel the late ‘90s in a fresh, modern way’

Retro revival

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