• Scuf has revealed the Omega, a new premium DualSense alternative for PS5 and PC
• It features a wealth of additional buttons and high-end components
• It's available now, and prices start at $219.99 / £209.99

High-end gaming accessory maker Scuf has revealed a new PlayStation 5 controller, the Omega.

It's an officially licensed DualSense Edge alternative that features an additional 11 customizable inputs geared towards competitive play. This includes four rear paddles, two side buttons, and five G-keys near the bottom of the pad. Everything can be tweaked and remapped via the compatible Scuf Mobile App, which also offers the option to save personalized profiles to the controller.

All of this comes alongside the usual DualSense inputs, ensuring native PS5 compatibility.

On top of this deluge of buttons, the Scuf Omega boasts other unique features such as a removable magnetic faceplate and interchangeable action buttons. It's also compatible with a non-slip grip and has its own RGB lighting strip.

The Omega is a wireless controller, though players who choose to use it in a wired capacity can take advantage of a cable lock to prevent accidental disconnects (a handy feature for tournament settings). Although PS5 is clearly the focus, those on PC can benefit from a lightning-fast 1,000Hz polling rate, whether playing wired or wirelessly, too.

Premium components like the mechanical D-pad and durable TMR thumbsticks should make this a pretty significant step up compared to the standard DualSense. It's even got better battery life, with an estimated 17 hours of active use per charge compared to the usual (and rather optimistic) 12.

With features like these, it should come as no surprise that the Scuf Omega is far from cheap. You can buy it now via the Scuf website, starting at $219.99 / £209.99.

Whether it will rank among the best PS5 controllers is yet to be seen, so keep an eye out for our review in the coming weeks.

PlayStation is no stranger to limited-edition or fresh colorway accessories, and maybe no product gets that treatment more than the DualSense Wireless Controller. For many, the unique designs and fresh looks let you match the controller to whatever game you’re playing — or even your personality.

While I am still holding out hope for a 30th Anniversary DualSense restock, PlayStation’s recent drop, which debuted back in March 2025, is bursting with color and might even have gotten its inspiration from the Icon Blue edition that dropped in late 2025.

The Hyperpop Collection is a clan of three PS5 pads: Techno Red, Remix Green, and Rhythm Blue. So while the names might make you think of Rock Band or Guitar Hero, PlayStation’s team shared that these designs are all about bursts of color and are inspired by the impressive RGB-lit setups many players use.

Essentially, these pops of color extend from your setup — or even the screen of some of your favorite PS5 games — into your hands via the DualSense Controller. Neither the Techno Red, Remix Green, nor Rhythm Blue gets a full paint job, though. Rather, each is presented more like a gradient, with the bottom half of the controller getting the vibrant treatment while the top remains black.

Even though the paint job doesn’t cover the entirety of the controller, these really do stand out thanks to the glossy finish across all three. The result is a smooth-feeling controller, which may or may not be the best fit for you, as it lacks some of the texture found on other DualSense Controllers.

These do have a certain amount of sparkle and spectacle to them. I especially like the Rhythm Blue. As the vibrant blue starts to fade to black, I really liked the tapering effect PlayStation accomplished here as well.

Remix Green, as you can see from the photos above, has some more yellow undertones, making it effectively a lime-green. Remix Red is likely the runner-up in my books, offering a really nice shade of red that any fan of Spider-Man or Marvel would likely jive quite well with.

If you’re after an eye-catching DualSense Controller, though, and your favorite color is green, red, or blue, you really can’t go wrong with this set. And if you’re really after a full-circle look, PlayStation offers matching PS5 covers in the same shades.

PlayStation’s DualSense Controllers in Hyperpop Techno Red, Remix Green, and Rhythm Blue are available for $84.99 / £74.99 / AU$134.99 at major retailers. I’ll include a few links for them below, but it looks like all three are sticking around for a while.

Hyperpop DualSense Collection in the US

Hyperpop DualSense Collection in the UK

• 007 First Light art director Rasmus Poulsen has responded to the limited-edition Dualsense criticism
• He says the design is inspired by the game's UI and "light" theme
• Poulsen adds, "I think it's actually very telling that it's not a straight-up gun barrel"

IO Interactive has addressed criticism of the design of the 007 First Light limited-edition DualSense wireless controller, confirming it's not what some fans think.

Last month, Sony unveiled the gorgeous new DualSense, which will launch alongside the game on May 27 for $84.99 / £74.99 / €84.99. The gold and black design features a '007' logo on the touchpad and is surrounded by straight lines fanning out across the controller.

It was thought that the design was inspired by the iconic opening of James Bond movies, which typically show 007 walking across the screen from the perspective of inside a gun barrel, before whipping out his pistol.

However, after the announcement, some fans criticised the design, reasoning that if it were the case, the lines should actually be curved and spiralled, not straight.

"I was immediately bothered that the design, which is clearly trying to emulate the iconic opening, didn’t have 'rifling' (the swirly bit in the barrel that stabilizes the bullet)," one user said on Reddit.

Another responded, saying, "The idea of a 007 themed controller, with a design inspired by the inside of a barrel, NOT referencing the 007 intro stretches my credulity a bit too far lol."

Now, in an interview with Eurogamer, 007 First Light art director Rasmus Poulsen has set the record straight and confirmed the design is not intended to simply mimic a gun barrel.

"The thing about the straight lines is everybody can do just a gun barrel, right? But in that sense, I think it's actually very telling that it's not a straight-up gun barrel, because that is an icon of the franchise," Poulsen said.

"It isn't actually anywhere," he added, suggesting you don't see rifling in the real world or in Bond movies beyond the iconic title cards. "I mean, it's inside every weapon, of course - but now I'm getting ahead of myself."

The art director goes on to explain the real intention behind the design, revealing that it's a reference to the game's UI and its "light and shadow" themes. First Light, get it?

"What we were trying to do with that was reference more how the UI of the game feels," Poulsen explained. "So rather than simply making a franchise stamp, it relates to our product, in the sense that it has that UI sense - and then it has more of a, dare I say, 'Sun' flavour, referring back to the title. And you've seen the title sequence. So there's some things about light and shadow that we wanted to play with."

If you would like to get your hands on the 007 First Light limited-edition DualSense wireless controller, preorders are now live.

The game's launch is just around the corner, and TechRadar Gaming has already had the chance to preview it.

• A new 007 First Light Limited Edition DualSense controller has been announced by Sony
• As usual, the pad will cost $84.99 / £74.99
• Preorders begin next week on April 17 before the controller releases alongside the game on May 27

Sony has announced a brand-new variant of its DualSense wireless controller set to launch alongside 007 First Light this year.

The 007 First Light Limited Edition Dualsense controller will launch alongside the game on May 27, and pre-orders begin in a matter of days. Next week, in fact, on April 17.

As is usual for Sony's limited edition pads, it will cost you $84.99 / €84.99 / £74.99, and have all the excellent features we've come to know and love from the PS5 controller, from haptics to adaptive triggers and great PC compatibility.

Naturally, it's the design that's the star of the show here, and Rasmus Poulsen, Franchise Art Director on 007 First Light, states in a new PlayStation Blog post that "Every element of the DualSense design was crafted as a celebration of Bond’s return, blending legacy and modernity to create a controller that feels unmistakably 007 from the moment you see it."

At the core of that is the controller's shiny golden sheen finish that's punctuated and complemented by darker, black features.

The controller features the instantly recognisable 007 logo in the middle of the touch pad with strong lines radiating from it, across the pad. On the rear of the pad, among the sea of goldness, the 007 First Light name and tagline of 'Earn the number' are present.

I think it looks very slick and chic, and I simply must add it to my collection. I love limited edition PS5 hardware like this, and with 007 First Light being one of my most anticipated games of the year, this seems like the perfect way to celebrate it.

Shedding more light on the limited edition design, Poulsen said the "golden finish pays tribute to the elegance, legacy, and timeless style of the franchise, while the barrel-inspired detailing reflects the themes of the game and how it feels to play it as well as being a nod to one of pop culture’s most recognizable visual signatures."

To get your hands on what I think will be a very popular product, you'll need to be locked in with our live coverage of pre-orders that's happening at 10am ET, and 10am local time everywhere else, next Friday.

• KontrolFreek is releasing a new Call of Duty performance thumbstick model
• The KontrolFreek Call of Duty Jugger-Nog Performance Thumbsticks are inspired by the in-game perk
• It comes with an exclusive weapon charm

TechRadar Gaming can exclusively reveal that controller accessory brand KontrolFreek is set to launch a new officially licensed Call of Duty model in its flagship performance thumbstick line.

Inspired by the beloved Juggernog perk drink in the series' popular zombies mode, the KontrolFreek Call of Duty Jugger-Nog Performance Thumbsticks come in a collectible replica can. Designed to mirror the look of the power-up in Black Ops 7, the can is made of metal and features plenty of amusing details to help it stand out on your shelf.

The two thumbsticks inside are topped with the brand's proprietary GripTek material, which feels comfortably soft and rubbery, and are embossed with the perk's in-game logo. One is a standard mid-rise design intended for use on the left thumbstick, while the other is a high-rise model that improves accuracy with the right.

Available only as a Collector's Edition, the Xbox and PlayStation variants are priced at $29.99 / £29.99 / AU$44.99 and come bundled with an exclusive in-game weapon modelled after the can for use in Black Ops 7 and Warzone.

As someone who spends hundreds of hours in Call of Duty every year, I've tested a wide range of KontrolFreek thumbsticks and practically always have a pair on my DualSense Wireless Controller at this point. While they're never going to fix bad aim, they do make a tangible difference to how your controller feels to use, and precise movement is definitely a little easier when you get used to the added height.

They're very affordable compared to splashing out on a high-end gamepad designed for first-person shooters, and give you a new way to customise the look of your controller. If you're a big first-person shooter fan, I'd recommend giving them a go, and this new pair might be just the model for you if you're a Call of Duty zombies fiend.

To buy the KontrolFreek Call of Duty Jugger-Nog Performance Thumbsticks, head to the KontrolFreek website.

• Sony has patented AI-generated podcasts that would be hosted by PlayStation characters
• The characters' voices would be AI-generated and they would present gaming news to the player
• The AI podcast hosts would also discuss hardware or software updates and may even "joke at the video game player's expense"

Sony has reportedly obtained a new patent for AI-generated podcasts that would be voiced by its PlayStation characters.

As discovered by Tech4Gamers, Sony's new patent, titled LLM-Based Generative Podcasts for Gamers, aims to create personalized podcasts for gamers that are hosted from its platform rather than tutorial videos or guides they can find online.

"As recognized herein, video game platforms currently lack the ability to provide unique and targeted content to gamers to update the gamers about things that are happening on the platform," the patent description reads. "There are currently no adequate solutions to the foregoing computer-related, technological problem."

The patent, which was applied for back in July 2024 and was recently granted in late January, is also described as a tool to "generate a podcast of news related to the data, with the podcast presenting the news in a voice of a video game character of a video game played by the video game player".

This suggests Sony aims to use generative AI voices developed from its PlayStation characters, such as God of War's Kratos, to create these podcast episodes.

It describes a scenario where the player would boot up their console and see a message stating, “Your personalized podcast is available for today' seemingly tailored to the player's recent game sessions.

The patent also suggests that players can ask to exclude information, like news about games, or include details about games they don't own yet.

"In one example implementation, the data associated with the video game player's profile may include data related to a connection of the video game player as indicated in the video game player's profile, with the podcast indicating news related to gameplay of the connection," the patent reads.

Sony also says two video game characters could collaborate in one podcast, creating a crossover scenario, and discuss topics such as trophy achievements or a hardware/software update, as the drawings above showcase.

"In other news, there’s a software update for Gen X so update now," an image showing an AI host reads. The AI co-host adds, "Also, try a spin move on the boss next time!"

It also states that the AI podcast hosts "may include a joke at the video game player's expense" and "may include a recommendation of an action for the video game player to take in the video game".

This is just one of many patents Sony has reportedly filed that include the usage of generative AI. Last month, it patented new AI technology that will take control of PlayStation games when the player gets stuck and, most recently, a touchscreen controller patent that doesn't feature buttons or thumbsticks.

• A Sony-filed patent jhas revealed designs for a "buttonless" controller
• It would use touchscreens instead of the traditional buttons, d-pad, and more
• Elements could be resized and moved around at will

Sony has patented a controller design that looks like it would do away with buttons entirely, as well as the d-pad and thumbsticks.

The patent (spotted by Insider Gaming) was filed on January 27, 2026, and is now available to view publicly. It details a "buttonless" controller that, as hinted in the URL, could be an early concept for a potential PlayStation 6 controller rather than something for the PS5. Take that with a pinch of salt, naturally, as patents often don't lead to a fully-realized product.

Imagery in the patent depicts a controller with two large touchscreens, situated where the d-pad, face buttons, and thumbsticks would be. The touchscreens are located on the left and right of the pad, with a central "push button" dividing the two.

The patent also shows that the usual physical features of a controller are now elements that can be interacted with on the touchscreen. Players would be able to assign button, d-pad, and stick elements, as well as move them around and resize them according to preference. One image shows that elements could even overlap.

The Background section of the patent offers some insight as to how such a product could be beneficial to the end user, from an accessibility standpoint.

"One of the drawbacks of existing designs [of controllers] may be the fixed configuration," it reads. "By way of example, a fixed layout may be too small, or too large, for a user. Similarly, a fixed layout may not be comfortable to a user."

It goes on to state that: "There exists a desire for game controllers to allow for different configurations, and accommodate hand sizes without having to customize or manufacture controller size."

We've certainly seen evidence of this from PlayStation itself. The PlayStation Access controller, for example, is an accessibility-driven device that is highly modular, and allows for a swathe of layouts and setups.

Contemporary controllers are also adopting more advanced features, like swappable thumbstick layouts and additional remappable buttons. The likes of the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded and Razer Raiju V3 Pro come to mind here.

It remains to be seen if Sony will do anything with this buttonless controller patent. But it's certainly an interesting idea that - if one can get over the loss of physicality that comes with touch screens - could be helpful in creating accessibility-driven button layouts without needing custom hardware setups.

• Sony has revealed a new accessory collection
• Dubbed the Hyperop Collection, it offers three new accessory and console cover colorways
• They're available to pre-order from January 16

Sony has just lifted the curtain on its latest accessory collection, and I can't be the only one that thinks that everything in it is seriously ugly.

Dubbed the 'Hyperpop Collection' it offers three new accessory colorways: Techno Red, Remix Green, and Rhythm Blue. Each one is basically a bright primary color, paired with a black gradient. The designs are available on new DualSense Wireless Controller models or PS5 Slim console covers.

Honestly, all three colorways look like something a ten year old would whip up in Photoshop when messing around with the gradient tool and I won't be falling over myself to add any of the new gear to my collection.

Commenters on the YouTube reveal trailer seem a little more positive towards the collection. "Finally after 22 years, PlayStation has the Mountain Dew edition," wrote one fan. "That green controller looks absolutely insane and fire. I want that green one," added another.

Many have pointed out the apparent lack of PlayStation Pro console covers, though. Indeed, looking at the official press release it does appear as though PS5 Pro owners have been left in the cold a bit with this one.

The Hyperpop DualSense Wireless Controllers will retail for $84.99 / £74.99, while the PS5 Slim console covers will cost $74.99 / £64.99. Sony states that the console covers will only be available in "limited quantities" and "select markets" - so presumably the company is not anticipating that much demand.

This might be the reason why there seems to be no PS5 Pro variants for now. Maybe we'll see them announced down the line if these new colorways are a hit.

The entire collection will be available to pre-order from January 16 at 10AM ET in the US or 10AM local time in the UK.

• PlayStation's end-of-year summary is here and can be viewed now
• The Wrap-Up gives key stats on games played, trophies earned, and more
• It also includes details on hardware and accessories used

PlayStation's 2025 Wrap-Up is here - if you can get it to load now - and it's a pretty cool smattering of details, info, and data that PS users get every year.

I'm always eager to see this flash presentation of my year in PlayStation, particularly so given it's my main platform, and I try and play, well, everything I can on my PS5 Pro.

Anyway, this year goes way beyond just giving you gaming stats, trophy data, and the time spent in each game you played on PS5 and PS4.

This year, Sony even shows you - satisfyingly, I think - which color of DualSense you used the most, and some data about PlayStation Portal usage (only if you have one, presumably).

The Wrap-Up can now show you how many different games you played on your Portal, how many sessions you had, and how many hours overall - neat!

We knew that Sony had and was interested in using this kind of info when we spoke to Takuro Fushimi, Senior Manager, Product Management at Sony, about the big Portal update last month, but it's still fascinating to see one's own info in the light of day.

I'm a huge fan of this beyond the Portal stuff, too; however, as my Wrap-Up will now even tell me what DualSense colorway I used most!

As you can see from above, it was Midnight Black this year, and that's likely because when I received it as a gift last Christmas, I teamed it with some KontrolFreek grips of the same color to create the perfect, color-coordinated pad that's stuck to me like glue.

I'd love to get a breakdown of this in a league table - although that could add a bit of shame with the ones I barely use, or don't use at all.

What kind of data did you get? Which was your most-used DualSense color? Let me know in the comments.

• A new Genshin Impact DualSense Wireless controller has been announced
• Preorders for the limited edition controller go live on December 11 for $84.99 / €84.99 / £74.99
• It's expected to ship in Asia on January 21, 2026, and the rest of the world on February 25, 2026

Sony has announced a new DualSense Wireless controller that will go on sale next week, and it's inspired by one of the most popular free-to-play games.

Starting December 11, preorders for the Genshin Impact DualSense will go live at PlayStation Direct and select retailers in limited quantities for $84.99 / €84.99 / £74.99 / ¥12,480.

The PS5 controller will launch on January 21, 2026, in select markets across Asia, including Japan, and will be released later on February 25, 2026, in North America, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

The DualSense's reveal comes ahead of the launch of Genshin Impact's next major update, Version Luna III, on December 3.

Featuring a white, gold, and green color palette, the controller is adorned with arcane glyphs from Genshin Impact, including emblems of the game's dual protagonists and Traveler Twins, Aether and Lumine, and their companion guide, Paimon.

"We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to present the DualSense Wireless Controller – Genshin Impact Limited Edition to our players and fans around the world," said Wenyi Jin, president of global publishing and operations at HoYoverse, in the PlayStation Blog post.

"The controller features iconic design elements inspired by Genshin Impact’s beloved Traveler Twins and Paimon, celebrating years of adventure and companionship in Teyvat, alongside our cherished memories with the community. We hope that Travelers will enjoy the company of the controller and continue to expand their adventure in Genshin Impact!"

• Sony has unveiled a new Special Edition controller, the Icon Blue DualSense
• It launches later this month and features a deep blue colorway with PlayStation iconography
• It will only be available in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Chile

Sony is on a constant roll, it seems, of releasing new DualSense editions, and it's just announced yet another new one that's going to come out later this month: the Icon Blue Special Edition DualSense.

Designed to pay homage to PlayStation's history and heritage, this pad is a slick-looking, moody-blue variant that I'm desperate to add to my collection.

However, there's a catch. A catch that makes me very sad. This limited edition PS5 controller will only be available in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Chile. And further to that, US shoppers will get it earlier: in America, it'll be on sale from October 20, and in the other countries, it'll go on sale on October 28. I have asked Sony to clarify whether this is initially for pre-orders or if it is going to be straight-up available from these dates.

I've collated the best early links below for you to bookmark or return to when the time comes.

It appears to be a collaboration or partnership with retailer Walmart, as the PS Blog states that the controller will be available at "Walmart locations in these regions as well as on Walmart’s official site."

As with previous limited edition controllers, the US price will be $84.99, and in Canada, Mexico, and Chile, it'll cost $109.99 CAD / $1,899 MXN / $93,490 CLP, respectively.

As for the details on this DualSense Wireless Controller's design, it's blue. Very blue. Describing the design on the PS Blog post, Leo Cardoso from Sony's Color, Material, and Finish design team says: "Inspired by PlayStation’s iconic shades of blue, this design captures the feeling of anticipation and wonder every time you pick up the controller. As a nod to our origins, we added Katakana characters on the back that spell our name the Japanese way: Pureisutēshon."

I think it looks excellent, and I am devastated that my chances of adding it to my collection are looking terribly slim. To try and ease my woes, I have reached out to Sony for comment on any potential future availability in other regions, but I have yet to receive a response at the time of publishing this article.

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• A new DualSense wireless controller is reportedly in the works
• The "DualSense V3" will launch in November alongside the rumored new PS5 Pro
• The new controller will feature a removable battery

As rumors circulate about a new PlayStation 5 Pro, another leak claims a new DualSense wireless controller will be released this year and feature a removable battery.

That's according to Polish outlet PPE, (via PlayStation Lifestyle), which accurately reported on the recent announcement of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 coming to PS5.

It claims that a new DualSense controller, privately known as "DualSense V3", will launch in November alongside the revised PS5 Pro, and replace the current PS5 controller models.

But the biggest difference with "DualSense V3" is that, for the first time, it will feature a removable battery.

Unlike current models that come with a built-in rechargeable battery and require players to charge their controller with a USB or docking station, the new DualSense will reportedly allow players to swap out batteries, like Xbox controllers.

Though not reported, this also suggests that Sony could be preparing to announce new DualSense battery packs, which would likely be sold separately.

Sources also claim that the new DualSense controller will be bundled with the revised PS5 Pro, which is reportedly releasing in Europe on September 30 and could cost €799.99, with no word on a US release.

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• The PS5 DualSense can be used on multiple platforms, but not all at once
• Now, a new firmware update allows it to be paired with multiple devices at once
• The controller can switch between four devices with a button press

Sony’s DualSense controller from the PlayStation 5 has been able to be used for mobile phones, computers, and just about anything else, but with the caveat that it needs to be paired again to use with your console.

Now, a new firmware update will mean you no longer need to go through the rigmarole of pairing each time. You’ll now be able to have not one, not two, but four connections you can switch between.

The update was revealed in July, but finally hits controllers the world over today. You’ll need to plug your pad in to update it, but doing so will let you register four devices simultaneously.

You can switch between them using a combination of one of the four face ‘Action’ buttons (Triangle, Square, Cross, Circle) and the PlayStation button.

Here’s how Sony explained it:

• Make sure the light bar and player indicator on your controller are off. If they’re turned on, press and hold the PS button until they turn off.
• Press and hold one of the action buttons (triangle, circle, cross, or square) and the PS button for over 5 seconds. The light bar and player indicator flash twice.
• Turn on Bluetooth on your device, and select the option to add Bluetooth® devices. Your device detects nearby Bluetooth devices.
• Select your controller from the detected devices. The light bar lights up, and the player indicator’s lights blink according to the slot number.

Each of the four slots has its own number of light bar ‘blinks’ to help discern which device to connect to.

• Triangle - One Light
• Circle - Two Lights
• Cross/X - Three Lights
• Square - Four Lights

So, if you’re connecting to a PC, a phone, a tablet, and a PlayStation 5, you now have functionality to switch between all of them. Simple and very welcome stuff!

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• Sony has unveiled a new variant of the Limited Edition Astro Bot DualSense
• It features a different style of design, but similar aesthetic to the first variant
• Pre-orders start this week, on September 12, at PlayStation Direct and other retailers

In superb news for PS5 hardware collectors and Astro Bot fans, Sony recently revealed a new variant of the Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense, and it's coming soon - the Astro Bot Joyful Limited Edition DualSense.

Announced last week with a fun little video on social media, the new controller features a slightly altered design from the original - which I absolutely love - and will launch on October 30, with pre-orders beginning on Friday (September 12).

- We're covering the Astro Bot Joyful controller pre-orders live ahead of stock dropping on September 12

It's got that same robotic aesthetic draped all over it in a pleasing combo of white and Astro Bot blue, and features 'happy' eyes on the touch pad, making it a perfect companion to the game - and now its predecessor controller.

I'm a huge fan of the DualSense Wireless Controller in any form, given its excellent features, ergonomics, and performance. I'm also a big collector of the pads, too, and try to ensure I get as many as possible for my collections, especially those tied to games I really love.

Even though this new Astro Bot DualSense is only a little different from the original one I already own, having the pair of them together will be an absolute delight, and it cuts to the core of what building a collection is about.

Even in the face of the host of Yotei PS5 DualSense pre-orders - and Ghost of Yotei PS5 console pre-orders, too - this Astro Bot controller looks like a diamond, and it will definitely fly off the digital shelves as soon as pre-orders open. In terms of where to get it, PlayStation Direct's DualSense page is likely to be the best early page to view and bookmark, though other retailers are going to get involved (as per Sony's post above).

To be the devil's advocate, if Sony were going to release another one of these controllers, it probably could have been a bit more creative with the variant's design. It could have made it totally different, really. However, Sony may just be bouncing off the immense popularity of the original, and I, for one, am positive that the original interest will see this one disappear just as quickly as the first.

Remember, if you want this pad, pre-orders go live this Friday, September 12, and it releases on October 30.

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• The latest PS5 firmware beta update will arrive in the coming months and include a new DualSense pairing feature
• Sony will soon allow DualSense controllers to be paired across multiple devices simultaneously
• A Power Saver mode will also be introduced later on to reduce the power consumption of supported PS5 games

Sony has announced the new features for its latest PlayStation 5 beta firmware update, which includes simultaneous DualSense pairing across multiple devices.

The details were shared on PlayStation Blog, where Sony said that it believes enabling compatibility of its peripherals across multiple platforms "creates a more flexible and seamless gaming experience."

To further this effort, the latest beta update will preview a new feature that allows DualSense wireless controllers and DualSense Edge wireless controllers to be paired across multiple devices simultaneously, making it easier for players to switch between them without needing to pair each time.

"With this update, you can now register up to four devices simultaneously, and easily switch between them directly from your controller," Sony explained.

"For example, you can take your controller which you use with your PS5, then seamlessly switch connection to a PC to play PC games, or connect it to a smartphone to enjoy Remote Play from your PS5. With this enhanced flexibility, you can enjoy gaming more freely across multiple devices."

Sony also revealed a new Power Saver mode that, when enabled, allows supported PS5 games to run with lower power consumption and reduce environmental impact.

This is part of its Road to Zero environmental plan, and will appear as a new option in the PS5 settings menu when it's released.

This feature won't be in the latest beta update, which is set to release globally in the coming months, but Sony did say it will be available at a later date.

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When The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense was announced by Sony on March 6, 2025, I knew that I had to get one. I’m like that with (almost) anything related to the series, and even though the design seemed a little underwhelming at first, there was never any doubt that it would end up in my DualSense PS5 controller collection.

While ‘big fan of thing wants the latest merch of said thing’ isn’t a showstopper of a concept, the allure of The Last of Us special editions and gear is always strong in the fanbase, and each release almost always sells out. Look at The Last of Us Complete - a re-packaged double pack of the existing PS5 versions of the series’ two games re-released, surely, to coincide with The Last of Us season 2 on HBO - the physical edition of which sold out in mere hours, maybe minutes even though most buyers have surely played both games before.

Nonetheless, I’m still glad I managed to get my hands on the DualSense, as it really is proving to be one of the best companions for fans like me. Its unique take on crafting a Limited Edition aesthetic goes beyond the usual incorporation of a game’s color scheme or key art - instead, its design is filled with iconography and, for me, embraces the idea that even simple images can trigger memories and offer meaning.

Memories and moments

At first glance, the design of The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense almost looks as if dozens of in-game icons have been carelessly, nigh-on randomly, thrown across its front. But, for mega fans like me, this isn’t the case: the controller isn’t simply covered in graphics - it’s covered in memorable moments.

The restrained black and white color scheme is overall a quite simple affair - and somewhat at odds with the series’ themes of morally grey motives, actions, and situations. The only design element on the reverse of the pad is the name of the series printed in a simple white font. The white thumb sticks are very slick, though, and help to separate the black arms of the controller that house the stars of the show: those icons.

The white Firefly symbol, butterfly, and WLF symbol stand out the most and act as the ‘anchor’ points on the controller, but the subtle stars of the show in the glossy black icons elsewhere are where the controller completely wins me over, with each evoking memories and moments instantly.

For example, I glance at the banjo and immediately hear Gustavo Santaolalla’s music; see the icon of Ellie and Riley’s polaroid and am instantly transported to the fair in Left Behind; clock the unfolded map background and can quickly visualise Ellie unfurling and drawing on the Seattle map in Part 2; and see the hammer icon and immediately relive that famous scene of Abby in the woods with Lev and Yara.

Perhaps my favorite one, though, is the simple brick. This was the one I clocked first, and it immediately brought back a strong memory of one of my playthroughs of The Last of Us Remastered, where I was on a Survivor difficulty playthrough and suffering from the lack of resources, constantly internally screaming, ‘just give me a brick! I just need one brick!’.

Each of these icons has the potential to do something similar for fans, too, and these tiny details - much like the subtleties on the Astro Bot controller’s design - make for a nuanced and excellent Limited Edition pad.

I do wish the emblems and icons had a bit more prominence generally, though, as black on black is a tough combo to fully appreciate. I’d also have thrown in some texture for them, too, or raised them up from the surface ever so slightly, which would make them easier to appreciate.

However, all in, this is another excellent Limited Edition DualSense from Sony that knows its audience, knows which bits of the series to highlight in such accessories, and has executed it masterfully, ensuring the design of a controller can evoke and serve something beyond just physically playing games on PS5.

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• Sony has revealed a new limited edition DualSense Wireless Controller inspired by Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• It launches on June 26, 2025, to coincide with the release of the game
• Some PlayStation fans have expressed disappointment at its basic design, however

Sony has unveiled a new limited edition DualSense Wireless Controller to celebrate the upcoming release of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

The controller is set to launch on June 26, 2025, alongside the PlayStation 5 release of Death Stranding 2. Pre-orders for it will begin on May 22, 2025, and it will cost $84.99 / £74.99. It will be available exclusively via PlayStation Direct in limited quantities.

The controller looks like the standard Midnight Black DualSense with some small decals applied. Both grips have a basic orange pattern on them, with futuristic numbers and a barcode-like graphic. There's also a patch on the controller's touchpad, with a 'Drawbridge' logo in addition to the text "both stick and rope, to protect and connect. Together, for tomorrow."

The only other other thing of note on the front is a subtle print of a ring connecting the controller's face buttons, giving it a marginally more futuristic look. The back of the controller then has a barely noticeable Death Stranding 2: On the Beach logo slapped on.

Honestly speaking, it's not the most exciting limited edition controller I've ever seen. I could certainly think of a few ways in which I could have been made more interesting without pushing the envelope out too far. A dual-tone design, like the one found on the recent The Last of Us Limited Edition controller, perhaps in orange and black would have been a lot more eye catching at least.

Given the asking price, it's not unreasonable to expect more than a few small prints on a standard colorway. I'm not alone in this assessment either, as some PlayStation fans have taken to the PlayStation Blog comment section to express their disappointment with the design.

"Could’ve been much better than just some some small patches of images. Sony should learn from Microsoft on how to design limited edition controllers," said one.

"How is it possible for a company this big to become so greedy and lazy? How do you go from making a controller like the Death Stranding PlayStation 4 one, or the Astro Bot PS5 controller, to making this? Why are you treating your biggest IPs and fans with such disrespect? You literally just took an existing black DualSense, slapped some ugly stickers on it, and called it a 'Limited Edition controller'," another replied.

"There is nothing about this controller that screams 'Death Stranding 2; when you’re looking at it. Is this all the creativity and effort you’re willing to put into a Limited product? Huge disappointment, and hard pass."

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• Sony has dropped the price of the DualSense Edge controller
• It's now £10 cheaper than its original price at £199.99
• It was quietly announced alongside the new Midnight Black collection

There's some great news for PS5 owners in the UK who've been thinking of picking up the premium DualSense Edge controller.

Yesterday, on January 7, Sony announced new Midnight Black versions of some of its best PS5 hardware, including the PlayStation Portal, Pulse Explore earbuds, Pulse Elite gaming headset and - crucially - the DualSense Edge.

In that same PlayStation Blog post, Sony also quietly confirmed that the DualSense Edge is receiving a permanent price drop in the UK, taking it from £209.99 down to the new, more rounded price of £199.99. According to the blog post, this "applies to the original white version" and the new Midnight Black variant. It also brings it in line with the US price of $199.99 which has remained the same.

It's a very small price drop on the face of it, to be sure, but I think that dropping a product below £200 is actually pretty significant. It's like the difference between 5' 11" and 6' - there's a virtual chasm between the two.

If that's enough to get you to pull the trigger finally, you should know that the new price has already gone into effect at PlayStation Direct as well as Argos in the UK. This isn't the case at all retailers, however, with the likes of Currys and Game stocking the white DualSense Edge at its original £209.99 price point. Avoid those for now if you can.

As for the Midnight Black DualSense Edge, pre-orders are set to go live on January 16 and will be launching on February 20. And thankfully, I have a feeling these won't be snapped up as quickly as the DualSense Edge 20th Anniversary Edition which was virtually impossible to find after its initial pre-order run last year.

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• The Midnight Black Collection launches on February 20, 2025
• Preorders are set to begin on January 10 at PlayStation Direct

Sony has unveiled its Midnight Black Collection, a brand new colorway for a range of PS5 accessories launching next month.

As the name suggests, the Midnight Black Collection includes new, classic black versions of the PlayStation Portal remote player, DualSense Edge wireless controller, Pulse Elite wireless headset, and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds.

The entire collection is set to be released on February 20, 2025, with pre-orders beginning on January 16 at PlayStation Direct.

Sony has already provided the prices for each piece of hardware, which you can read below, and won't cost more than the original white models, aligning with the leaks reported in November.

The PS Portal, DualSense Edge, and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds will cost $200, while the Pulse Elite wireless headset will cost $149.99.

• PlayStation Portal remote player – Midnight Black: $199.99 / £199.99 / €219.99 / 34,980 YEN
• DualSense Edge wireless controller – Midnight Black: $199.99 / £199.99 / €219.99 / 34,980 YEN
• Pulse Explore wireless earbuds – Midnight Black: $199.99 / £199.99 / €219.99 / 34,980 YEN
• Pulse Elite wireless headset – Midnight Black: $149.99 / £129.99 / €149.99 / 22,980 YEN

"Each Midnight Black accessory features a unique, rich shade of black, with sleek detailing on various buttons and accents such as the PlayStation logo," Sony said in the latest PlayStation blog post.

"The Midnight Black design extends to the included charging case for Pulse Explore earbuds, charging hanger for Pulse Elite headset, and carrying case for DualSense Edge controller. The Pulse Elite wireless headset and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds will also include a felt grey carrying case."

These new accessories will complement PlayStation's Midnight Black DualSense wireless controller and PS5 console covers, which released in 2021 and 2022.

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It’s a debate that has rumbled on since consoles gained two analog sticks, but it’s still a hot topic even today — are asymmetrical controllers or symmetrical ones the best?

The latter is how you’ll find many of the most popular controllers, especially as that’s how Sony uses them on its DualSense controller for PS5, but many will no doubt point to the offset sticks of an Xbox Wireless Controller or Nintendo Switch Pro Controller as the ‘correct’ way simply by virtue of both companies adopting them.

In all honesty, much of it will be down to personal preference, but that’s not to say there aren’t subtle benefits, and weaknesses, to each. Although in our minds, any controller that gets the job done is the one you should be using. Let’s dive into it.

Symmetrical vs asymmetrical controller: performance and use cases

There’s a good chance your go-to console (or history of platforms) will inform your choice here. If you’re playing on PS5 and have played on the last few Sony consoles, you’ll likely be sticking with symmetrical controllers that have both sticks towards the bottom of the pad.

Xbox fans, particularly those who have been playing since the Xbox 360 days, will likely take the opposite approach, valuing the offset sticks to help form that divide between movement and aiming or camera control. And hey, if there weren’t arguments for both layouts, we’d be in a world where we have a single usable layout, and that’s no fun for anyone.

Nintendo, despite pioneering the analog stick back in the N64 days (can’t be symmetrical if you only have one!), has seemingly fallen on Xbox’s side after symmetrical sticks for the Wii U. Not only are the Joy-Con sticks offset from one another, but the Switch Lite’s built-in controls and the Pro Controller’s thumbsticks follow the same template.

Offset sticks are reportedly more comfortable because the left stick is right where your thumb would sit if you were holding a standard pad with both hands (try thinking back to the classic PS1 controller that didn’t have sticks).

On the right side, the face buttons have long been more important than the second analog stick in earlier console generations, but we’ve sort of adapted over time to use our thumb to jump between the right stick and face buttons.

Some argue that having two sticks in a symmetrical position is ‘unnatural’ for the common hand, but in preparation for this article, I asked half a dozen people, who don’t play games, whether they’d prefer the sticks to be in the same spot or not.

It seems for users who don’t play games, it just makes sense to have them parallel — meaning Sony might be onto something when it comes to getting gaming newcomers involved in their ecosystem. Five out of six people in my super scientific survey said they’d prefer to learn to play on a Dualsense just because it made more sense for the sticks to be in the same spot on each side of the controller.

It’s also worth pointing out that there’s no ‘one size fits all’ design for all, meaning depending on accessibility concerns, you may still gravitate towards a symmetrical third-party option on Xbox, or asymmetrical on PS5. Or, one of the increasing number of modular controllers might be a means to make the best fit for you so you have the choice and flexibility.

In my research to cover this topic, I couldn’t find any evidence anywhere of anyone having a particular need for either stick setup in any genre of gaming, but many esports professionals who don’t play on PC do tend to use offset stick pads.

Before you consider hopping over to Team Offset, it’s worth pointing out that the Xbox’s lineage as a shooter-first console likely played a sizable part in this, meaning pros stick to what they feel most comfortable with.

Symmetrical vs asymmetrical controller: price and value

There’s an element of nature versus nurture, then, and you’ll likely return to whatever format you feel works best for you.

Thankfully, it’s getting easier to mix things up. For one, there are controllers that will literally swap out your entire thumbstick so you can switch its location around, like the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 controller and the Victrix Pro BFG.

This means you can have the best of both worlds, which is particularly welcome if you play on PC, can’t decide generally, or have developed particular preferences for particular game types.

Some argue that offset pads tend to have worse d-pads because the directional buttons tend to be put into a smaller space, but I feel like that’s definitely improved in recent years, at least with first-party options. Sony’s has always been pretty consistent, but Xbox 360 controllers had a d-pad that felt like pushing gum down the sink, which may have put folks off.

It’s also worth noting that Xbox and PlayStation both now offer ‘Pro’ adjacent controllers with the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller and Dualsense Edge. With customizable paddles and swappable sticks, there’s no option to swap stick placement on either, suggesting both are sticking to their guns. Those high-level features come with higher prices, too, meaning there’s an awful lot of difference between buying a standard controller and opting for a ‘Pro’ one.

Symmetrical vs asymmetrical controller: verdict

There really isn’t a winner with stick placement on symmetrical or asymmetrical pads. If you’re new to gaming, you’ll either find yourself expecting symmetrical sticks (probably) or naturally adjusting your hand to whatever is on offer. The introduction of modular controllers does open up the choice a bit more now, but they will set you back and are generally aimed at those looking for more premium and customizable pads.

Buy a symmetrical controller if...

Buy an asymmetrical controller if...

Buy a modular controller if...

This year marked the original PlayStation's 30th anniversary, an era that took Sony from a distant outsider to the top dog in the games industry. However, 2024 also marked some of PlayStation's biggest failures, showing that the platform holder may have to change its approach if it hopes to see 40.

In this generation, we've watched Sony lean into premium. High-cost peripherals like PSVR 2, PlayStation Portal, DualSense Edge, and PS5 Pro have gone against the grain of the cost-of-living crisis. And, by focusing on live service games and AAA single-player, Sony has demanded big wins from its developers. This year, that strategy led to outsize successes and significant failures, and the developers bore the brunt of the losses.

However, in 2024, we also saw signs of a new era for PlayStation that may bear fruit in 2025. Certainly, if there's one thing we can expect in the next 12 months, it's to see how Sony plans to end this generation of consoles.

Terminal velocity

In 2022, after seeing the success of Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone, with their millions of playing and paying customers, Sony revealed plans to launch 12 live service games by April 2026. However, the strategy has had wildly mixed results.

On the one hand, you have Helldivers 2. Released at the start of February, this co-op shooter became PlayStation's fastest-selling game of all time, shifting 12 million copies in its first three months, and closed the year by winning both Best Multiplayer Game and Best Ongoing Game at The Game Awards. It would seem to vindicate Sony's pivot toward live service games. But, then, that would be ignoring the elephant weighing down the other hand.

After spending eight years and millions of dollars developing live-service hero shooter Concord, Firewalk Studios released the game on August 23. Two weeks later, because of its miserable player numbers, Sony took Concord offline, delisted it from storefronts, and refunded players. A month later, it shut down the studio, making it one of the shortest-lived online games ever released and one of the biggest flops in the industry's history.

There were already hints that Sony was getting cold feet when, in 2023, president Hiroki Totoki told investors just six games would be launched on schedule, as the others had "not been able to meet the gamers' expectations." Since then, Sony has canceled at least one of those titles: The Last of Us multiplayer game.

However, it's pushing ahead with two big live service releases in 2025. Bungie's new PvPvE shooter Marathon, Haven Studio's competitive heist game Fairgame$. Meanwhile, Destiny 2, which previously received yearly expansions, is switching to a faster cadence of smaller seasonal releases.

It's worth highlighting the pressure on Bungie right now. Since Sony acquired the studio for $3.6 billion in 2022, it's laid off more than 300 staff members and plans to move 150 workers to other publisher teams. And if there's one thing Sony showed its studios in 2024, it's how brutal it can be in responding to failure.

Firewalk and Bungie weren't the only casualties of the past 12 months. Sony laid off 900 staff across its teams in February, closing its 22-year-old London Studio. And, on the same day it closed Firewalk, Sony shuttered mobile developer Neon Koi.

Solo and smaller

It's not all live service games on Sony's 2025 docket. Major single-player games are coming to the PS5, such as Kojima's open-world deliver- 'em-up Death Stranding 2 and Sucker Punch's samurai sequel Ghost of Yotei. And, as Sony recently told investors, it plans to "continue releasing major single-player game titles every year".

We're already seeing some of those games break cover, with Naughty Dog revealing its sci-fi bounty hunter game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, at The Game Awards and reports that God of War creator Santa Monica Studio is at work on an entirely new property. Meanwhile, Sony also confirmed its plans to buy Elden Ring developer FromSoftware's parent company, Kadokawa.

However, a growing challenge facing publishers across the industry is the sheer cost of making a AAA game. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 cost three times as much as the first game, with its upcoming sequel and Marvel's Wolverine set to cost even more.

"The entry costs for making a AAA game is in triple-digit millions," former SIE Worldwide Studios chairman Shawn Layden told an audience at Gamescom Asia in October. "We're seeing a collapse of creativity in games today with studio consolidation and the high cost of production."

We're seeing hints that Sony is trying to recreate the old AA market of smaller first-party games. In 2024, one of Sony's big successes was the comparatively pint-sized Astro Bot. This joy-filled platformer falls far below the scale of AAA, yet it became one of the highest-reviewed and most-talked-about games of the year.

New hardware on the horizon

Despite the cost, Sony has filled this generation with technology that takes the PS5 in different directions. In 2023, it released both the PSVR 2 virtual reality headset and its streaming handheld, the PlayStation Portal. Then, earlier this year, it launched the PS5 Pro, a mid-generation upgrade that doubled down on the commitment to high-fidelity gaming.

However, while Sony is great at launching high-end hardware, it is less good at supporting it post-launch. Very few first-party games have been released for the PSVR 2, with only The Midnight Walk announced for release in 2025.

The PS5 Pro is better supported, with more than 50 games enhanced to take advantage of the hardware's power, but there needs to be many more to justify the price ($699.99 / £699.99) of the console. We may also see previously enhanced games improve as Sony updates technology like PSSR, its AI-upscaling solution.

While it won’t be ready for release next year, Bloomberg reports Sony is working on a handheld that can natively play PS5 games. If that console is a few years away, now's the time for Sony to start fostering smaller studios making smaller games. In the PlayStation Vita days, Sony successfully identified small studios and supported them as they learned their craft. For instance, Little Nightmares' creator, Tarsier, started out working on LittleBigPlanet's handheld adaptations.

A new generation of handhelds that play PS5 games could be just the ecosystem Sony needs to create a market for smaller-budget games on its devices.

Even after 30 years in the business, the last 12 months showed how much Sony knows and doesn't know. Sony recognized Arrowhead and Team Asobi as small teams capable of making multi-million-selling games - games that showcase the best of PlayStation. However, it also highlighted that it's just as capable of failure, greenlighting, and investing in games that can't find a market.

2025 will show if Sony has learned any lessons from this year. Whatever the case, as we've seen consistently through the past year, the developers pay for those mistakes.

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Learning how to connect a PS5 controller via Bluetooth is an easy process to learn and it's a wonderfully straightforward task. Plus, it's very useful knowledge to have if you're planning on using your DualSense Wireless Controller on platforms other than PS5, such as PC or mobile.

That's right: the DualSense is compatible with other devices via Bluetooth connection! The DualSense itself has Bluetooth compatibility built-in, and when paired with another Bluetooth-capable device - such as an Android or iOS mobile phone - it can be used to play games on them.

There are some extra things to keep in mind depending on your device of choice, which we'll go into further detail about below. For instance, for a wireless PC connection, you'll need a USB Bluetooth adapter - many of which can be readily and cheaply bought from your online retailer of choice (such as Amazon or Walmart). You'll also need to make sure your device's operating system is up to date as per Sony's requirements.

Again, we'll break all this down below. So, to learn how to connect a PS5 controller via Bluetooth to your device of choice, check out your relevant section below.

Tools and requirements

• A DualSense Wireless Controller (the PS5's pack-in controller)
• A PC or an iOS or Android device such as a mobile phone or a tablet
• A Bluetooth USB adapter if you're playing on PC

How to connection a PS5 controller via Bluetooth - preparation

• Ensure your DualSense Wireless Controller is completely switched off
• Disconnect it from any wired connection, too
• Press and hold the Create and PS Home buttons to begin pairing mode

FAQs

Final thoughts

You now have all the knowledge necessary when it comes to connecting a PS5 controller via Bluetooth to your device of choice. Whether you're playing on PC, iOS, or Android, the process is extremely straightforward. Just remember to keep your controller charged up regularly as it'll still be draining the battery while you play!

• A new patent filed by Microsoft details enhanced haptic feedback motors
• They can produce more intense haptics feedback
• Or be tuned to simulate vibrations that can be perceived in multiple ways

More advanced haptic feedback could be coming to Xbox controllers, that is if a recent patent filed by Microsoft is anything to go by.

As spotted by gaming blog tech4gamers, the patent was published earlier this month and details a new kind of haptic feedback motor. In the current Xbox Wireless Controller, a haptic feedback motor is located in each grip, firmly attached to the housing of the controller.

Each haptic feedback motor features a motor shaft attached to an eccentric mass counter weight (or ERM) which is effectively just an unbalanced, cylindrical weight. The ERM is rotated quickly on the motor shaft to produce the vibrating effect that we all know and love. Xbox Wireless Controller models with Translucent face plates, like the cool Ghost Cipher Special Edition, even allow you to see this mechanism in action if you look closely.

The patent outlines the concept of a haptic motor that is not attached to the controller’s housing. Instead, it moves relative to it which, according to the patent, allows for a significantly boosted vibrational output. This could potentially be used to reduce the size of the haptic motors used in controllers, reducing the cost and environmental impact of manufacturing. Alternatively, the size of the haptic motor could be kept the same for a more powerful haptic response.

It also explains that this new form of haptic motor can be tuned with different mass, stiffness, and dampening factors in order to create a range of vibration frequencies that are perceived in different ways. In theory, this could lead to much more detailed and interesting haptic feedback – perhaps finally giving the highly immersive DualSense Wireless Controller haptic feedback a run for its money.

Interestingly, the patent goes on to state that this new haptic feedback motor would be backwards compatible with older games, which is definitely good news for those already with extensive game libraries.

Of course, the existence of a patent is far from an official confirmation that any kind of new or improved controller is in the works. Companies frequently file patents for technology that ends up never reaching consumers. We’ll have to wait and see whether Microsoft has anything in store.

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• The DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Pulse Explore are reportedly getting black versions
• They will seemingly cost the same as the original white versions
• Sony is expected to announced the new models within the month

Sony is reportedly going to release black versions of several PlayStation accessories before the end of the year.

That's according to reliable data miner 'billbil-kun' of the French blog Dealabs, who recently claimed that the company is preparing to release the DualSense Edge Controller, Pulse Elite headphones, and Pulse Explore earbuds in the color black.

Although there isn't an exact date, Billbil-kun reports that these new models will be announced "within a month", meaning we could receive official confirmation ahead of Christmas.

These PS5 accessories have only ever been available in white, aside from the DualSense Edge featured in the recently released 30th Anniversary Edition Collection. However, the data miner claimed that the new black versions will reportedly be priced the same:

• DualSense Edge Wireless Controller – Black : $199.99 / £209.99 / €239.99
• Pulse Elite Wireless Headphones – Black : $149.99 / £129.99 / €149.99
• Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds – Black : $199.99 / £199.99 / €219.99

Last week, Billbil-kun also accurately reported the leak of Sony's Black Friday deals, which have now officially gone live. Right now, a range of PlayStation accessories and consoles are now on sale to celebrate the annual event, including the Pulse Elite headphones and Pulse Explore earbuds, a collection of DualSense Wireless Controllers, the PSVR 2, PS5 console covers, and more.

To stay up to date on all the latest deals, be sure to check out our live blog for the best Black Friday PS5 and PS5 Pro deals and discounts.

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PlayStation's official Black Friday sales are starting soon, and it's arguably the company's best yet especially if you're in the market for a certain VR headset.

Announced via the official PlayStation Blog, its Black Friday sales kick off tomorrow (November 22) and will last all the way up to Cyber Monday on December 2. They'll include a wide range of savings on hardware, software, and even PS Plus subscription time. The deals also seem to line up with a Dealabs post from reliable leaker billbil-kun which went up a few days ago.

The bulk of hardware deals will be available to browse and purchase at PlayStation Direct and a number of participating retailers. That'll likely include Amazon as well as Best Buy and Walmart in the US as well as Argos and potentially Currys in the UK.

Undoubtedly the headline discount here is for PSVR 2, which the blog post confirms will receive up to a massive 40% off. If that includes the Horizon: Call of the Mountain bundle then it'll be unmissable for PlayStation stalwarts who've yet to pick up the headset for themselves.

There's also going to be up to 25% off DualSense Wireless Controller colorways, the PlayStation Pulse Elite headset, Pulse Explore buds, and even PS5 console covers. Naturally, the PlayStation Store on console will also host a tirade of excellent savings on video games. It'll likely be the best time of year to purchase some of the best PS5 games for much, much less.

PS Plus is also set to receive a huge 30% discount on 12-month memberships - massive news for anyone who's wanted to get into that Premium tier for less. Existing members can also save up to 30% when upgrading their PS Plus tier from Essential to Extra, or Extra to Premium.

At TechRadar Gaming, we'll be keeping you updated with all the best Black Friday PS5 deals and Black Friday PS5 Pro deals as they happen. We have a feeling that PSVR 2 will absolutely fly off the shelves now that it'll be available at a significantly reduced price. So be sure to keep PlayStation Direct and your favorite retailers bookmarked if you want to get your hands on one.

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Sony's Black Friday deals have leaked ahead of the annual event, and it looks like it will be discounting even more PS5 accessories.

As reported by known and reliable leaker 'billbil-kun' of the French blog Dealabs, this Black Friday Sony will seeingly offer price cuts on its DualSense Wireless Controller and DualSense Edge Controller.

Starting November 22 in France and Europe, DualSense Wireless Controllers, in basic colors, will be discounted by €20 / £16. This means we can expect the price to come down from €74.99 / £62.71 to around €54.99 / £42.71.

It's unclear at this time if this offer will also apply to the Sterling Silver and Cobalt Blue DualSense controllers, the leaker said.

Meanwhile, the DualSsense Edge Wireless Controller, which normally costs €239.99 / £200, will also see a €20 / £16 discount. The Black Friday offer will apparently bring the device down to €219.99 / £184.

In addition, the Pulse Elite wireless headphones and the Pulse Explore Earbuds for the PS5 are also expected to see discounts.

In a separate blog, billbil-kun claimed that Sony will introduce a promotion on these select audio accessories for the first time since launching them in December 2023 and February 2024.

For a limited time, starting November 22, the Pulse Elite will receive a -12% discount while the Pulse Explore buds will get -36% discount.

"This promotion will be valid in France at all authorized merchants, and will probably be extended to Europe and the rest of the world regions," the leaker explained.

During the sale, the Pulse Elite will be priced at €129.99 / £108.77 / $137.55 from €149.99 / £ 125.50 / $158.70, and the Pulse Explore will cost "between 139.99 euros and 149.99 euros instead of 219.99 euros."

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• A PlayStation patent for a controller with a rewind button has been spotted
• It could allow players to quickly undo mistakes in-game and try again
• It also seems to have multimedia applications

A patent submitted by Sony for a PlayStation controller with a dedicated rewind button has recently been published.

Available for public viewing at PatentScope - and discovered by Tech4Gamers - the patent shows that the rewind button would be situated where the Share button is on a DualSense Wireless Controller (that's just to the right of the d-pad). The feature would seemingly allow players to rewind their gameplay in order to go back on a mistake or try a section of a level again, for example.

The standout quote from the patent is: "The user is able to enter the rewind mode from the live game play using one or more controller inputs to view recent game play (e.g. rewinding, fast-forwarding, playing, etc.), and returning to live game play afterwards."

The button would not just be for rewinding, then; it seems like it may also allow for fast-forwarding - handy if you're dying to get through those unskippable cutscenes. The patent also described that the button could display "a list of features for the user, such as the rewind mode, a sharing mode for generating a file including a portion of game play that the user would like to share with others, a highlight reel mode that is used to generate a highlight reel of game play, etc."

The concept itself is nothing new; emulators on PC and mobile have had features like save states and fast-forward options since what feels like the dawn of time. Even Nintendo Switch Online's retro libraries offer a simple rewinding system during gameplay. However, this would likely be the first time such a feature has been implemented directly into a piece of hardware from a major console manufacturer.

And of course, it's worth noting that patents aren't sacrosanct. While a neat idea, it would need to be reserved for future iterations of PlayStation hardware - potentially PS6 and its official controller - and even then there's no guarantee. Beyond that, the rewind feature will need to be disabled for online multiplayer games for obvious reasons.

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Note: We called it quits on tracking today's (October 29) PS5 Slim Anniversary and DualSense restock at PlayStation Direct at about 5.15pm ET. The stock of the PS5 Slim went very quickly and while the DualSense lasted longer it too sold out. We kept track of both for a little while after they went out of stock just in case, but alas, no further stock dropped. You can see how we covered it all below.

In exciting news, we're expecting a PS5 Slim Anniversary and DualSense restock at PlayStation Direct today! While Sony hasn't outwardly confirmed it publicly in a statement or social media post, two pages have been updated to hint strongly at restocks coming at 9am PT today.

This is excellent for anyone who missed out the last two times at PS Direct in September and at other retailers earlier this month, and with it being direct at the source, we're hopeful of it being a sizeable restock.

Chances of bagging a PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Edition pre-order or a PS5 30th Anniversary DualSense pre-order have been few and far between, particularly in the US, so I'm thrilled folks are getting another chance.

While this restock looks to only be for the PS5 Slim Digital Edition console and the PS5 DualSense controller from the wider PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection pre-orders and only in the US, we'll be keeping tabs across the other products as well as stock in the UK too, just in case.

Below we've gathered all the best quick links and information for this stock drop and will be covering it live to get you where you need to be quickly.

PS5 Slim Quick links

• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: $499.99 at PS Direct (check stock)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: $499 at Walmart (check stock)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: $499.99 at Amazon (check stock)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: $499.99 at Best Buy (check stock)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: $499.99 at Target (check stock)

DualSense quick links

• 30th Anniversary DualSense: $79.99 at PS Direct (check stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: $79.99 at Amazon (check stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: $79 at Walmart (check stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: $79.99 at Best Buy (check stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: $79.99 at Target (check stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: $79.99 at GameStop (check stock)

PS5 Pro quick links

• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at Amazon
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at Walmart
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at Best Buy
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at Target
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at PlayStation Direct
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at GameStop

30th Anniversary pre-orders

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the imminent PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary stock drop and 30th Anniversary DualSense restock at PlayStation Direct.

The team and I will be bringing the latest links and stock information to you right here as it happens to hopefully give you a great chance of scoring a limited edition console or DualSense.

So strap in, check out all the links on this page, and bookmark PS Direct's pages, as this could be an intense ride.

Why we're here and what we know

This PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary restock has only recently come to light with both listing pages for the PS5 Slim bundle and the PS5 DualSense changing in the past few days to include a 'check back' note.

While we had almost totally given up on any more proper restocks in the US for any of the 30th Anniversary Collection, today seems like we're going to get another bite at the cherry. Both pages now display the note "Please check back on October 29th at 9 AM PDT" which is our clearest indicator of a restock happening in just a matter of hours!

As mentioned at the top of our article here, we aren't expecting any other 30th Anniversary items to get stock drops today but we'd keep those links to hand just in case. I'd recommend doing the same if you're in the UK too as sometimes stock drops can be replicated.

The PS5 Slim is the big attraction

The PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition console is a huge attraction in this restock and is likely to sell out extremely quickly once again.

It features that great retro aesthetic and comes with a disc drive cover for if you want to add a disc drive to it down the line - it comes as a digital-only by default.

Below is the main PS Direct link for the PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary console as well as a bunch of other retailer inks you can use to check availability - just in case.

But the DualSense is a also kind of a big deal

I love the 30th Anniversary DualSense controller and think it's a superb addition to the whole 30th Anniversary Collection - something shared by many other fans given how quickly it sold out in the US when it was available and how quickly it goes in the UK too whenever stock pops up.

Its relatively low price (compared to the other items in the collection) as well as its potential for immediate integration into a setup (everyone always wants a bigger collection of DualSenses, right?) means it's particularly attractive to many fans so we'd get in position early for the restock of this item too.

The PS5 Pro is still readily available

If you haven't managed to get your hands on the 30th Anniversary gear quite yet but still want some upcoming PlayStation goodness, then it's worth bearing in mind that the PS5 Pro is still up for pre-order at a wide range of retailers.

With brand new features like PSSR and support already confirmed for a wide range of games, it looks like a formidable option if you want to push your gaming performance to the max.

Don't forget your disc drive...

If you do manage to get your hands on the PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary bundle today, then you shouldn't forget to pick up the compatible disc drive accessory.

A disc drive is not included out of the box, so it's worth getting if you have lots of physical games that you want to play.

Luckily the accessory is readily available right now at a couple retailers, but there's no guarantee that stock will persist for long. You can browse a range of offers below.

There's one hour to go...

There's one hour to go until that 9AM PDT time referenced by the store listing pages. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that the wording on these pages asks us to "check back on October 29th from 9AM PDT". This could suggest that stock is expected some time after that, rather on the exact hour. Either way, there's not long to go until we find out for sure.

In order to get prepared, we would recommend that you start getting the relevant PS Direct listing pages open in your browser tabs. Now is also a good opportunity to make sure that you are logged in with your PlayStation account and ensure that all your payment info is up to date.

A virtual waiting room has appeared!

We are now in a virtual waiting room! The queuing system has begun so get on it and click on the PS5 Slim page or DualSense page right now to ensure you get a place in the queue!

The on-screen message also confirms the restock properly, with it stating "Get ready for the restock of PlayStation® 30th Anniversary Digital Console and DualSense Controller!"

I'm in!.....But nothing has changed...

I've sat through the waiting period, waiting for the yellow bar to tick down and got the glorious jingle that notifies my turn is ready, and I am in!

But nothing has changed on either PS5 Slim or DualSense page... I've verified this with a colleague too who is experiencing the same situation. We're just back on the listing pages but the displayed information hasn't changed and there's no pre-order button still. Watch this space then, and we'll keep trying to let you know the moment that it does change.

Five minutes to go...

We're only five minutes away from the stock drop! It's your last chance to get into position and make sure all your details are correct - and to get into the queue or waiting room if you haven't already!

Aaaaand now we're back in a queue

AS the clock ticks over to 9am PT, my colleague and I have just been booted out of the pages and back into the virtual waiting room - but this time with a longer wait time! Which is infuriating.

However, some people are reporting on social media that they are getting through and the Slim and DualSense are able to pre-ordered so hopefully you're one of the lucky ones!

Nonetheless, the PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary restock is live!

The point remains, however, that the restock is now live and open for business! Hopefully, loads of folk made it through the waiting room and onto the pages properly.

These are bound to go extremely quickly so we wish you Godspeed and here are the links once again, just in case.

• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: $499.99 at PS Direct
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: $79.99 at PS Direct

We're in! It looks like the Slim is gone but the controller is in stock...

We are finally in to see the stock situation at PS Direct with our very own eyes and can see that the PS5 Slim has (maybe somewhat predictably) sold out, but the DualSense is still in stock!

Remember you'll have to sign in to buy it but it is available!

30th Anniversary DualSense: $79.99 at PS Direct

It looks like the DualSense is gone too

We've got some bad news if you were hoping to secure the special edition controller, as it appears as though stock has now ran out too. We have a few tabs open and logged in on the PS Direct site, with the product showing as "currently unavailable" on all of them.

There's no saying whether it will be back in stock, though, so if you're still stuck in the queue trying to get into the site it might be worth keeping that tab open just in case.

The controller was available for roughly half an hour, which hopefully allowed at least a few people to get their hands on one. If you managed to get one, definitely let us know by posting your victory on X / Twitter.

Limited PS5 Pro bundle is likely not coming back

We don't expect the PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Bundle to come back in stock any time soon, which is likely the last thing that you want to hear if you missed out the first time around.

Unlike the other 30th Anniversary products, we haven't seen any hints of a restock from PS Direct which would suggest that it's not going to happen.

The item was strictly limited to just 12,500 units and this supply probably ran dry in just a few hours given the strong demand.

Could the PS5 Slim be coming back?

It looks like stock for the Limited Edition PS5 Slim has ran out for the time being, but that doesn't mean that it won't be back. Today has marked the first official restock at PS Direct and there's no word on whether there will be any in the future. For our money, we wouldn't be surprised if there are a few more opportunities to pick one up down the line.

Keep a close eye on the PS Direct website and our dedicated where to pre-order the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection page for the latest.

As with any pre-order products, there's also a very small chance that some stock will be released as some customers cancel their purchases. If you have the time, there's no harm in periodically checking the relevant online stores in case you get lucky.

Is the controller getting a restock too?

As for the controller, we expect a few more chances to buy it on the horizon. It has received periodic restocks at a wide range of retailers in both the US and UK. It also seems a lot easier to come by in general than the PS5 Slim bundle.

Today, the PS5 30th Anniversary DualSense pre-orders were available for roughly 30 minutes - a fair chunk of time compared to the much more fleeting bundle. This could suggest that there are many more units of the controller available at a time.

The best way to ensure that you get your hands on one if the possibility arises is to frequently check a wide range of store pages. You can view some of the best options below.

Avoid shady resellers 

It might be tempting to turn to resellers on online auction sites like eBay, but we would definitely not recommend it. Plenty of listings for the Limited Edition items have popped up there in the last couple of hours, often at extremely inflated prices.

You shouldn't consider these for a few reasons, but the biggest is that it's just a bad deal for you. You're getting the same products as everyone else, but for significantly above their usual rates making for a very poor value proposition.

Every time that you buy from resellers, you also encourage that kind of behavior in future. In an ideal world, nobody would be hoovering up special edition gear just to flog it for a profit and the best way to achieve this is to make it an unprofitable endeavor.

Finally, you really can't be sure that the sellers are actually able to deliver the products that they are promising. Anyone can create a listing, so there's a chance that you're buying from someone who hasn't even managed to secure a pre-order yet. The best way to avoid disappointment is to only purchase from official sources.

What to do if you missed out on a PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary or DualSense today

If you missed out on today's PS5 Slim and DualSense 30th Anniversary Edition pre-order restock then you could well be wondering what on earth to do now - and might be quite deflated. However, while this restock was fleeting its mere existence gives us a bit of hope. As this one came to be, so could others - if Sony gets its act together, it could organise further restocks given the demand. It'll pay to keep an ear to the ground, and occasionally check the listing pages for similar updates and phrases that we've seen recently.

Elsewhere, other retailer pages for the products advise coming back on launch day (November 21). This isn't going to be a guarantee of any kind, but this is a promising sign that we could see restocks come release date.

Failing that, PS5 Pro pre-orders remain open ahead of that console's launch on November 7 which could provide some sort of alternative for some fans, there's currently a discount on the PS5 Slim EA Sports College Football 25 bundle at Amazon taking it down to $538.99 (was $569.98), and there are hopefully going to be some great Black Friday PS5 deals come the end of November too, all of which might at least take some of the sting out of it.

That wraps it up for the 30th Anniversary Bundle restock

The PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Bundle expectedly sold out quite soon after it restocked earlier today, and as of 5:15 p.m. EST, we haven't seen any movement on a stock resurgence. The accompanying DualSense controllers are completely sold out as well. We're keeping an eye on the storefronts for any potential restocks, so be sure to check back in with TechRadar if you still hope to get your hands on one of these limited PS5s.

Capcom and Sony have revealed new Monster Hunter WIlds-themed PS5 accessories and they are easily some of the nicest for the current-gen console yet.

Announced alongside the open beta for the game happening towards the end of October, the Monster Hunter Wilds DualSense Wireless Controller and PS5 Slim faceplates will be available exclusively in Japan and Asian territories. Pricing (thanks, Push Square) will be 12,480 yen (around $80 / £64) for the controller and 9,980 yen (around $65 / £50) for the faceplates.

The limited edition DualSense Wireless Controller is absolutely gorgeous, sporting a glossy crimson finish and emblazoned with various bits of Monster Hunter Wilds iconography. I'd say it definitely gives the 30th Anniversary DualSense a run for its money in terms of pure aesthetics. In any case it's a fine addition to the lineup of one of the best PS5 controllers.

The faceplates are much more subdued, offering a clean matte black look with a logo at the bottom right. If you're desperate to own either, or both, despite being available exclusively in Japan and Asia you'll likely be able to shop for them on import websites. Though you should expect to pay a bit of a premium here thanks to shipping and potentially customs costs.

Monster Hunter Wilds launches on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on February 5, 2025. An open beta is also on the way, taking place from October 31 to November 3. PS Plus members will be able to squeeze out a few extra days too, with an early access period beginning on October 28; that's almost a full week of monster hunting. The beta will include a handful of hunts to undertake as well as feature full character creation, so it's absolutely worth checking out if you're pining for the full release next year.

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UK company Thumb Soldiers aims to deliver a range of thumb stick add-ons providing players with greater control over their in-game movements without the need to invest in specialist hardware, while also introducing a platform for more interchangeable ‘Soldiers’ suited to specific genres and needs. Performance and inclusion are headline goals too, with the range of thumb stick adapters intended to elevate players' in-game prowess while removing barriers that have impeded players with disabilities from accessing certain games in the past.

To achieve this, the Thumb Soldiers experience begins with the application of what the company calls ‘Knuckles’. These small, roughly textured plastic rings slot over the top of your existing controller thumbsticks before locking into place with the built-in clamp.

Despite the comapn'y accessibility assertions, I actually found fitting the Knuckles to be rather fiddly and required more force to attach to my DualSense Wireless Controller and Joy-Con thumb sticks than I’d anticipated. I was particularly worried about the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons as I wrestled the Knuckles into position and I feared for a moment that I may snap Nintendo’s drifty little stick off entirely.

After a little bit of wrangling, I managed to clamp the final Knuckle into place and I was impressed at how sturdy these little thumb stick caps appeared. With the Knuckles in place though, swapping between the various Soldiers became simple, with each kit utilizing a universal locking arm design that fits snuggly inside the Knuckles.

Wheely good

As the name suggests, the Racer Kit is designed to eliminate the need for a dedicated racing wheel and pedal set-up for a fraction of the argy-bargy (a set of Thumb Soldiers Knuckles and the Racing Kit retail for $33 / £25).

The Racer Kit comprises a vertical steering wheel and a curved, grippy, accelerator pedal attachment, both of which easily lock into place with a half turn inside the Knuckles.

The vertical steering wheel immediately impressed me with the level of control on offer and I was able to push myself through the twisting back alleys of Los Santos in Grand Theft Auto: Online’s street races, aggressively steering left and right without ever feeling like I was losing control of my virtual supercar.

To test the grippy pedal, however, I opted for several mud-splattered races in Codemaster’s Dirt 5. After remapping the controls in-game to bind throttle and braking to the right stick, I had an absolute blast slinging my rally car through boggy corners and drifting over the icy frozen racecourses of New York’s East River.

Feathering the throttle around bends, pushing forward to maximize my speed, and forcibly pulling down on the stick to slam on the brakes pushed my enjoyment to a new level.

Thumb Soldiers and accessibility

I too have been dabbling with some different Thumb Soldiers kits in recent months, as I'm deeply interested in them from an accessibility perspective. Having never found a gaming controller that properly fits my 'different' hands, I've always been drawn to potential solutions that attach to mainstream pads.

While, like all gaming accessibility products, the Thumb Soldier accessories are not a total silver bullet for me, some of them in particular have been surprisingly useful.

The Studs have been great for my thumbs and really helped my grip on the sticks - though the extra height always takes getting used to. Elsewhere, the Racer ring attachment has also been good for taking some of the stress out of thumb movements for steering in racing games, while the big round Shroom pads do make general interaction with the sticks far easier for those with shorter thumbs like me.

Accessibility in gaming is something that's becoming an ever more important part of the industry - made doubly exciting by official brands making hardware for the space, like the PlayStation Access controller. Cool bits of kit like Thumb Soldiers' attachments are a welcome addition to it, providing gamers with more options and flexibility.

Now back to Theo...

Step it up a tier

Pivoting to another set of Soldiers, this time the Step Up kit introduced a second, smaller, higher tier control pad above the default thumb stick. This higher pad, elevated by a curved plastic stem, grants greater precision when in use.

I opted to jump into a shooter I know incredibly well, namely Call of Duty 4, to put the Step Up to the test, and yes it really does work as advertised. I still mainly opted to rest my thumb on the default right analog stick but definitely found an improvement in my aiming capabilities by utilizing the Step Up’s high pad when looking through a scope.

One minor consideration when using any of the bigger Soldiers though is that face buttons and d-pad controls aren’t always easy to reach. For instance, the Racer Kit wheel is large enough to block d-pad access mid-race, and the Step Up Kit on the Switch’s right analog stick overhangs the B button considerably.

It may not be a deal breaker to some but it would definitely make me reconsider using these kits in every play session.

Sticks and studs

Similarly, I’m hesitant to rush back to the Sticks or Studs kits. The former, designed partly to aid players with limited dexterity and party to appease arcade purists, unfortunately, felt a little too lightweight as a replacement for an actual dedicated joystick in games like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge and Pac-Man Championship Edition.

The Studs meanwhile do provide added grip thanks to their moulded plastic bumps and contours but failed to help me distinguish and input precise direction commands throughout several online bouts of Tekken 8.

A system like no other

I spoke to David Chapman, Founder of Thumb Soldiers about the thinking behind the current product range. “For years it seemed crazy to me that we use the same thumb sticks for Call of Duty as Minecraft, the same thumbsticks for FIFA as F1, yet outside of gaming, we have specific kits for the activities we participate in”.

David has a point. I wouldn’t wear my Converse All-Stars to go rock climbing. The range as it stands is flexible enough to cover the majority of game genres although David believes that the players hold the power of the future of Thumb Soldiers. “Our objective is for this to be for everyone and for everyone to be integral to the development of Thumb Soldiers, integral to the development of game interaction. In return we intend to offer a platform where the community participates and is rewarded for their involvement, rewarded at every opportunity that we can provide”.

Our community will help us direct which products are next launched, what is to be developed, and what collaborations and licensing agreements are to be negotiated, so that the community receives the product they desire. We have developed a system like no other and this is just the first stage”.

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The next limited edition DualSense controller will be inspired by Fortnite. Revealed as part of last night's State of Play livestream, the DualSense Wireless Controller - Fortnite Limited Edition will be available for pre-order in under a fortnight.

It's a striking blue color, almost indistinguishable from the existing Starlight Blue edition, that has been decorated with a series of graffiti-inspired decals. Some of the biggest include a graffiti-style Fortnite logo, accompanied by the text "Where we droppin'?" on the controller's touchpad. 

You can also see two small character illustrations based on popular Fortnite skins. One shows the anthropomorphic guppy Fishstick while the other is of the humanoid banana Peely. Some other visible elements include "GG" text and a small doodle of a victory crown.

It's a decent limited edition, all things considered, though doesn't quite seem on the same level as something like the Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense, which smartly integrates elements of the titular character into almost every aspect of its design. 

The controller will be available in strictly limited quantities and will cost $84.99 / £74.99, a fair chunk higher than the $79.99 / £64.99 price of a standard DualSense following the controller's recent price rise. It will be up for pre-order on October 3 via both PS Direct and select retailers.

I wouldn't be surprised if stock of this limited edition is particularly hard to come by given the huge popularity of Fortnite. Make sure that you bookmark any relevant retailers for your region and get in there quickly on pre-order day. Also be sure to visit our detailed breakdown on where to pre-order the Limited Edition Fortnite Dualsense for more tips and a list of potential stores.

PS5 Pro pre-orders will go live this week, so be careful to keep an eye on those too if you're eager to secure a PS5 Pro.

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One of the best reveals in last night’s State of Play livestream was undoubtedly the upcoming Chroma Collection line of PlayStation 5 accessories. This includes new DualSense Wireless Controller models and PS5 console covers in attractive iridescent hues.

My personal favorite of the bunch is easily the Chroma Pearl DualSense, which has a stunning, almost all-white look. Parts of the controller, namely the grips and touchpad, are a subtle reflective pearl shade, which has elements of cute pinks and cream that shift in the light.

It honestly looks pretty close to the brilliant Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense, albeit without the blue elements or graphics inspired by the character, and has shot straight to the top of my wishlist as someone who missed out on that special edition.

Sony revealed the Chroma Indigo DualSense too, which is a bright blue with hints of purple accompanied by a rich purple plastic. There's also the shiny green Choma Teal DualSense, which features a range of bright greens and forest-green aesthetic. Each of these controllers will launch alongside a corresponding PS5 console cover, which would be perfect if you want a matching set.

Unfortunately, though, the console covers are compatible with the PS5 Slim and not the launch version of the console.

The Chroma DualSense Wireless Controllers will cost $79.99 / £69.99, in line with the DualSense price rise. The Chroma PS5 console covers will cost $64.99 / £54.99, with pre-orders for the entire collection set to begin on October 3. 

Chroma Pearl and Chroma Indigo accessories will launch on November 7, followed by Chroma Teal on January 23. All of these accessories will be available via PS Direct and a range of online retailers.

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In a growing field of special edition DualSense wireless controllers, the latest is easily the most joyous so far. That’s not necessarily the way most would describe a gaming controller but the Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense controller is cheerful in a way that many other designs aren’t. Yup, strap in and get ready for some quasi-anthropomorphization of a controller, folks.

Launched at the same time as the Astro Bot game, the controller is a perfect microcosm of the titular robot. From the conspicuous Astro eyes on the touchpad to the much more subtle robot-like details on the front of the controller, along with the splendid reproduction of Astro’s white and blue colors, it’s a controller that nails its brief of encapsulating a theme, game, or character into a physical bit of hardware.

Where limited edition game controllers can be somewhat crude or tacky (some have artwork carelessly thrown over them like the Space Marine 2 DualSense that appeared recently), or are almost only a transparent version of a generic color (like the Death Stranding DualShock 4), the Astro Bot DualSense (like the Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 DualSense) in comparison has a bespoke aesthetic and design.

As a result, it’s one of the most perfectly executed designs in Sony’s stable, blending a game and character with an accessory to create something not only attractive in its aesthetic but also something that channels the very essence of Astro Bot.

Robo-visuals to behold

The most striking element of the pad is the blue and white colorway; the vibrant blue sections of the controller's grips are brilliant, and the brighter shade of white compared to a regular white DualSense ensures the contrast is enhanced. These blue parts almost have a kind of depth to them, making it look like they are set deep into the grips which is extra cool. Plus they help to create a look as if they are panels on a robot or electrical system.

Complementing that, those googly blue Astro eyes stare back at you with an adoring look, bursting from the black touchpad. The pale blue accents on the face buttons and D-pad - the same blue as the eyes - provide the perfect amount of pops out of the sea of robot white.

However, perhaps my favorite detail on the entire controller - and one that really shows that it’s paying close attention to its source character - are the clean, geometric lines engraved onto the front panel of the pad, running under the sticks and down the insides of the grips.

Yes, other parts are more obvious and bombastic, but these are the perfect subtle flourishes that finish the panel off beautifully but also remind you of what, and who, it’s based on. For example, at one part on the front, they ‘connect’ the sticks and the mic mute button with simple, pleasing lines, that wouldn’t look out of place on Astro himself. Finishing it off, a more obvious reminder of that is the cute Astro Bot head on the rear of the controller - no part of this DualSense is left un-Astroed.

It’s one of the best versions of the best PS5 controller, and is just such a cheerful addition to the suite of pads from Sony. It’s already an early contender for the first controller I team with a PS5 Pro too, with the combination of white, blue, and black of both controller and console painting quite the picture.

It just feels right

Performance isn’t any different to other DualSense pads, but there’s going to be something extra satisfying and enjoyable in using the controller to play the game when I get to it myself soon.

Cold details and descriptions of the aesthetic aside, there’s something else about using such a well-designed controller with its partnering game. I had this same reaction and feeling when using the Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 controller with Peter Parker’s second outing.

The Venom-inspired design of that controller brilliantly depicts the conflict between the two sides of Peter Parker in the game; black Venom-esque tendrils creep over the Spider-Man red of the pad from one side to the other, with bright pops of white representing the contrasting eyes of both characters’ when suited up.

The result, for me at least, was a feeling of having a tremendous connection between hardware and software; something that accentuated the memory I have of playing that game for the first time.

However, while I enjoyed playing Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 with its accompanying DualSense in all its edginess, I know I’m going to love playing Astro Bot with this new pad. Even though I won’t be looking down at it all the time - though it is so good it would warrant that distraction - glimpses of those eyes, and the blue of the controller’s grips will remind me of the perfect combination I’m enjoying. It’s another means through which the Astro series can remind folks why the DualSense controller is so excellent - and now it has a design to match that technical brilliance.

While the Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense did sell out rapidly, we’re hoping that Sony will release more, especially in time for the holidays. In the meantime, and so as to ensure you have the right tools to enjoy Astro Bot to its fullest potential, check out the latest, lowest prices on DualSense where you are in the world below.

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Sony has increased the DualSense controller's price by $5 at PlayStation Direct and other retailers right around the time people are expecting a potential announcement of the PS5 Pro via a Mark Cerny-hosted Technical Presentation on September 10.

While the mid-gen refresh console has yet to be announced by Sony in an official capacity, you can now expect to pay slightly more for the standard DualSense Wireless Controller. As spotted by Wario64 on X / Twitter, the PS5's official gamepad has gone up from $69.99 to $74.99.

Meanwhile, special edition colorways, including Sterling Silver, Cobalt Blue, and Volcanic Red, have jumped from $74.99 to $79.99. The price increases have been reflected at retailers like GameStop as well as the official PlayStation Direct website.

The premium DualSense Edge controller has, at the time of writing, retained its $199.99 price tag. Plus, the DualSense Charging Station also remains at $29.99. It also looks like the price has increased in the UK, too. The standard colorways have gone from £59.99 to £64.99 at PlayStation Direct, though they are still available for their original price at Amazon right now, likely while stocks last. If you're in the UK and planning to pick up a DualSense controller soon - either as a replacement or a spare - it may be best to shop now at Amazon before a potential increase here.

The price increase here will undoubtedly catch some folks off guard, especially given Sony has made no official announcement of it. The company may make a brief statement about the increase during tomorrow's PS5 Technical Presentation, though this is considered to be centered on the much-speculated PS5 Pro.

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Team Asobi’s Astro Bot is rightly taking the gaming world by storm right now. A full-priced PlayStation Studios platformer is something we haven’t seen since, well, the release of Sackboy: A Big Adventure back in 2020. But even then, the genre’s been a rarity for Sony since the halcyon days of the PlayStation 2 and 3 and series like Jak & Daxter, Sly Cooper, and LittleBigPlanet.

But that dormancy could be over now; Astro Bot has been released to critical acclaim and is currently enjoying its place as one of the highest-rated games of the year on review aggregator sites. The game isn’t just a slick and charming platformer though, as it makes exceptional use of the PS5’s DualSense wireless controller.

This, for me, is what elevates Astro Bot from simply being a great platformer. The game’s wonderful level design and cute PlayStation cameos are huge plus points, but it’s the clever use of the DualSense’s bespoke feature set that makes Astro Bot stand out from the crowd - even among other first-party PlayStation Studios titles. It also serves as a reminder that when it comes to the best PS5 controllers, the DualSense is still the cream of the crop. 

Makes (Dual)sense

In Astro Bot, the DualSense makes use of remarkable haptic feedback vibration and adaptive triggers. While these features do take a toll on battery life (both the DualSense and premium DualSense Edge fall well short in this regard compared to the competition), they have the potential to add a very tangible texture to the games you’re playing.

Early PS5 games made great use of the tech. Enemy attacks bouncing off your shield in Demon’s Souls registered a noticeable clatter within the DualSense. Meanwhile, Gran Turismo 7 leveraged the haptics and adaptive triggers to map vibration location and strength based on road surface and turning angle. And of course, the pack-in title Astro’s Playroom was at the forefront, where it was clear that Team Asobi had an absolute blast deploying the controller’s tech in various ways.

What we have in Astro Bot, then, feels like an evolution of the work the developer put into its previous title. The haptics are firing on all cylinders here, changing in strength and feel depending on the surface the titular robot protagonist is pottering about on. Sand leaves a soft and slightly crunchy-feeling vibration with each step, while metallic surfaces are sharper and more immediate. The attention to detail here is simply astounding. It's no wonder Sony manufactured a limited-edition Astro Bot DualSense controller; its bespoke features are quite honestly the star of the show.

This clear love for the hardware carries over to Astro Bot’s various power-ups. A pair of frog-shaped boxing gloves add a sharp throttle to the triggers when you use them to thump an enemy. An elephant-like suction device can be used to absorb various substances such as goop and honey in another level, making the DualSense feel like it’s filling up with liquid. 

Elsewhere, a level with a power-up that lets Astro shrink down to the size of a mouse has a relative effect on the haptics, dampening, and lightening along with his tinier footsteps.

Astro Bot isn’t just one of the most delightful 3D platformers to release in years, then, but it’s also a return of the ‘DualSense showcase’ experience that was common way back when the PS5 launched in 2020. I’m only partway through the game - not even at the halfway mark at the time of writing - but I’m already seriously impressed by Team Asobi’s desire to take the DualSense’s tech to its limits and thinking outside the box while doing so. 

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Sony has announced a new way for users to customize their DualSense Edge controller on PC.

As revealed in a new X / Twitter post today, PC players will now be able to fully customize their DualSense Edge controller directly from their desktop thanks to the brand-new PlayStation Accessories app.

With this app, which you can download here, Windows users can change settings and update the controller's firmware directly from their PC. All you'll need after installing the program is a USB cable or Bluetooth to connect your controller to your PC.

In a short tutorial video provided alongside the announcement post, it looks like users can not only change button layouts but also change other aspects of the controller, such as Stick Sensitivity/Deadzone, Trigger Deadzone, and Vibration/Trigger Effect Intensity. 

Sony calls PlayStation Accessories the new name for "Firmware updater for DualSense wireless controller" in the Version 2.0.0.13 patch notes on the download page, and notes that it's made "significant improvements to the overall design and user experience."

The company also recommends installing the latest update for your app and controller as soon as possible now that the update has been released.

Elsewhere, Sony will be raising the retail price of the PlayStation 5 and all related peripherals in Japan - including the PlayStation VR2 and DualSense Wireless controllers - beginning September 2. 

The company cites a "challenging external environment" that includes the "current fluctuations in the global economic situation" for its decision to deliver a price hike to its PlayStation tech. 

This means that both the PS5 standard and digital edition will cost an additional 13,000 yen (roughly $90), making it the third price hike since the console launched in Japan in 2020. 

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BioWare has revealed the PC features for Dragon Age: The Veilguard PC ahead of its October launch.

As promised in its official roadmap that was released last week, the studio has shared a new blog post detailing everything players need to know about the PC version of the upcoming role-playing game (RPG), along with a list of exclusive features for the platform.

BioWare explained that it created a dedicated team to focus specifically on PC because "getting the PC experience just right was crucial." This resulted in PCs making up 40% of the studio's platform testing effort, amounting to over 200,000 hours of performance and compatibility testing.

In addition to the testing hours, BioWare did close to 10,000 hours of user research when it came to testing controls and UI on both keyboard and mouse, and controllers. 

This means that The Veilguard on PC will feature native support for PlayStation 5 DualSense controllers with haptics support, as well as the Xbox controllers, with the option to transition between controllers or keyboard and mouse while playing or in menus.

The Veilguard will have numerous ways to play, BioWare said, so it's implemented a way for players to choose by adding the ability to customize class-specific keybinds that you can easily switch between.

In terms of graphics, the game will support 21:9 Ultrawide monitors alongside standard resolution options, as well as full HDR support. PC players will also be able to disable the option "Cinematic Aspect Ratio", which will remove the black bars during cutscenes, adjust the field of view with the FOV slider, and experience an uncapped framerate.

Unlike previous games in the series, players will now be able to change their graphics settings without having to reboot their game after saving their preset. With The Veilguard, graphics and display settings are reflected in real-time on screen, so players can see exactly what tweaks they are making.

Although previously confirmed last month, BioWare has reiterated that the upcoming Dragon Age game will be Steam native - no EA App required - and Steam Deck verified with Cloud Save support, allowing players to switch between the handheld and PC seamlessly.

As for the advanced settings, the RPG will offer a series of ray tracing features, an Ultra RT mode for high-end builds, as well as upscaling options, such as NVIDIA DLSS 3 and FSR 2.2, which BioWare said has been "heavily modified", and XeSS. 

The game will also support DLSS 3 with frame generation and NVIDIA Reflex, but you can take a look at the complete specifications below.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard will launch on October 31 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC. 

Dragon Age: The Veilguard PC features:

Display Features

• Full Support for 21:9 Ultra Wide Resolutions 
• Ability to Uncap Frame Rate
• VSync, including fractional rate VSync
• HDR Support
• Optional Upscaling (DLSS 3, FSR 2.2, XeSS)
• NVIDIA Reflex 
• DLSS 3 Frame Generation
• Optional Dynamic Resolution Scaling 
• Cinematic Aspect Ratio (Disable this option for cinematic 21:9 ratio)

Graphics Settings

• Presets Available (Low, Medium, High, Ultra)
• Texture Settings
  • Texture Quality
  • Texture Filtering
• Light & Shadow Settings
  • Lighting Quality
  • Contact Shadow
  • Ambient Occlusion
  • Screen Space Reflections
  • Volumetric Lighting
  • Sky Quality
• Ray Tracing Settings*
  • Ray-Traced Reflections
  • Ray-Traced Ambient Occlusion
  • Ultra Ray Tracing
• Geometry Settings
  • Level Of Detail
  • Strand Hair 
  • Terrain Quality
  • Terrain Decoration Quality
  • Visual Effects Quality
• Camera Effects
  • Depth of Field
  • Vignette
  • Motion Blur 
  • Post Processing Quality
  • Field of View

Controls

• Class-specific Keybinds 
• Keyboard + Controller Bindings

Ray Tracing can be "ON" or turned to "Selective". Selective Mode enables Ray Tracing features in specific areas that can best take advantage of the feature.

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Sony has announced yet another limited edition DualSense Wireless Controller - this time based on the upcoming Astro Bot game - and it's an incredibly pretty one.

We get a first look at the controller via an official PlayStation Blog post, in which studio head at Team Asobi, Nicolas Doucet, breaks down this limited edition DualSense controller's design and aesthetics. Eagle-eyed fans may also notice the controller is designed after the one featured in that initial Astro Bot reveal trailer.

"The controller’s design features Astro’s signature blue accents on the handles and buttons, carved-in, sci-fi lines as well as the trademark playful pair of eyes on the touch pad," Doucet writes. "It is a true work of art, and we could not be happier with the end-result at Team Asobi." 

The Astro Bot limited edition DualSense controller will have its pre-orders go live on August 9. It's due to release on September 6; the same day as the Astro Bot game itself. Available at PlayStation Direct and "select retailers," it'll cost $79.99 / £69.99. In the US, that's actually $5 cheaper than the recently announced limited edition Concord DualSense Wireless Controller. And in all honestly, we reckon this Astro Bot model looks nicer to boot.

In case you're unaware, Astro Bot is an upcoming PS5-exclusive platformer. Launching on September 6, it - like Astro's Playroom before it - will utilize the various features of the DualSense controller (such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers) to deliver a uniquely immersive experience. 

Whereas Astro's Playroom was a relatively short pre-installed game that comes free with every PS5, Astro Bot appears to be a much larger and more ambitious title with larger worlds, more levels and no shortage of PlayStation-themed cameos. Developer Team Asobi has also said the game will push the DualSense controller to "a new level".

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The next limited edition DualSense Wireless Controller has been revealed by Sony and it features a design based on the upcoming multiplayer shooter Concord.

Judging by the images that have been released so far, it might just be one of the most attractive limited edition DualSense variants yet. It uses the same base colors as the regular Midnight Black controller, but with some detailed red and blue prints that lend it a very distinctive ‘70s sci-fi flare. The rear of the controller has also been printed with the game's logo.

It looks like a fantastic match for the game, though the price leaves a lot to be desired. The Concord limited edition is set to be the most expensive DualSense Wireless Controller so far, coming in at an eye-watering $84.99. That’s $5 more than the lovely Marvel’s Spider Man 2 limited edition controller that launched last year and quite a steep ask, even if it does look good.

It's currently available for pre-order at PlayStation in the US and is set to release on August 23 this year. There’s currently no word on whether this controller will be available outside of the US, but I wouldn’t be surprised if some listings in other regions begin to show up over the coming days.

Concord, which is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and PC, received an early access beta earlier this month which ran between July 12 and July 14. There was also an open beta one week later, which kicked off on July 18 and ran until July 21. Neither of these seem to have made much of a lasting impression, however.

This week developer Firewalk Studios also confirmed that Concord will not have a battle pass, stating that they “wanted to focus our attention on making Concord a rewarding and robust experience on day one.” The game will still features microtransactions though, allowing players to purchase cosmetic character skins.

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Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is set to re-launch this summer for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.

Scheduled to release on August 1 and priced at $19.99 (around £16.99), Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is an enhanced re-release version of the 2002 GameCube and PS2 game developed by LucasArts. Those who pre-order will also get a 10% discount when the game launches later this year.

In Bounty Hunter, you play as Jango Fett, hired to capture a deranged Dark Jedi, while equipped with an array of deadly weapons and tools, including dual blasters, a flamethrower, toxic darts, jetpack missiles, and more.

Aspyr, the team behind the recent re-release of Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection and originally the upcoming Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic Remake before Saber Interactive took over, have taken over for the enhanced edition.

The development team highlighted some of the new updates featured in the game, courtesy of the latest PlayStation blog post, including visual improvements to many aspects of the game.

For instance, "to give more depth and texture to the environment" Bounty Hunter will have improved environment textures in the form of bump maps, resulting in a more modern look.

There are also new dynamic lighting effects, allowing players to see more color, new flashlight equipment when navigating dark areas.

The PS5 version itself will feature even more enhancements via the console's DualSense Wireless Controller, such as integrated adaptive triggers for each of Fett's weapons, voice comms for the bounty hunter's in-game radio communication that will play through the controller's speaker, as well as lifebar feature that will glow on the device depending on your health.

In addition to all of these improvements, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter will also see the return of the infamous easter-egg relating to Boba Fett. In the original game, players were able to find a low-resolution texture with a message written in Aurebesh that read: "Cash in all bounties to play as Boba," before it was removed.

Aspyr explains that although the message did exist, the feature did not, saying "even if you hit 100% on your save file, you were only able to play as Jango Fett." 

In Bounty Hunter, the easter egg has been brought to life, meaning after completing the main campaign, players will be able to equip a new Boba Fett skin for your next playthrough and enjoy playing as the iconic Star Wars character. 

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Team Asobi has said Astro Bot players can expect the game to feature a ton of sequences that take advantage of the PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller.

In a recent interview with IGN during Summer Game Fest 2024, Team Asobi provided a much deeper insight into its upcoming platforming adventure game, following its announcement last month.

According to studio head Nicolas Doucet, when advancing the technology for the sequel, it wanted to focus more on the platforming aspect of the game than it did with Astro’s Playroom, while also making use of the PS5's DualSense controller. He also described that game as lots of tech demos stitched together with platforming sequences.

For example, one moment in the reveal trailer shows a moment where Astro absorbs water to make him bigger, then squeezes it all out like a sponge. Doucet said this was a prototype that was done separately that they later added into the game.

"It was like a sponge and you could squeeze water out of it with an adaptive trigger, because you can change the pressure of the trigger," he explained. "So we want to see if you can have something feeling heavy, and then over time, feels lighter. 

"That felt really good as a demo, but it was just one big sponge on screen. That was it. So we brought that into [Astro Bot] and said, 'What can we do with it?' And then we thought maybe we could do a power-up. The other way around would've been probably impossible. If somebody came with a thing on paper without that prototype having proven it and said, 'I've got an idea. Let's turn Astro into a sponge.' Probably we would think it's a bit weird. Let's not do it. Maybe we'll try it, maybe we won't. But because that demo was there, which is kind of like a household demo. You're a sponge. It could have been a cleaning game, right? But in the end, we liked that demo, so we brought it in."

The game also features a moment where you can "run your hand on the wall" to feel texture, then find a secret passage, which Doucet compares to Uncharted or Indiana Jones.

"That was one of the things that came out from us trying to push DualSense to a new level," he said. "It's always like that. Through the life cycle of a system towards the end, you still see stuff that wasn't possible at the beginning."

Astro Bot launches on September 6 exclusively for PS5. We previously learned that the game will feature over 50 planets to explore, with more than 150 PlayStation cameos to find.

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As much as I love the DualSense Wireless Controller, it’s far from perfect. If you frequently use your PlayStation 5 for more than a couple of hours in a single sitting, you’ve undoubtedly found yourself frustrated by the gamepad’s Achilles heel: its terrible battery life. 

At launch, I managed to get about ten hours of use from the controller on average, which isn’t a great figure in itself. Flash forward to today and I’m often struggling to squeeze out more than six hours of playtime. It’s natural that batteries degrade over the years, but having to keep plugging in my controllers for charging while my system is on standby is a little inconvenient.

This is where my favorite member of the official PS5 accessory lineup comes in, a small add-on that’s affordable and ideal for keeping your DualSense controllers fully charged. I’m talking about the DualSense Charging Station, which easily ranks among the best PS5 accessories right now and can be picked up for just $29.99 / £24.99 - or even cheaper around major sales events. It’s much less costly than buying a fresh new DualSense every couple of years and comes with a whole range of handy advantages on top of combatting your battery life woes.

 Topped up

As the name would suggest, the DualSense Charging Station is designed solely for charging your DualSense (or DualSense Edge) controllers. It’s a compact bit of kit, coming in at around 6 inches / 16 cm long and 2 inches / 5 cm wide with dedicated space for holding up to two controllers at the same time. Unlike some of the bulky and unappealing third-party controller charging stations on the market, this official option also boasts quite a sleek and eye-catching design.

It looks a little bit like a miniature PS5 overall, with a black central column sandwiched by two little white panels. Laid flat on a surface, it’s the perfect complement to the console itself. The small size means that it can be easily stashed just about anywhere in your gaming space too, whether that’s a side table, on your desk, or in a media center right alongside your PS5. 

Unlike using the controller charging cable included in the PS5’s box, which needs to be plugged into a USB port on the console itself, the charging station receives its power through a standard plug socket. If you’re sick of having to schlep across the living room to take your controller off charge whenever you want to play, then a charging station positioned right next to your sofa is definitely the way to go.

Another thing that sets the charging station apart is its use of the DualSense charging port. If you’ve ever wondered what those two little metal contacts on either side of the controller’s 3.5mm jack are for, it’s this. Putting the controller on charge is as simple as sliding the controller into the charging station with a satisfying click; a system that has the added bonus of reducing the chances of damaging your controller’s USB-C port through frequent use. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that the use of this port does mean that the charging station isn’t compatible with many of the best PS5 controllers from third-party manufacturers. If you rely on a controller like the Victrix Pro BFG, you’re going to need to stick with USB-C options for now.

If you are using compatible controllers, everything is so quick and easy that, with the charging station on hand, I never find myself unable to play thanks to a depleted battery. If you own two DualSense controllers, it can even be helpful while you’re playing. If your controller battery starts to run low in the middle of a long gaming session, simply slide your other controller out and slot the one that you were just using into place. By the time the second controller is running dry, the first will be fully charged again and ready to go.

There’s also the fact that the charging station gives you a dedicated place to store your DualSense controllers even when they don’t need to be charged. Keeping your controllers on the table, the floor, or even shoved between couch cushions is a risky business, especially if you don’t live alone. With how fragile the DualSense controller can be, being accidentally dropped, stood on, or sat on could put it out of action for good. If your controllers are snugly secured in the charging station, there’s a much lower chance of damage.

With all this in mind, there’s little reason not to recommend the DualSense Charging Station for almost every PS5 owner. It’s the one accessory that I would say truly punches above its weight, dramatically improving your experience for about the same price as a discounted PS5 game deal.

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Sony has won a court battle instigated by Genuine Enabling Technology (GET) that accused the PlayStation maker of infringing on one of its controller technology patents. At the time of filing, the most recent Sony console would have been the PlayStation 4.

As reported by Gamesindustry.biz, the lawsuit originally filed in 2017 by GET sought $500 million (around £395 million) in damages as it accused Sony of infringing on a patent entitled 'Method and Apparatus for Producing a Combined Data Stream and Recovering Therefrom the Respective User Input Stream and at Least One Input Signal.'

GET had accused Sony of infringing on the patent primarily by way of how PlayStation controllers communicate with the console. In this case, that would be adopting a 'slow varying' frequency for traditional button inputs, with a higher frequency being implemented for motion-based controls. GET had argued that there weren't any controllers or devices that could do this until the creation of its patent.

In response, Sony argued that GET wasn't able to provide any proof that its technology was "structurally equivalent" to any component found in PlayStation devices.

The judge presiding over the case has now fallen in agreement with Sony, thus closing the case and stating that GET had "failed to raise a dispute of fact" and concluding that Sony hadn't infringed on the company's patent.

This isn't the only lawsuit GET has filed against a major gaming hardware manufacturer. A Reuters report details that GET also has an ongoing lawsuit filed against Nintendo concerning the very same patent. While the courts ruled in favor of Nintendo on this one back in 2020, it's since been reopened as of 2022 and has yet to reach its conclusion.

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Intel has just released a new Wireless Bluetooth driver for Windows 11 (and Windows 10), and it looks like it could make DualSense, the official controller for the PlayStation 5, work even better with PCs.

As Neowin reports, the Intel Wireless Bluetooth 23.30.0 driver is available to download from the official Intel website for Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices.

According to the release notes, this driver includes “Improved connectivity to a second gaming controller (Dual Sense)”, as well as several new functional updates. Devices that have gone into hibernation or sleep modes will also be more stable when they wake up.

If you have a laptop or PC that comes with Intel processors, its built-in Bluetooth connectivity is likely based on Intel hardware, so you’ll probably be able to benefit from these new drivers.

Making perfect (Dual)Sense

While Bluetooth driver updates are often hardly the most exciting news, I am glad that support for the DualSense is getting improved for Windows 11 PCs.

The innovative DualSense controller, which has lots of clever haptic feedback tricks that make playing games more immersive, is one of the best things about the PS5 – and because it can be hooked up to a gaming laptop or gaming PC, it’s also one of the best PC controllers you can buy.

This is because not only is it a solidly built controller that is comfortable to hold, but you can also make use of its advanced haptic features – including triggers that change resistance depending on what you’re doing in-game.

However, while you can connect a DualSense controller wirelessly to a PC via Bluetooth, to make use of the more advanced features, you still have to use a USB cable.

Sadly, it doesn’t seem like this driver update changes that – though I would love to see those features enabled for wirelessly-connected DualSense controllers. Instead, going by the release notes, it will allow people to connect two DualSense controllers to a single PC or laptop.

This is still a welcome development, as it will enable people to play local multiplayer and cooperative games on PC. To be honest, if these improvements keep coming, it’s making me less likely to buy a PS5 and just stick with my trusted gaming PC.

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Jussi Markkanen, the technical director of the upcoming multiplayer pirate adventure game Skull and Bones, has revealed some of the ways in which the game will take advantage of the hardware features of the PlayStation 5.

In a recent interview posted to the official PlayStation Blog, Markkanen explained that the unique features of the DualSense Wireless Controller are going to help enhance the combat experience. “Naval combat really comes alive with the DualSense [...] when using the adaptive triggers,” Markkanen said. 

“From sea fires and giant ballistae, to rocket launchers and mortars, you will be able to experience the different tensions of the triggers as you fire a variety of different weapons.”

This concept will be immediately familiar to anyone who has played other recent PS5 titles by Skull and Bones publisher Ubisoft (like Far Cry 6 or Assassin’s Creed Mirage) which have often made extensive use of the adaptive triggers. 

Markkanen went on to say that the “controller also rumbles in specific locations based on where your weapons are firing and where you’re taking damage,” which certainly seems like an intriguing way to enhance immersion through rumble vibration.

Skull and Bones will also feature 3D Audio for those using any of the best PS5 headsets that support it. In addition to helping you locate incoming fire by the simulated direction of audio cues, it will allow you to better hear the exact origin of commands shouted by your crew. As an aside, Markkanen added that the game will feature “30 shanties” for your crew to sing in a range of languages for you to appreciate in all their glory.

In terms of overall performance, the interview confirms that the game will run at a 4K resolution and a targeted 60fps frame rate, and that the PS5’s “ultra-fast” SSD storage helps cut down loading times.

While this all sounds like a perfect way to utilize the power of the PS5, we will have to wait and see the performance for ourselves when Skull and Bones launches on February 16, 2024. Those who want to get into the swashbuckling action even earlier can pre-order the Premium Edition for up to three days early access.

For some great current generation titles, see our guides to the best PS5 games or the best single-player games.

As part of the latest PlayStation 5 beta, Sony has revealed a small handful of new enhancements that might be making their way to the console in future.

This includes changes to the software of the DualSense Wireless Controller and the DualSense Edge geared towards improving the audio capabilities of both peripherals. 

The most significant of these is improved noise cancellation while using the native microphone of the controllers. The recent announcement blog post states that this is thanks to a new AI machine learning model that will create “a better voice chat experience” by reducing the impact of background noise. 

Although I haven’t had time to go hands-on with the beta quite yet, if this new noise cancellation technology is a dramatic improvement it would address one of the biggest shortcomings of the DualSense and DualSense Edge. 

If you’ve ever attempted to talk to a friend using the DualSense mic, the experience is pretty miserable. The crackly, unclear sound means that you’re far better off with one of the best PS5 headsets instead and any measures to address this are long overdue. 

The update also means that controller speaker can produce sounds at higher volumes, which should make it easier to hear the person you are talking to if you're relying on just using the controller for voice chat.

Elsewhere, the beta introduces the ability to adjust the brightness of the PS5’s power indicator (the strip of LED lights that illuminate the middle portion of the console). With the option to select a new ‘dim’ or ‘medium’ preset, this could be a welcome change for those who want their console to look a little less obtrusive in their setup.

Finally, there are some new options for those making use of Screen Share on their console. Viewers now have pointers that allow them to draw shapes or highlight objects during the stream. There are also new reactions, letting you send adorable Astro Bot emojis to the host’s screen.

While their presence in the beta is not a guarantee, it does suggest that these features will be rolled out to everyone in a future update. If you want to test them out for yourself in the meantime, you can register for the PS5 system software beta program via the PlayStation website.

Are you a PS5 owner? Check out our guides to the best PS5 controllers and the best monitors for PS5 for some top accessory recommendations.

A listing for an upgraded DualSense wireless controller for the PlayStation 5 has been spotted over at Best Buy Canada.

Listed as the 'DualSense V2', Best Buy has it at a retail price of CA$89.99 - which works out to roughly $69.99 / £59.99. That's the same price as the standard DualSense model that we've been using since the PS5's launch in 2020. 

It's worth noting, though, that prices may vary and this may just be a placeholder as it currently isn't available for purchase, nor do we have a concrete release date for as of yet.

The most notable change with the DualSense V2 is the apparent battery life. According to the Best Buy Canada listing, the updated pad boasts a "12-hour battery life" on a full charge. Better yet, the listing also mentions the controller comes with a DualSense charging station included. It's unclear if this will be as standard or simply a promotion from Best Buy Canada but receiving one of the best PS5 accessories at no extra cost is certainly a nice bonus.

There doesn't appear to be any other improvements when it comes to the DualSense V2. The dimensions and weight listed on Best Buy Canada are identical to the original model, and there's no mention of improvements to standout features like haptic feedback, adaptive triggers or the controller's built-in microphone.

For all intents and purposes, this does just seem to be the same DualSense controller, albeit with much better battery life. As a result, we're inclined to expect the original model to be phased out in favor of the V2. Especially as the retail price appears to be the same. In any case, TRG will keep you updated as official details for the DualSense V2 are confirmed by Sony.

Learn more about the best PS5 controllers with our handy guide. Then, consider checking out our list of the best PS5 games that every console owner should be checking out.

If you’re a PC gamer who uses a PS5 DualSense controller, then we have some good news courtesy of Valve.

Namely, Steam now caters to this particular controller in more depth, showing which games support the DualSense (as well as the DualShock and Xbox gamepads).

Valve pointed out in an announcement that the controller-friendly hub in Steam now offers an option to filter games by support for any of these controllers (or indeed multiple controllers, should you wish).

So, if you want to see what supports the PlayStation 5’s nifty DualSense controller, all you have to do is click that filter and explore the results.

Another smart touch is that by default, Steam will filter games based on the controller you’ve recently been playing with.

The search function on Steam has also had filters added so you can narrow down the results based on a controller, or you can specify finding games with full controller support (or titles where a gamepad is even preferred).

Furthermore, in your personal games library, any products that do support a controller you’ve used are flagged as such, to bring your attention to this when browsing your games collection just in case you might have missed that. There are also controller filters present here.

If you’ve been mulling over buying a DualSense controller, it’s worth noting that one of the top Black Friday deals we’ve seen is a big discount on these pads (and on some great alternative controllers to boot).

Analysis: Staying in controller

There’s a lot of tweaking to Steam’s interface here, and all of these are really nice touches for PC gamers who happen to have a PS5 and use the DualSense for some titles on Windows. (Or indeed folks who’ve just bought a DualSense for their PC full-stop – and yes, there are gamers who have done this, though note that you aren’t quite getting the full PS5 experience with the nifty bits like the adaptive triggers, though they still work).

How many players use a console controller to play PC games on Steam? Valve also shared some data on this very topic, and we’re told that 12% of the active player base regularly use a controller, so roughly one in eight. Of course, controllers dominate in some games, such as ball sports where predictably enough the majority (over 80%) are using a gamepad. Somewhat more surprisingly, Valve says that with some popular RPGs over half the players are on a controller.

Via T3

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My friend is a huge Spider-Man fan, and when I say that I really mean it. They’ve fully completed both Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales several times and could rattle off enough facts and knowledge about the web-slinging hero that would win any pub quiz. So it comes as no surprise that Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 was a must-play when it launched on October 20. That said, they faced one major challenge when the game came out: they didn’t own a PlayStation 5. 

After a lot of persuasion, a lot of pros and cons lists - and generally a lecture on how you only live once and you can make money back - they finally pulled the trigger and upgraded to a PS5 from near-ten-year-old PlayStation 4. While I enjoyed feeling a bit smug about persuading someone to buy a PS5, I then went on to take great pleasure in witnessing first-hand the excitement of someone completely oblivious to the hardware upgrades the PS5 boasts over its predecessor. 

Once the console arrived and was set up, and with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 freshly installed, we sat down to see exactly what it had to offer. Excited glances were shared over the opening, and I quickly realized that the most enjoyment I was getting out of the game wasn’t through playing it myself but watching someone who is so utterly invested in the series return to a state of childlike glee from the second it began. We'd even spend time excitedly spinning theories and guessing what we’d see next in the game's story.

This excitement didn’t stem from the content of the game exclusively. My friend's reaction to the technology embedded in the DualSense controller is what really sealed the deal of me finding more joy in watching them play rather than taking control myself. Each time my friend experienced something new and wanted to share the experience, it replicated a feeling like that of sitting down with your best friend and taking turns with the newest game release back when you were a kid.

A new technology 

The first instance of watching my friend experience the prowess of the DualSense controller was the moment you crack open the crystals scattered across the map. Without skipping a beat they turned to me with the same level of joy as a kid who has just unwrapped the best present imaginable and went: “They go crunchy!” in response to the gamepad’s adaptive triggers. That’s something their near-decade-old PS4 didn’t offer, of course, so I think the excitement here is justified. 

Even as someone who knew about what the controller is capable of, I was still thrilled to experience the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback firsthand in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. From here on out we took turns passing the controller between us each time we came across one of these crystal clusters so we could share the now affectionately nicknamed ‘crunchies’ around the map until we quickly collected the entire set. 

For someone who isn’t used to this inventive controller tech, the novelty lasts a surprisingly long time, especially when trawling through one of the best PS5 games to see how each approaches the DualSense’s functionality. That’s refreshing for someone like me who might have overlooked it were it not for the vicarious enjoyment I was now experiencing. The same experience can be said for lining up the triggers with the guides to locate Prowler bases as Miles, balancing each trigger's resistance to emphasize how steady you need to be to correctly complete the task. 

It’s all around us 

Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers aside, the 3D audio capabilities of the PS5 really helped bring the entire experience to life and immerse us further into the iconic New York setting. 

There’s an impressive level of detail throughout the game’s audio that breathes new life into New York City, be it the layered audio created by all the pedestrians or the distant chirping of a Spider-Bot, these all feed into the engrossing atmosphere of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 that had me and my friend so enchanted and gripped. This was emphasized further by the audio crackles that come through the controller’s speaker, such as the twisted noises of the symbiote when you have the black suit equipped for Peter Parker, or when you get a call mid-flight.

After a lot of swinging around, some desperate attempts at pulling off the most impressive web-to-wingsuit glides under bridges, and with the final ping of the last trophy collected, our time with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 came to an end. Usually, I’d be pretty swift to mentally check off the game from my list and not think about it for another year or two, but my friend immediately perked up and went “I think I’ll start it again actually.” 

While I don’t think I’ll get to experience the same amount of satisfaction through them and their joy a second time, I'm certainly looking forward to the next PS5 game they pick up and how that, and the PS5's tech, will elevate their experience even further.

We’ve got all the best Black Friday PS5 deals if you’re also considering upgrading your setup for cheaper this year. Our guide to Black Friday gaming headset deals and Black Friday gaming chair deals may also offer some bargains to enhance your gaming space. 

There’s no good way to be surrounded by demons, a fact especially true in Diablo 4, where the minions of hell will stop at nothing to tear you to ribbons. Faced alone, the terrors of Blizzard’s well-reviewed isometric action RPG can be difficult to manage. 

Diablo 4’s gorgeously designed gothic dungeons are packed with hordes of monsters, making for an experience that can be disorienting, even to veterans of the isometric RPG genre. Playing as a Sorcerer, the most fragile of the Diablo 4 classes, I often found myself overwhelmed by large packs of enemies - surrounded on all sides by bloodthirsty killers. However, thanks to my new choice of hardware, I would soon find that I had a new ally in the ongoing battle.   

Enter Sony's DualSense wireless controller. Despite my usual love of gaming on PC, I decided to try Diablo 4 on PS5 for a change of pace. The haptic feedback offered by the controller ensured that my forays in this new sensory frontier were much more than just an empty novelty.

Thanks to the controller’s use of directional rumble, I gained a new sense of awareness when it came to the direction and intensity of enemy attacks. Suddenly, the busy battlefields of Diablo 4 became far easier to parse. The extra level of information proved invaluable, allowing me to react to enemy attacks with a speed and clarity that was well beyond what I could previously muster.

Not only was the rumble’s directional element precise and informative, but the intensity also gave me clues as to how much damage I was taking in a given moment. This meant that using defensive abilities like Ice Armor could become an almost reflexive action - the feedback going straight from my hands to my brain and back again, without even having to look at what was going on. Thanks to this innovation, my eyeballs were freed up to help make other decisions: where to move to avoid incoming attacks, which skills to use as they came off cooldown, and where to strike back next.

Diablo 4 also boasts a huge number of area-of-effect abilities, used by both allies and enemies. Between the wide array of particle effects and magical auras on show, it can be difficult to tell which effects are beneficial and which aren’t - especially in multiplayer games where your pals are slinging out spells and abilities with which you might not be familiar.

Fortunately, the DualSense has you covered again, providing a gentle rumble should you find yourself standing in a hostile effect allowing you to easily tell the difference between deadly puddles of poison and traps laid down by allies. However, thanks to the controller’s sophisticated motors, this background rumble can still be layered with directional damage indicators, allowing for a wide range of easily accessible non-visual information. In more tense battles, this piece of haptic feedback could be the difference between life and death. 

Good vibrations

It may seem strange to be so enthused by something as simple as a rumble function, but, as someone who’s predominantly used to playing video games on a mouse and keyboard, I was blown away at the subtlety and precision the DualSense can achieve and offer. 

My notion of what rumble really meant was first formed by the Rumble Pak for the Nintendo 64. Despite being mind-blowing in the late 1990s, the Rumble Pak’s capacity for blunt, monodirectional feedback would be considered primitive by today’s standards. Jumping forward to 2023, and though I’d read about the DualSense’s haptic triumphs, I’d yet to fully process - or experience -  that rumble technology had advanced so far over the past two decades. 

The subtle and dynamic vibrations afforded by the DualSense’s motors allow for levels of precise feedback that eclipse the best Xbox controllers. The DualSense is able to capture anything from a light tap to a tumultuous burst. What’s more, the adaptive triggers allow for a sense of tactile feedback, allowing each trigger pull to be calibrated to the specific action you’re undertaking in the game.

These features exceed anything I could have imagined during the Nintendo 64 era. Once my eyes were opened by Diablo 4’s clever use of directional vibration functions, I began to try out other DualSense-friendly titles. 

A fan of Spider-Man since the days of Neversoft's now-classic PS1 title, I opted to give Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered by Insomniac Games a try. Adaptive triggers allowed slinging webs across New York to become a sensory feast. Thanks to the responsive physical feedback on the controller, I could feel the weight of Spidey’s parabolic movements. It was one thing to see the web-swinging in action but another altogether to feel the motion. 

My experience with Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered was positively colored by the DualSense’s haptic feedback at almost every moment. During the game’s combat, the rumble would complement in-game cues, not only giving you a sense of incoming threats but also helping you prepare a sneaky dodge or counterattack. As with Diablo 4, the DualSense’s rumble feature saved my bacon on more than a few occasions. Whether I found myself fighting a melodramatic supervillain or a horde of gibbering demons, the controller had my back. 

Now, I take pains to use the DualSense wherever I can, whether I’m having a crack at one of the best PC games it’s compatible with or one of the best PS5 exclusives. To my shame, I had no idea what I was missing out on until I took a leap of faith with Diablo 4. If you’re still yet to try it, I urge you not to sleep any further on what Sony has managed with the DualSense. It is my hope that these innovations in sensory technology will further influence the design of controllers, and perhaps, even some of the future best gaming headsets, allowing us not only to see and hear our favorite games, but to feel them as well.   

Looking for more great titles to play on your console of choice? Check out our lists of the best PS5 games, and best Xbox Series X games.