I’m going to go on record and say I think that the DualSense controller is one of the most wonderful bits of kit Sony has ever developed, and easily the best thing about the PlayStation 5.
I’m not saying it doesn’t have its problems, mind you. It’s as guilty of drift as most modern controllers (ie, very), and the battery life leaves much to be desired. But bells and whistles like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers add a new texture to gaming I never knew I needed. The gentle but decisive resistance of the trigger as I draw my bow in Horizon Forbidden West. The patter of rain in my hands as I explore the wastes of Returnal. Small, genius touches that enhance and enrich PlayStation 5 games in a myriad of wonderful ways.
The DualSense Edge has now arrived on the scene as an answer to the Xbox Elite Controller. It’s an upgraded version of the standard model that aims to offer improved comfort and a wealth of smart new customization options. For the most part, it succeeds - the DualSense Edge is arguably the best version of the PlayStation 5 controller in many ways. Unfortunately, all these upgrades come with an eye-watering price tag of £210.
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This is absolutely a controller for people who are serious about gaming. It features some truly brilliant features, like changeable stick caps, adjustable trigger lengths, and mappable back buttons that allow you to set up games to completely suit the way you like to play. You can even save multiple different control configurations, meaning you can essentially assign certain set-ups to certain games. It’s the kind of thing that will give you an edge in competitive shooters like Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, or enhance your time spent playing God Of War Ragnarök, but not in such a way that will truly appeal to anyone outside of the truly hardcore. Features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, the things that I feel really make the DualSense special, are no different here.
If you are the sort of person that loves the idea of being able to completely change up your control scheme and playstyle between games, I’m happy to report that the DualSense Edge is a brilliant piece of kit that works exactly as advertised. It couldn’t be easier to map, swap, and change the buttons and triggers as required, and you can keep everything in a wonderfully WALL-E-esque carry case to ensure you don’t inevitably lose one of the smaller pieces. The sheer number of customisation options is dizzying, and I look forward to seeing how the DualSense Edge plays into more competitive play and speedruns in the future.
The controller itself has a pleasing heft to it, slightly weightier than the standard DualSense, with an improved, slip-resistant grip that better supports those longer play sessions. Especially if you’re a clammy handed fiend like me. The touchpad is also far more distinct, and boasts a beautiful PlayStation motif that really helps it to stand out. Quite aside from anything else, it’s just a good looking piece of hardware.
Perhaps my only real issues, aside from the price, is the controller’s battery life. Previous reports suggested the DualSense Edge had between 5-10 hours of life in it, an estimate I have found to be true from my own hands-on time with the controller. However, it’s worth noting that those strapping in for extra-long marathons will likely be making use of the sleek USB braided cable which, at a decent length, should allow most to sit a comfortable distance from the TV without going wireless.
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Let’s be real: You need the DualSense Edge in the same way you need a 5-star spa weekend. It’d be bloody nice to have, but whether or not you pick it up comes entirely down to how much disposable income you have in your back pocket. This is a luxury item, and it comes with a premium price tag. Even by the hefty prices we usually pay for controllers in this cruel modern age, £210 is a hell of a lot to fork out.
Featured Image Credit: SonyTopics: PlayStation, Sony, PlayStation 5