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370°

I was wrong about the PS5 DualSense controller, and I couldn’t be happier

Adam Vjestica, Techradar, writes:

It’s never easy to eat a slice of humble pie, but I’m happy to admit I was wrong about the PS5 DualSense controller.

Sony’s innovative new pad is comfortably my favourite aspect of the PlayStation 5 – by some distance. But I’m still kind of shocked that developers have embraced it so readily.

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techradar.com
Magog1581d ago (Edited 1581d ago )

Developers love the DualSense as much as gamers do. Of course they are supporting it. Rift Apart uses it really well and I can't wait to feel it in action in Gran Turismo 7! When it comes to multiplatform releases the dual sense support makes the PS5 version definitive by default. It's that much of an improvement from everything that has come before.

CrimsonWing691580d ago

I don’t really see much other than Sony’s 1st party studios doing anything cool with it and nothing on the level of Astrobot from anyone.

SullysCigar1580d ago

One example that springs to mind is Observer.

Bloober Team were raving about DualSense and I was quite impressed at their creativity with it, you should check it out.

waderae1580d ago

F1 2021 uses it well, triggers lock up when you lock brakes, different rumbles so you can feel tyre wear/slipping.

Phoenix761580d ago

Metro exodus uses the feature to "jam" your guns

therealsasquatch1580d ago

Only have to gripes with it. The triggers are often pressed when I set it down while watching a movie making it fast forward or rewind and the battery life is very short.

bloop1580d ago

I'll second that Phoenix. Dual sense features in Metro Exodus were awesome.

MrNinosan1580d ago

Valhalla, Fenyx Rising, Dirt 5, FIFA22, Fortnite, CoD, ... Just to mention a few non 1st party studio games that did well with the DualSense integration.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1580d ago
Zhipp1580d ago (Edited 1580d ago )

I think the point of the article is that third party developers have made surprising use of it. It's no surprise that Sony's first parties are taking advantage of it. Case in point: both the Nintendo Switch(Mario Odyssey, Luigi's Mansion) and Xbox One/Series (Forza, Forza Horizon) have games that make outstanding use of their advanced rumble features, but by and large they go underutilized in basically all third party titles.

That's why, in the case of the PS5's dualsence, to see games like Call of Duty and Control making such great use of the technology is such a huge positive. It's already more nuanced than M$ and Nintendo's offerings, but that wouldn't even matter if there was still such a small library of games using it. I don't know if it's just that Sony's dev tools make it very easy to implement or what, but it puts a smile on my face either way.

SullysCigar1580d ago

I'm glad developers have embraced it. It makes a genuine difference to games for me, and Sony tried to make implementation as quick and easy as possible.

You had the usual crowd rubbishing the controller and saying devs won't bother, but here we are. Many of those early doubters have probably tried it for themselves by now and can appreciate it firsthand.

Bladesfist1580d ago

Apparently N4G doesn't believe you

saint_seya1580d ago

same, still need to upgrade my pc, but at least i have a good controller xD

CaptainHenry9161580d ago

Even the dualsense features work on PC.

GoodGuy091580d ago (Edited 1580d ago )

Only complaint is the battery which Sony always lacks on with their devices. Even joycons last 20+hrs and rechargeable. My other concern is the thumb sticks wearing down which is another staple of ps controllers. Otherwise it's an amazing controller but comes with downsides like any other.

Kurt Russell1580d ago

Battery is an issue for me mostly because I have kids and a single controller. By the time I get to play, it has been just left on and discarded in the room so it's dead by the time I get to play. I wish it was hot swappable as buying another battery unit would be better for me than buying a 2nd controller (which is expensive).

Futureshark1580d ago

You should enable the power setting so it switches off after 5 mins no use, that'll save you some battery power.

Click the "Settings" icon on your PS5 home screen, and then click "System" in the menu that's displayed. The System screen is shown.

Choose "Power Saving" in the menu on the left side of the screen. Power saving options are displayed on the right side of the screen.

Choose "Set Time Until Controllers Turn Off" on the right side of the screen. A menu is displayed with options you can choose for how long your PS5 DualSense controller will go without being used before it turns off. Make your selection. Your changes will be saved automatically, and going forward your PS5 DualSense controller will automatically turn off after not being used for your set amount of time.

1580d ago
Zhipp1580d ago

@Silver_Hawk
I don't know of any controller that you can't charge while using. Besides the joy-cons, I guess.

1579d ago
Zhipp1579d ago

@silver
You don't even need to have batteries in at all to use your Xbox controller, so i dunno what you mean. You basically have three options:
1. Non rechargeable batteries
2. Rechargeable batteries with a separate wall charger
3. Play and charge kit

In all those scenarios, if your batteries die you can still play by just plugging it in.

Kurt Russell1574d ago

Thanks Futureshark, that will help a lot. They mostly just watch TV on it, so having it power down when idle faster might give me a hope come the evening :)

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1574d ago
S2Killinit1580d ago (Edited 1580d ago )

A second controller would solve the problem of battery for the most part. Or a long charging wire. I finally went with the new purple controller and couldnt be happier with the way it looks. I play with one while the other charges. Also ive noticed that the PS5 seems to fully charge your controller even if you plug your controller to it and then shut your PS5 off, which is great.

Zhipp1580d ago

"Staple of controllers", you mean. I've never had a controller not eventually develop drift, with the exceptions of the PS2 and Xbox One. Even then, I've heard about enough cases of Xbox stick drift to know that I've just been fortunate on that front.

andy851579d ago

Just buy the grippy covers. I bought a multipack for like £4 on ebay. Still on the first set with no wear 14 months later

BrettAwesome1579d ago

Bullshit 😂 the only PS4 controllers that dealt with the thumbstick wear, was the first ones. I bought a PS4 pro on release, and played it for thousands of hours without issue. Same with the steel gray one.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1574d ago
Flawlessmic1580d ago

I really liked returnal and ratchets use of it.

Cant wait to see what gran turismo 7 feels like with it

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150°

New PS5 system update beta previews DualSense wireless controller pairing across multiple devices

Beta participants will have access to the new feature starting tomorrow.

Read Full Story >>
blog.playstation.com
Smellsforfree311d ago

Oh nice! I'll just use my Edge controller with my PC when this comes out. Only reason why I have a separate controller for my PC currently is because it is too much of a hassle re-pairing the controller every time I want to use it.

gold_drake311d ago

i love how this aint possible on android. officially.

but we all know how.

Christopher311d ago

Huh? You can pair PS5 controllers to android devices running Android 12 or later.

OpenGL311d ago

Hope they add this to the PSVR2 controllers because I use them on PC and PS5 Pro.

OpenGL310d ago

Thank you! PSVR2 has been great since they opened it up to support the PC. It was always neat on PS5 but kind of an expensive toy for it to be locked to one platform. Now it has a ton of value that it works on both PS5 and PC.

Neonridr310d ago

I wish you could have different setups for if you are using PC or console. I don't want to have to re-run the entire setup process because I used a different machine that day.

RedDevils310d ago

What they should do is allow me to pair it with my PS4.

Grilla310d ago

“ Additionally, we’re also sharing new details on Power Saver for games – a new mode that enables supported PS5 games to run with lower power consumption and reduce environmental impact – which will be available at a later date.” = PlayStation handheld mode.

Show all comments (12)
260°

Why Haven’t Console Makers Switched to Hall Effect Joysticks?

The Outerhaven writes: It's been proven that Hall Effect sensors in joysticks resolve stick drift and last longer, so why aren't console manufacturers moving to them yet?

Read Full Story >>
theouterhaven.net
jznrpg321d ago

No idea but I have got all 6 of my controllers modded now with TMR sticks for 20$ each

joab777321d ago

How did you manage that? Bought kits?

jznrpg319d ago (Edited 319d ago )

Guy I know on eBay installs them. I send them to him he sends them back. I think regular price is 25$ (for tmr sticks and installation, can’t beat that really unless you do it yourself) and the more you get repaired the cheaper it is but we have done some business before so he gave me a discount. There are multiple people that offer services so check eBay who will install what you want. Hall effect, TMR, battery upgrades

Jin_Sakai321d ago

Yep TMR (Tunneling MagnetoResistance) sticks are even better than Hall Effect. Speaking of drift just had another PS5 controller start drifting. This makes 3rd one since launch! These things are way too expensive to not have TMR sticks.

jznrpg319d ago

I never had issues with stick drift until my kids used theirs and then my PS5 controllers and they went through 4 real fast. So I said f it I’m getting them all
Modded now instead of buying new controllers.

Killer2020UK321d ago (Edited 321d ago )

It's almost as if they want to keep cost price down and repeat sales high 🤷‍♂️

For those interested, on a tangential but somewhat relevant thread, the Centennial Light is an incandescent light bulb recognized as the oldest known operating light bulb. It was first illuminated in 1901.

But why, if lightbulbs can last this long, do we still have bulbs that burn out after a while? Well, the Phoebus cartel was an international cartel that controlled the manufacture and sale of incandescent light bulbs in much of Europe and North America between 1925 and 1939. The cartel took over market territories and lowered the useful life of such bulbs, which is commonly cited as an example of planned obsolescence.

Following its dissolution, light bulbs continued to be sold at the 1,000-hour life standardized by the cartel.

Proof that products are often intentionally designed to fail and proof that nobody seems to protect the consumer when there's money to be made.

BlaqMagiq1321d ago

Learn something new everyday. Thank you for this.

ppm1100321d ago

Centennial Light as an example of planned obsolescence is kind of a myth - https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Babadook7321d ago

Haha. The plot thickens. However even this guy admits planned obsolescence is probably real.

clevernickname320d ago

You completely misconstrue the aims of the Phoebus Cartel. Their objective was not planned obsolescence but to standardize the lightbulb market. You can make a lightbulb last hundreds of years, but it won't output much light. The Centennial Light barely puts out any light at all! The Phoebus Cartel was formed to standardize light design, light output, and quality, and since the life of an incandescent bulb is based on the amount of light it produces, it did have the side effect of determining lifebulb lifetimes.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 320d ago
Deathtracker321d ago

They want to sell more controllers.

BlackCountryBob321d ago

I think the Switch 2 is a slightly different reason, primarily that if Nintendo introduced them it could be used against them in the many lawsuits they face about the JoyCons for the Switch 1.

I’m not sure how anyone could answer the questions “why did you change this in your new console and what are the benefits” without talking about reliability / lifespan which they are claiming were entirely normal (ie why change it if you want to claim it was already fine).

Melankolis321d ago

Isn't drifting an exaggerated issue?. Never had issue with drifting controller from PS1 to PS3 + Xbox OG to Xbox 360. Meanwhile Nintendo's handheld always has issues whether the hinge, screen, shoulder buttons, etc.

321d ago Replies(1)
shinXseijuro321d ago

You just answered your own question ! Controllers back then did not suffer from the issue because the quality of the sticks used to be better it would take a lot for a controller to start drifting . Nowadays since the ps4/one days controllers tho offering more are made in a way that it doesn’t take much for one’s controller to start drifting . Ever since I bought my ps5 in 2020 I easily ran thru about 8 controllers . I play a lot of fighting games and stuff like apex which all take a heavy toll on the sticks

Mr_cheese321d ago

I'd personally never had an issue with stick drift from ps1 to ps4 and then I got a ps5 with two controllers. Both got stick drift on the left stick within the space of a year.

I didn't believe in the scale of it and then blam. Now I'm a believer.

Profchaos320d ago (Edited 320d ago )

I used to think this also as I had never had an issue despite having a ps1 duelshock, ps2, ps3, ps4, 360, xone, switch, wii u, gc, wii and others

Yet my ps5 I've had two controllers with stick drift so far and one controller that had the spring break in a trigger

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 320d ago
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330°

You Can Now Connect PlayStation's DualSense Controllers To Xbox Series XlS

There's a fan-made app on the Microsoft Xbox store right now that allows players to connect their DualSense controller to Xbox Series XlS.

Read Full Story >>
thenerdstash.com
S2Killinit442d ago

Hehe that must be a hard pill to swallow.

neutralgamer1992442d ago

I have been a PS fan since day one and last year switched to PC and to me Xbox series controller just feels better (no doubt features wise dual sense has more to offer but the feel in hand xbox feels more natural)

RupeeHoarder442d ago

The feel between the two is negligible at best. One thing I can absolutely say is not negligible is the sound difference. The Series controller is a loud, clicky, cheap sounding mess.

DodoDojo442d ago

I prefer the Xbox controller too. I think there was a Steam survey that showed 60% of the controllers used were Xbox controllers.

VenomUK442d ago (Edited 442d ago )

Just wait until Microsoft starts selling Xbox controllers for PS5. I joke, I joke, that’s one red line Microsoft will never cross…

Promise?

Will it?

MUMMY.

darthv72442d ago

DS has the better actuators but the XB feels better to hold. It is clicky... but that audible feedback is nice to hear. Then again i also like the classic clicky keyboards of yore.

Si-Fly442d ago

Hopefully Sony will get the ergonomics right one day, they’ve come a long way since the PS1 but Xbox has always had comfier controllers.

KyRo442d ago

I have both and it blows my head when people say the Xbox controller is better. The controller sounds cheap and hollow when moving the analogue sticks. The vibration feedback is pretty naff and the LB/RB buttons are like digital mouse buttons.

I've not used the Elite controller myself but the standard one just doesn't compare with the Duel Sense.

Rockstar442d ago

@ RupeeHoarder

I absolutely agree. The Xbox controller is indeed a loud, clicky cheap feeling controller. I prefer my dual sense and 8bitdo Ultimate controllers. But in my opinion all of these controllers are very comfortable

neutralgamer1992442d ago

Guys I just shared my opinion on what felt better in my hands. Dual sense has more features like I said and I agree compared to Xbox controller DS feels premium. I wish Sony would give the option between having a normal dual sense and one layed out like Xbox controller and I wish Xbox would do the same. Having more options is better for us all

Controllers are such a subjective matter. What feels good in my hands might not in another gamers hands

MASTER_RAIDEN442d ago (Edited 442d ago )

I honestly can’t believe people still argue about this. The Xbox controller is significantly more ergonomic/comfortable than anything PlayStation has ever put out. Do you guys like those weirdly stiff, gross feeling dualsense triggers? How about that giant useless touchpad in between the and share buttons (2 of the worst buttons I’ve ever used on a controller). The triggers on the dualsense bottom out at an inward angle for crying out loud. The PS button feels weird and should probably just be a circle shape with the ps logo like it was on ps3. I love PlayStation and haven’t owned anything Xbox since the 360, but let’s just be honest. Xbox one controllers onward NAIL the controller feel. PlayStation controllers just have really awkward design decisions.

Goodguy01442d ago (Edited 442d ago )

Preference

babadivad442d ago

Exactly. Xbox has the better controller.

rocky047586442d ago

Really? I really think the people that say this MUST have small hands. There's NO way if you have big hands that you'd think the Xbox Series X controller feels natural in your hands. To me, it feels small and my hands feel like it's smothering the controller. It feels awkward to hold compared to the hefty PS5 Dual Sense controller. I'm not body shaming small hands either, sorry if it sounds like it.

neutralgamer1992442d ago

Rocky I am 6-4 with quite large hands. I have a otter box cover OK my controllers. Yes without that she'll case I definitely think it's too small

phatak442d ago (Edited 442d ago )

well thats your personal opinion, im a full time pc gamer and the dualsense is easily the best controller ever made, the texture effect on the back and sides of the xbox controller this generation is extremely strong that it feels awful, I literally have to use a rubber cover or wear gloves to make that texture go away, it feels like saw dust. Playstation also has a texture but its much more normal feeling, the last time microsoft had a better controller than sony was the xbox 360, xbox one and ps4 dualshock were basically a tie, while dualsense smokes the series s/x controller for me personally

Profchaos442d ago

I've got to admit I never liked the Xbox one design the stick tension is wrong it's shoulder buttons don't feel right the grips are not as ergonomic and I don't like using it for long periods of time but the 360 pad was perfection I still use it over the Xbox one controller

TheEroica441d ago

The Sony defense force is gonna hate your comment. They're corporate bootlickers so expect downvotes.

PanicMechanic441d ago

The Xbox series controller is inferior to the Dualsense in just about every way possible. Dualsense feels better in my hands. Haptic feedback obviously makes the Dualsense the better controller and that can’t even be debated.

The series controller feels too “narrow” in my hands compared to the Dualsense

+ Show (14) more repliesLast reply 441d ago
Michiel1989442d ago ShowReplies(3)
Profchaos442d ago

To be fair i was using a duelshock 4 with xcloud to play halo a few years ago already which felt like a nice novelty

TheEroica441d ago

A hard pill to swallow? Huh? Like anyone is clamoring to hook up a Playstation controller to an Xbox. What a weird statement...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 441d ago
GotGame818442d ago

I prefer the Xbox controller. So do most PC players.

https://www.pcgamer.com/bes...

crazyCoconuts442d ago

On PC the biggest drawback of dualshock/dualsense is lack of universal support.
Once you've got DS4Windows / Steam Support configured, the Sony controllers simply have more features.
I can use the trackpad as a mouse which is really useful in Windows.
I can also use the gyro in Steam games for fine tuned aiming which is a great feature once you get used to it.
The other advanced features that the dualsense have are great (triggers, better haptics), but having to connect it via USB just to find most PC games don't support it isn't great at all.

Anyway this user mod doesn't support any of that greatness on xbox anyway... i was just talking about PC

Goodguy01442d ago

Budget 3rd party controllers have been amazing lately that even include back buttons, great battery life, trigger stops, and hall effects for $40-$60. 3rd party has been amazing and stepping it up, I'd recommend them if you're on PC. Official controllers by the big 3 and pro controllers are selling them overpriced and have some features fail within a year as a person who's tried out many controllers myself.

gold_drake442d ago

fuck no
i hate the xbox controllers. they are so bulky and loud for no good reason.

the biggest drawback of the somy controllers is the lack of 100% support.

Profchaos441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

Plus the face buttons feel like you need to press then harder which doesn't lend itself well to twitch motions it's my most hated gamepad for retro gaming on PC or though emulation

It feels like it's built around shooters and nothing else

andy85441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

Only because of the ease of use connecting a Microsoft product to a PC. It's just plug and play unlike the dualsense. I personally use an Xbox controller too on my laptop, but if it was as flawless I'd be using a dualsense every time.

Rockstar441d ago

Price is likely a factor as well. The Xbox controller is 35 dollars less expensive than the dual sense. At least here in Canada anyway

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 441d ago
MrDead442d ago (Edited 442d ago )

I always forget how archaic the Xbox controller is, it'll be be like a wizard from the future casting a spell on the confused peasants.

"What is this magic you bring us?"

MrDead441d ago

No s#it.

"If you use the adjective archaic you are referring to something outmoded, belonging to an earlier period. Rotary phones and cassette players already seem so archaic! The adjective archaic means something that belongs to an earlier or antiquated time."

oldenjon441d ago

Well, it reads like you don't understand what it means. Just trying to help lol

Schoolboi441d ago

Well then you need to take some comprehension lessons, because what he said and how he used archaic is absolutely fine

oldenjon441d ago

@schoolboi oh thx ‘school’ boi! Yeah the point of the joke is somewhat obscure, and the language used isn’t really helping me grok it.

KwietStorm_BLM442d ago

I don't like the multiverse. It's scary.

DivineHand125442d ago (Edited 442d ago )

This is a huge win. I will try this as soon as I get home before Microsoft pulls the app. The only thing that is left is for someone to mod the dual sense controller buttons with Xbox buttons.

DivineHand125441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

Ok, to add an update. The app works, but you will need a PC or Android phone to act as a middleman to manage the connection between the console and the dual-sense controller. I was able to connect my dual sense using Bluetooth to my laptop, and then my laptop was able to connect to the Xbox via wifi.

I was able to control the Xbox dash board using the controller, and I tried playing 2 games. I tried the Xbox 360 version of Sonic Generations (disk version), but that didn't work. I then tried playing Forza Horizon 4 (Digital), and I was able to control the game without any noticeable input lag. I expected the game to have rumble like PS4 games on the PS5, however, there was no vibration what so ever. I was only able to experience the novelty of using a dual sense controller to control the Xbox Series X. In its current state, you are better off just using the Xbox controller.

The flaw I noticed is that if you have Steam running on your PC and you press the Playstation button thinking it will take you back to the dashboard, you are wrong. It will just launch Steam big picture mode on the PC, and at that point you have to focus on what is on your PC because you don't want to press and open something accidentally. It seems you will still need an Xbox controller to get back to the dashboard/home screen. It doesn't matter if you exit Steam on your PC.

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