In January this year, the PS5 controller, known as DualSense, gained a new version. This is a more premium version of the already expensive accessory, aimed at a truly enthusiastic audience. The so-called DualSense Edge hit shelves on the 26th of the first month of 2023, for a suggested price of $199.
No matter how advanced the peripheral is, is it worth investing the value of almost five standard controls for a single DualSense? How much do accessories and hangings make a difference? And how does the Edge compare to high-performance controllers from other manufacturers? That’s what we’re going to investigate in this article!
From DualShock to DualSense Edge
The DualSense Edge marks the first time that Sony has made a “pro” or “premium” version of the controller. The only similar event we have in the history of the console was on PSOne when the manufacturer developed the first DualShock. Thus, the video game was compatible with its original control and an improved version of it. It included analog sticks and a vibration function.
The DualShock was launched in 1998! Two years after the launch of the console with its original Digital Controller. Sony had already introduced a version of the control with analog sticks in 1997. However, the control only had the vibrate function in Japan. The company didn’t bring versions for the USA and Europe. The DualShock was the finalized version of it, including “shock” (to shake, in this context) even in the name.
But the situation is somewhat different. The DualShock was not designed as a “professional” version of the original PlayStation controller. Instead, it was a big “evolution” of it. The Nintendo 64 had an analog stick, and Sony brought two. It was a time of competition, and thankfully, the analog stickers change the gaming world and were perfect for the transition to 3D games. The PS2 was already launched together with the DualShock 2 and so on until the PS4. On PS5 it underwent a new transformation. The firm dropped the DualShock for the DualSense. The PS4 brought drastic changes with the touchpad, and the PS5 evolved this concept and brought the haptic feedback. The Edge is a beefier version of the DualSense.
The Weid Boomerang Controller that Never Saw The Light of Day
It is worth mentioning here quickly two outliers in the PS3 generation. First, there was the “boomerang”, a completely different (and somewhat bizarre) controller. It was shown together with the reveal of the PS3 at E3 in 2005. It was never finalized for the public, remaining only in images and memories.
Another point was the Sixaxis, a version of the DualShock 3 without the vibrate function that Sony was forced to do when it launched the PS3 in 2006. It was launched because of a dispute with a company called Immersion that began in 2004. Sony eventually lost the process and then ended up entering into an agreement with Immersion in 2007. It allowed the launch of the DualShock 3.
The evolution
The DualSense abandons the “shock” of its name to further promote its new haptic feedback technologies. The controller doesn’t just vibrate in the same place as its past generations did. It offers different tactile responses to the player depending on what happens in the game. Adaptive triggers are also part of the experience, and Sony wanted to highlight all of this by giving the control a new name.
The controller arrived with the PS5 in 2020 and now, almost three years later, we had the launch of the DualSense Edge in January of this year. If we were to summarize the differences between the PS5 premium controller in just one word, it would be “customization”.
Still, in terms of accessories, the control also includes two different cover options for the analog stick, in addition to the standard one, totaling three options.
But the functions of these different buttons are interesting even due to the level of customization that the player has in controlling adjustments. You can create up to three custom profiles, remapping the buttons however you want in each of them. You can also adjust the sensitivity of the sticks and the dead zone, the intensity of the control vibration, and even the resistance of the adaptive trigger.
And of course, being a very expensive product, it comes with other advantages such as a transport case and an especially long USB cable. But whether these differences justify such a difference in price or not will depend on the player. And that’s why I spoke to some players.
Player’s Experience With the Edge
Observing the reports of those who have a DualSense Edge and have been using the controller for months is important to get a sense of the experience of using such a controller. Most of us don’t have, nor will we, have the opportunity to get our hands on such an expensive accessory.
Still, it is equally important to highlight that a PlayStation player willing to invest in a new controller is a declared and passionate fan of the bran. So it’s interesting to keep in mind that these are experiences from the perspective of people who already love PlayStation and its products.
The report interviews a group of “platinum hunters” who dedicate good hours of their days to unraveling every possible corner of their games in order to constantly increase their collection of platinum trophies on their PSN accounts. And they have done this using the DualSense Edge. The first person to respond to the contact was Ígara Ferreira, writer and editor of the Geek Theory, and a “Monster” with a total of more than 2 thousand platinum on her PSN account. Interestingly, the feature she would most like to take advantage of in a different control is something that is not present in Edge: the possibility of programming macros.
Macro is the possibility of programming specific commands for the control. They carry out for you at the simple press of a button – something that can be especially useful for obtaining platinum trophies.
Therefore, the DualSense Edge serves you in everything now. The players are full of praise for the control. The report especially highlights the grip of the PS5’s most advanced controller, highlighting the simple presence of two rubber covers on the back. They greatly help with the safety and comfort of holding it. Ígara also says that its greater weight, compared to the standard DualSense, is also welcome for this feeling of a firmer grip.
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How The DualSense Edge Compares to Other Premium Alternatives
It is worth noting that the DualSense Edge is not the only option for more advanced “premium” gaming on the PS5. There are controls officially licensed by Sony. These were launched even before the self-made accessory and that offer similar features or even more advantages.
For fans of the modularity of buttons and components, for example, the Victrix Pro, from PDP, allows wide customization options, also coming with not just two, but four extra buttons on its back. Its official suggested price is US$20 more affordable than that of the Edge in the US: US$179.99. It doesn’t offer haptic feedback, however.
Some Neat Alternatives
Anyone willing to pay more for the controller and doesn’t mind changing the position of the analog stick could also invest in the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro. It costs an official price of US$250. Unlike the Edge, it has black and white colors. Furthermore, it has a very advanced button customization software. It also comes with four extra buttons on the back.
Something that I found especially curious is that none of the interviewees even considered a third-party controller before purchasing their DualSense Edge. Regardless of performance and features, the brand behind the controller certainly helps promote the product in ways that alternatives cannot.
In fact, if you want to have an experience perfectly in line with what the DualSense already offers, but with extra features, the Edge seems to be the safest option. But, for those looking for specific features in a different control, I recommend researching other options before making a decision.
The Extra Buttons Split Normal Controllers from “Pro” controllers
What’s interesting is the extra buttons on the back of the controller. This feature has become common among third-party accessories, and even options with much lower prices already have the feature. This made me wonder if we could see these buttons becoming a standard.
One way or another, these alternative and/or premium controls indicate that it may be time to have more buttons on standard console controls. As games get more complex, accessories need to keep up ! It is worth remembering that we started with just two buttons on the Atari. According to the feedback, the accessory has only only positive points. It’s something easy and quick to adapt.
One thing the four “platinum hunters” agree on is that Edge is here to stay. It’s difficult to speculate something like this without knowing how successful the control is actually being (or not). In the end, being able to sell well is what matters most for a product to be maintained. However, at least in terms of experience, players want the Edge to have a bright future in the PS series.
