Polygon : Yes, the $29.99 PS4 controller upgrade is worth it

Can a simple attachment turn you into a pro gaming god?

[Abnor_Mal]

Glad to see this attachment is getting good reviews. I will be picking one up soon and won't have to pay two hundred dollars just for similar functionality as the expensive custom controllers.

[ilikestuff]

Looks cool but why wait til the end of this gen? Hopefully it’ll attach to the ps5 controller.

[arkard]

My guess is to make ps4 controllers compatible with Ps5 via this attachment.

[Muzikguy]

It's been said that PS4 peripherals will work on PS5. I'm going to pick up one or two of these myself

[Abnor_Mal]

"Looks cool but why wait till the end of this gen?"

Who ate you asking, me or Sony? If Sony others already answered, if me, that's easy it wasn't out till the end of the gen. That's if you're asking me why get it now. Thought about an Astro C40 but I'm not a pro gamer or anything like that so wasn't willing to pay $200 for a controller I didn't see say it would be compatible with PS5. Of course it couldn't ask PS5 wasn't in development at the time or Sony wasn't willing to share any specs with a third party peripheral so early in development.

[ActualWhiteMan]

PS4 controllers are compatible with PS5 so the answer is yes.

[Segata]

DS5 will probably have paddles built in and this is a way to make DS4 BC with PS5 more easily.

[FPS_D3TH]

It’s built into ds5s

[indysurfn]

I'm in as long as it to remap the options button. Because you use it a LOT in trails of cold steel 3. Every other button is perfect (except options and share). For my non-skilled-at-hitting-options -self. I will start off with TWO of these bad boys!

[343_Guilty_Spark]

PS5 controller will have its own next generation exclusive Back button.

[silenthillstrangler]

I doubt it will, the DS5 is likely to have these buttons built in.

[deadfrag]

Theres many good features on a 150€ Pro Controller that are not achievable on a DS4 even using this new attachment!You only gain two new buttons so in anyway the DS4 with this attachment is comparable to a Pro Controller!

[Fluke_Skywalker]

If you actually read the review you would know that he said the expensive pro controllers do offer more than just rear buttons, but that for most folk they aren't worth the cost but this attachment is worth it.

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

No one cares. 29 bucks versus 150. It's a no brainer

[UltraNova]

Surprisingly well written hardware review by Polygon, its explains everything about the attachment. I'm interested in this, I'll give it a go.

[Normann]

.. "only for selected regions" <-- if getting this message.. it might be due to what access you've given Sony about your personal data and/or if you allow email notifikations

[jznrpg]

Or it just came out and supplies are limited to see how well it sells. They aren’t going to flood the market with these as they don’t know how well they will sell . It doesn’t make sense to have a lot inventory for an add on at the end of the generation . Most people can buy one off the internet anyways .

[terstomp]

A buy for me - cheaper way to get paddle buttons. I'll need to remove it when not in use as I using that connector for charging.
That aside, I hope that controller design is not stuck for another 20 years. I'm hoping for some bold innovation in controller design way before then.

[BlackDoomAx]

The number of people who don't know the existence of the strike pack is too damn high !

[THC CELL]

I gave them a try at work on cod and PlayStation dreams they are worth the money

[CaptainHenry916]

Cool

[Kurt Russell]

I think the price point is great. The functionality is great... but I hope it doesn't add any much drain to the already poor battery life of the PS4 controllers.

[phoenixwing]

I must be getting old because the thought of more buttons on my ds4 uneases me

[BrainSyphoned]

You must not be getting old because my hands beg for easier to press buttons like these.

[Neonridr]

Why an OLED screen though? I mean seems like an unnecessary cost. Wouldn't a simple LCD screen achieve the same results? Why a screen at all if it's just for extra buttons?

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

Read the article maybe?

[Neonridr]

I did.. nowhere in that article does it explain why they chose to use an OLED screen.

[RazzerRedux]

The refresh rate on that screen is extremely low. You can tell by the flicker when seeing it on a video. That lower refresh rate results in much lower battery consumption. And the screen isn't on constantly so the impact could be negligible. Ultimately, the choice for OLED may have been a cost consideration. Not really sure.

Either way, the screen is to select the functions the back buttons serve.

[Neonridr]

I dunno, usually OLED is more expensive than LCD. Perhaps there's some reasoning there, who knows.

This attachment is good for those who want to expand on the regular controller without having to shell out hundreds for some of the specialty controllers. I have a SCUF myself.

[RazzerRedux]

"usually OLED is more expensive than LCD"

Yeah....for TVs though. This thing is so small and has such a low resolution (see the pixelation). I can't imagine it was chosen for display quality. It is functional, but that's about it. Has to be some other rationale for OLED versus LCD in this case. Best guess I can come up with is cost.

[Neonridr]

you might be right for sure. Who knows.

[kingPoS]

It uses less power than a backlit led does.

Gateway MT6706 2008

[MasterCornholio]

If I could choose a screen for this it would be an E-Ink display.

[WeedyOne]

My best guess is that OLED screens can turn off individual pixels that they aren't using which might help save on battery life. LCD's cannot do this which is also the reason blacks are so black on OLED's as opposed to LCD's which have washed out blacks.

[raptorjacob]

Walmart has been selling something similar to this for years. I bought it, don't really like extra things hanging off my controller and ended up buying an Aim controller for paddles.

Just saw another comment, it's called the strike pack.

[Smokehouse]

“I can play doom now” - polygon

[Bleucrunch]

This is cool for the folks that like it. For me there are not enough buttons. The Xbox Elite 2 is good and would need a similar version from Sony as I prefer pro controllers. The customizations I make do a world of difference for me with my level of comfort. I wished Sony had something other than their current offerings....Not good enough.

[Xavi4K]

not for me

[MasterCornholio]

I've seen some videos and it does seem to work well. However it's not for me at the moment.

[Richhard1]

The new PS5 controller will have both back buttons, this will ensure a smooth transition and a chance to test the water.

[Segata]

I think I might get one. Should be standard going forward.

[Wontime1]

I'm not going to be able to use my charging dock with this attached

[Father__Merrin]

Il be skipping this attachment. I think it's too expensive for what it is

[Blu3_Berry]

I honestly don't see the point of this. It's a $30 accessory with a back button. Like how does it change anything? I'm not understanding it so please can someone explain to me.

[Rimeskeem]

Don't know if this has been answered but will the attachment work on third party controllers?

[S2Killinit]

Maybe a full controller version with PS5, I hope.

[Magog]

I pre-ordered it the first day.

[zugdar]

If it means I don't have to click either thumb stick to run, aim, select or other use every minute I'm sold.

[Rambokind]

No, it's not worth it.