After a lifetime of hating Sony's DualShock controllers, the PS5 DualSense might convert me

AC: “I've never liked any of the DualShock controllers, but Sony's new DualSense for the PS5 looks amazing. It might even change my stance on PlayStation controllers.”

[Jin_Sakai]

Xbox 360 use to be my go to controller over the DualShock 3 which I couldn’t stand. After using the Xbox One controller and DualShock 4 I much preferred the ergonomics of the DualShock 4 and it become my preferred controller.

The DualSense looks to be an even better controller with new features and improvements over the DualShock 4. Can’t wait to see what it feels like in the hands.

[nowitzki2004]

I love both controllers, They are both comfortable. Xbox Controller might be my go to if it wasn't for AA batteries. I refuse to buy another battery pack, I have absolutely no luck with those.

[Sono421]

I literally don't understand how you could not like the PS4 controller. It fits absolutely perfect in your hand and feels natural, the 360 > PS3, easily but that's just because the 360 controller was more comfortable fit in your hands, but PS4 > Xbox One easily for the exact same reason, Xbox went backwards in terms of comfort.

Also anyone claiming to want their joysticks offset is literally going against human nature. The human brain prefers symmetry, that's a fact of nature.

[UnHoly_One]

I don’t understand the symmetry argument at all.

You also have face buttons and a Dpad.

Your thumbs don’t spend 100% of the time on the thumb sticks.

If they did you might have a point. But they don’t.

So when you play a game using the DS4 and have to press a face button or the dpad then the controller instantly becomes uncomfortable I guess?

[rainslacker]

I feel judging any controller before using it is premature. A good looking controller does not mean it's a good controller.

I'm not worried about either next gen controller, but find the conclusion of the author to be silly at this point.

[darthv72]

Personally, I like the dual analog more than the DS1, 2 and 3 for one reason only... size. The DA had longer / wider grips and concave stick tops. All the DS (except 4) used convex.

When sony brought the DS4, I saw (and felt) the influence of that og DA. Im really liking the DS5 with keeping up with the wider / longer grip style. In my hands this could be the best Sony ever made.

[isarai]

I like different ones for different things, but mainly i like 360 for shooters and PC usage, dualshock series for 2D platformers and fighting games (the D-pad is amazing in the Dualshocks) didnt really care for XBOs version of the triggers honestly. And Gamecube feels really good on 3D platformers. Also the original PS1 controller(before the Dualshock) just makes me sad everytime i hold it lol.

[Rimeskeem]

I just cant stand the bumpers on the Xbox controller. They are only meant for taps and not holds and are just way to annoying to hold for me.

[drpepperdude]

They truly are terrible with wearing out guaranteed on my Xbox One controllers and they are not even great for using to begin with because of the cheapness. I've also had terrible experience with the joysticks drifting on both my first gen PS4 controller (I only had the launch PS4) and every version of the Xbox One controller. These controllers I guess were not meant to be used in shooters a few hours every day like I do.

[monkey602]

I've gone through a few controllers this gen and certainly not through abuse. I've had a few Dualshocks eventually wear the thumb sticks out. Causing drifting and the R3 button not to work. The one I'm using now is actually only just over a year old and needs replacing now. As much as I love the controller I've never had this issue with Sony controllers, I still have my ps1,2 and 3 controllers and its disappointing my PS4 controllers arent going to last like that. They got a lot of use though I guess

As for the Xbox1 controller I had one that the shoulder button broke within weeks of getting it. I have another that's fine (even though I still dont like the shoulder buttons on it, they feel like they're going to break any minute)

[Sono421]

I also got drift on a couple PS4 controllers, but that's all because of Dead by Daylight, I wiggle the F*CK out of my joysticks trying to break free from the killer lol, still usually end up on the hook tho.. :/

[Limitedtimestruggle]

This! They never quite felt right for me, I actually prefer they way the Xbox 360 controllers sits in my hands.

[Rimeskeem]

I preferred the 360 controller, I used the One a few times but god i hated using it for anymore than an hour.

[PrinceAli]

a lifetime of hating dualshocks.. meanwhile the Dualshock 2 vs the original Xbox controller AKA the DUKE aka one of the WORST controllers EVER! The dualshock 2 is better than all original Xbox controllers by a country mile, the dualshock 3 vs the Xbox 360 controller, yeah the 360 controller deffo felt better to hold so that's fine but then to act liek the Dualshock 4 isn't a great controller is just flat out BS!

[drpepperdude]

I've had my favorites over the years but lately I'm not that into the PS4 or XBO controller. Both need some remodeling in my opinion. Hopefully the next consoles win me back over when it comes to controllers else mouse and keyboard might be my main input device going forward.

[PrinceAli]

As a person that doesn't play strategy games, Nor MMOs and doesn't Enjoy FPS' at all... I couldn't think of a worse way of playing my favourite games tbh lool.. Like i couldn't imagine playing a fighting game on M&KB or playing a racing game on M&KB or any of the big budget Uncharted styled games id genuinely HATE it... The only time M&KB is the best option is FPS, RTS, MMO games and general inventory management based games...

[spartan112g]

Both the DS4 and Xbox Obe controllers are fine, but the elite 2 controller... now that’s a FANTASTIC controller.

[PrinceAli]

Elite controller 2 is a damn good controller for sure!

[drpepperdude]

Yeah I agree about mouse and keyboard being terrible for certain types of games like platformers, racers, button mashers. I personally am not into any racing games except Mario Kart and lately I don't have much of any new games that feel terrible with a mouse and keyboard. I've mostly been playing shooters and strategy games this past year except the occasional time I play one of my old game consoles. But we have Battle for Bikini Bottom and Tony Hawk coming out soon so I will have to use my Xbox controller again and all it's flaws are going to annoy the hell out of me.

[monochromer]

Who cares?

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

My biggest issue with PS4 controllers is the position of the analog sticks. They are just to close together and my thumbs keep slipping off the top on the sticks. I’ve never really been a fan of the controllers tbh.

[drpepperdude]

My biggest gripes with the PS4 controller are the shape of the joysticks and the triggers. I like the joystick shape on top of PS3 controllers and XBO controllers but on PS4 I seem to slip way more often. As far as triggers I would rather they just be digital buttons like the Switch since I never play a game other than racers that can take advantage of them and they are always worse than Xbox triggers.

[monkey602]

I dont know if it's because I'm more accustomed to the Dual shock or that I dont play that many racers but I find the trigger distance on the X1 controller far too long. Like it feels as if it takes an age to finally click

[Morbid Bulldozer]

Overall I don't care that much which controller I use. Ergonomically, your main method of input should be at the top, which means that DualShocks are best at "d-pad + buttons" games, like Tekken. Xbox controllers excel at "analog stick + buttons" games (ummm, Forza?) and - for example - WiiU Pro controller should work best with FPSes (stick + stick).

Still, if you're an 'average gamer' (not entirely casual, but not an addict), adapting to a different controller should take you a relatively short time, after which the differences don't matter much.

[rainslacker]

The idea of ergonomics has to assume your hand will be in a natural position when using all the functions, or most, that a controller has to offer. I find the DS is better at this when using the shoulder buttons.

Otherwise, I have no issue with either, and usually find the debate devolving too much into people over exaggerating their experience or the effects of a particular controller on their physiology.

[Einhander1971]

Love the DualShock personally, not a big lover of the Xbox pad.

[boing1]

It'll be amazing, especially the tech inside. Trust me.

[sampsonon]

I just hope it's not as big and bulky like the xbox controllers.I like the way the duel shock fits in my hands.

[Limitedtimestruggle]

I always loved the PS controllers up to the horrible SIXAXIS crap. That controller never worked great for me, gimmick gyro controllers, see trough cheap plastic and very little ergonomic triggers..and the lightweight feel screamed KNOCK-OFF quality. It got a bit better with the Dual Shock 3 though, still horrible triggers. The Xbox 360 controllers steamrolled it last gen, no doubt. And it was my preferred controller at the time. I LOVE the Dual Shock 4 though, great work by Sony and I prefer it over the Xbox One controller! Sits better in my hands!

The PS3 controllers are the worst iteration of a PS controller I think. I am very excited for the Dual Sense, that looks incredible ergonomic and feature rich!

[Minute Man 721]

Be real everyone. The Xbox controller feels better in a players' hand. Want proof? Just look at the PS5 controller.

Disagree if you know I'm right, agree if I'm stating the facts

[RazzerRedux]

You are not stating any facts. Hilarious how you think you can speak for how controllers feel "in a player's hand". That is idiotic. As if everyone has the same hands? Hilarious.

[Minute Man 721]

You might have preferences ( unless you have small hands ). I am a gamer/player so I can comment on this, but the Xbox controller feels better in a players' hand (not tiny hands)

[RazzerRedux]

"but the Xbox controller feels better in my hand"

fixed

[Minute Man 721]

Yup and the majority of gamers would agree

[LucidIllusion]

Xbox controllers to me personally always felt overrated.