PlayStation 5: DualSense Controller Hands On PS5

Today at Noon ET / 9 am PT, join Geoff Keighley for a first look (and play) of the DualSense Controller for PlayStation 5 (PS5).

[SamTheGamer]

Boring lol. I was hoping to see some RGB lightning

[Jin_Sakai]

We didn’t learn anything new from the reveal that we didn’t already know. No mention of battery life improvements or what exactly the create button does.

[Sunny12345]

Create button is a new share button, with few tweaks.

[angelsx]

All announcements from Geoff are fu . . . . g boring.Why he even bother.Worst game journalist ever

[TFJWM]

We learned it didn't have back buttons sadly

[Marquinho]

We learned he can't smile without Kojima.

[bouzebbal]

I really don't care about the microphone.. We saw maybe it was used in under 10games on ps4.. Not even first party used it.. It definitely has hidden potential and I hope devs use it more

[Christopher]

Other than seeing the controller in someone's hands, that was a pointless video.

[SamTheGamer]

Agreed. It was just holding the controller in hand.

[timotim]

You gone fail this one too for "no new information"???

[rainslacker]

Aren't most hands on videos about as pointless as an unboxing video? Especially for something like a controller where each individual has their own wants and needs in how it feels and performs?

[Christopher]

@rainslacker: showing how haptic works with a demo specific to it would have been nice. Or, a demo of it in a beta PS5 UI.

[Games1st]

A rave would of been nice.

[ForwardDude]

First hand-on on a next gen game ever from a journalist. True gamers would have found that interesting at least. Instead, you are complaining about Halo Infinite single player story and some RGB lightning. It's a Sony show, why complain about a Microsoft game?

[Sitdown]

What makes one a true gamer?

[KyRo]

If you want tacky lights, buy a PC

[shauzy]

sam the fortnite gamer

[SamTheGamer]

Not really. I am a lightning fan.

[TGGJustin]

Not a lot of new information but it was nice to see the controller in someone's hand to get a better idea of the size. Also excited for Astro's Playroom and that it seems to be several hours long. Astro Bot Rescue Mission was one the best platformers I've ever played so getting this for free is awesome.

[darthv72]

Awe... no back buttons.

[nowitzki2004]

No what?

[Abnor_Mal]

Agreed, no back buttons on the controller it seems. The show was boring to look at and I stopped paying attention.

Now I have to wonder what was the purpose of creating the PS4 back button attachment if it wasn't going to carry over to the Dualsense.

[darthv72]

Maybe they will make one specific for the DS5. Either that or they make a spacer that would transition from the DS4 design to the DS5 so the existing BB can plug in and blend with the controller.

Once you get to using it, you cant play any other way.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

$$$

[Abnor_Mal]

@darth
Funny thing is, I just ordered a back button from Amazon expected delivery is August 4th. I've been trying to get one since release but didn't move fast enough and they were sold out everywhere. If you did find one online they are being sold for a hundred to a hundred fifty dollars. Now that they're being made and shipped to retailers again I moved with the quickness this time.

I really hope they done try to nickle and dime people by making a new attachment and charge fifty or more dollars. The idea of making the current attachment compatible would look ugly af because the aesthetics between the two controllers are very different.

@343_Guilty
Money makes the world go round, but at the same time the root of all evil.

[Games1st]

A premium controller.

[Abnor_Mal]

@Games 1 st
With all the stuff packed into the Dualsense controller it can already be considered a premium controller. The addition of built in back buttons would hardly elevate it into premium, of course in my opinion.

[Games1st]

Would you pay more for back buttons? Then seperate controllers would cost more.

[Christopher]

I'm fine with that. Adding back buttons means EVERY gamer has access to them and games can be designed to use them for more options in games. Same reason every PS5 has a touchpad, btw. Same reason every PS5 will have an SSD and we're paying the cost for that. So that we can advance the lowest common denominator.

[rainslacker]

I think people thought the PS5 would because of the back button attachment, which made sense to have if they were going to do streaming of PS5 games, and you could use the additional buttons on the PS5 controller for BC games.

I guess in the end, it was just something that they saw had a market, so they made it for the controller. Maybe they'll have one for the DS5, but would have been nice if they were on there from the start. They wouldn't have to be as fancy and programmable like the one on the DS4 attachment, since you could do that on the system anyways, or sometimes the games, or devs could implement them as extra buttons for games.

[RememberThe357]

My biggest disappointment by far. Got the back buttons at launch and you're right once you get used to them, it's hard to play without. I keep it on my "shooters only" controller and I play my other games on my regular controller, just to try to keep the wear and tear down.

It makes me wonder why the hell they even made the attachment? If they weren't going to add it to the DuelSense what was the point? They could have just licensed it out like they do with everything else. I know it's not this, but it sort of feels like a bait and switch. Oh well, more money they can pull out of us...

[Bathyj]

Is that confirmed? Did they show the back?

[RazzerRedux]

You can see the back around the 1:15 mark. No buttons.

[sprinterboy]

Nice to see some more of the controller, but agree we didn't learn anything new plus come on Geoff ask some good questions like battery life, how responsive did it feel etc

[TrueViper]

Best question he asked on this snooze fest is are there going to be different colors on console and controller.

[sprinterboy]

Agreed plus surely the Sony guy could have just said yes, different colours are coming year 1 or something. Fucks me right off these marketing guys on lots of money yet they can't answer a simple question? What are they worried about? What were gonna hold off getting a extra controller on launch day? Like jeez just say multiple controller and consoles will coming like any other gen.
What answer did we get, "were concentrating on launch first"

[meganick]

My biggest concern is battery life. I hope it’s at least double the life of the DS4.

[sprinterboy]

Maybe it will be 6 or 7 hrs like dualshock but with the USB C charger it'll only take half hr to charge?
I won't mind that tbh, worse case scenerio

[meganick]

I would take longer battery life over faster charging.

[darthv72]

USB C is just a difference in port shape, not performance. That would be up to the charging block to either be a quick charge or normal charge. There are lots of C shaped devices that are not quick charge but Sony could have put a QC chip in the controller... who knows.

[TrueViper]

Fast charging leads to early battery degradation on every device that supports it because it generates more heat. I keep my phone on slow for that reason alone.

[chiefJohn117]

Right, I'm hoping they put 2000mah, but it should have 1800 at least. That 4-6 hour battery in ds4 is for the birds

[UnbreakableAlex]

They missed the chance to switch the stick position. What a disappointment.

[nowitzki2004]

No thanks. Its perfect where it is.

[UnbreakableAlex]

If you have normal hands, it’s just not ergonomic.

[nowitzki2004]

I have big hands, Its perfectly fine. I also like Xbox controller, Its perfectly fine too.

[RazzerRedux]

I'm with nowitzki2004. I move between Xbox controllers and PS controllers and for me the ergonomics are fine on both.

@UnbreakableAlex

Your personal preference only applies to you. You know this, right?

[xetiro]

@unbreakablealex
Yah, because people with “normal” hands have their left thumb 3cm taller then the right thumb.

And unless you have a special keyboard, you must had felt equally uncomfortable typing that...

[darthv72]

Not really but I can see the years of conditioning has you thinking that. If you want to know why it is the way it is, it has nothing to do with symmetry and all about $$. The DS design isnt bad, it's just not practical anymore. Especially when analog movement became more dominant over digital.

[nowitzki2004]

@darth

Glad to see you xbox guys care about PS guys so much. Im proud of you fanboys.

[sinspirit]

@darthv72

Except, no one EVER complains about the thumbstick on the right. When this argument is poised, people say, "b-but that's cause the face buttons are more important to reach.." except the xbox has been time and time again hailed as a shooter console, and most modern games have you using the analogs on both sides nearly the entire game for movement and camera. No one complains about the right analog on the XBox because you're creating fake problems and believe bias confirmation every time someone shares your same fake concern over a fake argument. Both controllers are great. Get over it.

Both positions allow easy full analog movement. Just don't put your hand on the grip where it would be for the other controller and try to reach for the analog. If you really want to get technical, our hands are symmetrical. So, why would the controller not be?

[rainslacker]

I don't have a problem on either, and what problems I do have with carpel tunnel exist on both. The talk of ergonomics is silly for both controllers IMO, but technically speaking, the DS layout would be classified as more ergonomic. Whether you like your hands in one position or another to use the sticks is subjective, and has nothing to do with actual ergonomics.

[generic-user-name]

No thanks.

[-Foxtrot]

Not really an issue

[Si-Fly]

I have huge hands (and a proportionally sized todger) and the dual shock is a great fit :D

[343_Guilty_Spark]

How is it perfect? When you hold you hand out to shake hands your thumb points forward not sideways. It's in a neutral position with the left stick up top. Left is usually reserved for movement...but high fine motor stuff like aiming and using buttons requires your dominant hand to be in a constant "ready mode". Assymetric sticks is better.

[RazzerRedux]

"Assymetric sticks is better."

lol.....love those Assy sticks, do ya?

[_dangerclose_]

I'll help you out that's called ambidextrous and what does that have to do with thumb sticks being offset? FYI your hand shake analogy makes no sense so just stop, you personally think asymmetric is better that's fine you enjoy that doesn't mean its whats best for everyone or even the best option overall.

[rainslacker]

Wow. You really thought a lot about this to come up with something completely banal and inaccurate. I'm proud of your effort, disappointed in your conclusion.

1. You don't hold your controller the same as you would have your hand positioned to shake a hand.
2. Hands neutral position when placed near each other, like in your lap when your playing a game, would naturally be exactly how you are supposed to hold the DS controller. The Xbox layout requires that you don't have your hands symetrical. Not an issue, as the actual ergonomics of the Xbox controller also place the thumb where it would be if your hand is in that position, but your wrist is more out of an ergonomic position to use the Xbox left analog. If you have wrist issues, like carpel tunnel, this can be more of an issue.
3. Fine motor skills have nothing to do with the position of your hand. The fingers are incredibly adept at adjusting to what they need to do in any position that is kinematically sound. All controllers work best based on muscle memory. Buttons are not precision presses, although you can learn where they are through muscle memory.
4. "ready mode"? What is that in terms of ergonomics? Ready mode is just a starting position, and again, muscle memory will put that wherever you are used to it.

So, I'll say you know I much prefer PlayStation. I think the DS controllers are just fine as they are.

Did you know I can also use a Xbox controller no problem, and over the years, I have found absolutely no benefit to button or analog placement for either one? I prefer them being next to each other, but that's probably because that's what I'm most used to after all these years.

I don't really need to make up some random nonsense to try and prove the subjective as factual.

[boing1]

Why would they do that? That would be the stupidest thing.

[ocelot07]

Yer it's been the same for 25 years. They are not changing now because a small number of potential owners rather they change it to the Xbox layout.

[_dangerclose_]

"If you have normal hands, it’s just not ergonomic."

Normal hands with normal thumbs are in the same position not offset so it is ergonomic, smh.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Are you right and left handed?

[rainslacker]

Most PS gamers are used to the stick position, so think they'd upset more people if they changed it. Most PS gamers also don't have a problem with the stick position.

[FanboySpotter]

I saw him play it and it had around 7 sec load time masked in a warp-like tunnel. I was told ps5 ssd would have no loading at all I'm confused

[nowitzki2004]

Dont worry about it, you will be on Xbox anyways.

[darthv72]

Even if he is on xbox... that doesnt detract from there being a warp/loading screen in this demo now does it?

[nowitzki2004]

@darthv72

Ok Ill play your game..Is it even loading? or is it warping somewhere else?

[Chunky007]

A valid point as soon as i saw the tunnel i thought its loading. Looks like not fully optimised

[darthv72]

Im not entirely sure but I dont think this type of game really utilizes the ssd. in the interview after the demo, that question gets brought up in regards to R&C in comparison. It is really up to the individual devs on how they want to use the performance of the various features.

This is the PS5 equivalent of Knack. Something to start off with that isnt too taxing on the system but gets the player used to the controller before throwing them to the wolves.

[Games1st]

They will use a lot of next gen features in levels, it's still in production.

[Sunny_D]

How do you know it’s a loading screen? Are cool animations no longer allowed? You are trying really hard lmao.

[nowitzki2004]

Next opening a door will be considered loading lol

[rainslacker]

Where in the video are you talking about? the R&C warping looked like 2-3 seconds, where the next level was visible in maybe 1-2 seconds.

[chiefJohn117]

No one said that but fanboys to save face, everyone knows there will be loading even the RandC demo had loading.

[CrimsonWing69]

Thanks for nothing, you spent the whole rest of the show talking about the marketing theme. Why even bother with this?

[aquamala]

that's... a surprising long load time for astrobot

[mania568]

its a free game made in mere months to show you what the controller and 3d audio can offer you, it is not optimized nor is it a big budget game, ratchet and clank can load planets in 1 second and is pushing much more resources than astro is. it goes back into the "ps5 ue5 demo wasnt 4k" when they told you they used a fraction of p5 full capabilities.

[Games1st]

It should have almost all next gen features densely packed in one game.

[Father__Merrin]

Controller looks good that pack in game looks fun also

[nowitzki2004]

More Xbox guys in here than PS guys.. Probably because they dont have much else to do.

[darthv72]

So all I have to do is show you my dual citizenship ID and I get a free pass? You SPU's (single platform users) are so obtuse.

[nowitzki2004]

You are not fooling anyone. You can try though.

[_dangerclose_]

Calls out xbox guys and you're the first to show up what a shock darth, you PMU's (pretend multi-platform owners) are so obvious.

[Tex4242]

They are seriously just dragging this out now. I wouldnt be surprised if MS doesnt give the price and pre order info at this next briefing, and then we have to wait longer for all the info we want on these systems.

[Sunny_D]

Lol, did you go on expecting more? That’s your fault. He said it was a controller showcase.

[Wotbot]

Bored, I did notice what appeared to be loading time on the demo, odd the game isn’t that taxing.

[timotim]

Interesting video. I think its a good move that Sony packs in Astro with every PS5 sold. Kudos. A great way to show off the Tempest engine and haptics of the gamepad.

[FlavorLav01]

Did anyone notice during the live stream that Jeff “unlocks” a PS3 in the astrobot demo then mentions how weird it is, because he’s playing on a PS5. Was that not meant to be a subtle hint at something regarding Sony’s BC going forward? The way said it sounded intentionally coy, which sounded all wink-winkish to me...

[darthv72]

Would be nice.

[Flan]

Wow, xbox fanboys finally show up in n4g after 6 years of hiding

[Mr_Luke]

I'd like to much to try it :O Even a stupid small demo, over all when you have the sand, the storm, etc :O

[Bronxs15]

Lame

[Firebird360]

Looks big. But also looks comfortable.. ds4 was perfect imo.

[chiefJohn117]

Meh, didn't learn anything new and that guy is boring. No wonder the vid didn't crack 500k. Pointless video tbh.

[BQ32]

I am actually super disappointed there is no back button attachment slots. It seemed like they were hiding the back for the longest time and the attachment for the dual shock 4 came out not that long ago so I was wondering if it was partly due to compatibility for the new console. I think the new controllers are really missing the boat on this as those buttons become essential for anyone that has played shooters and you are at a disadvantage to take your thumbs off the sticks. Microsoft makes more sense because they have the elite controllers and make a lot of money of of them but Sony could have really surged ahead in that competitive market place by implementing them into the normal controller with the option to remove if players did not want them. Seems to me that Sony is really only focused on single player experiences this generation which really makes me sad and might be a bit short sighted in the long run.