PlayStation DualSense Edge review: Sony’s pricey but powerful sidekick for the PS5

The unique Xbox Elite controller got here out manner again in 2015, so it is a marvel why Sony took so lengthy to launch its personal tackle a premium gamepad. However now that the PlayStation 5 is extra extensively obtainable (sort of), the corporate is lastly prepared to indicate the world what it may do. Whereas the $200 DualSense Edge prices a bit greater than its rival, it presents just a few nifty options you aren’t getting on Microsoft’s controller, mixed with one doubtlessly main shortcoming.

Design

For the Edge, Sony did not stray a lot from its default template. From the highest, the Edge seems nearly precisely the identical except for a black D-pad and face buttons and a black touchpad adorned with a refined sample that includes the corporate’s signature ▲ ■ ● and ✖ icons. The place issues get attention-grabbing is while you discover the 2 little nubs that stick out under the analog sticks, that are perform buttons reserved for altering your controller’s button assignments.

In again, there are two switches on both aspect subsequent to the shoulder triggers for adjusting their pull size, together with slots to accommodate the gamepad’s detachable rear paddles. The controller comes with two units of rear paddles: longer, extra conventional levers and quick stubby half-domes, the latter of which ended up being my favourite. You additionally get a complete of three totally different joystick nubs (commonplace, short-stemmed convex and long-stemmed convex) that may be swapped out on the fly, and a cable lock which may stop the included USB-C wire from getting pulled out accidentally.

Each the thumbsticks and the rear paddles connect magnetically, which makes it tremendous easy to check out totally different layouts earlier than discovering a combo you want. The long-stemmed domed thumbstick may be useful for snipers in taking pictures video games, particularly if you happen to desire enjoying at decrease sensitivities. However I used to be much less involved with attempting to get an edge than I used to be with making the controller as snug as potential.

One of many Edge’s spotlight options are these totally replaceable analog sticks. By sliding the discharge toggle in again, the shroud across the analog sticks lifts off, revealing detachable modules that connect by way of USB-A and may be modified out in seconds. This implies while you begin to expertise some controller drift (which you’ll, given sufficient put on and tear), you may merely purchase alternative thumbstick modules that value $20 every. For hardcore players that put in lots of or 1000’s of hours into their consoles, this will symbolize big financial savings over time. If one joystick begins to get a bit wonky, simply change it out, or change each sticks on the similar time and get nearly a brand-new gamepad.

Lastly, to spherical all the pieces out, the Edge comes with a hardshell carrying case that appears and looks like an extra-large area egg. It has a flippantly padded inside and a small mesh pocket for any further equipment you would possibly want (just like the included charging cable). There’s additionally a nifty velcro pass-through flap in again that lets you route a wire inside so you may cost the controller whereas it stays tucked safely contained in the case.

Software program and options

One other huge benefit the Edge has over rivals (particularly third-party choices like Scuf’s Reflex) is the flexibility to set customized button configurations. The PS5 helps 4 quickset choices and has the flexibility to avoid wasting much more in settings. Switching layouts takes lower than a second and is so simple as urgent both one of many perform buttons and one face button on the similar time. I additionally respect that the PS5 pops up a easy walkthrough on set all the pieces the primary time you join the controller. And everytime you wish to revisit your button presets, all you need to do is open the console’s settings menu.

Different useful options embody the flexibility to customise your joystick sensitivity, modify their deadzone and even set the actuation level for the triggers. So relying in your preferences, you may inform the controller to disregard shallow pulls to keep away from inadvertent presses. This additionally works together with the slider on the again of the controller which may change the bodily journey distance of the triggers to a few distances (quick, medium and lengthy), which is sweet when switching from a racing recreation, the place you need the complete analog suggestions, and an FPS, while you need an actual hair set off setup.

In-game

Whenever you get round to really utilizing the Edge, gaming with it nearly looks like having a Swiss Military Knife. Certain, it seems and looks like a typical DualSense, however while you run into an ungainly state of affairs, the gamepad at all times appears to have an answer. For instance: A few of my first console shooters have been Turok: Dinosaur Hunter and Goldeneye on the N64, so I’ve at all times most popular what players usually name a Southpaw joystick setup, which suggests aiming with the left joystick and transferring with the best. Sadly, not each shooter helps this format. However with the DualSense I can use it in no matter recreation I need.

Moreover, whereas the DualSense’s deep triggers are nice for racing video games, that lengthy pull is sort of annoying in fighters or beat ’em ups like Streets of Rage 4. However just by transferring the toggles in again, I can considerably shorten the pull, making issues really feel snappier and extra responsive.

Now I ought to point out that another premium controllers just like the Xbox Elite Sequence 2 supply a number of D-pad choices, however for my part, each of them are worse than Sony’s arrow-shaped model. And whereas I am going to in all probability by no means use the cable lock, I can see it being helpful in match settings the place you need the arrogance of a wired connection however do not wish to fear about your USB cable getting yanked out accidentally.

My one small grievance is that I want you can assign customized actions to the little perform nubs. Proper now they’re devoted to switching button presets and there isn’t any approach to change that, which looks like a little bit of a waste. There are two nubs, not less than let me use certainly one of them as an additional button, particularly since I really feel like they’re within the good location for launching grenades in shooters.

Battery Life

The DualSense Edge’s greatest weak point is its battery life, which is in some way worse than the usual PS5 controller. On common I used to be getting round 5 to 6 hours of use on a single cost, in comparison with six or seven for the common DualSense. And that is simply irritating as a result of not solely does the Edge value greater than twice as a lot, the kind of individuals that will pay huge cash for a premium controller are additionally fairly prone to interact in marathon gaming periods. And there are few issues extra annoying than having to scramble for a USB wire when your controller dies in the midst of the firefight. Fortunately, the Edge comes with a prolonged 10-foot USB cable, so even when it runs out of juice, you will in all probability nonetheless be capable to plug it in and have the cable attain your sofa.

Wrap-up

Whereas the concept of paying $200 for a elaborate controller would possibly seem to be a bit a lot (and it sort of is), after utilizing the DualSense Edge I can see the attraction. It presents a well-known design with a handful of additional options together with simple button remapping, a number of joystick nubs, customizable rear paddles and extra. And the Edge is definitely a tiny bit cheaper than some third-party choices like these from Scuf, which doesn’t have replaceable joystick modules. Its quick battery life is unquestionably a downer and I’d have appreciated to see Sony embody assist for a second pair of paddles in again, such as you get on of different premium gamepads. But when I had to decide on only one controller to make use of with my PS5 till it dies, the DualSense Edge can be it.