PlayStation have entered the pro controller category.
With the success of the XBOX Elite Controller, and others from third-party developers like Razer and NACON, PlayStation have offered up their own first-party creation. The DualSense Edge controller. No doubt a reference to its hopes of giving players the edge in whatever game they wish to use it with.
Removing the DualSense Edge controller from the box, you’re greeted by a gorgeous clamshell case.
This helps store the 2.8 meter braided USB-C cable, cable lock, toggles, switches and sticks. Players will use these extras as they configure their DualSense Edge controller. This case also houses a flap on the back. It opens to allow the supplied cable to pass through and recharge the controller in the case. Or you could charge the controller on your DualSense charging station!
From there, it’s up the player to create their experience. A release switch on the rear of the controller pops open a front panel so you can replace the sticks. This allows you to remove and replace them with 3 different styles of stick, varying in length and concave. I ended up switching back to the classic bump surface, similar to the DualShock models on the PS3. Near this release are 2 ports to place the toggles or switches into.
These are 2 longer based toggles and 2 smaller half-moon switches. While the toggles sit nicely under the middle finger, I ended up using the switches. With how I position my hands, the switches clip my index giving me an advantage in reaction time. The final part on the rear are the switches for the triggers. These change how far the triggers can ‘throw’ and have 3 different distances. These are full-range, mid and short.
I’ll come back to those in a second though, as we have to quickly talk to function.
These are 2 small buttons under the L and R sticks which share the same…well, function. The PlayStation 5 environment immediately recognises the DualSense Edge and sets it up. On-screen options then prompt players on how to create profiles, and how the function button can access these in future.
From here, players can create 3 new distinct profiles. Each profile can reconfigure the buttons, assign which button you want on the rear toggle/switches and your analog stick dead zones and curves. Curves respond to sensitivity and how quickly your stick will respond to movement. For me, this looked like a faster response in First Person Shooters, while I wanted more accuracy for slower paced games. Yes gamers, I created an FPS profile and one for Dead By Daylight which I’m currently enjoying with friends. You can also adjust vibration intensity from this menu. Once set, you use the function button to swap profiles on the fly, and it comes with an addition I love the most.
Controlling the audio mix for chat and games.
While it’s not the worst process to hit the PlayStation button, then go along to the sound option and rebalance it, it’s a far quicker experience with the Edge. Function button, right or left on the D-pad then adjust. “But what about the up and down D-pad Xeno?”. Thank you gamers, that controls VOLUME. Genius, I know. So with all that setup done, we can come back to the triggers. When you set all the other options in place, you decide how far you throw your trigger. For myself, I found mid best for FPS games, while I still like using full for platformers. These triggers are also independent, so one can be full while the other short meaning the ADS to fire action can be as immersive as the adaptive triggers on the DualSense (which are still a feature on the Edge also).
Usage was around 7 to 8 hours for me. This was with a mixture of vibration on and off, and changing the brightness of the LEDs in the controller. While this may or may not be the norm for most, it matches the experience I’ve had with my standard DualSense controllers. I also know I’m fortunate enough to be able to rotate through controllers on the fly due to the amount I own, along with my charging station.
Now the big part.
The price. With a recommended retail price of $399.00 in Aotearoa, this no doubt challenges the consumer. Especially in a recession. And after abnormal weather events. I’ll acknowledge I’m lucky enough to be reviewing this. And the fact the Series 2 Elite controller currently comes in at $279.00. Having used both, and with it being a first entry in…well A TIME, it is steep. But does it meet the quality in the price? I think so. I personally assumed it was going to be a handful of things in some form of case to make it “pro”. But it was more than that, with the case setting the precedent as soon as I opened the box. It really has become my favorite controller experience for the PlayStation 5. The weight, design and customisation goes a long way to creating a swift and personal experience for players.
