In a surprise announcement, Sony has revealed the PlayStation 5 controller, which it is calling DualSense. The design of the DualSense PS5 controller shares a lot in common with past PlayStation DualShock controllers, while also pushing the technology forward.
First and foremost, PS fans will notice that the DualSense sports a two-toned color scheme. Traditionally, Sony has opted for a straightforward, all-black launch controller, but the DualSense is a lot more striking. Whether or not this two-toned, white with black accents color scheme is also a hint at the design of the actual PS5 console is unclear but it would be surprising not to see the two match. Perhaps Sony felt that with Microsoft going to an all-black console yet again, this would be the opportunity to help the PS5 design stand out with a more striking design.
The confirmed features for the DualSense include haptic feedback and force triggers, which will give games a little more realistic feel than the standard rumble. These features have been standard in other controllers for a while, so it was expected that Sony would follow suit for its PS5 offering.
Sony has also transformed the Share button into the Create button, which suggests that the Ps5 will have a lot more options when it comes to sharing clips and screenshots. Unfortunately, all the company has to offer right now is the name for the button and not any new features to accompany it.
Other key changes/additions for the PS5 DualSense controller include a built-in microphone so that players can communicate in party and game chat without an additional accessory. We don't know enough about the microphone to make any judgments, but a microphone built into the controller might not offer the feedback-less audio experience that other party members expect. Most PS4 owners know how crackly the standard DualShock 4 microphone is, so hopefully, this is better.
The DualSense also shifts the light bars to the top of the controller and splits them to the other side of what appears to be the touchpad. Whether or not this is a hint about Sony's intentions with VR in the PlayStation 5 era is unclear, but considering that many games use the light bar to surface information (Destiny 2 uses it to indicate a full Super meter, for example), putting it more visible makes sense.
No doubt the DualSense controller is going to be polarizing, if only because of the mostly white color scheme. Some will love the change that it brings to the PS5 era while others will likely wonder why Sony decided to change things up after following a familiar pattern for so long. Perhaps things will make more sense once Sony shows off the console.