PS5 controller, the DualSense, officially revealed (and yes, it has a headphone jack)

  • 4 years ago
PlayStation has finally revealed the PS5 controller to the world, and it's officially called the DualSense.

Sony revealed the new PS5 controller design in a post to the PlayStation Blog, sharing the first images of the design as well as the first official word on what new features it will include. As you might have already guessed from the name, this time the big focus is on your sense - specifically the sense of touch.

The DualSense Controller builds in refined haptic feedback to capture a broader range of motions, such as "slow grittiness of driving a car through mud". It also includes adaptive trigger buttons that can dynamically change their tension for different activities, such as drawing back a bowstring. You can also use a built-in microphone to talk to friends without needing a headset.

On top of adding new features, the change over to DualSense for the new PS5 controller represents the biggest change in PlayStation controller design ever. Sony has embraced a two-toned color aesthetic and altered the angle of the shoulder buttons while rounding out the overall shape of the device. It still features a central touchpad, though now it's flanked by a pair of lightbars. It also trades out the "Share" button for a "Create" button with expanded functionality.

“DualSense marks a radical departure from our previous controller offerings and captures just how strongly we feel about making a generational leap with PS5," Sony Interactive Entertainment president Jim Ryan said in the blog post. "The new controller, along with the many innovative features in PS5, will be transformative for games – continuing our mission at PlayStation to push the boundaries of play, now and in the future."

Sony, via PlayStation product manage Toshimasa Aoki, has also confirmed that the controller does include a headphone jack for connecting gaming headsets and other audio devices to the gamepad, following concerns from those who couldn't appear to identify the port in the first set of official photos.

Sony has officially announced the PS5 controller, dubbing it the DualSense controller, and it looks radically different from the company's previous designs. It'll launch alongside the PS5 console before the Christmas holiday this year.

The PS5 controller design reveal includes some of what the leaks predicted: adaptive shoulder button triggers with haptic feedback, a built-in microphone so you can talk to friends without having to wear a headset, and a new 'Create' button that replaces the PS4 Share button.

In addition, Sony is moving the previous DualShock 4's LED Lightbar from the top of the controller to the surrounding of the touchpad on the PS5. It's supposed to give the LED a larger look and feel, according to the company.

What's interesting (and going be divisive) is the DualSense two-tone color scheme that's black-and-white and devoid of color on the face buttons. Triangle, Circle, Square and Cross (or X) are still here.

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