Sony Just Revealed The Truth About Your PS4 Accessories

With the release of the PlayStation 5 mere months away, plenty of PS4 owners are already thinking about making the upgrade to next-gen. However, there are always a few things to consider when making that choice. One of the big ones is whether or not the accessories you've invested in for the PlayStation 4 will be usable on the PS5. Luckily for PlayStation fans, a new post on the official PlayStation blog clears up quite a few of those concerns.

According to PlayStation's Isabelle Tomatis, the PlayStation 5 will be compatible with many more accessories and peripherals than gamers may have originally suspected. Tomatis writes, "Specialty peripherals, such as officially licensed racing wheels, arcade sticks, and flight sticks, will work with PS5 games and supported PS4 games." This is good news for folks who enjoy the more immersive experiences afforded by these types of peripherals.

However, that's not all. Gamers will also still be able to use the DualShock 4 to play supported PlayStation 4 games on the PS5. The same goes for licensed third party PlayStation 4 gamepad controllers. In addition, the PS Move Motion Controllers and the PlayStation VR Aim Controllers can both be used to play supported PlayStation VR games on the PlayStation 5. This should make the transition between console generations a bit smoother for everyone, allowing for older games to still be played in a way that gamers are used to.

On the other hand, the DualShock 4 cannot be used to play PlayStation 5 games. This is because all PS5 exclusive games have been designed with the PS5's DualSense controller in mind. The advancements made in tandem with the DualSense are apparently profound enough that it simply wouldn't work to have these games played with an older style controller. As Tomatis puts it in the blog post, "we believe that PS5 games should take advantage of the new capabilities and features we're bringing to the platform, including the features of DualSense wireless controller."

We've been hearing for some time about how the DualSense controller can make even the most minuscule moments in a game feel even more immersive. While the DualShock 4 made some great advancements in controller design, the DualSense uses haptic feedback to grant a more realistic feel to games. Actions like drawing back a bow will feel like they have a real tension to them, which the DualShock 4 controller simply can't compete with. 

We also know that the DualSense will probably launch alongside some other new peripherals. A DualSense patent was uncovered a few months ago that seemed to show an attachment that would add extra buttons to the back of the DualSense. These would not only function as extra trigger buttons, but could also include an internal battery that can be charged wirelessly. In other words, some of the peripherals coming out for the PS5 will most likely render your old accessories obsolete.

Also, while the Platinum and Gold Wireless Headsets will work with the PS5, the PS4 headset companion app does not. This is the app that allows gamers to program preset audio modes for their Platinum and Gold Wireless Headsets, among other useful functions. While that's a bummer, it's still good news that gamers making the upgrade to PS5 won't have to look into plunking down the change for a brand new headset right away.

While most third party peripherals and accessories can be used with the PlayStation 5, Tomatis warns in the blog post that this isn't the case across the board. In fact, Tomatis cautions players to check with manufacturers that their products are compatible with the PS5 before making a purchase. This is kind of always a rule of thumb when purchasing third party peripherals, but it's still helpful to get a reminder.

Finally, according to the blog post from Tomatis, the PlayStation Camera will be compatible with the PlayStation 5. The PlayStation Camera can be used to play supported PlayStation VR titles. However, Tomatis notes, "It will require a PlayStation Camera adaptor that will be provided at no additional cost to PS VR users. More details on how to get the adaptor will be announced at a later date."

In other words, there are still a few peripherals and attachments that haven't been revealed. In addition to this PlayStation Camera adaptor, we've seen other patents involving PlayStation 4 peripherals leaking in recent months, including a bizarre little robot that will learn and comment on your gaming habits.

Overall, it does seem as though Sony is making it a priority to help gamers transition between the console generations as smoothly as possible. If recent research is any indication, that effort appears to be paying off. Not only did a recent survey suggest that more consumers are excited for the PS5 over the Xbox Series X, but market analysts have also predicted that the PS5 will outsell the Series X by a significant margin.