DualSense Edge - What We Know So Far

There are a lot of amazing new features that the PS5 brings to the table, including things you didn't even know it could do. Updated graphics capabilities and a host of other features make it a worthy successor to the PS4, but one of the things that helps it stand out the most is the controller. The PlayStation DualSense has been considered by many to be one of the most innovative controllers of the past few console generations. In addition to the ungraded ergonomics and generally good build-quality, the controller features a Create button to capture, record and edit gameplay, adaptive triggers that can adjust tension or lock halfway, and haptic feedback which can control the type of vibration in the controller and where the player feels it. However, fans have been curious for the future of the DualSense as rumors have been circulating about a new pro-grade controller.

Now, Sony has officially announced that it will be coming out with a new design targeted at elite gamers who are looking for something more. The DualSense Edge was unveiled at Gamescom 2022, complete with a trailer revealing the new design, as well as a few features that are sure to entice those looking to get a competitive edge in their games.

While it seems that the DualSense Edge has kept the overall shape and general design that made the original so comfortable, this new one has a few bonuses. Shortly after the announcement at Gamescom, the official PlayStation Blog posted about the new controller and discussed what this new design brings to the table.

First of all, it has customizable controls and multiple controller profiles. This means that players can customize what each button and thumbstick on the controller does. As the blog explains, "You can make the DualSense Edge wireless controller uniquely yours by remapping or deactivating specific button inputs and fine-tuning your aim by adjusting stick sensitivity and dead zones (the distance your analog stick moves before it's recognized in a game)."

The added ability to create multiple profiles allows players to keep different users' preferences on deck without having to remap a controller from scratch each time. Or if you prefer a specific playstyle for a certain game, this will allow you to keep presets for those specific instances. In addition to this, there is also a Fn button that allows players to make adjustments on-the-fly when they are unable to pause or exit a game.

Pro-grade controllers have always included extra features to give players an edge. It used to be that you couldn't buy a third-party controller without the addition of a rapid-fire Turbo button, but games and controller design have come a long way since then. The biggest innovation to pro-grade controllers in recent years is probably the addition of paddles on the back. These allow players to map certain commands to them, in theory making it easier for players to react quickly. These buttons can give skilled players a slight advantage in games where milliseconds can be the difference between life and death. Fans originally thought the DualSense was going to have back buttons, but they were not a part of the controller when the PS5 debuted.

It seems that the DualSense Edge will be instituting these types of buttons, though they are a little different from ones that other pro controllers have utilized in the past. Rather than including discreet levers along the handles like the ones found on Scuff or Xbox Elite controllers, it seems that the Edge levers will have paddles that work like extra triggers in the center-back. 

According to the PlayStation Blog, these back buttons "can be configured to be any other button input, putting more essential controls at your fingertips." It remains to be seen if players will enjoy this change in design more than more traditional paddles, however.

One of the best indications of a pro-grade controller is that it allows players to customize its design to their own preferences. Different people have different-sized hands after all, and may have different preferences when it comes to the size and shape of the components on their controller. In other words, it's easy to argue that there is really no such thing as "one-size-fits-all." The DuelSense Edge appears to have made some admirable concessions in this regard.

The PlayStation Blog claims that the controller comes with three kinds of stick caps: standard, high dome, and low dome. The player will be able to swap these out for whichever design they find to be most effective. The stick modules themselves can also be replaced. There are also two types of back buttons: a half-dome and a lever. These allow players to further customize the controller to whichever grip they find preferable.

In addition to all the extra features and swappable components, the PlayStation Blog has stated that the Edge comes with a couple other bonuses. It utilizes a braided USB Type-C cable that can actually lock into the controller more snugly, presumably to ensure that more enthusiastic players don't come unplugged during a tense session. After all, the last thing a dedicated player wants is the controller dying on them mid-game. 

It also comes with a charger/carrying case that has room for the controller and all of its components. No images of these have been provided as of yet, so it is unclear how big this case will be or what sort of material it might be made of. Still, it's always nice to have a few extras like these when committing to a high end controller.

PlayStation has yet to state when the controller will be released or how much it will cost, but more concrete information will be arriving in the next few months.