First impressions of the DualSense Edge, the official PS5 demo controller

We’ve been hearing about “precious” (or rather, precious) since the end of this summer. On August 23, Sony lifted the veil on the DualSense Edge controller, the final version of the excellent official PlayStation DualSense controller. We got to experience it long, wide and through during an exclusive presentation at Sony headquarters.

After a few homemade videos showing us the machine and its upbringing, we were finally able to pull it out of its cardboard box to discover… another box, a storage, transport and recharge bag that will be delivered with the tip. In addition to the console itself, the cover has four additional covers, six in total: two concave, two short convex and two long convex, which, of course, can be mixed. There are also four additional attachments (two strikers or two buttons) that are placed below the device, at the level of the ring fingers, thanks to a magnetic system. Obviously it is not necessary to install these if the need does not arise, DualSense Edge can work just fine without them. Finally, this cover (which looked very nice to us) has an insert to keep the USB-C plug attached to the DualSense Edge, even in the event of a sudden tear.

Aesthetically, the Edge looks like the classic white DualSense, except for the black touchpad on the front. Another visual difference, the part that holds the stick that runs along the inner face leaves the matte black plastic for glossy plastic, which is quite subject to fingerprints elsewhere. In short, Sony is banking on looks relatively wise for its competition console. The white plastic has been changed very slightly for grip; A detail that says a lot about the care taken by the Japanese in designing their new devices.

Finally, there are two alternate keys in front of the analog sticks to complete the differentiation between the DualSense Classic and the DualSense Edge.

Personalize with a micropile

But more than the outward appearance, it is above all that which hides that renders you speechless. Navigating to a dedicated menu within the PS5 (which will be published in a future firmware), the DualSense Edge is configurable from the ground up to adhere not only to its owner’s preferences, but to the gaming requirements as well. Play. The dead zone of the sticks can be independently modified, as can their behaviour, to favor responsiveness (desired in FPS) or accuracy (preferred in experimental games). Sony teams have of course developed other blueprints for other types of games illustrated with the most educational graphics. In addition, by manipulating the joystick, the user can see the effect of their movements by moving a point on the screen.

In the same vein, it is possible to mechanically adjust the stroke length of the R2 and L2 operators (three levels are available). The software interface, meanwhile, offers the possibility of very fine tuning (100 degrees are provided) of the dead zones in L2 and R2, upstream and downstream, to better control acceleration or braking, for example. Again, we see the result of the settings on the screen and can adjust the settings if they are not suitable before trying them while playing.

In addition to the unchangeable settings of the classic DualSense, the DualSense Edge controller can hold three different profiles that can of course be named at will. And if that wasn’t enough, the PS5 console can store another 30 profiles in memory so they can be imported to the console before being saved there; So there is a lot to see coming! You can change profiles on the go, without going into the menu, thanks to the simultaneous pressing of one of the Alt keys and the square, cross or round buttons; FPS fans who often change their weapons will find this game of immediate interest. It should be noted that these alternate keys also allow you to modify various audio elements such as the level of headphones or earphones to which they can be connected, always without going into the menus; Welcome development.

Despite the highly advanced customization, it is still very accessible thanks to a very clear and educational configuration interface.

Drift end?

Finally, one last word on one of the DualSense Edge’s welcome new features; The analog sticks are detachable. Since the arrival of this type of interface, players often have to deal with drift, the phenomenon of wearing parts that modify the dead zone of the famous sticks as a result of unexpected and unwanted movements of the camera, viewfinder, character … to address this issue and avoid having to go back to Exit When the stick shows signs of weakness, Sony gives the possibility to replace this fragile part.

You will, of course, have to buy a replacement stick (about €25), but disassembling the controller and connecting the new component requires no special technical skills thanks to the plug-and-play system. All you have to do is remove the shiny plastic part without tools, replace the stick in a snap, then replace the cap before restarting the game.

The price of prestige

Inevitably, all these innovations come with a price and you will have to pay € 239.90 to afford the DualSense Edge. In fact, that price is similar to that of an unofficial SCUF console or Xbox Series S, and one wonders if casual gamers will find their account there.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, December 22nd at our video game show with all your questions about DualSense Edge.