Sony DualSense Edge Review For PS5: More Premium Than Pro

The event is not trivial. The release of the DualSense Edge marks the first time that Sony and its PlayStation division have developed an “accessory” controller themselves. So far, the Japanese manufacturer had been content with this Create an official validation label, but left the field to its partners like Nacon, Razer or even Thrustmaster. Given the popularity of the Xbox Elite and the full range of personalized accessories offered by its direct competitor Microsoft, PlayStation seems to have no choice but to respond by releasing DualSense Edge for PlayStation 5.

joystick itself

It’s not shocking to see a nickname as cute as DualSense Edge being used for this controller, far from the “elite” that suggests almost martial instincts. The Edge is clearly a DualSense, in its form as in its grip. We will nonetheless notice a weight far from the slimming diet as we arrive at 330 grams versus 282 grams for the classic model. A difference that isn’t that noticeable on paper, but you can really feel it on your sofa.

Furthermore ? It will obviously be necessary to look for the buttons that have been added to the handle here and there. We start with the two function keys, below the two joysticks, always parallel to the underside of the joystick. They each fulfill the same function: to enable the user Switch profiles on the fly, by combining them with one of the four buttons on the front of the controller (Square, King, Circle, Triangle), after configuration of course. It is also possible to adjust the volume with the directional pad.

This already leads to a first question: why do you have this button on the left just as well as on the right? In use, this is evident from their placement Only the left hand mainly presses the function key when the right hand fetches the profile. Since selecting a profile is not possible on the D-Pad, The button placed on the right seems very useless for the small function it fills. Especially since this key is not reprogrammable.

On the back we find the main changes of the DualSense Edge. First, The activation distance of the two sticks can be changed thanks to a switch on the side. Three distances are possible: the traditional course, the middle course, and an instant activation. This feature is almost mandatory on a controller that claims to be “professional”, as it allows players of nervous titles to do so reduce their reaction time and fatigue by eliminating unnecessary effort. These settings work great.

And then we have two small magnetic areas, in which you can insert two types of accessories: long palettes that can be oriented lengthwise or crosswise, or semi-domes that put these keys in articulation distance. These two new buttons, whose behavior is programmable, are well positioned and the paddles in particular offer excellent comfort. On the other hand, we are less convinced of the semi-domes that we have maintained jump more than once by grabbing the joystick again and whose magnet isn’t strong enough to prevent them from moving from their location.

Finally you can notice a small zipper called “Release” on the back, which allows you to blast the cover around the front joysticks. This cover marks a big difference from the original DualSense, since Its glossy rather than matte finish is a fingerprint trap. It’s hard to explain why Sony opted for this throwback to the DualSense Edge, which we don’t like at all. Fortunately, it hides a feature that we really like: the possibility of detaching the two joysticks from their bases using two small levers. Above all, a maintenance action, because Sony plans to market these two joysticks separately in order to be able to repair the controller at home if necessary. The system is elegantand prevents die grinders from leaving this professional controller too soon.

The same sticks, according to your choice, can change the caps: convex domes usual features of the DualSense or concave domes ups or downs. It’s a shame not to find taller convex domes here, often celebrated among FPS gamers when the concave domes of the original DualShock are no longer appreciated by an ever finer stratum of gamers. The rest of the buttons don’t change from the classic DualSense, except for this one The membranes of the cross/square/triangle/round buttons appear somewhat softer to us as usual. However, it is difficult to determine whether this is not simply due to usage.

One last element slips into this controller’s already well-stocked package: a braided USB cable of great length paired with a connector locking system right on the handle. You can actually slip this cable into a little cheap plastic box which will then stick two hooks on the back of the controller so your connection can never be broken by uncontrolled footsteps in front of you. Why not, but the fact that This small case is itself very fragile and that it’s only designed for this official cable doesn’t speak to the system, which we would have liked to have been better designed and open to other manufacturers.

You’ll understand it after this description: we can’t accuse the DualSense Edge of bad grip because it’s simply identical to that of the DualSense. A joystick whose ergonomics have already convinced proven, and which is still ultra-comfortable. The DualSense Edge is a very good PS5 controller, as we already make many of them, and offers the “professional” options we’ve come to expect from it, except for the ability to have it the sticks asymmetrical. But on this point we will forgive Sony, which cannot part with a feature that has now become a hallmark of its difference.

What about the facility?

In terms of possibilities, the DualSense Edge is again… a DualSense. This time in the best sense of the word, because it’s the only pro controller on the market that allows you to do that Take advantage of the vibration improvements offered by the brand and the variable tension of the triggers. It’s also somewhat ironic, however, because support for this feature could make it possible to offer short-term activation of these famous triggers in software, if the Japanese conglomerate’s developers wanted to cater to them.

On the other hand, its autonomy takes a small hit 7 hours and 10 minutes of intensive use (Brightness on maximum, with a game regularly with vibrations) observed against an average of ten hours with the DualSense. The difference isn’t that pronounced, though, and it will hold up well an intense gaming session over a whole day…count a few breaks for your stomach and eyes or check the brightness and power of the vibrations downwards.

It is also the joystick with best native integration with PlayStation 5, and it was absolutely necessary to justify this purchase. Once you connect, Sony’s latest console gives you a glimpse of the beast’s settings, which can be found in the accessory category of settings. No additional app required on the PSN, or even make its settings on PC / mobile before connecting it to a console, as is often the case with its competitors.

The settings are more than chic. We have access to three customizable profiles, since the fourth is reserved for the default configuration of the DualSense. And we’re a bit stunned by some of the shortcomings of the team responsible for the software. Fine tuning is possible the behavior of each joystick, for example to reduce or slow down the movement of the cursor on the screen, and this interface is clear and concise. Same goes for the fact Remap each key so that it takes on a different functionality: triangle can become round, the two customizable buttons can take on all the functions of the world, and so on. It is possible to Switch profiles on the fly in-game using the function keys, or quickly go through the configuration tool before continuing your game. Everything is really effortless and in a very natural way. Our only regret is that we can’t reprogram these function keys, specifically to give more utility to the right key, which has been somewhat damaged in use.

On the other hand… It’s only possibleassign a single button… to a button. Key bindings are impossible, while for players of MMORPGs like Final Fantasy XIV (whose hotbar can be invoked by combining R2 and L2) or players of fighting games like Street Fighter V (whose most powerful attacks need to be launched), this feature could make all the difference with two up to three fist/foot touches). It is a serious lack of competition, which has been incorporating these features for a long time, suggesting that the DualSense Edge was designed with no regard for its competitors in terms of its features. The same applies to the possibility of create macros for example, oractivate a turbo mode, although these two features are often singled out for the cheats that enable them. It doesn’t matter: Sony could have developed a competition mode that deactivates it in tournaments. His advantage is said to be mastering the platform from start to finish.

Another disappointment: it’s not really possible to customize the controller on platforms other than the PS5. The DualSense Edge is recognized immediately on the PC, and remembers the last configuration used, but a small local tool would have been nice. At least that’s what we noticeIt is compatible with the Remote Play application native and official, even if the Fn keys are not recognized when connected remotely to the PS5; no reconfiguration possible here either.

Not to mention the minimum union, Sony’s software tracking on this DualSense Edge shows small glitches here and there who can’t really afford it if it arrives very late in this now lucrative market. It’s an even greater disappointment as it claims a price well above the lot of its competitors. The bottom line is simple: it absolutely has to be better than its competitors… and it isn’t. It certainly has the potential thanks to possible software updates, but we can only judge what it brings on the day of its release.