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Dual Sense Wireless Controller: For a New Generation of Play | PS5

Is The DualSense The Best Controller Ever Made?

  • Yes

    Votes: 111 61.3%
  • No

    Votes: 30 16.6%
  • Not Sure

    Votes: 18 9.9%
  • Xbox Controllers are Better

    Votes: 20 11.0%
  • Switch Joy-Con FTW

    Votes: 2 1.1%

  • Total voters
    181

Ryugarr

Neo Member
It's a solid controller with a battery inside so small that it only lasts like for 4 hours. Which is a bad joke.
Something is wrong with your dual sense if it's only lasting you anywhere near 4 hours. I can usually get 10-14 hours out of a single charge on both of mine.
 

Gaelyon

Gold Member
I love it. Best controller made by Sony. The grip is better than DS4, the haptics feel great and it's symmetrical of course. Only problem is the battery which is no better than previous DS and heavy use of haptics/force trigger cut in half the charge (see Astro).
 

ksdixon

Member
There are times where I think it's slightly too big or oddly shaped. My hands begin to hurt holding it.

Personally I prefer the PS4 pad.
 

Panajev2001a

GAF's Pleasant Genius
I love it. Best controller made by Sony. The grip is better than DS4, the haptics feel great and it's symmetrical of course. Only problem is the battery which is no better than previous DS and heavy use of haptics/force trigger cut in half the charge (see Astro).
D-Pad works mostly well, but it is a bit too free to move around and then end up hitting against the hard shell as you press it around. The only blemish of a kick-ass controller (overall yeah, well implemented haptics and dynamic triggers as well as motion control all together can be a game changer with the right devs).
 

skit_data

Member
Its great, in short.

-The haptics made me turn on controller vibration, something I usely turned off by default.
-The adaptive triggers are awesome, loved the implementation in Returnal. I think we have yet to see the best implementation of the triggers yet, really looking forward to what 1st party studios will come up with this gen.
-The mute button, rarely used but great when you need it.
-The built in microphones and the noise cancellation is awesome, no more need for plugging in headsets when joining a party chat. Pretty underrated IMO.

The only minus is that its slightly too big for my hands, I liked the DS4 better when it comes to size and ”feel”. But I said that about the PS3 controller as well (wtf was I thinking).
 

Gaelyon

Gold Member
The dual sense is bulkier than DS4 that's for sure. If you have small hands or are used to lighter/smaller controller it can take some time to be comfortable with.
Personally i have very average sized hand and i like the dual sense form and weight.

I also very much like the haptics (when it's designed for the PS5).
On Final Fantasy 14 each mount has some haptics when moving, synced with the animation and you feel the claws stomping the ground, the wings flapping it's very immersive and quite subtle as the same time. Also when gathering, you feel the axe chopping on trees, or your fishing pole tensing when fishing etc. No haptics during combat however as the devs didn't want it to be distractive as the flashing animations are already eyes catching.
 
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crozier

Member
Aiming leaves something to be desired. The analog sticks feel slightly less accurate than DS4. Otherwise, my favorite controller by a country mile.
 

M1chl

Currently Gif and Meme Champion
Worst controller I've ever used. 3 broken R2s since launch. Fucking garbage.
R2 was shit even on DS 4, I broken one before I had anything else other than KZ: Shadowfall to play. And I am gentle with electronic.
 
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The DualSense is extremely comfortable and smooth to hold onto. The haptics and the adaptive triggers are incredibly good at building immersion. Jury is still out on drift but it's a fantastic controller.
 

Markio128

Member
It is a game changer in the sense that, even if a better version (visually) of a third party game was released for my series x, I would still buy it for the PS5 because of the controller, particularly if it was a racing game - as I have already done with WRC9, F12021 and Moto GP21 (yes, I’m a big racing fan). As much as I am looking forward to FH5, I only wish I could use the dual sense to play it because it would take the game to the next level.
 

R6Rider

Gold Member
I have two and both of them have problems, one of them the trigger has no more tension so if my finger barely touches it it fires and the other one has an analog that will just flip out and make me aim at the sky
Sorry I use my controllers, Sony.
The spring is broken on the trigger. It's a fairly easy fix.
 

Fake

Member
I still can't say if is better of not. As I said in the last thread, the lack of back button is strange.

Need to try others controllers to get the veredict. Last gen for me was probably Dualshock 4.
 

Moonjt9

Member
DS4 is the perfect size and dpad for me and I’d say that’s the best, but Dualsense’s extra features elevate it to the number one spot. Hard to imagine playing games without feedback and those triggers.
 

b0uncyfr0

Member
Battery any better though? I had a few dualshock 4's and these things died everyday, wasn't very happy with that.
 
A great controller for sure, but they need to seriously improve the components like trigger sprints (the l springs which breaks easily) and analog sticks are already drifting crazy and I take great care when using the controllers.
 
I have been shitting on this controller since launch day, saying how much better the X controller is. Now that I've used this thing for probably over 150 hours, I have to say it no longer feels uncomfortable to me. In fact, it feels better in my hands now than the X controller. Build quality is still shit, though.
 

Bo_Hazem

Banned



Heighten Your Senses™​

The DualSense wireless controller for PS5 offers immersive haptic feedback2, dynamic adaptive triggers2 and a built-in microphone, all integrated into an iconic design.

Haptic Feedback​

Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons.

Adaptive Triggers​

Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.


Best. Controller. Ever. Period.


Best controllers:

1. DualSense.
2. DualShock 4.
3. DS3.
4. DS2.
5. DS1.
 

Bo_Hazem

Banned
From lightest to heaviest:

1. DualShock 3 196kg
2. DualShock 4 220kg
3. DualSense 280kg
4. Xbox X|S 304kg
5. Xbox Elite S2 344kg

Time to prepare for my gaming session...

juji_forearms_1200x1200.jpg
 
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jaysius

Banned
The DualSense is a truly great controller, but I voted no. For me, the best controller ever made is the Xbox Elite Series 2. DualSense is a close second.

But everyone has different hands so this is about as subjective as it comes. Might as well argue favorite colors.



Not really. For kicks, I just weighed my various controllers:

From lightest to heaviest:

1. DualShock 3 196g
2. DualShock 4 220g
3. DualSense 280g
4. Xbox X|S 304g
5. Xbox Elite S2 344g

edited. Grams. Not kilograms. lol
The body of the controller has barely changed. Measuring 6 x 4 x 2.47 inches (WDH), versus the Xbox One controller’s 6 x 4 x 2.56, it’s effectively identical. And, weighing in at 287 grams, versus the Xbox One model’s 279 grams, it’s just a hair heavier. (Both weights were measured with two AA batteries inside).

My source was IGN, not sure what yours was…

Also the Xbox controllers are a bunch lighter with any battery pack in them.
 
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Topher

Gold Member
My source was IGN, not sure what yours was…

Also the Xbox controllers are a bunch lighter with the any battery pack in them.

My source was my kitchen scale. I imagine IGN's was using something similar. Doesn't matter. IGN says DualSense is slightly lighter as well and my scale has only a two gram variance from IGN's

"Weighing 282 grams, it's considerably heavier than the DualShock 4’s 215 grams."

But yes, you are right that the Xbox controller's weight are more variable and a battery pack would take some grams off. I am using rechargeable AA batteries which are heavier than a battery pack. Even then, we are still talking about two controllers that are very much in the same ballpark as far as weight.
 
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Many, there are so many good options for 3rd party battery packs and also the official one is amazing, I've had mine since early Xbox one days and it still has a long battery life.

But how many people use the controllers without any type of battery?

Hopefully that makes more sense.

How many people use the controllers without the batteries?


Edit: Ok I see where the confusion is. I'm guessing if you remove the batteries our of DualSense it would reduce the weight as well. But I don't know if it would be heavier or lighter than the XSX controller without the battery pack. But with AAs and the internal batteries both controllers weigh almost the same.

Im guessing the elite controller is probably the heaviest out of the three controllers due to its metal construction.
 
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jaysius

Banned
But how many people use the controllers without any type of battery?

Hopefully that makes more sense.




Edit: Ok I see where the confusion is. I'm guessing if you remove the batteries our of DualSense it would reduce the weight as well. But I don't know if it would be heavier or lighter than the XSX controller without the battery pack. But with AAs and the internal batteries both controllers weigh almost the same.

Im guessing the elite controller is probably the heaviest out of the three controllers due to its metal construction.
All the battery packs are lighter than the AA battery option, the original post was a typo. I'm not talking about going without the battery, although it's a valid option on Xbox if you don't mind wired.

It's weight is very well distributed, the dual sense's weight is poorly distributed, it feels like all the weight is in the front making it feel heavier than it really is.

I used my Elite series 1 with an X One battery pack for most of my PS4 gameplay it was pretty awesome and worked perfectly, for a 3rd party device the battery life was 30-40 hours, it even had a gyro scope in it. Even works perfectly on the switch also, works on the PS5 but only recognized as a DS4 unfortunately. I don't know how Sony fucks up battery life so much.
 
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HeisenbergFX4

Gold Member
The only reason why I'm not voting is because I haven't fully experienced the DualSense yet because I'm using it on my PC. I really do like how it feels compared to the X1 controller which is basically the Series controller with a missing share button.

Just giving Bo a hard time because I doubt he would know what an Xbox controller even looks like and doubt one has ever touched his hands ;)

Tried the 360 in 2007, second worst after Nintendo 64 controller.

The wired 360 controllers are all time greats and for years were the go to controller for even PC players.
 

retsof624

Member
The Xbox controller is more comfortable to me, but the Dualsense feels much more premium. I don't care for the adaptive triggers, but the haptics are amazing. Plus the dualsense is far less "clicky" than the Xbox controller. I love both controllers for different reasons.
 

Topher

Gold Member
It's weight is very well distributed, the dual sense's weight is poorly distributed, it feels like all the weight is in the front making it feel heavier than it really is.

I don't agree with that at all. Even IGN disagrees in their DualSense review.

"That weight is well-balanced, though, and ultimately leads to a more comfortable feeling as you hold it."
 
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HeisenbergFX4

Gold Member
Beaten AC1 with it, and it was so difficult with that goofy asymmetrical layout. Also top buttons are placed far away that you need to change your grip occasionally.
See I am 6'8" and have big boy hands so the xbox controller just felt the right size as the dualshocks felt like something designed for hobbits.

In turn where the sticks are even on the dual sense my thumbs are hitting each other all the time even though it is finally a larger controller.
 

RGB'D

Member
It's is a awesome controller but definitely not the best IMO. I've had to replace for stick drift twice already. It's haptics are nice, although I am concerned what the triggers will look like 1-2 years from now and am not sure that I always love every implementation of trigger resistance.. Beyond that my biggest complaint is an internal battery as I prefer external battery packs to prolong the life if the controller and that they didn't offset the sticks. Beyond that it's a great controller and definitely in the top 3 and by far the best Sony controller made so far. I'm just very worried about longevity of the controller, and if the failure rate is bad, that would obviously lower it on the list. Doesn't beat elite 2 or Series controller but I've always preferred Xbox controllers since it is significantly more comfortable in my big hands. Dual sense is leaps and bounds above DS4, Ds3, etc.
 

Bo_Hazem

Banned
See I am 6'8" and have big boy hands so the xbox controller just felt the right size as the dualshocks felt like something designed for hobbits.

In turn where the sticks are even on the dual sense my thumbs are hitting each other all the time even though it is finally a larger controller.

See I'm your average Joe, 5'10", most things designed around me, but you can sneak into your the neighbors without trying. :messenger_winking_tongue:
 
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jaysius

Banned
I don't agree with that at all. Even IGN disagrees in their DualSense review.

"That weight is well-balanced, though, and ultimately leads to a more comfortable feeling as you hold it."
Well I'm spoiled by my Elite with the X One adapter than.

Thing feels heavy in the hands in a bad way.
 
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