Sony may have been slow to release its own premium gamepad because the first Xbox Elite controller did not appear on the market until 2015. However, now that the PlayStation 5 is (relatively) more widely available, the corporation is eager to demonstrate its capabilities to the public.
The DualSense Edge, at $200, is more expensive than its competitor by a small margin, but it makes up for the difference with a few useful extras that Microsoft’s controller lacks, as well as one potentially deal-breaking flaw.
Design
Sony didn’t deviate too much from its standard design for the Edge. As seen above, the Edge is essentially identical to the standard model, with the exception of a black D-pad and face buttons and a black touchpad decorated with a faint pattern including the company’s trademark and icons. When you look below the analogue sticks, you’ll see two protrusions: these are function buttons that allow you to customise the controls on your controller.
The gamepad’s removable rear paddles can be stored in the included slots, and there are two switches, one on each side, adjacent to the shoulder triggers to modify the pull length. Rear paddles can be either longer, more conventional levers or shorter, stubby half-domes; I found myself gravitating towards the latter.
There are also three interchangeable joystick tips supplied (normal, short-stemmed convex, and long-stemmed convex) and a cable lock to keep the bundled USB-C cord from being accidentally unplugged.
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The rear paddles and thumbsticks may be attached magnetically, allowing for quick and easy experimentation with different configurations to find a feel that works best for you. Snipers, especially those who prefer to play at lower sensitivity, can benefit from the long-stemmed domed thumbstick used in some shooting games. To be honest, I wasn’t too worried about gaining an advantage and instead focused on improving the controller’s ergonomics.
The Edge’s analogue sticks, which can be swapped out at any time, are one of its best features. By sliding the release switch in the back, the cover over the analogue sticks may be removed, exposing quick-change modules that connect through USB-A.
When the inevitable controller drift sets in (as it inevitably will with enough use), you may avoid having to re-learn how to play by purchasing a new controller altogether by purchasing a replacement thumbstick module for about $20. This can add up to significant savings over time for dedicated gamers who invest hundreds or thousands of hours into their consoles. Simply replace the faulty joystick with a new one, or swap out both sticks at once to restore the controller to near-factory settings.
Last but not least, the Edge has a hardshell carrying case that resembles a giant space egg. The interior is softly padded, and there’s a zippered mesh pocket for storage of extra gear (like the included charging cable). In addition, the case’s back velcro flap may be used as a pass-through for a charging cable, allowing you to keep the controller protected inside while it recharges.
Software and Features
Being able to customise button layouts is another area in which the Edge excels over competitors (especially third-party products like Scuf’s Reflex). The PS5 allows for the creation of four different “quicksets,” as well as the storage of several other configurations. In less than a second, you can change the interface by simultaneously pressing one of the function buttons and a face button.
When you first connect the controller to the PS5, a helpful tutorial appears to lead you through the setup process. The console’s settings menu is easily accessible whenever you need to reset your button configurations.
The sensitivity of the joysticks can be altered, and their dead zones and actuation points for the triggers can be changed, among other useful features. You can prevent accidental presses by instructing the controller to disregard shallow pulls, as per your preferences.
It’s convenient to be able to switch from a racing game, where you want the full analogue feedback, to an FPS, where you want a real hair trigger setup, and this works in tandem with the slider on the back of the controller that allows you to change the physical travel distance of the triggers to three distances (short, medium, and long).
In-Game
Gaming with the Edge is like having a Swiss Army Knife once you start using all of its features. The gamepad may appear and feel like a regular DualSense, but it never fails to come through in a sticky scenario. Here’s an illustration: Since Turok: Dinosaur Hunter and Goldeneye on the N64 were two of my first console shooters, I’ve always liked the Southpaw joystick arrangement, in which the player moves with the right stick and the shooter uses the left. This layout isn’t supported by all shooters, unfortunately. In contrast, the DualSense allows me to utilise it in any game I choose.
In addition, the DualSense’s deep triggers work wonderfully for racing games but can be a bit cumbersome in beat ’em ups like Streets of Rage 4. But by shifting the toggles to the rear, I can greatly reduce the draw, making the mechanism feel more quicker and more sensitive.
I feel obligated to point out that other high-end controllers, such as the Xbox Elite Series 2, also provide alternate D-pad designs, but both of them are inferior to Sony’s arrow-shaped pad. Even though I have no need for the cable lock, I can see it being helpful in competitive circumstances where you want the security of a wired connection but don’t want to risk having your USB cord accidentally yanked out.
One minor criticism I have is that I’d like to see a way to programme certain functions into the little nubs. It seems like a waste that they are now being used for something other than switching button presets. Since there are two protrusions, at least allow me assign one of them as a second button; I envision it being used for throwing grenades in first-person shooters.
Battery Life
When compared to the regular PS5 controller, the DualSense Edge’s battery life is noticeably inferior. I was only getting around five or six hours of use out of a single charge, whereas the standard DualSense gets me about seven.
It’s a shame the Edge costs so much more because gamers that can afford it tend to play for long periods of time. Having your controller die in the middle of a gunfight and having to frantically search for a USB cord is one of the most unpleasant things that can happen. The included USB cord is a generous 10 feet in length, so even if the Edge dies you should be able to charge it while sitting on the couch.
Wrap-Up
In spite of my scepticism about the DualSense Edge’s $200 price tag, I can now appreciate why so many people have purchased this advanced controller. It has the feel of a traditional controller while adding a number of useful features, such as the ability to remap buttons with ease, additional joystick nubs, back paddle customization, and more.
Also, the Edge is slightly less expensive than other third-party alternatives, such as those from Scuf, which don’t feature interchangeable joystick modules. The battery life is disappointing, and I wish Sony had added back-pad functionality as on other high-end gamepads. But the DualSense Edge would be the controller I pick to use exclusively with my PS5 till its death.
