The DualSense Edge is Sony’s first foray into the pro controller market, and it offers some impressive customization features that might make it a worthwhile purchase for some gamers who have $200 in their pocket.
The Edge comes in a white hardshell case with a 9-foot braided USB cable and optional lock, two pairs of dome-shaped joystick caps, and two pairs of back buttons that can be set to any action you desire.
The controller is similar in shape to the original DualSense, but it has new textures on the trackpad and triggers and a darker, sleeker look. It also features advanced haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and a built-in microphone and speaker.
So, what sets the DualSense Edge apart from the standard DualSense? Customization. The controller’s joystick caps can be easily swapped out, and it also has removable joystick modules that can be switched out if they break or experience stick drift.
The back buttons are another standout feature that can be assigned to any action you want, and the controller’s menu allows you to remap or disable nearly every button. You can also save your changes in a custom profile and create 30 profiles that are stored in the controller itself.
Customization may not be for everyone, but the Edge is an excellent choice for PS5 owners who enjoy tinkering with their controller settings.
When testing the controller, I found that even simple changes, like setting the left back button to square for punching and the right back button to circle for crouching, made a big difference in combat when playing The Last of Us Part I. There is also an improved grip on the handles and more prominent textures on the back triggers, making the controller more comfortable to hold.
But the battery life leaves much to be desired, and I was only able to play for about four hours until its juice ran out. I have since used it with the braided cable, something I never thought I would do.
Still, it may not be the cheapest option on the market, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most versatile.
