The other day, PlayStation announced that if you’re upgrading to the PlayStation 5 and if you want to play a PlayStation 5 game, then you’ll need a PlayStation 5 controller, or as they called it, the DualSense. This, of course, caused the internet to get upset over something traditional when it comes to upgrading to a new console.
It’s an interesting situation and one that I find myself looking at those on both sides of the fence when it comes to being forced to upgrade from your existing library of accessories and picking up new ones. Yes, many of us have accumulated a vast number of gaming controllers for the PlayStation (as well as other platforms), and being told that you’ll need to pick up a new DualSense controller doesn’t sit well with many. However, looking at the history of older gaming consoles being pushed aside so the successor can be ushered into the spotlight, this isn’t a new practice.
When Nintendo released the Super Nintendo, my entire Nintendo Entertainment System controllers and accessories library were instantly outdated. Unable to use them on the new console, I either sold them off, gave them to a friend who didn’t have them, or stored them somewhere. When the PlayStation 3 was released, the same thing happened, with PlayStation telling me I needed to get the latest Sixaxis (I hated that controller btw) because my beloved DualShock 2 controller won’t work on the new console. Could you believe I was pissed when Sega told me I couldn’t use my NiGHTS controller that worked on my Sega Saturn with my Dreamcast? I mean, what madness was that? While on the subject, I need to give Nintendo points for letting you use GameCube controllers on the Wii for backward compatibility, but if you wanted to play Wii specific titles such as Mario Galaxy, you needed a Nunchuk.
It isn’t uncommon to have to upgrade your controllers, simply because Sony, Nintendo, or Microsoft want you to, or due to some new technology at play. Looking back at the DualShock 2 vs. the Sixaxis, the Sixaxis incorporated motion-sensing technology. PlayStation wanted to capitalize on that, despite not many games using the controller to its potential. Now, as we look towards our DualShock 4 being replaced by the DualSense controller, the same thing is happening – A technological upgrade.
Not only does it add a USB-C port (FINALLY!), but it also features an ergonomic design that should allow us to play longer without cramping our hands, haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, a better battery (or so they say), and a microphone, into the controller. Ok, maybe the controller’s microphone wasn’t the best idea, but you get the gist of what I’m saying. With new tech comes a new controller, and they want us, the gamers, to take full advantage of the PlayStation 5 and its games. Thus we need to upgrade our controllers.
Editors Note: Haptic feedback is new for PlayStation, and while Xbox has been doing this even since they released the Xbox One controller. So in that regard, Xbox beat them to the punch, and you know that PlayStation wants to show what their version of haptic feedback can do. Of course, we’ll have to see how developers utilize it since it’s completely up to them.
Yet, at the same time, I can see where several exceptions to the rule did shake things up, courtesy of Nintendo and Microsoft. Nintendo was more than happy to allow us to use the Wii Nunchuk controllers with the Nintendo Wii U. It made sense to them. There was nothing new being added, so why change it up. While Microsoft’s plans of letting you use your Xbox One controllers on the Xbox Series X is a godsend for many. Take your existing controllers to the next console and possibly beyond. It’s a great idea and one reason why people are up in arms being told that you’ll need to use a DualSense controller to play a PlayStation 5 game.
Shouldn’t that decision be left up to the developers? If this ultimately is a concern for the DualShock 4, shouldn’t it be better left to the developers to tell us? Couldn’t there be a compromise? I won’t be able to take part in the haptic feedback and only get a rumble effect. Surely that wouldn’t break the game unless the game was designed around the controller. Sure, that I can see, but since we know nothing about the games and how they’ll utilize the DualSense, everything is speculation at this time.
Lastly, there’s another reason for people to be upset over this announcement, and I’d love to think that PlayStation thought about this; accessibility. Some have grown accustomed to using the DualShock 4 and found it a vital piece of hardware when gaming. Now, I’m not in that position, so I can’t say how that could affect anyone. I hope that PlayStation did at least do some testing and designed the DualSense, keeping in mind those who do have disabilities. If they didn’t, then I hope to hell that disabled gamers truly let PlayStation know that this decision will restrict them from playing on the PlayStation 5. Especially given that are some disabled gamers who have spent hundreds of dollars on modified DualShock 4 controllers. Others have started using Xbox’s Xbox Adaptive Controller with great success on the PlayStation 4. Can you imagine telling them neither solution will no longer work for them and they have to make do with what they have? I sure don’t want to be that person who says that.
In the end, as I mentioned before, this is an interesting position. For me, I’m used to the tradition of needed to upgrade my controller and accessories when a new system is launched, and I have no ill-will towards PlayStation over this decision. I can’t say that there aren’t others who shouldn’t be, while I can see those who are just causing drama because they can. I will say this, perhaps PlayStation needs to rethink this approach, as it’s not a one size fits all solution.
The PlayStation 5 releases this 2020 Shopping Holiday, with no current price as of yet.
