Sony finally revealed the cost of the DualSense Edge, and the high price point is a bit shocking.
The Dual Sense Edge wireless controller for PS5 I’ll run you heavy $199.99 / £209.99 (Australian prices will be announced). For your money, you’ll get interchangeable units like thumb stick covers and rear paddles, textured grips, a black and white aesthetic, and assortment including a carrying case and a lockable USB-C connector cover.
This is slightly more than the cost of the standard double sensation controller, which is sold as retail $69.99 / £59.99 / AU$109.95. It’s also outside a football field Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller‘s $179.99 / £159.99 / $249.95. It’s not a million miles off the cost Xbox Swhich is usually priced at $299.99 / £249.99 / $499.
As Sony’s first foray into the “Pro” controller market, the DualSense Edge will seriously need to impress at this high price point. But given everything we know so far, I’m not too confident that it’s up to the task.
More than a few double cents
Yes, professional or premium consoles are usually quite expensive. And in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, buyers are often left wondering if this is even possible Expensive Pro controllers are worth it. When it comes to Xbox Elite Series 2, or third-party platforms like Tenth RevolutionI would say I personally got my money’s worth.
But this will not be a sufficient reason for the average buyer. Pro controllers are a luxury buy, but even on those grounds, I think the DualSense Edge clearly isn’t worth its higher price tag when its competition offers more for less.
At face value, the Edge appears to at least match the Elite Series 2 from a feature perspective. Format knobs, mutable units, dead zone switch operation, and profile settings are all standard, current, and computed.
However, the Edge only has two rear paddles instead of the Elite Series 2’s four. Its new function buttons don’t appear to be reusable, and sit directly under the analog sticks where they can be accidentally pressed quite easily. At least when it comes to klutzes like me.
We also didn’t hear about improvements to DualSense’s more prominent haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. That, and the lack of detail about battery life, is troubling given that this is the only area where Sony’s excellent panel could use some serious improvement.
Now, the DualSense Edge is likely to be just as excellent as its default counterpart. Professional features are always welcome, and the included USB-C connector casing is a great addition. But when you can buy a file Xbox Design Lab Elite Series 2 For a similar price (or cheaper in the UK), I think Sony may have overestimated how much PS5 owners are willing to spend on a Pro pad.