DualSense Edge Given Release Date and Price Point
Earlier this year, Sony announced plans for their new pro controller, which has now been given a price and release date on Playstation’s official blog (along with a new trailer). Described as the “first-ever ultra-customizable controller developed by PlayStation”, the DualSense Edge is set to launch globally on January 26th next year. If you’re really eager to get your hands on the next stage of Sony’s controller innovations, pre-orders begin on 25th October- just under a week away. Although I doubt this will sell out as quickly as the PS5 console itself, stocks are still likely very limited- meaning you might have to have your mouse hovered over the refresh button on the day pre-orders drop.
The details of what will come with the controller were also shared- with each purchase containing the following:
DualSense Edge wireless controller
USB braided cable
2 Standard caps
2 High dome caps
2 Low dome caps
2 Half dome back buttons
2 Lever back buttons
Connector housing
Carrying case
This does certainly fulfill the high customizability that Sony is leaning into with this controller design. Gamers will be able to switch around the locations of different buttons, caps, and back buttons for maximum user preference. This follows the trend of Xbox’s Elite Wireless Controller range- which recently saw the reveal of the ‘Series 2’ variant. While the controller looks great (and will likely play just as well), there is a point of contention immediately apparent upon this announcement: the price.
Announced in the same blog, the controller itself will set you back £209.99 (or $199.99). That’s not all either- if you need any replacement stick modules, these will be sold separately for £19.99 (£19.99) each. While pro controllers have never been cheap- especially the extremely customizable kind- this price does seem quite egregious. For half the price of the console itself, you get one controller. The Xbox Elite launched at a recommended retail price of £159.99- which is still far below what is being asked for by Sony. Fans in the comments of the blog were quick to share their dissatisfaction with the announcement- with a high price point and lack of certain features detailed being the main sticking point:
This leaves Sony in a difficult situation. While the controller will certainly be a top-of-the-line piece of hardware, the £210 price point is out of most gamers' budgets. Even if they could afford it, the lack of any big improvements such as increased battery life or better build quality leaves fans more than a little disappointed. With Sony’s recent blunders of Playstation Stars and backlash for the Last of Us and Horizon: Zero Dawn remakes, this is yet another bad decision to add to the ever-growing controversy surrounding the company.
