Many were excited to see the brand new incarnation of the PS4 DualShock Wireless Controller at the launch of the PlayStation 4. Today, together with our sales experts , we will be taking a look at this controller and providing you with an in-depth review of all its aspects and features. In addition, we will also see how it differs from and improves upon its predecessor, the DualShock 3 controller.
So, without further ado, let's check if the Dualshock 4 is really worth it.
The design of the PS4 DualShock Wireless Controller
Perhaps the most appealing thing about the new controller is the revamped design. Indeed, Sony hadn't changed the look of the PlayStation controller much since the PSOne. So this new approach took everyone by surprise. This PS4 DualShock Wireless Controller has a new frame that's much rounder and sleeker than its predecessor. Additionally, the touchpad and speaker give it a rather futuristic look.
The DualShock 4 also comes in a variety of colors, including black, white, silver, gold, red, blue, and a green camouflage pattern. It also has transparent white, blue, and red "crystal" variants. Most notably, the controller is larger and more comfortable to hold compared to the DualShock 3.
The analog sticks of the PS4 DualShock Wireless Controller
The analog sticks on the PS4 DualShock Wireless Controller are noticeably smaller than those on its predecessor. Overall, they offer greater accuracy. They've also been redesigned to be more ergonomic, as evidenced by the raised rings on the thumbsticks.
Facial pimples
The DualShock 3's pressure-sensitive face buttons were rarely used properly in games. This led to their removal with the PS4 DualShock Wireless Controller. As a result, the new face buttons are now very tactile and produce an audible click when pressed.
The D-Pad
Few adjustments have been made to the D-pad , as it was almost perfect even in the DualShock 3 version. The new D-pad is a bit larger and is much more comfortable and tactile than the old one.
Shoulder buttons and triggers
The shoulder buttons on the PS4 DualShock Wireless Controller have been redesigned to better fit the controller's new look. This results in a semi-ellipsoidal shape. And, like the face buttons, their pressure sensitivity has also been removed.
The DualShock 4 triggers are a change from the DualShock 3, which had very uncomfortable triggers. The new triggers are thinner and slightly curved to minimize slippage. They are also the only buttons to retain pressure sensitivity.
The touchpad of the PS4 DualShock wireless controller
The PS4 DualShock Wireless Controller is the first controller to incorporate a touchpad into its design. In addition to being able to register two points of contact simultaneously, the touchpad can read a variety of swipe gestures.
On top of that, the touchpad itself is actually a single large button. However, using touch detection, it can function as two separate buttons depending on which side of the touchpad is pressed. In this way, it essentially replaces the Start and Select buttons of previous DualShock versions.
Also read: How to use a PS4 controller properly ?
The speaker
A built-in mono speaker is another new feature that was initially seen with the Nintendo Wii . The speaker is primarily used as a means of increasing player immersion. This plays various sounds through the DualShock 4 controller's speaker rather than through the TV speakers.
The light bar of the PS4 DualShock wireless controller
The PS4 DualShock Wireless Controller's light bar was the source of some controversy when it was first released. The main reason for this is its ability to not turn off. Like the speaker, it's used to provide neat dynamic effects in games. The light can also be captured by the PS Camera to enable more accurate motion detection.
That said, for those who didn't care about the aforementioned effects or simply didn't have a PS Camera, the light bar felt like it was unnecessarily draining the controller's battery. Even today, this light bar can only be dimmed, not disabled entirely.
The Gyroscope
The PS4 DualShock Wireless Controller's new gyroscope improves on the Sixaxis. It still uses similar technology but is much more accurate than before, especially if the PS Camera is added to the mix.
Connectivity
The DualShock 4 uses Bluetooth 2.1 for wireless connectivity, but it also has three separate ports:
- Micro USB: This is used for charging and for wired connectivity,
- Expansion Port: Used primarily by charging stations and some accessories,
- 5mm Jack: Used for headphones and headsets. In addition to audio output, it also serves as a microphone input.
Another improvement introduced by the revised PS4 DualShock Wireless Controller enabled wired communication. With the original version, the controller could charge via USB but could only communicate with the console via Bluetooth. This caused concern among some players due to the inevitable input lag that accompanies a Bluetooth connection. While this wasn't a major issue, it was still a very basic feature that should have been available.
Compatibility
Sony controllers have always been problematic when it comes to compatibility with other platforms. The main reason the DualShock 3 never really took off as a PC controller was that it lacked official drivers. However, the latter did have plug-and-play compatibility with Windows.
So, has the situation changed with the PS4 DualShock wireless controller? Well, sort of. While there's still no official support outside of the dubious official DualShock 4 adapter, two things have changed:
- Third-party software has improved considerably since the days of the DualShock 3,
- Steam now officially supports this new DualShock.
Despite all this, some features of the controller remain inaccessible to PC users. This includes its wireless audio capabilities. Additionally, some game-related effects are also unavailable on the PC versions of these games.
The final verdict on the DualShock 4
Overall, the DualShock 4 isn't a perfect controller, but it definitely comes close. It adds a variety of useful features and is a better-built all-around controller. It's also much more comfortable than its predecessors. Ultimately, this controller is a remarkable piece of technology whose positive qualities far outweigh the negative ones.
Furthermore, to help you choose the best game controller, Le Dépôt Electronique is available. We will be happy to help you choose and as an electronic equipment repairer. So, don't hesitate to contact us. We are located at 3335 Jean Talon Street East. Montreal, QC, H2A 1W6, Canada. Our offices are open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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