A new rumor is claiming that Sony is working on a "Pro PS5 Controller" for the PlayStation 5, which will have removable analog sticks, rear buttons, and grips. The PS5's DualSense has a number of unique features, such as its haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, but the functions and buttons of the controller are unchanged from the DualShock 4 used by the PS4.
The standard controllers used by most consoles are fine with the vast majority of games, but some players prefer specific setups for individual games or genres. Fighting game fans have no problem investing in large arcade sticks, while racing game fans will buy wheels and pedals for a more immersive racing experience. There are some companies that produce higher-quality controllers that are more expensive than the ones that come bundled with consoles, but are made from sturdier materials, and have additional features, such as the Nacon Revolution X Pro Controller, which comes with a set of weights that can be inserted into the controller, to better suit the comfort of the player.
It seems that Sony could soon announce an upgrade for the PS5 DualSense controller. Tom Henderson reported on Twitter and in an article in TryHardGuides that Sony will announce a pro variant of the DualSense in the near future, though it could be at the end of the month, as it's also reported that Sony will be announcing more non-console hardware at the time. The controller was referred to casually as the "PS5 Pro Controller," but that likely won't be the official name, unless Sony is ignoring the DualSense branding. This report has yet to be verified and should be taken with a grain of salt until an official announcement is made by Sony.
The new controller will reportedly feature removable analog sticks. This would make it a lot easier to replace drifting joysticks, which has become a major issue across the industry. There have already been reports of PS5 DualSense controller drift, and replacing the joysticks requires taking the controller apart, so easily replaceable joysticks are one way of fixing the drift issue. The new controllers will also have paddles (also known as rear buttons), which are customizable buttons on the back of the controller, and are featured on a number of third-party controllers, as well as trigger stops, which are grips placed on the shoulder buttons that shorten the time it takes to press them. It's also reported that the new controller will have removable grips that will make the controller easier to hold.
The PS5 has been out for a year and a half, and the console shortage issue is still a major problem for the system. This hasn't extended to the PS5's peripherals, as Sony has had no problem bringing DualSense controllers to the market, with Sony releasing different colored DualSense controllers over the past year. The third-party hardware market has proven that there are people who will spend more for better controllers, so it's believable that Sony would launch PlayStation 5 DualSense controllers with more features in 2022.
Source: Tom Henderson/Twitter, TryHardGuides
A new rumor claims that Sony is working on a Pro version of the DualSense controller for PlayStation 5, with removable joysticks and paddles.Scott Baird