Having spent thousands of hours gaming with the DualSense, here's what the PS6 controller should provide.

      There isn't much more to say about the PlayStation 5 (and PS5 Pro) that hasn't already been discussed.

      Launched in 2020, Sony’s current-generation hardware provided enhancements in power over the PS4, along with a new SSD for quicker loading times. The DualSense controller brought a significant range of improvements that the DualShock 4 could only aspire to.

      The addition of haptic feedback and adaptive triggers has become a key reason I prefer gaming on PlayStation over other platforms, and I sincerely hope this trend continues with the PlayStation 6.

      Experience everything

      Giovanni Colantonio / Digital Trends

      When Sony released the DualSense, many of us thought it might just be a gimmick. A trigger that simulates the sensation of pulling a bowstring? Yeah, right.

      However, it didn’t take long for games to reveal its true potential. On the PS5’s launch day, Demon’s Souls featured impressive haptic feedback, and since then, we've seen remarkable uses of this technology in titles like Gran Turismo 7, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, Returnal, and Astro Bot.

      Even third-party games such as GTA 5, The Witcher 3, and Cyberpunk 2077 effectively utilize this tech. While not all titles make use of it, it’s quite surprising how much more immersive gaming becomes when you can engage with the triggers and experience the enhanced haptics.

      In fact, I can’t imagine playing these games without the features. I initially played Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox and PC and then bought it again for the PS5 (I really enjoy the game). Whenever I replay it, I choose the PS5 version, largely because of how satisfying the gunplay feels and how the vibrations of a nightclub resonate through the controller.

      Party spoiler

      Microsoft

      There are some drawbacks to the DualSense technology. For one, its battery life is noticeably shorter than that of the Xbox controller, even though it has rechargeable batteries that can deteriorate over time. It's unclear how much this is due to the advanced rumble technology and trigger tension, but it’s fair to say it likely contributes.

      Anecdotally, I've heard various reports of DualSense triggers breaking. That hasn’t happened to me, but due to the inherent tension in the adaptive triggers, there may be a greater risk.

      Nonetheless, considering Microsoft had at one point been exploring a haptic controller of its own, there’s a possibility that any issues could be resolved, and Sony might glean some useful insights.

      It’s also important to acknowledge Microsoft for ensuring that Xbox One controllers are compatible with the Series X and S. If Sony were to offer a DualSense option for PlayStation 6, those who have collected all the color variants would certainly have reasons to be happy.

      Eliminate the excess

      Sony

      This may spark some debate, but I really wish the PlayStation 5 DualSense didn't include a built-in microphone. The speaker is a nice feature, even though I often turn it down significantly, but the mic makes me uneasy about my voice being picked up in open lobbies.

      I habitually mute myself as soon as I power on the PS5, yet anyone who does use the mic often sounds too far away for effective communication with teammates.

      I wonder if Sony would consider producing a more affordable version of the DualSense without a mic for those of us who use headsets—something to think about.

      Despite generally preferring asymmetric thumbsticks, the DualSense has become one of my all-time favorite controllers. If Sony could enhance battery life a bit more while maintaining those excellent haptics and triggers, the PlayStation 6 might prove to be just as immersive as the PS5—if not more so.