I’m as shocked as you are. PlayStation 4 controllers won’t work with PlayStation 5 games? I totally didn’t see that coming! And yet, many people believed that in the build-up towards the PlayStation 5, that the overall similarity between the DualShock 4 and the newer DualSense controllers would involve some sort of backwards compatibility on the physical side of the new PlayStation console.
To be fair, you can use the PS4 controller on the PS5, but it’ll be limited to PS4 games ported over to that system. Sony detailed how your arsenal of peripherals will function on the PlayStation 5, and for the most part in which you can read the next line in a Professor Farnsworth voice, it’s good news everyone!
- Specialty peripherals, such as officially licensed racing wheels, arcade sticks, and flight sticks, will work with PS5 games and supported PS4 games.
- The Platinum and Gold Wireless Headsets, as well as third-party headsets that connect via USB port or audio jack, will work on PS5 (the headset companion app is not compatible with PS5).
- The DualShock 4 wireless controller and PlayStation officially licensed third-party gamepad controllers will work with supported PS4 games.
- Both the PS Move Motion Controllers and the PlayStation VR Aim Controller will work with supported PS VR games on PS5.
- PlayStation Camera will work with PS5 for playing supported PS VR games.
- It will require a PlayStation Camera adaptor that will be provided at no additional cost to PS VR users
In a nutshell: PS4 games on PS5, will work with PS4 input devices. Everything else, will require the DualSense as Sony believes that their new games believes PS5 games “should take full advantage” of all the new hardware in front of you and in your hands. Never one to miss an opportunity to have some light-hearted fun, Xbox UK responded to the news by reminding people that the Xbox Series X will be backward compatible with all Xbox One controllers, including the standard and Xbox Elite models:
I’m backing Sony on this mission to play with newer gear though. I’ve been using the same controller since I bought my PS4, and while it is a sturdy beast, it’s also a monstrosity caked in hand grime, accumulated sweat gunk and the rubber on the analogue sticks are well past their sell-by date. Poor thing needs to be put out to pasture, so that I can spend the next couple of years subjecting the DualSense device and its slightly better battery to the same fate via my filthy and tiny hands.
Last Updated: August 4, 2020
cloudzn
August 4, 2020 at 09:29
Considering the new games will make full use of the dual sense features, it does makes sense to limit ps5 games to the dual sense, also unless the controller is new why would you still use the older controller on the ps5.
Pofadder
August 4, 2020 at 09:29
Of course the old xbox controllers will work. There has been no development for a decade. Even seriesx still uses AA batteries ffs. Maybe they should join us in the 21st century instead of mocking innovation.
Pariah
August 4, 2020 at 10:30
There’s no need to change what’s already just a hair’s breadth from perfect.
Skyblue
August 5, 2020 at 21:59
Preach it. I’ve spent too much time with both controllers and the the PS4 one is absolute rubbish in comparison. Better than the PS3 but still crap. I’d even rather use the X360 controller before the DS4 and it’s disintegrating analogue sticks.. I blame Resogun but the fact is that those controllers were just too weak. On my third set of analogue stick replacements already.
Mr_Pops
August 4, 2020 at 11:16
I mean sure it may use AA batteries, but those things last forever if you compare them to the DS4. I like that Sony is quite experimental with their controllers, they try out features that often don’t work out, but I guess its cool that they try. The Xbox controller is pretty magnificent though and I do think lack of backwards compatibility for controllers does suck on Sony’s part.
On the whole I’m still pretty undecided on the next gen. I do prefer the ps5 offering, I just wish it were better looking. Which seems shallow I guess, but I’m looking for a machine to play games on, not a centerpiece for my lounge. I feel like the Xbox design respect that a lot more. Anyway, these are just my opinions.
Pofadder
August 4, 2020 at 11:17
There isn’t a lack of backwards compatibility. Dualshock 4 works on ps5 for PS4 games. PS5 games will take advantage of new tech that the duashock 4 won’t have. Makes perfect sense. If you want progress at some point you have to leave the past behind. And battery life has never been an issue for me on the dualshocks. I get 12 hours easy. I have 3. One gets flat, charge it and take another one, or you just plug in a wire, no big deal. Much less hassle than having to swap batteries and still having to recharge them in a separate charger if you are using rechargeables. And Microsoft said that the fanbase was split 50/50 between batteries and rechargeable controllers. Why the hell would they side with the people holding back progress?
Mr_Pops
August 4, 2020 at 11:45
I understand that there are probably things that we have yet to see regarding the ps5, but what exactly are these features? Haptic feedback? Adaptive triggers? A built in microphone? They’re good features but I cant really see how a game would implement them in such a way that it wouldn’t be possible to just fall back and not use them. Like I said, this is just speculation on my part, I’d like to see exactly how they’re planning on using these features.
Regarding Microsoft, options I guess. Technically both sides can get what they want. Yes there is an extra charge for the rechargeable battery pack, but its doable.
Gavin Mannion
August 4, 2020 at 11:35
I can’t see myself buying a PS5 until they release a black version.. I don’t need some white alien ship the size of my TV on the TV stand.
Pieter Kruger
August 4, 2020 at 11:45
Just put it behind your 80″ LCD, that way only the blades will stick out on top….
Pofadder
August 4, 2020 at 12:19
Just take them off and spray them black. From the leaks it looks like they come off easily.
Gavin Mannion
August 4, 2020 at 12:25
Hard pass…. the first round of consoles are generally unstable, not losing a warranty because I spray painted something.
Pofadder
August 4, 2020 at 12:43
Fair point, but you can wrap them and peel it off again if needed. My launch ps4 was working fine till it got stolen in Feb. Probably still working fine.
CrAiGiSh
August 4, 2020 at 11:45
https://media3.giphy.com/media/NLbivNFUwhoTm/giphy.gif
MechMachine
August 4, 2020 at 12:43
Makes sense.
Pieter Kruger
August 4, 2020 at 09:40
Surely most 3rd party games have options to disable force feedback/rumble/haptic feedback etc. so why shouldn’t the DS4 controllers work? You get a new DS5 controller with the PS5, but this is forcing you to buy another DS5 controller for multiplayer/couch co-op/split screen etc. NOT COOL SONY!?
Pieter Kruger
August 4, 2020 at 09:40
Good news! Microsoft today confirmed full support for DS4 controllers playing XSX games on XCloud……???
MechMachine
August 4, 2020 at 12:57
Go play some Halo.
Pieter Kruger
August 4, 2020 at 13:11
I AM, j https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/68977c7daeb79cb0febd0d828c40788b65bcfbe81e31966d7cef08106d47a457.jpg ust finished Halo Wars 2 a while back, now I’ll wait for Infinite to get me Graig on!
MechMachine
August 4, 2020 at 13:11
LOL
Seeker
August 4, 2020 at 10:22
I think racing wheels and fight sticks should just work because the games that use such controllers don’t use any of the features found in the DualSense controller. Plus they are hella expensive. So tying them to 1 generation of consoles is not good.
Aussious
August 4, 2020 at 10:43
Lol because next gen features on our controller, remind me again what you did with the Sixaxis and the touchpad because those were meant to be next gen…?
MechMachine
August 4, 2020 at 12:57
Why is this even a thing ? Who cares, it’s a new generation. It would only be a problem if you were using a 3rd party controller and even then that’s your problem, not Sony. At the end of the day, most people are bringing up these superficial points that mean absolutely nothing when the actual consoles come out. Why do we even care about looking back when we can look forward ?