controller

Early Thoughts on the PlayStation DualSense Controller

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Despite their popularity and influence on controller design at large, PlayStation controllers have never been my cup of tea. Though I’ve grown accustomed to the symmetrical analog stick layout of the DualShock controllers, I still prefer the asymmetrical Xbox style. I hated the mushy triggers on the DualShock 3. Also ran into a slew of durability issues with both of my DualShock 4 controllers, from plastic ripping off of the analog sticks, to shoulder buttons getting jammed, to awful battery life.

Needless to say that Sony had an uphill climb to win me over with the DualSense controller that comes with the PlayStation 5. Does it make enough improvements to win me over? Here are my thoughts after having spent a few days with it!

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Unboxing the PlayStation 5

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The wait is over!

As I frantically mashed on the F5 key while staring at my tracking page, the doorbell rang. Steff opened the door to a delivery person wielding a giant box for me. My PlayStation 5 got here on launch day!

As of writing, it’s 2:09 PM. I could be playing it right now. Instead, I will share the unboxing experience with you! Let’s crack this thing open!

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Notes and Observations from the PlayStation 5 Reveal

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Who else was surprised that Sony named their new console the PlayStation 5?

Kidding! Though we didn’t need Nostradamus to predict that, Sony did reveal a lot of new info regarding their latest console during their recent event. This assortment of notes is by no means comprehensive or in chronological order, but I thought were worth sharing anyway.

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Worth It? Hori Left Joy-Con With D-Pad Review

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It drives me nuts that the standard Joy-Con on the Nintendo Switch doesn’t have a d-pad on it. Desperate for answers, I turned to the Hori Left Joy-Con with D-Pad. Does it solve all of your d-pad needs? Watch the review to find out!

NOTE: Need to mention a bit that got left on the cutting room floor. At launch, there was a bug that this controller would drain your battery even in sleep mode. That has since been fixed. More info here.

D-Pad Left Joycon

Buy The Hori D-Pad Controller (L) (Zelda) Now From Amazon.com

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Does the Future of Game Streaming Truly Start Now With Google Stadia?

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The concept of streaming games to home platforms is not new. Off the top of my head, Sega was trying to do it in the mid-90s with the Sega Channel, but I know there were efforts even before then. More recently, services like OnLive and PlayStation Now have been trying their hand at the approach.

At the keynote for GDC 2019, Google unveiled Google Stadia, their new game streaming platform. In short, it will allow players to game from any instance of Google Chrome or Chrome OS, running games with modern graphics at resolutions up to 4K, at frame rates up to 60 fps, with almost whatever controller you have. It’s also got deep hooks with YouTube streaming, allowing gamers to stream and interact with viewers in all new ways. All of this will be playable for those in the US, Canada, UK, and Europe later in 2019.

I have some serious reservations about what Google’s promising here. However, my concerns about controller input delay, game library, broadband access, and data caps might be a moot point in the long run. What Google just showed us appears to be the future of gaming.

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I Got Neon Red Joycons for My Nintendo Switch

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As a gift from my brother, I received a pair of Neon Red Nintendo Switch Joycon controllers. Besides serving the functional benefit of now having enough controllers for four-player Mario Kart, they give the Switch a very different vibe. The default grey controllers make the unit look like a slick piece of professional technology. By swapping them out with the Neon controllers, the console looks more distinctly Nintendo.

Thank you to my brother for the controllers!

Buy The Neon Red Joycon Controllers Now From Amazon.com

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Hori Real Arcade Pro 4 Kai Review

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Hori HRAP Pro KaiMy history with Hori fightsticks has been spotty at best. I’ve owned four of their entry-level level controllers; two of which broke within a matter of hours, and a third where the joystick wore down with no easy way of fixing it. That being said, durability is not a strong suit of any cheap fightstick from any manufacturer.

Though I have noodled with one of their higher-end fightsticks in the past, the Real Arcade Pro 4 Kai is my first extensive experience with a high-end Hori product. Does this have what it takes to wash away my negative perceptions of the brand? Better yet, can this stick hold its own against the TE line of Mad Catz products?

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Test Driving The DualShock 4

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DualShock 4

Thought the PlayStation 4 isn’t set for release for another few weeks, the DualShock 4 is available now at certain retailers. I scooped one up for multiple reasons. For one, eating the cost of an extra controller now eases the burden on my wallet later. Also, it turns out that the new controller is compatible with some PlayStation 3 games. Though I’ve been fortunate enough to try the controller before, this was my first time getting to test it out on multiple games for an extended period of time.

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I Got A DualShock 4!

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Apparently, it works with certain PlayStation 3 games right now. I’ll try and provide some impressions soon!


Buy PlayStation 4 Dualshock 4 Wireless Controller Now From Amazon.com

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Hands-On: The PlayStation 4 Controller

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I’ve never been a fan of the DualShock. Despite it becoming the archetype that almost every controller has followed since, I never liked the placement of the left analog stick. On the PlayStation 3 DualShock, I hate the mushy triggers and how my thumb constantly slips off the convex-shaped sticks. Despite keeping the same general form factor, the PlayStation 4 DualShock is a notably improved controller.

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