PS5 DualSense is one of the coolest controllers ever made

PS5 DualSense is i of the coolest controllers ever made

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The PS5 offers fast load speeds, engrossing 4K graphics and a zippy SSD, but the DualSense controller might be the well-nigh exciting thing about it. Based on our time with Astro's Playroom, a colorful platformer preinstalled on every PS5, Sony'due south new gamepad offers a level of immersion we simply haven't seen on previous consoles.

Gameplay-wise, Astro'southward Playroom is a simple Super Mario 64-esque 3D platformer that has yous run, leap, float and punch your way through a series of colorful levels. Withal, by using the DualSense'due south congenital-in speakers, haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in concert with one some other, the game delivers a tactile experience that's different whatsoever I've felt before.

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During my time in the colorful Cooling Springs level, I encountered tons of unlike gameplay scenarios that were elevated by Sony's immersive new controller. For case, the grainy rattle of an in-game sandstorm perfectly matched the footling pelts of vibration I felt when walking through it, equally did the sounds of ice scraping with the subtle gliding sensation I felt while skating over water ice.

The haptics proved especially impressive every time I pulled on a rope in-game. The controller did a neat chore of simulating a feeling of resistance every time I yanked one to progress through a level. Speaking of resistance, the controller'southward adaptive triggers took eye stage when I jumped into a bound-loaded robot suit, swiped on the touchpad to zip myself upward and used the triggers to guide Astro left and right.

While I was in the adjust, the triggers took far more than pressure than normal to actuate, successfully replicating the feeling of pushing down on a spring and releasing information technology to send information technology flying. Once more, the sound effects and haptic feedback complemented the springy side-scrolling platforming of this part of the game perfectly.

I also had to tilt my DualSense left and right to get Astro to his destination, creating a very physical gameplay experience that used every office of the unique controller. In a afterward segment, I even had to blow on the controller in order to propel a platform of ice forrad while navigating a river.

While Astro'due south Playroom largely positions itself every bit a tech demo for the DualSense, it's also only a fun game. The fine art style is ambrosial and vibrant; the platforming and combat are accessible and tight. There are also some really neat collectibles and easter eggs that will make hardcore PlayStation fans smile.

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PS5 — (Image credit: Tom'due south Guide)

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PS5 — (Epitome credit: Tom'due south Guide)

We'll take more to say about Astro'southward Playroom closer to launch. But Sony'southward pack-in platformer is well worth checking out equally soon as you boot your PS5 upward, and has me excited to see how other developers tap into the vast potential of Sony's unique gamepad. Fast loading times and ray-traced graphics are dandy, but the added layer of immersion provided by the DualSense controller feels like one of the almost truly "adjacent-gen" things about Sony's new console.

Mike Andronico is Senior Author at CNNUnderscored and was formerly Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. When not at work, yous can usually catch him playing Street Fighter, devouring Twitch streams and trying to convince people that Hawkeye is the all-time Avenger.