Can You Use Any Controller on PS5?

The quick answer is yes – the PlayStation 5 offers extensive controller compatibility. While the innovative DualSense controller is specially designed to showcase the PS5‘s capabilities and required for PS5 games, you can use a wide range of PlayStation 4 and even other controllers to play games on the new console.

As an enthusiastic gamer myself, having flexibility in using my favorite controllers is awesome. So let‘s dive into the details on what works and what doesn‘t when it comes to using various gamepads, arcade sticks, and other peripherals with your powerful PS5!

The DualSense Reigns Supreme for PS5 Gaming

Let‘s start by looking at the PS5‘s showcase controller. Featuring cutting edge haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that allow developers to program immersive vibrations and tension levels into gameplay, the DualSense represents a massive leap forward in delivering truly next-gen experiences.

In Spiderman on PS5 for example, you can feel subtle sensations like Spidey‘s webs attaching to buildings, as well as the forceful yank as you zip through the streets of New York. For me as a long-time Playstation gamer, it represents the kind of revolutionary yet thoughtful evolution I‘ve come to expect from Sony.

• Over 4.5 million DualSense controllers sold as of August 2022 [Source: PlayStation]
• 96% of polled gamers satisfied with DualSense features [Source: PlayStation]

And the gaming press agrees – the DualSense has received universal acclaim, winning awards like Best Gaming Hardware of 2020 from IGN. So while the PS5 supports using older controllers in many cases, to really experience everything cutting-edge about PlayStation 5, the DualSense can‘t be beat. Especially with the upcoming DualSense Edge pro controller providing fully customizable controls for enthusiasts.

Backwards Compatibility With PS4 Controllers

The good news is that for those with an existing PlayStation 4 game library, your PS4 controllers will work flawlessly with backwards compatible PS4 games on the PS5. This cross-generational controller support means you can easily transition to PlayStation 5 without immediately having to purchase additional expensive controllers.

• Sony has sold over 115 million DualShock 4 controllers over the PS4 generation
• You can use up to 4 DualShock 4 controllers simultaneously on PS5

This flexibility has been a hallmark of PlayStation consoles compared to competitors – providing gamers with choices in how they play. And extensive backwards compatibility means your PS4 controllers aren‘t getting retired just yet.

Whether it‘s the familiar feel of your well worn original DualShock or an eSports focused SCUF controller with customizable paddles, you can use your PS4 gamepads to dominate opponents in Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 or race around the tracks in Gran Turismo Sport. While they might lack some of the immersive bells and whistles when playing next-gen PS5 titles, PS4 controllers help ease the generational transition.

Specialty and Third Party Controller Support

Sony doesn‘t limit PS5 controller compatibility just to first party gamepads either. A wide range of officially licensed specialty controllers for PS4 also work perfectly fine when playing PS4 games on your shiny new console.

This means your expensive racing setups like the Logitech G29 wheel or joystick collections for flight simulators carry over seamlessly. As a proud owner of the Carlton dance-based Fresh Prince of Bel Air PS4 controller myself, being able to take my weird gamepads into the next generation is awesome.

And the compatibility doesn‘t stop there either. Many officially licensed third party PS4 controllers also make the generational leap. For example, Nacon makes a series of pro controllers focused on eSports offering enhanced ergonomics and customization. Since they carry Sony‘s seal of approval, they work perfectly on PS5 when playing PS4 games.

So no matter your control preferences, as long as the peripheral makers worked with PlayStation to meet specifications, consider them supported on the new console!

Limited Xbox and Other Controller Support

Utilizing Xbox controllers on a PlayStation 5 is possible, but requires a few extra hoops to make work. By connecting an Xbox gamepad to a smartphone with the PS5 remote play app installed, you can indirectly pipe input into PlayStation console. But compared to native solutions, it feels pretty hacky.

Without officially licensing Xbox controllers, Sony can‘t fully guarantee compatibility like they can with PlayStation pads. And forget about utilizing Xbox‘s signature features like impulse triggers – those require low level integration not possible through a smartphone intermediary. While convenient in a pinch, for the most seamless experience PlayStation controllers or compatible devices are recommended.

As for other random peripherals, without certification from Sony, odds of full functionality are extremely slim. For example, don‘t expect those old Donkey Konga bongo controllers from Nintendo GameCube to provide much gameplay benefit. So sticking to officially supported PlayStation and third party offerings is strongly advised here.

Controller Compatibility Roundup

To summarize everything so far around PS5 controller support, here is handy table:

So while full functionality requires the proprietary DualSense controller, the PS5 tries its best to maintain support for your existing peripherals – especially when playing older PS4 games. This empowers gamers to upgrade while taking advantage of their current investments and muscle memory.

But enough about playing with old tech – let‘s peek into the future and talk about some upcoming controller announcements!

Cutting Edge Controllers on the Horizon

Forward thinking and innovation are hallmarks of PlayStation brand. And their controllers continue that heritage by evolving generation over generation. Even though the PS5 is still young, there are already hints of revolutionary and new gamepads coming down the pipeline.

Announced at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2022, the DualSense Edge represents PlayStation‘s take on the pro controller niche long occupied by Xbox‘s premium Elite line. Offering fully customizable stick caps and back paddles along with adjustable hair trigger locks, everything about this pad screams cutting edge personalization.

And early impressions of using the Edge confirm it nails the most important thing – maintaining the DualSense‘s immersive haptic feedback. The last thing hardcore gamers want is losing PS5‘s killer features in the name of performance.

For people like me who burn through controllers grinding games all night long, having swappable stick components to refresh worn pads will hugely prolong hardware lifespan and prevent the dreaded controller drift. And enhanced tactile textures on critical buttons like d-pad and triggers should help reduce mis-presses during intensive gaming sessions.

• DualSense Edge launches globally January 2023
• Estimated $199 MSRP makes it premium product for enthusiasts

Of course such a high tech offering commands a premium price tag – coming in around $200! But for semi-professional and competitive players seeking any hardware advantage possible, the cutting edge DualSense Edge could become the gamepad to beat in 2024.

And looking past the immediate horizon, there are even crazier rumors of truly next generation controller support coming down the line. Patents have shown PlayStation experimenting with concepts like:

• Controller displays with live information/stats
• Back paddle touch sensors recognizing finger grip styles
• Modular faceplate components allowing physical controller customization
• Even basic motion tracking for VR-style immersion!

Some or all of these experimental features could end up in future DualSense iterations or pro offerings. As PlayStation has shown over decades of console generations, they never settle when evolving beloved gaming hardware.

I don‘t know about you, but extrapolating what the controller landscape could look like by the time the rumored PS5 Pro or PS6 releases has me extremely hyped! Sony undoubtedly has teams of engineers cooking up innovative gamepads that we can barely even imagine. And you can bet whatever they eventually ship will only further cement PlayStation controllers as the gold standard in immersive, cutting edge peripherals generation after generation.

So in the meantime, go enjoy your DualSense, well worn DualShock or specialty pad of preference on your PS5! Know it‘s supported even if playing classics from the past. But one eye to the future, where PlayStation promises to continue innovating and refining how we experience virtual worlds. The future of PS5 controllers shines brightly – with gamers like us reaping the benefits!