What is L1 on the PS5 DualSense Controller?

The L1 button stands for "Left 1" and refers to the left shoulder button on the PlayStation 5‘s DualSense wireless controller. Along with its corresponding R1 button on the right, L1 provides auxiliary input options for PS5 games beyond the main action buttons.

The L1 and R1 shoulder buttons on the PS5‘s DualSense controller (Credit: PCMag)

But what specifically does the L1 button do on the PS5? What role is it intended to play in games? And how did Sony settle on having shoulder buttons in the first place? Let‘s find out!

Shoulder Buttons – An Established Console Tradition

Console controllers have long been outfitted with inputs beyond the standard directional and action buttons. Top shoulder buttons specifically have been commonplace since the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) introduced them over 30 years ago.

The SNES‘s L and R buttons demonstrated how shoulder inputs could expand a traditional 4-face button layout. Console makers have stuck with the approach, as evident below:

Sony‘s consistency in adopting L1 and R1 specifically can be traced back to the original PlayStation console in 1994. So by the time the PS5 arrived in 2020, gamers were wholly accustomed to using its L1 and R1 buttons.

In many ways, L1 and R1 buttons have become staples that play instrumental secondary roles across game genres – much like the PS5‘s innovative Adaptive Trigger buttons (L2/R2).

Functions and Usage of L1 on the PS5

The DualSense controller is packed with inputs between its joysticks, touchpad, motion sensors, trigger effects, and haptic feedback. Even so, the L1 button continues to offer reliable extra functionality for PS5 games.

Common in-game applications of the L1 button include:

• Aiming down weapon sights (shooters): For precision aiming with a gun‘s sights in FPS games.
• Activating character abilities (action games): Used for triggering special moves or using items/gadgets.
• Gear shifting (racing games): Tapping L1 cycles through gear speeds.
• Player switching (sports games): Swaps control between teammates on a field/court.
• Quick item menus (RPGs): Opens a fast inventory/shortcut selections.

These examples demonstrate L1‘s versatility. PS5 developers have taken advantage by mapping integral game actions to the left shoulder button based on genre conventions. Other titles utilize L1 in creative ways tailored to their specific mechanics.

Having both L1 and R1 provides even more flexible input options. Games will often designate separate functions between the two based on the left/right distinction. For instance, L1 acts as the "aim" button and R1 the "shoot" button in many shooters.

So in summary, while not as flashy as the Adaptive Triggers, the trusted L1 button remains important for intuitively controlling games and handling crucial mechanics. L1 grants convenient left shoulder input that broadens the PS5 gameplay systems beyond the face buttons alone.

How L1 Buttons Differ on Other Major Controllers

Let‘s see how L1 compares to the left shoulder button options found on Xbox and Nintendo controllers. While L1 is firmly ingrained in PlayStation culture, how have its roles translated elsewhere?

Xbox Series X/S Controllers

Microsoft‘s Xbox controllers use LB and RB for their left/right bumper buttons respectively. The LB button serves an equivalent purpose to PlayStation‘s L1 as the left auxiliary input.

Functions remain largely similar for shooter aiming, abilities, gear shifting, etc. Sony and Microsoft don‘t stray far from established genre norms. One distinction is that LB inputs may sometimes be referred to by Xbox button prompts instead of L1.

Nintendo Switch Controllers

Nintendo has an understated L button in line with PlayStation‘s L1 and Xbox‘s LB. However, the Switch also utilizes ZL and ZR buttons on its Joy-Cons and Pro Controller. These are additional shoulder inputs that have no direct PlayStation or Xbox counterparts currently.

In terms of L1-equivalent usage, the plain L button draws parallel functionality for aiming, abilities, shifting, and menu navigation in Switch games. Nintendo seemingly groups the extra ZL/ZR buttons separately for their own unique purposes depending on the game.

So across the board, major controllers uphold left shoulder buttons for broadly similar functions. L1 has defined the role for PlayStation gamers to take advantage of while devs continue building on those foundations.

The Takeaway

On PlayStation 5 controllers, the L1 button provides integral auxiliary input that expands games beyond main action buttons. It takes cues from over 25+ years of console history.

L1 offers a versatile left shoulder button for aiming, abilities, navigation, and more based on established genre practices. While the specifics vary between titles, L1 plays an consistent supplemental role amplified by standardization across controller norms.

So next time you jump into a PS5 game, pay attention to how developers utilize that handy L1 button. It may not get fancy haptics or adaptive tricks, but simple, sturdy L1 input powers far more than many players realize!

Sources

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