need more ergonomic ps5 controller, if it exists (for ps5 games)

March 6, 2023 12:11 PM

It's not the sensing part of the ps5 controller that is the problem (although I tried turning off any of the functionality that say, increases how hard it is to depress triggers in games); the problem is the controller is just too large for my puny, nerve damaged hands.

I tried various subreddits, and they were strangely unhelpful or silent, so figured i'd ask the goodly folk of mefi. : )

I managed to acquire a ps5 (woo!) - but I'm already pondering returning it, since my hands cannot tolerate the new ps5 controller. I know that you can use the old ps4 controller with it - but - only for ps4 games. I realize Sony likely did this on purpose for $ (I have no clue if there are functionality issues with new dualsense features and whether a ps5 game would even work if they allowed it?) But I would gladly pay full price for a ps4 dualshock style controller that would work with ps5 games! : /

In fact, the ps4 controller is the first one i encountered in many years of attempting to go back to gaming, that ergonomically, I thought was fantastic.

So, now I can either a) return ps5 b) just play ps4 games on ps5, using ps4 controller, until some day when hopefully there is a novel controller that lets me play ps5 games (seems dumb but would future proof for a while c)switch entirely to pc and ditch playstation - there's a cool free app for Windows called "DS4 Windows" which lets you use a ps4 controller on pc and it works damn well. Sure I could try an xbox, but don't want to enter a 3rd ecosystem.

Anyhow, I see there are 3rd party ps5 controllers around now, but have no clue if any are grip-wise similar to ps4. Any leads on this, specifically? Some people have said things like "get controllers for kids", but no clue on those.

Thanks so much mefi PS5-ers. I really appreciate it. : )

posted by bitterkitten to Technology (2 answers total)

The ps5 controller gives my small hands cramps so I completely understand. Have you tried a controller with paddles on the back? I have a Scuff controller with paddles and am able to remap the controls to have the R1 and L1 on the paddles. It takes some getting used to but is way easier on my hands. There are some other brands but I'm not familiar with them.
My husband has the newer ps5 controller that comes with paddles and it seems slightly smaller although I haven't played anything with it yet.
posted by ljesse at 2:14 PM on March 6, 2023

I'm not sure if wired handsets are allowed on PS5 but that might open a lot more avenues for you, but at the loss of wireless.
posted by Iteki at 10:07 PM on March 6, 2023