The DualShock 4 has become a pretty great PC controller

[Jos]

If you're using a controller to play a PC game—I know, I know, shhh, it's okay—chances are the on-screen prompts you see will match up with an Xbox controller. But you don't have to use Microsoft's controller with your PC; you've actually got a lot of options, including the PS4's DualShock 4.

I really like the DualShock 4, but while I've known for some time that it's an option for PC, I'd been putting off setting it up. I'd heard that it wasn't that consistent, that it was kind of a headache, that it was better to just stick with an Xbox controller. So, I'd opted instead to start using an Xbox One controller, since Microsoft released drivers earlier this year.

It worked fine, but I couldn't ignore the fact that I just…don't really love the Xbox One controller. (Personal preference!) Some things—the triggers, mostly—have grown on me over the past year, but I still haven't gotten comfortable with the thumbsticks. Too wiggly for my taste. So, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to finally see how the PS4 controller would do on my PC.

First of all, setup: The most important thing you'll want to download is the DS4 Tool software. DS4 Tool is a cool, donation-supported bit of custom programming that acts as a wrapper, letting the PS4 controller interface with your PC's standard XInput controller driver. Basically, it makes games think that your DualShock 4 is an Xbox controller. Its creators regularly release updates, and at this point, the software has gotten very reliable. I've yet to encounter a game that doesn't work with it.

There are already a number of good setup guides around the internet, but here's one from DS4 Tool creator JB Hebbel:

I've been playing PC games with a DualShock 4 ever since setting it up, and I've been happy with the experience. I've had some minor issues, mostly when using the controller wirelessly via Bluetooth—for example, sometimes I won't be able to get the controller's LED light to do what I think I'm telling it to do with the software, or I'll occasionally be unable to wake the controller and will have to re-pair it with my Bluetooth receiver. (This one, for the record.) But generally, it works well, and I sense those issues are mostly related to the weirdnesses of Bluetooth—when I wire the controller directly via micro-USB, it works perfectly.

It must be said that both the Xbox One and 360 controllers still offer a smoother experience than the DualShock 4 - both of those are essentially seamless at this point, so the DS4 Tool, while not all that finicky, is still the more finicky option. It also did take a little doing to get my brain to read on-screen Xbox prompts and translate them to the PS4 controller (my brain could use its own wrapper software.) You might miss a few QTEs at first—I died a couple of times in Shadow of Mordor thanks to that—but I got used to it quickly.

The DualShock 4 has one advantage that I didn't anticipate: The controller's built-in trackpad. (I know! The trackpad!) I play a lot of games with my PC plugged into the TV in my living room, especially around this time of year. While I can navigate some things using Steam's big picture mode, I still need to do a fair amount of mouse-clicking in between games: Checking for new graphics drivers, switching my sound output options, tweaking something in Nvidia control panel, etc. Fortunately, most of those things are single-mouse-click operations, and I can take care of them without putting down my controller.

The DS4 trackpad is such a natural fit for PC that it's too bad Sony hasn't made good on their past intimations of PC support and released official Windows drivers. I'd still welcome an official driver, though at this point, I wouldn't be surprised if the DS4 tool winds up remaining the better option.

If you like the feel of the PS4 controller and like having control of your mouse from the couch, it's certainly worth giving DS4 Tool a shot. Given it's been around for a while now, a good number of you out there probably already use it. If so, how has your experience been?

I thought I'd make a poll to see which controller you all use for PC gaming, when using one at all. If you use more than one, go with the one you use more.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/58527-playstation-dualshock-4-pc-controller.html

 

[DDG4005]

Although I've been tempted recently by the Xbox One controller and it's clones I'm sticking with the Xbox 360 controller (and Logitech's F310 controller as well) since it's just right. I also use Logitech's Extreme 3D Pro joystick though I miss the force-enabled model.

 

[davislane1]

Frankly, the DS4 is the best controller I've used. I know from experience that setting up the Sony pads on a PC can be a hassle, but I'll take take more hassle for greater comfort all day.

 

[eD1s0n]

How does this compare to the XInput Wrapper by Scarlet Crush? Been using it for my DS3 and it has been updated to support DS4

 

[cldmstrsn]

Ya it is. I just sold my wireless 360 controller because the DS4 is a much much better controller. I started playing middle earth with the 360 controller and then put on my ps4 and it was such a huge difference.

 

[Luay]

Is the multi-player option in games such as Fifa15 or PES15 supported? Can I use up to four or eight DS4 controllers on one screen/PC?

 

[cmbjive]

Frankly, the DS4 is the best controller I've used. I know from experience that setting up the Sony pads on a PC can be a hassle, but I'll take take more hassle for greater comfort all day.

It's great, but it's an energy hog. I cycle between two controllers every two days.

 

[davislane1]

It's great, but it's an energy hog. I cycle between two controllers every two days.

That's the one drawback of the DS4. I suspect part of that has to do with the light. I have yet to hook the DS4 up to my laptop, but if you don't adjust the light bar setting on the PS4 that thing is almost as bright as a Maglite and the controller doesn't last nearly as long unwired. Turning it down to low seems to fix the issue.

 

[Guest]

Its interesting and actually normal to say the light is the power hog on the battery but its the whole options on the controller itself that makes the battery last only 6 to 7 hours.

 

[davislane1]

Its interesting and actually normal to say the light is the power hog on the battery but its the whole options on the controller itself that makes the battery last only 6 to 7 hours.

http://www.dualshockers.com/2014/05...-dimming-the-light-measured-for-all-settings/

I'd say it's quite the hog if dimming the light can result in a 13-15% increase in battery life. I can also verify that the standard charge life is around 10-11 hours. More than enough for everything outside of binge sessions.

 

[cmbjive]

That's the one drawback of the DS4. I suspect part of that has to do with the light. I have yet to hook the DS4 up to my laptop, but if you don't adjust the light bar setting on the PS4 that thing is almost as bright as a Maglite and the controller doesn't last nearly as long unwired. Turning it down to low seems to fix the issue.

My results were after I dimmed the light and turned the speaker off. Part of the problem is that I use my PS4 for streaming as well as gaming. I wish Sony would come out with a remote for the PS4 which would solve my issue.

 

[Matt12345170]

That's the one drawback of the DS4. I suspect part of that has to do with the light. I have yet to hook the DS4 up to my laptop, but if you don't adjust the light bar setting on the PS4 that thing is almost as bright as a Maglite and the controller doesn't last nearly as long unwired. Turning it down to low seems to fix the issue.

My results were after I dimmed the light and turned the speaker off. Part of the problem is that I use my PS4 for streaming as well as gaming. I wish Sony would come out with a remote for the PS4 which would solve my issue.

I'm not sure if it would cover your needs, but try downloading the psn app, then connect your phone to PS4. It for sure has some basic controls, just not positive if it does exactly what you need it to do.

 

[Emexrulsier]

I use the 360 pad (on the super rare occasion I use a pad) simply cause I also own a 360 and it works perfect with my galaxy s5 aswell