Sony's DualShock 4 attachment adds extra buttons to the classic controller

[Shawn Knight]

What just happened? The PlayStation 4 may be reaching the end of its lifecycle but that isn’t stopping Sony from experimenting with new controller accessories. The DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment adds extra inputs to the already well-equipped PS4 controller and can be yours from next month.

The Japanese gaming giant on Tuesday announced the DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment, a controller add-on designed to deliver extra versatility and performance while maintaining the comfort and feel that users have grown accustomed to.

The attachment features two programmable buttons with a “highly tactile” feel that can be mapped to 16 different functions. An OLED screen in the center of the attachment displays the selected profile and button assignments and even functions as a button itself across up to three profiles. A dedicated button allows users to remap back buttons on the fly, apparently even while in-game.

Fret not about plugging something into the base of the controller as the attachment also features a pass-through audio jack so you won’t lose the ability to use wired headsets. Sony said the attachment has been tested and approved for all PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR titles meaning compatibility shouldn’t ever be an issue.

Based on Sony’s post, it’ll only be offered in black (at least, initially). Should it prove successful, I suspect we may see additional color schemes arrive… or perhaps Sony is just testing the concept ahead of the PlayStation 5’s launch next year?

The DualShock 4 back button attachment launches on January 23, 2020, priced at $29.99 (it’ll be $39.99 in Canada).

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https://www.techspot.com/news/83233-sony-dualshock-4-attachment-adds-extra-buttons-classic.html

 

[rrwards]

This is actually really awesome. These buttons are great for binding to things like jump or sprint so you don't have to move your fingers away from the analog sticks. It's one of the main things I miss from the steam controller.

 

[Panda218]

It's a move in the right direction for Sony, but 2 buttons in not enough IMO and the screen seems completely unnecessary. The dual shock 4 already has terrible battery life.

 

[RaXoR]

It's a move in the right direction for Sony, but 2 buttons in not enough IMO and the screen seems completely unnecessary. The dual shock 4 already has terrible battery life.

Given that these buttons are just remaps of existing ones but on the bottom, why would you need more than two?

 

[Panda218]

Given that these buttons are just remaps of existing ones but on the bottom, why would you need more than two?

Because there are more than 2 buttons you usually want to remap. When the Steam controller first came out I was in love with the 2 additional buttons on the back of the controller, but then Microsoft released the Elite Controller with 4 and it's basically what I'd considered to be "standard" for gaming in 2019/2020.