Hardware review: PlayStation Access Controller for PS5
The future of accessible gaming for players with limited mobility
Hello, dear readers! My name is Victor, and I am a totally blind gaming, technology, and entertainment journalist. I am also an ambassador for universal design, an accessibility consultant, advocate, and tester.
As you may remember, if you follow me on social media or on Patreon, last week we received from Sony Interactive Entertainment, through our new friends at PlayStation Norway, a nice review package which contained the PlayStation Portal Remote Player for PS5 and the PlayStation Access Controller. I have recorded videos in which I’m unboxing both devices and you can watch them on my YouTube channel.
I want to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to PlayStation Norway for accepting and welcoming me into the wonderful Nordic community of talented journalists and content creators. Some of you may be aware that we moved from Bucharest to Oslo two years and a half ago, so it became a little bit complicated for PlayStation Romania to continuously support me with hardware products. But now everything is on track again and I am extremely happy.
During the weekend, Alina and I have played around with both devices, so I did my best this morning to have this article ready for you when the embargo lifts on the Access Controller, especially since I believe this one will empower gamers with limited mobility to play games they couldn’t before. Rest assured, a full review will be arriving soon for the PlayStation Portal as well, and I can confirm that we already fell in love with it!
I believe that PlayStation chose the perfect window to launch these two devices, especially for us in the Nordic countries. Oslo is one of those cities that during winter and in December in particular feels like it always slumbers at the age of night so people here, including myself, have more time to game, watch movies, listen to music, to audiobooks or podcasts, snuggle close to loved ones during the long nights, and in my case, write reviews for products that I love.
As I sit down at my desk to write this article, I have no clue how short or long it will be. I just hope to be able to convey to you how revolutionary the Access Controller can be for gamers with limited mobility, and although I can play everything with the fantastic DualSense Edge and I am not the intended target for this hardware solution, I completely and wholeheartedly support and applaud what PlayStation did with the Access Controller.
In order to have some kind of structure, I will begin by telling you what this controller is, what’s in the box, about its customization and what I played with it during these three days since we have had it. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
What is the PlayStation access controller?
What was announced last year by PlayStation as Project Leonardo, came to fruition now as the Access Controller for PS5, a $90 versatile controller kit that can be customized to meet players’ diverse needs. This gamepad was designed in close collaboration with the accessibility community over the last five years to help players with disabilities play more comfortably for longer periods of time.
The Access Controller features a completely new round design, has tactile white buttons and a black joystick. I understand that there are also blue LED lights once we power it on. You can learn more from the Design story video: embedded below.
PlayStation even went as far as to include accessibility when they designed the actual box for the Access Controller, so unboxing is easy thanks to thoughtfully designed accessible packaging, created to be opened with one hand and with minimal effort. There are convenient loops that can be pulled from the left or right side of the box. The packaging opens to reveal internal loops positioned to let the controller slide out easily, and various kit compartments to organize the interchangeable button and stick caps.
What’s in the box
In the box, we will find the following: the Access Controller, a USB cable, 8 Pillow button caps already attached to the controller, 4 Flat button caps, 4 Curve button caps, 2 Overhang button caps, a Wide flat button cap, a Standard stick cap, a Ball stick cap, a Dome stick cap also attached to the controller. Last, but not least, the package comes with 23 tags and a Quick start guide and safety guide.
Empowering gamers through customization
The round design of the Access Controller means that we have a completely rounded plate featuring nine buttons. There are eight buttons arranged in a circle with a bigger ninth in the middle. There is also an extendable part that features the stick in the middle with the PlayStation button to its left and the profiles button to the right. On top of the stick module, we have a switch to lock the arm in place. All the buttons on the rounded area can be customized as per our needs.
The universal design of this controller means that we can customize it to our liking, we can hold it in one hand, into both hands, we can leave it on a flat surface or if needed we can mount it on the armrest of a wheelchair.
Hardware customization offers the freedom to choose between many different types of buttons and pedals. I especially like the fact that we can use one button to combine two inputs on the controller, which allows for multiple actions to be assigned to just one press of a button. I believe this could be very helpful in-game where we need to combine multiple inputs to produce a combo or for special moves in fighting games. Also, we can adjust the stick arm length, lock it in place, or easily change between profiles with the intuitively placed profiles button.
Speaking about profiles, software customization gives us even more freedom with up to 30 different profiles available on the console, and we can store up to three control profiles on the Access Controller and quickly switch between them, making it easy for us to find the most suitable button layout for what’s happening in-game.
PlayStation says that we can use up to two Access Controllers together as a single virtual controller, or combine one or two Access Controllers with DualSense or DualSense Edge controllers to add features like haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, motion sensor, and touchpad swipe to the setup. We can also connect additional buttons, specialty trigger switches, and other compatible accessories via the Access Controller’s four industry-standard 3.5mm expansion ports, and configure their inputs via the PS5 console settings.
For the Access Controller, PlayStation has also partnered with Logitech and early next year they will release the Logitech G Adaptive Gaming Kit for Access Controller. Each kit will include eight plug-and-play buttons and triggers, a rigid gaming mat with a hook-and-loop system to freely arrange buttons and triggers, plus additional mounting options and stick-on button labels, to provide even more customization options for players with varying needs.
Because the Access Controller features this completely unique design and can be configured in many different ways, it is expected to spend some time finding a preferred control layout and getting accustomed to using it. I understand that experts tell us that 7 to 10 days of acclimation is normal with new controllers, and I can definitely relate to this. It will take me some time to get used to this new form factor.
For my blind friends, I am happy to confirm that the Access Controller comes with a completely accessible onboarding experience. Once we connect the controller to the console, we are greeted with a comprehensive tutorial that will guide us through the customization process and explain everything about the new device.
Over the weekend, I played around with the Axis Controller and tried my hand at Mortal Kombat 1 and Street Fighter 6. For me, its best functionality is as a fighting stick at this moment. I enjoy its high-quality build and also the fact that it follows the PlayStation 5 product design when it comes to colors and materials.
I can just imagine how people with limited mobility will be able to use the Access Controller to play games they weren’t able before. Its unique design really allows for endless customization and I am super happy for those who can take advantage of it.
Hopeful for the future
As I said in the beginning, I believe that the Access Controller is a revolutionary device that will empower more people to play. We need more initiatives like this on the market and accessibility needs to be part of our everyday conversations.
I truly believe that gaming will be accessible to everyone and that with time, more new games, products, and experiences will obliterate all the barriers the estimated 450 million impaired and disabled players face every day. The Access Controller is just another unmissable step towards that vision, and I am glad that PlayStation continues to take accessibility into consideration and consulted with wonderful organizations, accessibility experts, and veteran PlayStation studios in order to make the Access Controller a reality.
I can’t help but be extremely excited for every new individual who will pick this device up and discover endless worlds of interactive entertainment. There is still much work to be done, including for blind players like me, but I am hopeful for what’s around the corner, especially for the accessibility community.
The Access Controller will launch globally in just a couple of days, on December 6, so if you live with a mobility impairment I strongly recommend that you give it a chance. Also, with the holidays just a few weeks away I believe this could be an excellent gift for a disabled friend or family member.
I’ll see you here in a few days with a review for the PlayStation Portal, but until then, take care, stay safe and happy gaming everyone!
Review unit for PlayStation Access Controller provided by PlayStation Norway
Victor Dima
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