It's no big secret that PlayStation 5The DualSense controller is an impressive gamepad that not only provides an immersive gaming experience focused on haptics, but also provides more room for control schemes. For example, the recent Housemarque Saroslike Return before that, it uses DualSense adaptive triggers to create a new button in a way that is not possible with other controllers. In short, it's a unique device and easily one of the PS5's greatest strengths. However, it is far from perfect.
All-too-common complaints like stick shift, price, and overall lifespan aside, DualSense isn't easy on the PC environment. Unlike the Xbox controller, which has more or less complete feature parity with the PC, the DualSense feels a little more compromised. For example, the aforementioned adaptive launchers often do not support PC versions of cross-platform games, and other controller features such as a headphone jack and advanced haptics are only supported via a wired connection. Not only is this disappointing, but it also makes DualSense essentially an inferior option for PC gamers, as Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One controllers are often significantly cheaper and without compromises, while also being easier to connect and support more games. DualSense still has a long way to go on PC, but a Steam app called DSX is making progress in the meantime.
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Feel the terror with these psychological horror games that not only take place on your screen, but use DualSense haptics to jump into your hands.
PS5's DualSense now has wireless haptics and PC audio support (sort of)
The Steam DSX app recently received a substantial update, with its most significant change focusing on the aforementioned DualSense feature set. The patch notes read: “Added support for Virtual DualSense with audio support, allowing games to send native DualSense audio and haptics over DSX via Bluetooth or USB.” To reiterate, DualSense sound and haptics were previously only available to PC users who chose to connect their DualSense via USB. This may seem like a minor issue, but it can be quite frustrating for everyday use. That goes double for those who use their PC in the living room, a demographic that's only likely to grow if Valve's Steam Machine is a success.
DSX simply allows audio and haptics to be sent to the DualSense over a wireless connection. It won't add haptics or sound support for games that don't already have it.
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DSX also contributes to a more comprehensive and customizable DualSense experience overall. With it, you can customize DualSense LED lights, blind spots, gyro control and more. Of course, you can achieve many of these goals with other applications (such as DS4Windows), but DSX strives to be more comprehensive and user-friendly, with the goal of giving PC users who prefer DualSense a deep, console-like experience. But the program has one glaring caveat.
If you want full DualSense functionality on PC, you'll have to pay
DSX's biggest catch is its price, which is $8 on Steam. It's not a huge amount, but it's still frustrating when you have to pay for features that Sony should have included themselves. DSX is ultimately another example of indie developers picking on the weakness of a large company.
Sony improving DualSense support on PCs would not only be consumer-friendly, but also a smart business decision. After all, if someone is going to play on PC, why not sell them a fully functional DualSense controller to pair with it? Otherwise, it just makes room for other, more compatible controllers on the PC market. And with so many Sony games on PC, it just makes sense. But for now, DSX is probably the most complete source of DualSense support for PC users.
