The PlayStation 5's accessibility controller is hitting store shelves soon.
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) recently revealed the price and availability of its upcoming PS5 Access controller, specifically designed to help people with disabilities enjoy the console's capabilities.
SIE's Access controller for the PS5 was previously known as Project Leonardo; the company announced to the world during CES 2023 alongside the end of the PlayStation 5 shortage globally.
PlayStation 5 Access Controller Price, Availability
SIE Brand, Hardware and Peripherals Vice President Issabele Tomatis said in a PlayStation Blog post that the Access controller will be available to all PS5 gamers globally on Dec. 6, with it becoming available for pre-order on July 21.
The controller comes with a suggested retail price of $89.99 - $20 more than the standard PS5 DualSense controller. While SIE didn't disclose the reason why the Access controller is more expensive than a DualSense one, the parts that make the controller accessible to people could be the reason why.
You may recall that Access is an all-new, highly-customizable accessibility controller kit designed to help PS5 gamers with disabilities to play games on the console. It comes with the standard dome-and-ball analog stick caps and button caps in different shapes and sizes, alongside Pillow button caps, Flat button caps, a wide flat button cap that covers two button sockets, overhang button caps, and curve button caps.
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Last but not least is the controller's swappable button cap tags for gamers to easily mark and identify which inputs they map to each button. These parts encourage PS5 players with disabilities to customize their Access controller to their preference, giving them the flexibility to play the games they want without worrying about the controls.
This flexibility is evidenced by Access' ability to let users create up to 30 control profiles, adjust stick settings, toggle commands on/off, or disable buttons to stop accidental pressing, as Tomatis stated. Sony previously mentioned partnered with a handful of organizations, including AbleGamers, SpecialEffect, and Stack Up to design its Access controller for the PS5.
Interestingly, Sony designer So Morimoto previously said their team tested over a dozen designs with accessibility experts that would them address key challenges to effective controller use.
Players can even pair up to two Access controllers and one DualSense wireless controller together and use them collaboratively.
Apart from the customizable parts, the controller also comes with four 3.5mm AUX ports for players to connect more buttons like trigger switches and other compatible accessories.
How To Pre-order A PS5 Access Controller
PS5 gamers interested in pre-ordering the console's Access controller can do so on July 21 at 10 AM local time directly from PlayStation's official website in the following countries:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- France
- Germany
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- The Netherlands
- Italy
- Spain
- Austria
- Portugal
Those who wish to pre-order the controller in other parts of the world can do so by visiting/contacting the select retailers in their country on July 21 as well.
Related Article: Sony Reveals More Details About Its PS5 Access Controller
