The PSVR 2 controllers, officially known as the Sense controllers, are the next generation of input devices for Sony’s successor VR headset. These cleverly redesigned, custom-made remotes are a far cry from the recycled PlayStation Move wands that came with the first edition of the technology. Read on to find out all about them.
In our full PSVR 2 review, we’ve now taken a look at the PSVR 2 controllers, and we can say from experience that the Sense controllers are the real deal. They’re certainly a step up in terms of how they feel and operate, but as with the DualSense wireless controller, they don’t have the longest battery life we’ve seen to date.
It’s worth pointing out that the PSVR 2 and Sense controllers will effectively replace everything from the original PlayStation VR, as there’s no backward compatibility here. If you already own a PS5 and want to experience one of the best VR goggles around, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything we know about the controllers, from price to specs and more.
PSVR 2 controllers: get to the point
- What is this? The next installment of PlayStation VR controllers
- when is it coming out? February 22, 2023
- How much does it cost? $49 / £39 (around AU$70) – but the kit is provided
PSVR 2 controller price and release date
After much speculation, Sony has finally confirmed the price of the PSVR 2. According to PlayStation Blog (opens in a new tab), it will cost $549.99 / €599.99 / £529.99 for the standard bundle that includes PS VR2 Sense controllers and stereo headphones. Now we also know that an additional pair of Sense controllers will cost $49 / £39 (around AU$70). Both the headset itself and the controllers (which are included throughout the bundle) will launch on February 22.
PSVR 2 controller design
The PSVR 2 Sense controllers look very different from the PlayStation Move controllers. The Sense controllers are black and have a ball-like shape, which Sony says makes them feel more natural to hold, offering a “high degree of freedom”. Sony also says this design means there are no limits to how players move their hands, allowing developers to create a “unique gaming experience”.
Additionally, Sony stated that the controllers were built with ergonomics in mind, taking into account different hand sizes and insights from previous PlayStation controllers. This means that sense controllers should be well-balanced and comfortable to hold.
From the images we’ve seen, each PSVR 2 controller has two buttons (the left one has Triangle and Square and the right one has Circle and X), an analog stick, a “handle” button (L1 or R1, can be used to select objects in the game) and either Options button (right controller) or Share button (left controller). Each controller has an adaptive trigger, a finger touch sensor (more on that below), and what appears to be a charging port on the bottom. The wrist strap is also visible in some photos.
Features of PSVR 2 controllers
The PSVR 2 controllers aim to enhance immersion with significant new features similar to what we’ve seen in DualSense that wasn’t in the PS Move controllers. Thanks to the adaptive triggers, we can expect Sense to add a pleasant tension when pressed. For example, when drawing a bow in the game, you should feel the tension of the string on the trigger, which will make it feel more realistic.
Another feature that the PSVR 2 controllers take over from the DualSense is haptic feedback. Haptic feedback uses touch to communicate with players, allowing you to feel the gaming experience through the controller itself. For example, in Astro’s Playroom on PS5, when you walk in the sand, you can feel the texture difference echoing in the DualSense controller.
The PSVR 2 controllers also have finger touch detection, allowing the controllers to detect the position of your fingers without having to press a button. “This allows you to make more natural hand gestures while playing” says Hideaki Nishino (opens in a new tab)head of platform planning and management at PlayStation.
These controllers will be tracked by the new PSVR 2 headset, obtained via the tracking ring on the bottom of the controller.
PSVR 2 controller specification
At CES 2022, Sony revealed the official specifications of the PlayStation VR 2 Sense controller. We’ll have to wait to figure out things like battery life, but here’s what you can expect.
| PSVR 2 controller specification | Header cell – column 1 |
|---|---|
| buttons [Right] | PS Button, Option Button, Action Buttons (Tickel/Cross), R1 Button, R2 Button, Right Stick/R3 Button |
| buttons [Left] | PS Button, Create Button, Action Buttons, (Triangle/Square), L1 Button, L2 Button, Left Stick/L3 Button |
| Detection/Tracking | Motion sensor: Six-axis motion detection system (3-axis gyroscope + 3-axis accelerometer), Capacitive sensor: Finger touch detection, Infrared LED: Position tracking |
| Feedback | Trigger effect (on R2/L2 button), tactile feedback (via one actuator per unit) |
| Harbor | USB Type-C Port |
| Communication | Bluetooth version 5.1 |
| Battery | Type: built-in lithium-ion battery |