Sony has finally unveiled the launch date and price of its highly customizable gamepad, the Access Controller, designed for gamers with disabilities. The controller, set to be released in December, aims to provide a new way to play on the PlayStation 5 and address Sony’s lag in offering an accessible first-party game controller compared to Microsoft.
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Priced at $90, the PS5-compatible Access Controller is significantly cheaper than Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Controller, which was launched in 2018 at $100. However, the Access Controller distinguishes itself through its unique design. It features large interchangeable buttons arranged radially around a circle, accompanied by an adjacent joystick for directional control. This innovative design allows the controller to be used from any orientation or direction, providing enhanced accessibility for gamers.
Isabell Tomatis, Sony’s hardware and peripherals vice president, emphasized the controller’s inclusivity and adaptability in a blog post. Sony has been developing the Access Controller for five years, collaborating with accessibility organizations and experts to refine its design and features.
The Access Controller offers 19 differently sized button caps and 23 icons that label each button according to its corresponding traditional input (e.g., X, circle, square, triangle, R1/L1, etc.). Additionally, the controller incorporates four 3.5mm aux expansion ports, enabling the connection of additional buttons, switches, or accessories. It also allows users to save up to 30 profile configurations for different gaming setups.
While Microsoft has been at the forefront of accessible gaming with its Xbox Adaptive Controller and a recent line of adaptive accessories, Sony’s introduction of the Access Controller will be warmly received by disabled PS5 gamers. Preorders for the Access Controller will be available on the PlayStation website starting July 21, with the official launch scheduled for December 6.
Sony’s commitment to enhancing accessibility in gaming demonstrates a positive step toward inclusivity within the industry. By providing a customizable and adaptable gamepad, Sony aims to ensure that all gamers can enjoy the PlayStation 5 experience to the fullest extent.
