PlayStation’s DualSense controller family has gotten even bigger.
Last week, the company launched a limited edition Marathon-inspired DualSense, and on March 12, it will debut the “Hyperpop Collection” of different neon gamepads. MobileSyrup received samples of all four controllers, and I have to say, I love them in their own ways.
First off: Marathon. Admittedly, I don’t have much interest in Bungie’s just-released extraction shooter, given my preference for single-player games and utter fatigue for live services. (That’s partly why our old MobileSyrup colleague Chris Brown is reviewing the game for us — check out his great piece with his early impressions.)
But that aside, I can’t deny that Marathon‘s art direction is remarkably sharp, and it translates well to the DualSense. Design-wise, it looks and feels a lot like a regular PS5 controller, albeit one with many smart Marathon-themed decals throughout. On the left, the game’s signature lime-green and black create a long pattern leading up to the D-pad. That’s the most prominent colourization, but there are smaller green-and-black insignias throughout. Even as someone who knows little about Marathon, I can say it effectively evokes the recognizable design language of the game.
The Hyperpop Collection, meanwhile, speaks to me much more. It comes in three colours: Techno Red, Remix Green and Rhythm Blue. Now, I’ll have to confess that Remix Green is my least favourite of the three; the bright Mountain Dew-esque hues are a bit too strong for my tastes. I can see the appeal, but it’s not quite for me.
But I love the other two. The Rhythm Blue has a cool, calm feel; it makes me want to just mellow out and play a cozy game. Techno Red, meanwhile, is my favourite of the controller quartet. Red is already my favourite colour, and the way it mixes with the glossy blacks evokes the fiery strength of something like Kratos from God of War.
With all of that said, it should be noted that the Hyperpop Collection has a softer coating compared to the DualSense’s usual harder shell. While this makes it even smoother to hold, it’s easy to see how this could feel slippery, especially if your palms are prone to sweat. I haven’t had that issue, at least not yet, and my proclivity towards non-sweaty single-player games should help, but it’s still worth keeping in mind.
But honestly, I would have likely bought the Techno Red even if I hadn’t been sent one. And in the case of the other gamepads, it’s great to have them as options for people with different tastes. The Marathon DualSense is available for $109.99 at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart. The Hyperpop Collection can also be purchased from those stores for $109.99 alongside matching $94.99 PS5 console covers.
