- The controller features Astro’s signature design and will be available for pre-order on August 9.
- Priced at $79.99 / £69.99, it releases alongside the Astro Bot game on September 6.
OUR TAKE
The limited edition Astro Bot DualSense controller is a strategic move by Sony to leverage exclusive game content and custom hardware. Launching the controller alongside the game creates a unified marketing push, boosting the appeal of both. This strategy caters to collectors and enthusiasts while emphasising the DualSense controller’s role in providing a unique gaming experience.
— Zoey Zhu, BTW reporter
What happened
Sony has introduced a new limited edition DualSense Wireless Controller themed around the upcoming Astro Bot game. The official PlayStation Blog showcases the controller’s design, highlighting Astro’s blue accents, sci-fi lines, and playful eyes on the touchpad. Studio head Nicolas Doucet from Team Asobi expressed his enthusiasm for the controller, calling it a “true work of art.”
The pre-order for this exclusive controller starts on August 9, with a release date set for September 6, aligning with the Astro Bot game launch. The controller will be available at PlayStation Direct and selected retailers, priced at $79.99 / £69.99, which is $5 cheaper than the recently announced limited edition Concord DualSense controller.
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Why it’s important
The release of the Astro Bot-themed DualSense controller underscores Sony’s strategy of pairing exclusive peripherals with games to enhance the gaming experience. Celebrating the upcoming Astro Bot game, the controller highlights the synergy between hardware and software, leveraging features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
This limited edition offers fans and collectors a unique connection to the game. Priced more affordably than the recent Concord model, it could attract a wider audience and boost pre-orders for both the controller and the game.
As a PS5-exclusive platformer, Astro Bot aims to maximise the DualSense controller’s capabilities, promising expansive worlds and immersive gameplay. This approach reflects Sony’s broader strategy of integrating exclusive hardware with software to enrich the gaming ecosystem and drive hardware sales.
