Why More PS5 Games Should Utilize This DualSense Feature Beyond Haptic Feedback

PlayStation 5 represents Sony’s commitment to delivering a deeply immersive gaming experience, with the highlight being the innovative DualSense controller. This controller boasts features such as enhanced haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, significantly surpassing the capabilities of previous console generations. As a result, the DualSense stands as the most advanced controller that PlayStation has ever produced, and game developers are increasingly recognizing its potential.

Many prominent PS5 titles leverage the advanced functionalities of the DualSense in creative ways. For instance, in Horizon Forbidden West, the adaptive triggers allow players to genuinely feel the tension of drawing a bow. Similarly, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 employs haptic feedback to simulate the hero’s spidey-sense. This integration of technology has undeniably enhanced the immersion for players. However, one aspect of the DualSense that often flies under the radar is its gyro controls, which could significantly enrich gaming experiences if fully utilized.

Not Enough PS5 Games Fully Utilize Gyro Controls

Limited Implementation in Many Titles

Crash Bandicoot looking surprised next to a PS5 Pro and DualSense controller. — Custom image by Katarina Cimbaljevic

The neglect of gyro controls may not be immediately evident, as this feature is frequently included in various games. While the number of third-party titles that support gyro controls could certainly improve, it is worth noting that most PS5 exclusives do incorporate some form of gyro functionality. Sony ensures that players encounter the DualSense’s capabilities in many of the console’s flagship games.

However, the true issue lies in the restrictive nature of gyro control implementation. In many cases, games utilizing gyro controls do so primarily as an aiming option—a trend most evident in first-person and third-person shooters. Even PS5 exclusives that showcase the DualSense’s other impressive features often limit gyro controls to aiming customization. While this approach enhances accessibility by allowing players to choose their preferred playstyle, it also underscores a lack of enthusiasm from both Sony and developers to explore the expansive potential of this feature.

Gyro controls are capable of offering much more than a mere customization tool; they can serve as a portal to a diverse array of engaging and immersive gaming experiences. Although not every PS5 title would benefit from an increased focus on gyro controls, there lies an opportunity for more varied and creative gameplay options.

Nintendo’s Innovative Use of Gyro Controls

Creative Applications in Various Titles

Nintendo’s adeptness in utilizing gyro controls showcases the untapped potential of the DualSense’s capabilities. Over the years, Nintendo has seamlessly integrated gyro functionality into numerous games. Although some titles, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, employ it similarly to current PS5 games, many others push the envelope much further, offering players distinctively engaging experiences.

As early as the Game Boy Advance, games like WarioWare: Twisted! employed gyro sensors to create chaos, requiring players to execute swift motions to conquer fast-paced microgames. The Nintendo Switch builds on this legacy, featuring games that creatively incorporate gyro functionality—from the capturing mechanics in Super Mario Odyssey to the motion-based sports simulations in Nintendo Switch Sports. This strategic use enhances immersion and interactivity, making the gameplay more dynamic.

Furthermore, the Splatoon series has become a benchmark for gyro aiming, as it’s widely recognized as a superior choice for competitive play compared to traditional joystick controls.

By comparing Nintendo’s diverse array of gyro-focused titles to the more conservative approach seen in many PlayStation games, it becomes clear that the latter is missing an opportunity. While numerous PS5 titles settle for minimal implementation of gyro controls, Nintendo’s creative applications provide players with a richer, more engaging experience. If Sony committed to embracing gyro controls with the same enthusiasm as Nintendo, it could broaden the variety of gaming experiences available on the PS5.

Enhancing Future PS5 Titles with Gyro Controls

Emphasizing Gyro Controls in Future Games

Playstation 5's Dualsense Edge controller on a blue background

Given the myriad possibilities presented by the DualSense’s gyro sensor, Sony should explore further avenues for its implementation. A strategic focus on developing games that prioritize gyro controls—similar to Nintendo’s approach—could provide developers with the creative freedom needed to explore various motion-based interactions in gameplay.

Recent developments, such as the acclaimed Astro Bot, which won Game of the Year accolades at The Game Awards 2024, hint at Sony’s potential interest in expanding gyro usage. The title showcases the diverse features of the DualSense, leveraging gyro controls for dynamic moments like steering Astro’s rocket through tilting movements and rotating the controller to reassemble the mothership. Astro Bot serves as an exemplary model for the exciting possibilities that gyro controls can introduce to gaming.

Whether Astro Bot signifies a turning point for broader gyro implementation in future PS5 titles remains uncertain. However, the existing use of the DualSense’s gyro sensor already enhances accessibility, enabling players to engage with some of the console’s most celebrated games in their preferred manner. Nevertheless, confining gyro controls to basic customization options overlooks the vast potential this technology holds to create innovative and immersive gaming experiences for PlayStation 5 users.

Source & Images