20th Anniversary
Old school is the new cool. Nintendo may wow gamers with their NES and SNES Classics, but PlayStation also played on nostalgia by releasing a PS4 console and controller reminiscent of the original PS1’s colors and design.
The calm grey of the controller is a reminder of a simpler time in gaming, when consoles weren’t trying to outpace one another with the shiniest box. The small cross-circle-square-triangle logos on the touchpad are a small, but welcome detail that helps separate this controller from a regular silver or grey colored PS4 controller. The best part of this controller though, by far, is the original multi-colored PlayStation logo. It’s a subtle detail, but one that many gamers appreciate.
Monster Hunter: World
The Monster Hunter: World PS4 Pro Special Edition bundle contains some gorgeous pieces of hardware. The PS4 Pro is the true star of the bundle, a black box wrapped in an intricate laser cut design of a roaring dragon that’s breathing red flames. However, the controller that comes in the bundle is nothing to scoff at either.
Unlike the standard black console, the controller has a red base color. It’s a crimson red that looks a lot like dried blood. It’s not the most exciting color, but it does a good job at helping the black and gold monster designs pop out on the controller. The bundle should have come with a controller that matched the overall design of the console a little better, but this controller is more than worth buying on its own (if you can find someone selling it online).
Darth Vader
Most of PlayStation’s custom controllers either change up the base color or add one or two symbols on the side. The Darth Vader controller does both, featuring the words “Star Wars” etched onto the touchpad and some additional colors added to the original black DualShock 4.
However, what sets the Darth Vader controller apart is that some extra color is applied to the joysticks, buttons, and triggers as well. Some genuine effort went into implementing the colors and small details of Darth Vader’s armor to make the control look like a piece of him. Hopefully, PlayStation continues to showcase this level of creativity and ingenuity in their custom controller designs going forward.
God of War
In preparation for the upcoming God of War, Devin L. Smith created a PS4 controller that takes inspiration from the series’ main protagonist. The level of detail is astounding. The white baseline looks worn and tired, and the red markings are just like the ones that paint Kratos’ skin. The actual leather straps make the controller come to life, and the Greek markings etched into the controller are the icing on the cake.
Smith has plenty of other custom designed controllers but they’re not for sale. It’s a shame too; both PlayStation and Xbox could benefit from a partnership that mass-produced Smith’s designs. Admiring these controllers on Smith’s Instagram will have to do for now.
Gold
The gold DualShock 4 is beautiful in its simplicity. It launched alongside a gold PS4 Slim. The bundle was joined with a silver PS4 Slim and controller at the same time for Sony’s Day of Play sale event, but silver controllers, consoles, and handhelds have been done plenty of times before. Gold is more rare.
It’s a shame this golden controller can prove difficult to find, because it looks so nice. It sparkles a little bit when held in the light, and it, surprisingly, hides grime very well. Some people don’t think the controller is all that special, as it is just a reskin of a normal DualShock 4. However, the controller’s scarcity makes it worth finding, buying, and holding onto.
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