Palm trees, molded right into the plastic. That’s the detail Sony leads with, and it’s the one that’ll sell these things.
Sony and Rockstar Games have revealed two limited-edition PS5 controllers built to mark the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI. This is an official announcement from Sony, not a leak or a retailer listing. The controllers carry palm tree logo designs on the touchpad and the neon coloring the game has been using around the thumbsticks.
They come in black and white. Sony put out a lengthy statement on what went into the design.
“At today’s State of Play, we shared a first look at two new limited edition DualSense wireless controllers inspired by Grand Theft Auto VI which capture that unmistakable Vice City energy. The black and white limited-edition DualSense wireless controllers each capture the essence of Vice City, from bright days along the coast to vibrant city nights.”
“Both editions feature a shimmering, color-shifting finish that brings together the hues of a Vice City sunset and the glow of neon lights. They both also feature custom palm tree details molded directly into the controller, adding a unique tactile element alongside official Grand Theft Auto VI branding.”
When you can actually put money down
Pre-orders open September 10 at 7:00am PT/10:00am ET in the U.S., and 10:00am local time in the U.K., France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Stock permitting, which is the part everyone skims and then regrets skimming.
Recommended retail price is $84.99 USD/¥12,480 (including tax)/€84.99/£74.99, depending on where you are. You’ll be able to buy directly from the manufacturer website or through participating retailers. Sony hasn’t said yet which retailers are included in which country.
PlayStation had gone quiet, and Xbox hadn’t
We’re probably not moving on to the next series of hardware for a while yet, so upgrading what you already own is the move. All the major manufacturers have been obliging, and more designs keep emerging.
Xbox has arguably been leading here. Its 25th anniversary range brought back the green see-through plastic of old across a ton of different items, and there are upcoming hardware releases for Gears of War and other games on the way. PlayStation has lagged behind a little in recent months. That changes with this drop, and it’s one a lot of players are going to care about.
Don’t panic about the PS6 yet
This announcement lands weeks after an official update on the PlayStation 6. If you haven’t saved up, you’ve got time. Recent reports say there is “no fixed date for the PlayStation 6 launch, meaning it’s unlikely to arrive any time soon.” That’s a report, not a Sony statement.
What is known: the next-gen PlayStation console is in development. And given recent price increases, it’s unlikely to come cheap.
Eighty-five dollars for a controller that shifts color like a Vice City sunset. The palm trees are tactile. You’ll feel them under your thumb.
