As someone living with a chronic illness that has, over time, affected my fine motor skills and my ability to walk to the point where I now require a wheelchair to get around, one area of my life that has remained unchanged that I am grateful for is my ability to play and enjoy videogames without the need of specialized hardware. Saying that, however, over the years, I’ve come to understand and appreciate the efforts organizations such as Ablegamers and even the likes of Microsoft have taken to make gaming more accessible for those who can’t use a traditional or out-of-the-box controller.
Sony is the latest company to jump into the world of adaptive devices with their Access Controller, which has been designed specifically for use with the PlayStation 5. Akin to the Xbox Adaptive Controller I looked at back in 2018, the PlayStation Access Controller feels like a thoughtful evolution of Microsoft’s offering, giving the player a more customizable experience that ultimately allows the Access Controller to feel more like an actual controller than simply a bridge that enables the user to connect their own peripherals to.
From the onset, even the unboxing experience feels like it was catered with accessibility in mind — from its simple pull-tab design to the compartments housing the actual Access Controller and its accessories down to the large illustrative quick-start guide, Sony has ensured minimal hassle when unboxing its latest peripheral.
“Sony’s Access Controller brings a breath of fresh air to accessible gaming, enhancing the gaming experience for all.”
Included in the box, outside of the Access Controller itself, units will ship with swappable buttons that easily clip onto the circumference of the controller. These include four raised buttons and one larger, moulded button that allows two different inputs to be assigned simultaneously.
Although I am referring to them as buttons, they are more like plates that go over the Access Controller, where the actual actuation points are found on the device. The plates or button covers themselves are keyed and can quickly be paired with button labels, which are included in the box and can gently be inserted into any of the plates, making it a breeze to customize the layout of the Access Controller to suit an individual’s particular needs.
Similar to that of the Dualsense controller and the PlayStation 5 outer chassis, the plates on the Access Controller are textured, which, outside of adhering to a consistent design philosophy, provides those with limited or impaired vision a solid point of reference. Similarly, the included plate label inserts feature a raised rubberized textured material, allowing users to distinguish between different button prompts by touch alone.
Outside of the plates and labels, Sony has included three distinct stick styles, which can be swapped out and inserted into the extendable arm on the Access Controller. Included in the box, users will get a standard Dualsense-style analogue stick, an Arcade-style ball grip, and finally, a large convex stick for easy gripping.
Of course, everyone has different needs, which is why Sony has made sure to include 3D printing instructions readily available online for those wanting to fashion their own sticks for use with the Access Controller. As far as the stick itself is concerned, unlike something like a traditional Arcade stick or joystick, the stick on the Access Controller is much less taught and can easily be actuated, even with a single finger. This might sound too sensitive to the average user, but for anyone with limited dexterity, simply being able to actuate your character or camera in-game quickly can be a huge boon.
Thanks to the Access Controller being baked into the system level of the PlayStation 5 (As long as you’ve updated the firmware), those wanting to change the sensitivity/dead zone of the sticks can easily do so without issue. In fact, every facet of the Access Controller can be easily mapped and customized from the PlayStation 5’s Accessibility tab, or when the Access Controller is first plugged into the console.
“Sony’s Access Controller doesn’t just adapt to your needs; it elevates your gaming experience.”
Not all games play alike, and the Access Controller accounts for this by including a profile button, which can be found on the base of the retractable stick. Three profiles can be saved at a time, which can easily be swapped between by simply pressing the button. Additionally, thanks to the circular design of the Access Controller paired with removable buttons, the orientation of the controller doesn’t matter. The controller can be placed at whichever position best suits the end-user.
The face of the Access Controller features eight buttons, with the middle of the device itself acting as an additional button, all of which can be mapped to function as any of the standard Dualsense controller inputs.
Finally, in terms of additional IO, the Access Controller features four 3.5mm jacks, which have been designed specifically to work with external assistive devices, such as Logitech’s Adaptive Gaming Kit or any number of devices provided by a healthcare vendor.
The bottom of the Access Controller features a rubberized finish, allowing it to grip onto most surfaces, such as a wheelchair tray or table, without the worry of it slipping and sliding. For those who want more of a permanent solution, the Access Controller features three standard mounting mounts, which allow the device to be affixed in place.
Interestingly enough, one area I found the Access Controller to be applicable, even for those who may not necessarily require it, is its use in fighting games and smaller, independent titles. Despite its often too-loose feeling stick, the Access Controller feels great for fighting games once you get accustomed to it. Thanks to its highly customizable nature, the Access Controller allows the user to map and orient the stick on a system level that allows it to work with any fighting game without issue, including both PlayStation 4 and 5 games, respectively.
Currently, the Access Controller is designed for use only with the PlayStation 5, giving Xbox a slight edge in providing an assistive device that works on PC and console. However, time will probably yield compatibility for those hoping to use Sony’s latest offering on the PC side of things in the future.
In summary, the PlayStation Access Controller takes cues laid out by others in the accessibility space and runs with it, providing users with a genuinely thoughtful and encompassing device that not only acts as a bridge for use with external peripherals but also a great controller in its own right, allowing those who can’t use a traditional controller the means to jump in easily.
