PS5’s DualSense Works With PS3 and Switch, But Not With PS4

In the lead up to the PS5’s launch, Sony have thrown quite a bit of the spotlight on the DualSense, its new controller. But while we’re all excited to see how its haptics and adaptive triggers will be implemented in next-gen games, there’s also questions to be asked about the controller’s compatibility with past PlayStation consoles. The answers to the questions are a bit perplexing.

As demonstrated in a video by YouTuber MidnightMan, the DualSense controller doesn’t seem to work with the PS4, with the console refusing to regonize the device (though there is a pretty roundabout way of making it work via Remote Play through a PC or a Mac). What’s surprising is that you can easily connect the DualSense to a PS3 via Bluetooth, and the controller is perfectly compatible with the console.

What’s even more surprising is that the DualSense works with the Nintendo Switch as well. Twitter user @BrokenGamezHDR_ recently demonstrated the same, showing a DualSense being used to control the Switch in its home screen and menus. It seems you need an 8bitdo adapter to make the controller work on the platform- but it does work.

Whether support for the PS4 will be added to the controller eventually remains to be seen- the DualShock 4 is compatible with the PS3, so one would assume that Sony will want to keep that going with the next generation of consoles as well. Either way, we’ll keep you updated should we learn anything more, so stay tuned.

I should add you need a 8bitdo adapter

— Lisan Al BG (@BrokenGamezHDR_) November 2, 2020