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Sony just announced that they are going to release a "Back Button Attachment" for the DualShock 4. This add-on device will add some bonus functionality to your controller when it releases on January 23. That is assuming you want to spend $29.99 (USD; $39.99 CAD) for some "elite"-like functionality.
The Back Button Attachment seems to be a middle ground between a normal DualShock 4 and a full Elite controller type of experience. It is a device that connects through the bottom ports on your controller. It adds two "highly configurable" paddles to the back of the controller. In addition to those, the OLED info screen also serves as a button.
If you ever used an Xbox Elite controller, a Steam Controller (RIP), or one of many third-party controllers such as the FUSION Pro Wired Controller, then you probably already know what to expect from these paddles. You can map up to 16 different actions to each paddle. You can, for example, map the circle button to a paddle so that you don't have to move your thumb to perform an action. All you would do is just give the controller a little bit of a reach around squeeze.
In addition to that, the OLED screen is a bonus button that will let you cycle through up to three different profiles. It also shows you what profile you are currently using and what buttons the back paddles are currently mapped to.
This is an officially developed product by Sony. It does seem a bit odd that Sony would release something like this so late in the life of the PlayStation 4's life. We are literally less than a year away from the release of the PlayStation 5, assuming plans don't change over the next 12 months. Could it be that this is being added to bring feature parity to some undisclosed feature of the DualShock 5? It is possible. It's also possible that Sony is readying their own "Elite" style controller for the DualShock 5 and this is just something that cooked up to test the waters.
- Responsive Back Buttons and High-fidelity OLED Screen: The two back buttons can map up to 16 different actions such as triangle, circle, R1 and R2 to name a few and provide amazing tactile feedback, so you can jump and slide without missing a beat. The attachment also features an integrated OLED display that provides real time information around button assignments.
- Highly Configurable: A dedicated button allows you to remap back button inputs on the fly, so you are always prepared no matter what game you’re playing. Furthermore, you can save and choose up to three different profiles for use in various games and there is also a headset pass-through for connecting any 3.5mm wired headset to the controller.
- Developed by PlayStation: The product is tested and approved for all of your favorite PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR titles, and is built with the ergonomics of the DS4 in mind.
