With Grand Theft Auto VI one month away, the hottest PlayStation accessory right now is not a headset or a new console. It is a pair of limited edition DualSense controllers themed on the game. Sony’s DualSense Wireless Controller, Grand Theft Auto VI Black Limited Edition and White Limited Edition both launch on November 19, the same day as the game, at a recommended price of $84.99 USD.
Why everyone wants one
Sony first showed the controllers at its September 3 State of Play, and pre-orders opened on September 10. Demand was immediate. GodisaGeek reported queues of more than an hour on PlayStation Direct, error screens and failed checkouts, and said Best Buy’s listing for the white edition showed as sold out within a minute. Resale listings appeared on eBay the same afternoon, before a single controller had shipped.
Both designs come in limited quantities, according to Sony, and that scarcity is a big part of the rush. With Grand Theft Auto VI arriving on November 19, a matching controller is also an easy holiday gift idea for PS5 players.
What makes them different
Under the paint these are standard DualSense controllers, with the same haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that Sony says respond to the action in the game. The changes are visual and tactile:
- A shimmering, colour shifting finish inspired by a Vice City sunset and neon lights
- Palm tree details molded directly into the controller
- Official Grand Theft Auto VI branding
- White edition: Vice City at daybreak, with pastel tones
- Black edition: Vice City’s nightlife, with a darker palette
Where you can get them
The editions are not sold the same way. According to PlayStation.Blog, the white edition is available in limited quantities globally at direct.playstation.com and participating retailers, and it is now listed on Amazon in the US. The black edition is exclusive to direct.playstation.com in regions where that store operates (the US, UK, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy and Austria), and sold through select retailers elsewhere.
Sony lists the recommended price as $84.99 USD, 12,480 yen including tax, 84.99 euros or 74.99 pounds. Gfinity Esports reported the same figures. Exact dates and availability can vary by country.
Who should buy, and who should skip
If you are a Grand Theft Auto fan who wants a controller that matches the game, or you need a second controller anyway, the limited edition is worth tracking down at its list price. If you just need a spare pad for couch play, a standard DualSense does exactly the same job for less, and you avoid the launch rush.
One more tip: GodisaGeek saw eBay listings as high as $195. Check the seller before you buy, and remember that Sony’s recommended price is $84.99.
Good to know
These are PS5 controllers. If you play long sessions, a charging station is a handy add on. Stock is limited, prices at retailers can change at any time, and Sony has not announced restocks.
