Charles Esther
Sony has officially revealed a limited edition DualSense Wireless Controller inspired by the upcoming title Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
It is set to release on June 26, 2025, the same day as the game’s launch for PlayStation 5.
Design and Price Details
The Death Stranding 2 controller will retail at $84.99 / £74.99 and will be available in limited quantities exclusively through PlayStation Direct.
Pre-orders are scheduled to begin on May 22, 2025.
Visually, the controller adopts the standard Midnight Black colour as its base.
It features a few custom elements, including orange patterned decals on both grips that contain futuristic numbers and a barcode-like design.
The touchpad features a subtle patch with a “Drawbridge” logo and the message, “both stick and rope, to protect and connect. Together, for tomorrow.”
There’s also a fine circular pattern that connects the controller’s face buttons, which gives the device a slightly more futuristic aesthetic.
On the back, there’s a minimalistic Death Stranding 2: On the Beach logo, barely visible to the eye.
Fans React to the Underwhelming Design
Despite the hype surrounding the game, many fans have expressed disappointment over the controller’s basic design.
For a product marketed as limited edition, expectations were higher than a simple repaint with minor graphics.
Some fans believe the controller lacks the creativity and boldness seen in past special editions.
A more engaging colour scheme, such as a two-tone orange and black design like the one used for The Last of Us limited edition controller, could have made it stand out more.
Given the premium price tag, consumers expected more than subtle visual tweaks to a pre-existing controller model.
Community Feedback Highlights Disappointment
Multiple PlayStation users took to the PlayStation Blog to express their dissatisfaction.
One fan commented, “Could’ve been much better than just some small patches of images. Sony should learn from Microsoft on how to design limited edition controllers.”
Another added, “How is it possible for a company this big to become so greedy and lazy? How do you go from making a controller like the Death Stranding PlayStation 4 one, or the Astro Bot PS5 controller, to making this?”
One user pointed out, “There is nothing about this controller that screams ‘Death Stranding 2’ when you’re looking at it. Huge disappointment, and hard pass.”
Final Thoughts
While the controller commemorates one of PlayStation’s most anticipated releases, its minimal design has left many fans underwhelmed.
At nearly $85, the controller’s design seems to lack the innovation and premium feel expected from a limited edition accessory.
Sony may need to rethink future special releases if it hopes to satisfy fan expectations and deliver collectible-worthy designs.
Would you still consider buying this controller despite the backlash?
