HORI's "Onyx" PlayStation 4 controller is out next week in the UK. The pad's part of a reasonably wide range of third party devices, but this one's more of a "pro" option. It's got all the functionality that you'd expect, and unlike some other licensed controllers, it doesn't have to be connected via USB to work. Can't say we're fans of the asymmetrical analog sticks, though...
Every time one of these controllers shows up, we end up asking ourselves why Sony doesn't just make an official pro pad for the PS4. The demand is clearly there, and the Japanese giant is clearly aware of said demand -- otherwise it wouldn't be giving these third party products this kind of promotion.
Anyway, the Onyx launches on the 15th January, but is it a controller that you're potentially interested in? Demand symmetrical sticks in the comments section below.
[source blog.eu.playstation.com]
Comments 39
"For the players" ( who prefer the shape of the xbox controller) 😂
Make a Pro Pad, Sony. For goodness sake! It's so obvious people want it, and they clearly have enough data to realise that, too.
I just want a DS4 with customizable paddles on the back that doesn't cost as much as a used PS4.
Really like how the asymmetrical sticks feel on the Xbawks pads so I'll probably pick this up. Wonder how it feels in the hand though, oh as well as the price.
My friends & I just want a pad with BETTER BATTERY LIFE
On the Wii U (yea that squit) the Pro pad has 80 hours battery life
Switch Pro Controller (yes Ik expensive but) has 40 hours battery life
Joy-Cons: 20 hours battery life.
Wouldn’t you want at least the Joy-Cons level of battery life?
(And yes Ik Talking Nintendo is taboo here but I’m just saying)
Don't get the hate for asymmetrical sticks. I use the Nacon Revolution and find it much more comfortable for long play sessions. Still use the ds4 for the d pad and platformers etc, but both are good.
This actually looks like a nice controller, and Hori have a good track record of making these kinds of things. I echo the sentiment that Sony ought to make their own, though.
... yeah, this is just an XB Elite imitator (I got one of those bad boys for Xmas, my goodness what a beauty it is, weighty, changeable bits and pieces and FOUR EXTRA BUTTONS underneath!) Elite Dangerous has never felt so good! (and am I right in thinking all of the PS ones are wired only?) absolutely bonkers. Nevermind this nonsense, make a new PSVR controller for goodness sake!
Nope sticks are reversed.
@Johnnycide Because i always use the original setup.
This would be something I'd want to have for the friends who refused to play with a standard symmetrical designed controller cause they only heard of and were familiar with Xbox.
Well, it would be if they existed. Symmetrical design is the way to go Hori. At the very least, make the analog/d-pad swap-able somehow.
Licensed or not, if a peripheral has another brand than it says on the console, I don't need that garbage.
They put the sticks in the wrong place. A controller with a decent battery life would have me very tempted. But even if this has that, those sticks.. noooooooo.
So what's the difference between this and the normal PS4 controller, apart from the sticks? Does it have paddles underneath and stuff like a scuff?
That controller looks uncomfortable and ugly.
I wonder what makes it a "pro", though? I mean, I understood and supported my partner when he purchased two Switch Pro controllers, because they were ACTUAL CONTROLLERS that I could use and not... well, whatever the heck those tiny bits of LEGO attached to the sides of a Switch are. I just assumed that the asymmetrical analogue sticks on them were a throwback to the Nintendo64 controller (when I saw one for the first time as a kid, round a friend's house, I believe my exact words were "Ha ha ha ha ha... wait, for real?").
But now here's a "pro" controller for PS4, so I'm wondering if all "pro" gamers have asymmetrical thumbs or something?
Why would you do a asymmetrical sticks on a ps4?? I don't get it.. I know everybody got their preference but i can never get why n how ppl like that
Personally I prefer the asymetrical layout myself and, until the DS4, always found the DS uncomfortable for prolonged play sessions. However, all the issues I had with the symmetrical layout in the past have not recurred with the DS4 - maybe because of the bulbous grips and better trigger alignment - which prove that the Symmetrical layout itself wasn't the primary issue I had with previous controllers.
As such, I wouldn't necessarily look to buy a Pro PS4 controller in the asymmetrical layout but Wireless (as well as wired) functionality, build quality etc is more important. Ideally, I would prefer Sony to make a DS4 Pro - similar in build quality and functionality to the Xbox Elite controller. These 3rd Party controllers are still not built to the same quality as the Elite - not even Scuf are either and they cost more too.
Crap, make your own Sony.
I can't stand asymmetrical layout. Why did they do that for PS4?
@Derpie1 Nah! I like Nintendo and Sony equally in different ways, though I admit that there's been more amazing software on Sony systems the past few generations, but Nintendo hardware are great as secondary systems, plus the 3DS absolutely rocks as far as handhelds go!
@Useyourname You obviously haven't used Hori products then, most of their Wii & Wii U controllers were more durable and comfortable than the first party cr*p...
@ReanSchwarzer7 Ik But Some Get absolutely triggered when you talk about em...
@Derpie1 Luckily that doesn't seem to happen often here and the people who do act like that usually get hit with the banhammer of justice courtesy of @Tasuki.
Sony nailed it with PS4 and DS4 imo but why they haven't given us a better battery (and used such low capacity in the first place) is beyond me...
I got the red and blue crystal Sony controllers on black Friday sale $39.99 So my vote is nope,nope,nope!
Nothing is better than the normal DS4 Pad This one looks like a horrible Xbox Pad :-/
I checked on this and it is basically the DS4 but with asymmetrical sticks; nothing "Pro" about it at all? Wonder what it costs?
i would love a pro controller i have the xbox elite and im not a fan of the xbox con. vs ds4 but i will take the elite controller over ds4 anytime so im sure if sony made a pro ds4 it would be the greatest cont. of all time
@ShogunRok Any word if this would be available in NA?
@Tasuki Not as far as I can tell — there's no mention of it on HORI's official US site and the US PlayStation Blog doesn't have anything on it either. Might be worth checking on sites like Amazon or other retailers. If it's not on those, I guess it's not being released in the States for some reason.
@ShogunRok Didnt see it on Amazon so I am guessing not now. Or at least till someone imports a sizeable stock from Europe. Thanks for the info.
More options in direct-input controllers makes me happy. This looks to be a contender as replacement #1 once my pack-in controller is worn out.
I think the DS4 is Sony’s best controller by far but I still think it could be more comfortable. This looks great, I like the asymmetrical sticks and it looks like far more comfortable than the stock controller. Plus it’s made by Hori.
I also like asymmetrical sticks. Ds4 gives me cramps when playing for any length of time. People haven't obviously used hori products before. They're very highly regarded in the controller hardware field buy both games and journalists in the industry alike.
By both gamers and journalists alike. Can't edit.
I don' t like the layout of asymmetrical sticks and where the share and option buttons are. The share looks easy to reach because of the left stick location. However the option button looks to be tedious to reach because of location above and close to the right stick.
Then there is how does this controller feel to hold and how the sticks and buttons feel to use. However good it may feel to hold and use for me it is the asymmetrical sticks layout for my symmetrical hands that makes it an automatic no buy.
@Johnnycide "Don't get the hate for asymmetrical sticks."
We are (pretty much) symmetrical beings. Having wonky sticks is like having the left handlebar on a bike further forward than the right.
I owned the last 2 Xbox systems, and a Gamecube, and I while I've never had any trouble using the wonky sticks, I have also never found them comfortable - for me, it just doesn't feel natural. Personally, I'll take symmetrical sticks any day.
I detest the asymmetrical layout of Xbox controllers. The Dualshock controller design is brilliant and timeless, and, aside from a few stupid choices, the DS4 is one of the best controllers ever made.
@get2sammyb The problem is that you and others seem to think Sony's "Pro" controller(if they ever made one) would incorporate asymmetrical sticks!
Why would a company that have produced controllers for 20+ years, change their stick placement that millions of fans would see as a massive change to their preferred setup?
Gamers like us (who like the Xbox style) are a minority in the PlayStation community.
It will be up to these 3rd party companies to offer the different stick placement for the smaller audience that demand it.
It's a shame as the Xbox One Elite pad is an absolute beast of a pad, and i would love to use something similar as it on PS4.
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