Sony is giving the limited edition Astro Bot PS5 controller a second run with an updated "Joyful" design, available from 30th October 2025. Pre-orders shall open up on 12th September at 10am in your local time zone on PlayStation Direct and participating retailers.
Compared to the original design, which featured the two Astro Bot eyes on the touchpad, this updated model hands the large, central button a new expression. The eyes are squinting a little to make it look like the controller is smiling. If you didn't grab the limited PS5 pad the first time around, will you get this second design? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments 28
I have the first one and have yet to open it. I think I’ll do the same with this one. Nice collector’s controllers.
@Doctor_BK You have bought a controller a long time ago and haven’t open the package. Video games seem to be a cheap hobby.
This or Yotei? Decisions, decisions.
This is stupid, but I'd be willing to pay $200 for a controller with interactive facial expressions. Ooh, and if it makes little Astro Bot sounds to match.
I'm just saying, Sony.
@Max_the_German I like the look of it too much and I have little toddlers that would break it quickly if it was being used regularly. Trying to preserve it as long as possible.
No pun intended, but I got my eyes on the Yotei one.
Another wasted opportunity to make the eyes animated, even if it would make the pad more expensive...
it drifts like all the others so i don’t see nothing special about it 💀
@nomither6
I dont see this stick drift issue being that bad this gen - I have killed 3 controllers this gen through overuse, and all have died because I wore out the battery - only 1 pad was showing the 1st very minor signs of stick drift.
Last gen it was a very different story with a few PS4 pads being affected.
Very tempted by this pad - I usually stay well clear of things like this but the eyes have me!
@Rich33 same. I havent experienced stick drift and I have easily 7500 hours this gen (not 1 controller though). If you dont eat and use it or hammer it playing FPS games constantly youre fine. Its a minor issue imo
@Andy22385
I wouldn't have normally replied to the original comment - I understand you can get lucky / unlucky with these things. But having worn out 3 pads this gen through significant use, and not 1 through stick drift.
Will definitely be picking this up this time round. Hopefully there's some DLC on the way as well, maybe some Halloween levels.
Very nice, my controller setup will probably be my 30th Anniversary Edge and standard on my gray 30th Anniversary charging stand, and I'll pick up a standard charging stand for my two Astro Bot controllers.
@UltimateOtaku91 a sweet tooth bot would be perfect for a Halloween level
“large, central button” you mean the touchpad?😂
This is easily their best looking special edition controller but white thumbsticks always seem to get dirty too quickly, not a good color for that. Anyways by now I got plenty of PS5 controllers and after getting an Edge I have no interest in buying more.
If I didn't already have two Astro controllers, I'd definitely pick this up.
(I still might because I'm a sucker)
I love that they're bringing this controller back, it's such a great design 😊 Kinda wish they'd reissue some of the others as well, like the older ones released during that time when they were a still a pain to order.
@nomither6 Drift can’t be mentioned enough. It makes me hate PlayStation for thinking it ok to not fully acknowledge it as a major issue. Scum bags.
I’m really hoping that this controller and the fact that AstroBot is going to be at TGS that there is going to be an announcement that it’s coming to PC. I would love to be able to play AstroBot natively on a handheld.
@Rich33 it’s a widely known issue. i mean, it’s good that you haven’t experienced it, but that would quickly change if you played shooters and fighters extensively
@Dudeitsme exactly. i’ve wasted so much money buying new Driftsenses
@RoomWithaMoose
I would totally pay for a digital version that changed expressions. I’d pay double if devs could develop it to be responsive in games…like a look of fear in a RE game or joy in an Astrobot one.
Beat that horse.
@nomither6
I know stick drift is 'widely known' - as I said I used to get it frequently last gen (PS4), but thought Sony had made changes to significantly reduce the issue as I haven't had a real issue with stick drift on PS5 pads despite wearing out 3 due to use / battery giving up. It might help that most game designers now add a dead zone, which on rare occasions you can amend yourself.
Lovely! I'm not usually a big buyer of special controllers, but I really like this one and was a bit miffed I didnt get the first release so I'm likely to get this one. It can sit next to my 30th anniversary one and the four different coloured ones I've collected.
Not sure that stick drift needs be mentioned here. If it happens, just get it fixed with TMR sticks for £20 on Ebay and your done?
I have had 3 dualsence go down with Stick drift now, 2 out of 3 of my Series X controllers have also broke and I use them much less, and I understand the issue is huge on Switch too (though I barely use mine so I've not had the issue myself). All the platform holders need to do better and ensure we have TMR controllers in the next gen, or at least hall effect.
Meantime, I'll bag me an Astrobot controller 😀
You make that touch pad a little led screen, that I can personalise or download images to, I'll be over THE FREAKING MOON!
I missed the first controller but In my opinion the simple change here makes it look much better
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