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I recently had an incredible opportunity to unbox the new PlayStation accessibility controller. The whole process was smooth, fun, and truly accessible. I'm in love with the PlayStation and the controller! Once we had it open, it was time to set up the PlayStation. Since it was our first time setting it up, we followed the onscreen prompts. I was thrilled to have Mike there to help me since he's really familiar with technical things.
If you aren’t able to use a standard controller, you'll need someone to help you get the accessibility controller going and set the buttons in the right place. It was so much fun seeing it all come together! The controller did take some time to set up and configure, and it's super handy to have someone with you who understands the standard controller well. This way, you can place the control buttons where you need them on the accessibility controller. There are several different profiles you can set up, which means you can use different buttons to play different games in a way that works best for you.
I don’t know about you guys, but I'm a classic fan, and I was super excited to start my first game, which was, of course, Crash Bandicoot Racing. We both grew up playing this game, so getting to jump on it together was quite exciting. Trying and testing the buttons, sitting in different positions, and working out what works for me was a blast. It's been a while since I’ve gamed, and I usually just watch, so being able to game again is the best feeling.
I do want to take a moment to say that we cannot underestimate the impact of having an accessible controller. Being able to game and play with my friends and loved ones means everything to me. I'll let you in on a little secret though: I did my fair share of losing that night, but we’ll keep that between us!
We decided to swap controllers for a round of racing. Mike tried the accessibility controller, and I tried the standard controller. I was quickly reminded of my struggles with the standard controller. While I can hold and move the buttons, the joints in my wrists were dislocating by the end of the first race, so we switched back. I decided to mix things up a bit and rearrange some of the buttons. It takes time to figure out what works for you, and it's all about experimenting and giving it a go. My motto for that night was, "How do I know if I don’t try?"
We also wondered if you could use the controller without the toggle at all. I was struggling to navigate, and it was cool seeing how you can make things work in different ways. After an evening of racing, we couldn't finish the night without giving the original Crash Bandicoot trilogy a shot. We took turns trying the levels we played when we were younger. It was a really interesting experience—my reactions were slower, and I certainly got a lot of frights and jumps, but what an incredible night!
I cannot wait to see what else this controller has in store for us, and I look forward to you joining us on this journey. Thanks, team!
