PlayStation Access Controller Review

Summary

The PlayStation Access Controller offers a groundbreaking solution for gamers with disabilities, featuring extensive software customization and multiple profiles for personalized gameplay. However, while it allows for button remapping and position adjustments, its physical design presents challenges, particularly for those with limited reach or hand strength. Key issues include the difficulty in pressing certain buttons and the circular shape, which limits accessibility for smaller hands. Despite these shortcomings, the controller is an important step forward in gaming accessibility, though future iterations may need to address a broader range of physical needs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Grant Stoner, a reviewer with a physical disability, lost the ability to play with standard controllers in 2019 due to his progressive condition.
• 😀 The PlayStation Access Controller was developed to address the lack of accessible hardware for gamers with physical disabilities.
• 😀 The Access Controller allows extensive customization, including button mapping, orientation of the control stick, and toggles for actions like aiming and sprinting.
• 😀 The ability to assign button presses as a hold or toggle is a revolutionary feature, enabling more independence for players without requiring developer-specific options in games.
• 😀 The controller supports up to three distinct profiles, which can be easily swapped, offering flexibility when switching between different games and play styles.
• 😀 Despite its customization features, Grant struggles with the small, hard-to-press profile switch button, which limits his independence and requires external assistance.
• 😀 The Access Controller comes with four different button caps, but these are not sold separately, which could be a barrier for players who need more options.
• 😀 The circular shape of the Access Controller limits accessibility for players with smaller hands or limited reach, making it difficult to use all the available buttons.
• 😀 The device includes 3.5mm ports for adaptive equipment, allowing players to integrate switches, but the limited number of ports restricts the flexibility of customization.
• 😀 Grant's preferred setup is combining the Access Controller with a standard DualSense controller, but even with this solution, he still loses access to five buttons.
• 😀 While the Access Controller is a step forward in accessibility, Grant believes future iterations should consider a wider range of physical disabilities and offer more customization options, especially for users with limited reach.

Q & A

What is the PlayStation Access Controller, and how does it help disabled gamers?

The PlayStation Access Controller is designed to offer customizable accessibility features for gamers with physical disabilities. It allows for full button remapping, including single press, hold, or toggle functions, making gaming more accessible without needing developer updates. It also offers multiple profiles and joystick customization to cater to individual needs.

How does the Access Controller improve accessibility compared to standard controllers?

The Access Controller provides greater flexibility for disabled players by offering customizable button placements, toggle functionality, and joystick positions. These features are essential for gamers like Grant, who have physical limitations such as limited hand mobility or strength.

What was the primary issue that Grant Stoner faced before the release of the Access Controller?

Grant Stoner, due to his progressive physical disability, struggled to use standard PlayStation controllers. His hands could no longer comfortably press buttons or use joysticks without special adaptations. The Access Controller addressed this challenge by offering greater ergonomic flexibility.

What unique software features does the Access Controller offer to enhance customization?

The Access Controller allows full button remapping with customizable functions, such as toggling buttons instead of holding them. It also enables players to adjust joystick orientation and sensitivity, and provides the ability to switch between three different profiles for different games.

How does the ability to switch between multiple profiles enhance gameplay for disabled users?

The profile-switching feature is crucial for players who enjoy different types of games. It allows users to switch between customized button layouts easily, making it more accessible for gamers with varying needs, without requiring them to reconfigure controls every time they play a new game.

What is Grant's major critique of the Access Controller from a physical design perspective?

Grant's primary criticism is that the physical design of the Access Controller, especially its circular shape, is not ideal for users with smaller hands or limited reach. He also finds some of the buttons difficult to press, particularly the profile switch button, which requires significant force.

Why does Grant find the profile switch button difficult to use?

The profile switch button is very small and requires more strength to press than Grant is able to exert. This limitation hinders his ability to independently switch between profiles, requiring him to seek assistance.

What options are available for users who need more button caps than those included in the box?

The Access Controller box includes four of each button cap type, but if users need additional caps, they would have to purchase another controller at $89.99. Unfortunately, the button caps are not sold separately, which limits customization options for some users.

How does the Access Controller accommodate users who cannot reach all buttons?

The Access Controller includes four 3.5mm ports for connecting adaptive switches and devices, allowing users to incorporate additional equipment for button presses they cannot physically perform themselves. However, Grant notes that more input ports would have been beneficial.

What is Grant's final assessment of the PlayStation Access Controller, and what does he hope for in future iterations?

Grant acknowledges that the Access Controller is a significant step forward in accessibility, particularly with its software and customization options. However, he is disappointed by its limited physical design, which doesn't fully accommodate players with more severe physical limitations. He hopes that future versions will include more ports and better design to cater to a wider range of disabilities.