Back in 2020, at the tail end of the PlayStation 4 generation, Sony introduced a game-changing product — the DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment. This attachment snapped and blended right into the PS4 DualShock 4 controller, adding two additional back paddle buttons. These back buttons could be mapped as a substitute for anything from the main buttons (X, O, ☐, Δ), to the D-pad, triggers, or back bumpers.

Looking back on this decision I now ask Why did Sony do this to us? Was it some mean trick on us? Why get me accustomed to a new way to play my games and then not bring it to the next generation — PlayStation 5?

A New Way to Play

Initially I thought they were just testing this out to see if it was successful enough to include it as part of the next controller — the PS5 DualSense. The PlayStation 5 DualSense could have easily included some remappable back buttons on the handles. They could have also released an updated PS5 version of the DualSense PS5 Back Button Attachment. Are they waiting for the end of the PlayStation 5 generation to do this again?

Once I started playing games with my new PS4 DualShock Back Button Attachment, I couldn’t play games without it. It instantly changed the way I played racing games, like EA F1 and Gran Turismo. The paddles became my gear shifters, and it made taking corners feel so much more immersive.

Playing Overwatch and other first-person shooters I turned one back button into my reload button. The other button was a rotating option depending on the particular game. I found a good use for the extra back buttons in so many games.

The Next Generation

After moving onto the PlayStation 5 and the DualSense in early 2021, I forgot all about the attachment and its greatness. The DualSense came with its own shiny new features — adaptive triggers, haptic feedback. My fingers are now used to these features, but I remember being blown away at how different weapons felt different. I could feel it when I was braking too hard and late in racing games. There was the bow and arrow feel in games. An empty clip even had a funky feel in some games.

If I wanted to spend an extra $200 on a PlayStation DualSense Edge controller I could have built-in back buttons and changeable parts, but that’s almost half the price I paid for my PlayStation 5 in 2021 — now prices have gone way up. There are also plenty of nice third party options with back buttons, but I’m pretty sure none of them have the haptics or adaptive triggers.

A New Use

It’s all good. I found a new use for my PS4 DualShock Back Button attachment — other than playing games on my PS4 Pro. I figured out this week that the back button attachment also works for PC gaming. I’ve always used an Xbox One controller for my PC gaming, but I plugged in one of my PS4 controllers this week.

I tried it out with Star Wars: Galactic Racer (currently free-to-play on Amazon Luna for Prime subscribers). Using the back buttons for boost and drifting felt great! So, I now have a way to continue using my PS4 DualShock Back Button Attachment for years to come.

One More Thing!

It’s funny that of all companies, Nintendo was the one that implemented the back buttons into their Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. I have plenty of original Nintendo Switch third-party controllers with back buttons, but it was surprising to see Nintendo include it on their stock Pro controller for the Switch 2. It’s been great for Mario Kart World and plenty of other games. It’s also so simple to pause the game and quickly remap the buttons.

Good job, Nintendo! What weird decision will Sony make at the end of the PlayStation 5’s lifecycle?