PlayStation has revealed a new Limited Edition Astro Bot DualSense controller, and while it may look similar to the one that launched a year ago, this clean PS5 controller has received a slight visual shake-up. The Joyful version depicts the small bot's eyes emoting on the touchpad, whereas the original was less animated. If last year's model is anything to go by, this controller is going to fly off the shelves, so I've gathered together everything you need to know about pre-ordering it.
First, let's get the important details out of the way. How can you pre-order the new Astro Bot DualSense controller? Although it's set for launch on October 30, pre-orders are happening a lot sooner, on September 12. As usual with PlayStation hardware pre-orders these days, stock will arrive at 10am in your region, with first grabs up at PlayStation Direct. Would you rather grab your new PS5 controller at another retailer? Participating shops will also be stocking the Joyful Edition of the Astro Bot DualSense, so your options will be open.
We don't actually have as many details about this version of the Astro Bot DualSense controller as we usually do for a Limited Edition controller launch. There hasn't been a PlayStation Blog post this time around, so although we can't say for sure, we can assume that this will cost the same as other "collector's Edition" PS5 controllers. If that's the case, it'll cost a little more than the regular DualSense, going for $79.99 / £69.99.
When I covered how to pre-order the Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense Controller last year, I wasn't exactly surprised to see stock disappear extremely quickly. Back then, hype around the upcoming game was at a high point. This year, with so many fans of the game wanting another shot at grabbing this clean PS5 controller skin, I'm here to help you where to look. Below, you'll find the best places in the US and UK to pre-order the Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense controller.
Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense pre-orders in the US
Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense pre-orders in the UK
Should you pre-order the Astro Bot Joyful DualSense?
Some Limited Edition DualSenses don't do an awful lot to the design of the controller to really make it stand out. Sure, while both Astro Bot versions have fairly simplistic color schemes, they do represent the character really well, and there are finer details there to appreciate. If you're a fan of Astro Bot, this is a fun addition to your PS5 collection.
Although don't go in expecting any performance boosts. This is just a regular DualSense, although it looks a lot fancier. You won't get any benefits that DualSense Edge owners do like back paddles or deep customization.
Astro Bot DualSense pre-orders: FAQ
What's different about the Astro Bot Joyful Dualsense controller?
The differences between the original Astro Bot DualSense controller and its new Joyful version are subtle. The grips, colors, and finer details of both seem to be just the same, but if you look at the touchpad, the eyes are different shapes. On the original controller they're just plain ol' circles, but on the Joyful model they're a lot more expressive, smiling eyes. Does this hint at more emoting controller spin offs in the future for Astro Bot? Maybe, but that will likely depend on how well the Joyful edition sells.
How much is the Astro Bot controller?
The Astro Bot controller is a little bit pricier than a regular version of the DualSense, coming in at $79.99 / £69.99. While it is just a reskin of the stock PS5 gamepad, and doesn't offer any of the pro features of the DualSense Edge, it's looks, high demand, and ties to the Astro Bot PS5 games is worth paying a little extra for.
Is Astro Bot free on PS5?
Astro's Playroom is free-to-play for anyone purchasing any version of the PS5 console. It'll be pre-installed out of the box, and gives you a perfect introduction to the PS5's bespoke controller features. Astro's longer adventure that launched in 2024 isn't free, however, since it's a larger project that cost Asobi studio a lot of time and resources to make. The full-sized game will cost $59.99 / £59.99 at full price, although it will likely get discounts soon now that we're almost a year on from release.
Looking for more controllers and fun gaming collectibles? Check out the best PS5 accessories, the best Meta Quest accessories, and the best Xbox Series X accessories.
