New PS5 Controller Has Sold Out

New PS5 Controller Has Sold Out

Highlights

  • The Astro Bot DualSense controller has sold out across most U.S. retailers within hours of going up for pre-order on August 9.
  • PS Direct is the only stateside retailer that is still accepting pre-orders for the limited-edition controller, but has limited them to one per customer.
  • Other retailers should still have some additional stock once the controller releases alongside Astro Bot on September 6.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the hype surrounding the Astro Bot DualSense controller has me reminiscing about the days of the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and its infamous launch. Back then, getting my hands on one was like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!


The Astro Bot DualSense controller, a special edition for the PlayStation 5, has been quickly snapped up by customers at various U.S. stores since its pre-order availability began on August 9th.

Back in May 2024 towards the end, Astro Bot was first introduced during Sony’s State of Play presentation. Exactly two months after that, Sony showcased a unique DualSense controller design, which was inspired by the forthcoming PlayStation 5 exclusive game.

Astro Bot DualSense Controller Is Already Sold Out in Most Places

The Astro Bot-themed DualSense controller became available for pre-order at 7am PT / 10am ET on August 9. The gadget has been popular with consumers, selling out quickly at numerous retailers across the country within hours of going up for pre-sale. For instance, GameStop, Target, and Walmart currently show the controller as unavailable, and it appears that Amazon and Best Buy have yet to start accepting pre-orders. Presumably, they won’t stock the device until its official release.

In the United States, as of the late afternoon Eastern Time on August 9th, only PlayStation Direct is still taking pre-orders for the controller. Given Sony’s history with limited-edition gadgets, it’s unlikely that third-party sellers who have already sold out will accept more orders. However, by September 6th, when both the controller and Astro Bot are scheduled to be released, these retailers should have more stock available. Target has confirmed this, advising customers to revisit their product listing on the release day itself.

Current Astro Bot DualSense Controller Pre-Order Availability

Retailer Available Price
Amazon $79.99
Best Buy
GameStop
PS Direct
Target
Walmart

In the lead-up to its release in November 2023, Sony’s highly anticipated gadget, the PlayStation Portal, experienced an overwhelming demand similar to that of the PS5 accessory. This popularity made it challenging to secure, with the official PS Direct store imposing a limit of one pre-order per customer. Currently, the Astro Bot DualSense controller faces the same situation, as does the device itself in some European stores like Game and MediaMarkt, where they continue to accept advanced orders but have enforced a single-purchase policy per client.

Just like many exclusive PS5 games from Sony, the game Astro Bot is designed to maximize the capabilities of the DualSense controller. Players can sense hidden details through haptic feedback when touching irregular surfaces, and execute actions such as wringing out a sponge using the adaptive triggers on the controller. The new platformer will also utilize the DualSense touchpad, though not to the same extent as its predecessor Astro’s Playroom did.

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2024-08-10 00:35