Sony Is Launching The Limited Edition “Icon Blue” PS5 Controller on October 20

Sony just announced the Icon Blue Special Edition DualSense Controller, an aggressively blue controller that makes you wonder if someone on Sony’s design team chose the specific colorway to see just how much of a single shade they could pack onto a single gamepad.

But before you dismiss the Icon Blue as just another color variant, Sony packed far more details into it than meets the eye.

Design-wise, Sony actually used different shades of blue across various parts of the controller. The grips and lower shell feature darker tones, while the thumbsticks and touchpad lean toward lighter hues.

The touchpad design is just as interesting. Instead of the plain matte finish you’ll find on most DualSense controllers, this one features a glossy pattern showcasing PlayStation’s iconic symbols: square, triangle, circle, and cross.

And then there’s the back of the controller, where you’ll find something most players will never even see unless they’re specifically looking for it: Katakana characters spelling out PlayStation’s name in Japanese. The characters read as “Pureisutēshon,” which is how the brand name is written in Japan.

It’s a small Easter egg that pays tribute to the company’s roots, even if it seems like an odd choice for a controller that’s not specifically tied to any anniversary or special occasion.

Where and How to Buy the Limited Edition Icon Blue PS5 Controller

Now, if all these interesting tidbits have you wanting the Icon Blue, there’s a catch: it will launch exclusively at Walmart. SO if you’re someone who avoids Walmart or doesn’t live where there’s one nearby, you’re out of luck. The geographical restrictions are extremely limiting, especially given that the controller will launch on October 20 in the United States and Canada, and on October 28 in Mexico and Chile.

Sony hasn’t announced plans to expand availability to other regions, which means PlayStation fans in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the rest of the world are left wondering if they’ll ever get a chance to purchase one.

And then there’s the price: nearly 85 dollars in the US, which converts to roughly 110 Canadian dollars. That’s a significant premium over the standard DualSense controller, which typically retails for around 70 dollars. You’re essentially paying an extra 15 dollars for a different color scheme and some decorative flourishes.

Is the Limited Edition Icon Blue PS5 Controller Worth Buying?

For just as much, you can head on over to our controller builder and have a go at designing one yourself. You can make it just as blue as the Icon Blue or add your own personal touch. And while you’re at it, you can spend a little bit more to get either the TCP Pro or the TCP Ultimate, which improves on the DualSense’s already awesome haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and other features.

Of course, if you’re a collector who wants every special edition DualSense that Sony releases, this one needs to be on your radar. The limited availability and exclusive retailer partnership suggest this might become harder to find after the initial launch window closes.

If you’re interested in grabbing one, mark your calendar for October 20. Based on how quickly previous special edition controllers have sold out, waiting even a few days could mean missing your chance entirely.