Sony’s latest offering, the limited edition Astro Bot DualSense controller for PlayStation 5, has quickly become a hot commodity. The controller, a vibrant homage to the beloved Astro Bot character, is selling out almost immediately after pre-orders opened on August 9.
According to a report by readwrite, pre-orders for the controller sold out almost immediately across major retailers including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, GameStop, and Amazon, as well as Sony’s own online store. Despite the excitement surrounding its release, many fans have expressed frustration over missing out on the controller.
Reports indicate that some players faced difficulties accessing Sony’s website, with long wait times and site crashes during the high-demand period. Additionally, secondhand versions of the controller have appeared on eBay with inflated prices of around $150, further intensifying the sense of urgency among buyers.
Featuring a distinct design with blue and white accents and Astro Bot’s eyes on the touchpad, the controller pays homage to the beloved character from the Astro Bot franchise. The design incorporates the same features as the standard DualSense controller, including adaptive triggers, motion controls, and haptic feedback, but adds a unique aesthetic touch with textured grips and Astro’s signature eyes.
This isn’t Sony’s first venture into limited-edition controllers. The company has previously released special versions for titles such as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Final Fantasy XVI, and God of War: Ragnarök. The Astro Bot controller, however, stands out with its playful design and thematic tie-in with the forthcoming game.
Astro Bot, who first appeared in 2018’s PlayStation VR game, has become a mascot for the PlayStation brand, akin to iconic characters like Mario and Sonic. Originally designed to showcase the capabilities of the PlayStation VR, Astro Bot later featured in Astro’s Playroom, a game that introduced the PS5’s DualSense controller features to new users.
For those who missed out on pre-orders, the future availability of the Astro Bot controller remains uncertain. Currently, the PlayStation Direct store is the only place accepting new pre-orders in the U.S., but whether further stock will be available before the game’s release is yet to be confirmed.
