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During the glory days of the PS4, the DualShock 4 was an amazing gamepad to use for gaming. With the PS5 – subsequently, its DualSense controller as well – having now replaced the PS4, can the PS4 controller still be used to play games on PC, specifically Xbox games?
Yes, we can use a PS4 DualShock 4 controller to play Xbox games on a PC. This is done by pairing the joystick with a computer using a particular third-party program, DS4Windows.
Chupacabra Tutorials’ video here summarises the whole process nicely:
Considering that we can now play Xbox games on PC via cloud gaming (requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription), it’s important to have different gaming peripherals on hand, apart from the mouse and keyboard. Many Xbox games are unplayable without an Xbox controller, regardless of how powerful our gaming rigs can be.
For PS4 owners, reusing a PS4 controller as an Xbox joystick is both practical and resourceful. Plus, because Xbox games were designed with console gaming in mind, we can expect minimum levels of aim-assist support while playing shooter games like Halo Infinite.
Are There Different Types of the PS4 Controller for PC?
Throughout the years, have there been other types of the DualShock 4 gamepad introduced into the market, especially for PC?
Yes, there have been several different variants of the PS4 DualShock 4 controller, all created for specific uses/ occasions, including for PC gaming. Among the more popular ones are the Razer Raiju and Nacon Revolution Pro (both impeccable for competitive pro games/ tournaments).
Specialized PS4 joysticks that were designed with PC gaming in mind allow everyone to play games at their best, especially left-handers who usually find themselves at a disadvantage when competing against others online.
Some have argued that gaming on PCs is somewhat harder when compared to consoles, given that the standard mouse and keyboard setup isn’t exactly ‘friendly’ for gaming purposes in general.
Well, what we can all agree on is that a gamepad, most notably the DualShock 4 controller, offers a feature that both a mouse and keyboard don’t have right off the bat – the ‘rumbling’/ vibrating effect! Couple this with the added utility that comes with premium gamepads, like modular buttons and gaming-grade materials, and we would never touch the mouse and keyboard for gaming anymore, except for real-time strategy (RTS) or massive multiplayer online (MMO) games.
Do Different Types of the PS4 Controller Work with Xbox Games on PC?
Although all the different editions of the PS4 gamepad work flawlessly on PCs, do they still function properly when used for playing Xbox games too?
Yes, customized, third-party PS4 controllers do work with Xbox games on the PC. However, many require the installation of their relevant drivers first, all of which are easily downloaded and installed from their respective websites online.
Here’s Marauderz Gears And Gadgets’ review of the exclusive Razer Raiju gamepad when connected to a PC:
Again, if a particular controller isn’t working as intended when paired to a computer, the most common solution is to update its driver. Besides that, to play Xbox games on the PC, an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate account needs to be created beforehand.
If everything is done correctly, then we can expect to play the latest Xbox games, like Grounded and Ereban: Shadow Legacy, on our computers while benefitting from crispier textures and higher frame rates.
Which PC Games Support the Use of a PS4 DualShock Controller?
Despite the PS4 gamepad’s compatibility with PCs, not every game fully supports the use of a PS4 joystick. So, which of them do?
Here are a few triple-A (AAA) titles that we can play using a DualShock 4 gamepad on PC:
- Halo Infinite
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- Far Cry 5
- For Honour
- Destiny 2
In 2023, more PC games are now playable using a DualShock 4 controller, apart from the ones listed above. Many of them are compatible with a PS5 joystick as well, making their purchases worthwhile for PlayStation fans out there.
Even PS Vita games can now be run on computers via emulators, proving how much the PC gaming landscape has evolved throughout the past few decades. At the very least, we can now play our favorite sports games without using the keyboard anymore, because it can lead to some infuriating instances sometimes (try doing some skills using a keyboard in FIFA 23).
Are PS4 Controllers Still Sold Today?
With the release of the PS5 in 2020, including its superior DualSense controller too, are DualShock 4 joysticks still being made and sold today?
Yes, PS4 DualShock 4 controllers are still being manufactured and sold in 2023, potentially continuing for another few years. Despite Sony Japan’s discontinuation of the gamepad in 2021, demand for the PS4 – and its impressive gamepad – have persisted.
This can be attributed to the PS5 scalping issue, making it difficult for consumers to purchase one during its global release day. This isn’t a problem for us PC gamers, though, because next-gen games will always come to the PC one way or another.
At the end of the day, almost every game will find its way to desktops eventually, so instead of buying a new video game console, better stock up on its updated controllers instead. Just remember; always update our PC drivers regularly, to ensure our gaming setup functions optimally all the time.
