Listen up, Helldivers, the latest in-ops tactical weapon from the engineers on Super Earth is about to be released, and if you want to defend democracy more efficiently than ever, you'll need to know where to pre-order the Helldivers 2 DualSense controller. Of course, thanks to the Terminids, Automatons, and the returning Illuminate assault, supply routes are limited. Luckily, I've been deployed to the intelligence desk today to point you in the right direction of stock.
The latest in the Limited Edition DualSense controller will be up for pre-order on December 20, 2024, with a launch date of February 6, 2025. Given the popularity of Super Earth's intergalactic peace-keeping campaigns this year, this could prove to be one of the hardest PS5 controllers to secure stock of. Astro Bot's Limited Edition DualSense was hard enough to secure a pre-order for, so if you're keen to get your hands on one of these black and yellow gamepads, it's good to know where to shop.
We know for sure that pre-orders will go live at 10am ET in the US, and 10am GMT in the UK. We also know that PlayStation Direct will be the first port of call when the time comes. From covering previous PlayStation pre-orders, we also have a go-to list of reliable retailers that are likely to stock the controller either on the same day, or in the weeks following.
Now for the bad news. The Helldivers 2 controller will set you back more than a regular DualSense controller. Racking up a price of $84.99 / £74.99, it's worth remembering that this isn't going to give you any extra functionality, as one of the best PS5 controllers might. Even so, a collector's item like this is always going to be a welcome addition to any setup, and with the level of detailing on the controller's face, I think you can easily justify a higher price than usual.
Helldivers 2 Limited Edition DualSense pre-orders in the US
Helldivers 2 Limited Edition DualSense pre-orders in the UK
Should you buy the Helldivers 2 Limited Edition DualSense controller?
The Helldivers Edition of the DualSense controller isn't going to make you any better at extinguishing the forces that threaten Super Earth's democracy, at least in a technical sense. On the other hand, literally holding onto freedom in the form of an inspiring controller like this might just unlock an extra level of patriotism in your heart.
There is some beautiful design work on this version of the PS5's controller, with the Helldivers color scheme coming through on the grips. There's texture too thanks to the worn look that your favorite armour will have after a few too many Terminid encounters. Next to the D-pad, you can see some Stratagem arrows, and the labels next to the face buttons harken back to the official Starfield controller for Xbox.
It's also not been that common for us to see black variants of the DualSense. When the PS5 launched, people really felt like the classic black options were missing from Sony's hardware lineup, and a limited edition that isn't going to age quickly (like the Astro Bot version might), will be a welcome addition for anyone who likes darker accessories. It's a shame that these Limited Edition options don't come with designs for the DualSense Edge, however.
For more controller coverage, take a look at the best PC controllers, best Xbox Series X controllers, and the best PS5 steering wheel.
