Everyone knows how good the PlayStation DualShock 4 and Switch Pro Controller are for playing games on their respective machines. But what if you want to use them to play PC games instead?
Well, you can use both for PC gaming, but which is best for controlling your favorite PC titles? Let's find out...
Connectivity
It is possible to connect both the DS4 and the Switch Pro to your PC. You can do this via a wired connection or with Bluetooth.
Both the DS4 and the Switch Pro can be used to control Steam. They are set up via the "General Controller Settings" section of Steam's "Settings" menu. This process is pretty complicated as it involves mapping the buttons.
The process gets no easier if you are playing games natively on your machine. It isn't a matter of plug and play. You may need to use a program like a driver wrapper, such as DS4Windows, which, again, allows you to remap the controls.
Both of these processes are complicated, especially for a beginner. One viable alternative is buying a device like the 8BitDo Wireless Bluetooth Adapter, which takes all the hard work out of remapping the controls. You just connect the controller to that, via Bluetooth, instead.
Otherwise, both of these controllers are pretty tough to configure.
Vs. Verdict: It's a Draw!
Battery Life
If you are going to be enjoying extended gaming sessions and are connected via Bluetooth, then the battery life of your controller is super important. You don't want it cutting out in the middle of a Search and Destroy match, for example.
The DS4 battery life, according to the manual, varies depending on how you use it and what you are using it for. But this is when it is connected to a PS4, not a PC. However, you will generally get around four hours out of the controller on a full charge for PC gaming, which is around the same as with a PS4.
The Switch Pro Controller, on the other hand, stamps the DualShock 4 into the ground. It boasts a battery life of up to 40 hours. Yes, that's right, around 10 times that of the DS4. Assuming that the battery life is the same whether you are playing Switch or PC with the Pro controller, that is pretty good.
Vs. Verdict: The Switch Pro Controller Wins!
Bluetooth Range
Depending on your PC setup, you may not want to sit too close to your monitor. With this in mind, the range of your controller matters. A wired connection isn't as much of a problem; you can always buy a longer lead. But with Bluetooth, range does matter.
The Switch Pro reportedly has a Bluetooth range of 32 feet. This should be plenty in terms of most PC gaming setups. You will be able to use it from far enough away that you have an optimal view of your gaming screens.
The DualShock 4 controller also reports a Bluetooth range of up to 32 feet. So, providing there is no interference from external sources, the DS4 should also be good even in a fairly large PC gaming room.
So, not much difference, yet again.
Vs. Verdict: It's a Draw!
Control Interface
This may all be down to personal preference at the end of the day, but the interface of the controller is pretty important when it comes to gaming. The configuration of the action buttons and the positioning of the thumbsticks definitely has an impact on play.
One school of thought states that your thumbs should naturally fall to the directional controls on the left and the action buttons on the right. In this case, then, a Switch Pro controller would win out, as the left thumbstick and the action buttons are aligned.
However, if you play first-person games then you will know that your thumbs are required to both pan the camera and move your character. In this sense, having your analog sticks aligned makes sense. In fact, according to anarticle on Game Rant, the DualShock 4 design was actually approved by FPS (first-person shooter) developers. And the PlayStation controller hasn't changed drastically over the years!
It all comes down to the style of game you play, then. Another draw in this evenly-matched competition.
Vs. Verdict: It's a Draw!
Digital vs. Analog Triggers
The Switch Pro Controller received a lot of flak for shedding analog triggers in favor of digital triggers. On the flip side, the DS4 received heaps of praise for its analog capabilities.
Analog triggers are preferred by gamers as they are able to sense the pressure with which you are pressing them. Digital controllers only sense that you have pressed them.
So, an analog controller could vary the intensity with which you accelerate in Gran Turismo, for example. It would do this by measuring the distance you have depressed the button and applying that to the distance you virtually press the gas pedal of your in-game vehicle.
Digital would not register this difference in the distance when you press the trigger button. So, that means the Switch Pro is out of the question if you want analog support in your PC games.
In general, it is pretty difficult to get the DS4 analog controllers to behave as they should when controlling a PC game. By that, we mean they will behave like digital controls because the DualShock 4 is not designed for PC games.
DualShock 4's shoulder buttons can be set up as analog triggers, on a PC, with apps like DS4Windows, but this can be difficult, as explained above in the Connectivity section. It isn't a process we'd recommend a novice launching themselves into.
However, because the DualShock 4 trigger can be set up as analog inputs, despite a lengthy workaround, the PlayStation controller takes this leg of the competition.
Vs. Verdict: The DualShock 4 Wins!
Vibration Feedback
OK, so this might seem like an unfair fight, seeing as the Switch Pro Controller doesn't have a rumble feature. However, the DualShock vibration feedback doesn't work out of the box either.
Once again, a convoluted workaround is required, which involves using Steam's Big Picture mode to fool your computer into thinking your DS4 is an Xbox controller.
However, as it can be done, we see the Dualshock 4 taking this round again, if only by a whisker.
Vs. Verdict: The DualShock 4 Wins!
Is the DS4 or Switch Pro Better for PC Gaming?
Judging from the results above, the DualShock 4 seems to be better for PC gaming than the Switch Pro Controller. However, it is only via complicated workarounds that it manages to beat the Switch Pro in areas like vibration feedback and analog input. By no stretch of the imagination was this a "you win - perfect" moment for the DS4.
The DualShock 4 controller isn't good for PC gamers unless you are experienced with remapping buttons. Where it works well is if you are playing PlayStation Now games on your PC.
The Switch Pro controller really has little application for PC games and there is no PC-accessible Nintendo streaming service yet.
To be honest, you're better off with a different option altogether such as an Xbox controller, which works with Windows, or a controller designed specifically for PC gaming.
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