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Should the PS6 and next Xbox have back buttons on their controllers? Have your say
GamesRadar+ has published a reader poll asking whether Sony's PS6 and Microsoft's next Xbox controllers should include rear/back paddle buttons, a feature currently offered on premium controllers like the DualSense Edge and Xbox Elite Series 2 but absent from the standard pads bundled with consoles. The question reflects ongoing debate among gamers and hardware designers about whether advanced customisation features should become standard rather than remaining locked behind higher-priced "pro" controller tiers.
The piece invites readers to weigh in on whether back buttons, which allow players to remap actions to paddles on the underside of the controller for faster reactions without lifting thumbs from the sticks, should be built into next-generation standard controllers by default. It comes amid wider speculation about what hardware and design choices Sony and Microsoft might make for their next console generations, with input ergonomics and accessibility being recurring talking points among the gaming community.
In short
- GamesRadar+ polls readers on PS6/next Xbox controller back buttons
- Back paddles currently limited to premium "pro" controllers like DualSense Edge
- Debate centres on whether the feature should become a standard inclusion
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Advocates for back buttons as standard argue that this is a relatively modest manufacturing addition that yields significant accessibility and fairness benefits. They contend that features once confined to premium pricing—analogue sticks, rumble, motion controls—eventually become standard, and back buttons should follow the same trajectory. Remapping actions to rear paddles reduces hand fatigue for disabled players and eliminates a competitive disadvantage for those unable to afford £150-£200 controllers, democratising faster reaction times across all players rather than reserving them for wealthier enthusiasts.
The case against
Those opposed reasonably point out that back buttons increase manufacturing costs, potentially raising bundle prices when console entry costs are already substantial. They argue the tiered product model serves consumers well, allowing budget-conscious players to buy affordable standard controllers whilst serious enthusiasts can upgrade to premium versions with advanced features. Back buttons add design complexity, risk accidental presses during normal play, and the existing premium controller market already satisfies genuine demand without imposing unnecessary costs on millions who prefer simplicity and affordability.
Explained simply
Sony makes the PlayStation, while Microsoft makes the Xbox; both companies sell standard controllers with their consoles. Some more expensive controllers, such as Sony’s DualSense Edge and Microsoft’s Xbox Elite Series 2, add buttons on the back that players can assign to different actions.
These buttons can let players perform actions without moving their thumbs from the control sticks. Whether they should be included in standard controllers is part of a wider discussion about customisation, comfort and which features should come at extra cost.