Personally, I am always very interested when a company that produces a primary device releases peripherals designed to work with it. To put it plainly, examples include Apple's AirPods or Samsung's Galaxy Buds. While there might be more cost-effective options or products with better specs if you look at the category in isolation, my belief is that the compatibility will be flawless when using them with the intended device.

That is why I was particularly intrigued by the two new pieces of gaming gear released by Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE). Even though I don't have a PS5 at home, I found myself wanting them anyway. I'm not an expert on this market, but to my knowledge, it is quite rare for SIE to release official PlayStation 5 peripherals outside of the DualSense controller series, earphones, or headsets, which made this even more interesting.

As it happened, I had the opportunity to visit the SIE headquarters to get a hands-on look at the two new products. The stars of the show were the 'FlexStrike Wireless Fighting Stick,' specialized for fighting game environments, and the 'PULSE Elevate Wireless Speaker,' which helps users experience console-specific immersive sound with high-end audio technology.

'FlexStrike': Like having a DualSense embedded in an arcade stick

The 'FlexStrike Wireless Fighting Stick' (hereinafter FlexStrike) is, as I suspected, the first official arcade stick ever released by SIE. In person, it has such a stunning design that even someone like me—who doesn't usually pay much attention to PlayStation—naturally finds themselves thinking, "Should I pick up a PS5? How long until GTA 6."

For connectivity, it supports both wired USB and wireless PlayStation Link via a dedicated USB dongle (PS Link Dongle). Despite being a wireless product, the response speed is so fast that it is difficult to perceive any lag. I was so excited about this new product that I forgot to mention it in the briefing, but I'll add for peace of mind that it also supports PC connectivity.

Looking closer, the design and layout, which essentially transplant the DualSense onto an arcade stick, were particularly impressive. From the PS button to the 3-way slide switch that toggles input between the left and right sticks, the Create and Options buttons, and the dedicated L3/R3 buttons, the most unique touch was the design that looks exactly like the touchpad from the center of the DualSense, which made it feel instantly familiar.

The bottom of the unit features an anti-slip texture. This ensures it stays firmly in place whether you are playing with it on a desk or using the method preferred by many fighting game players—placing it on your lap—allowing for stable and precise control. I'm not sure of the exact material, but it feels like rubber or silicone, making it comfortable to rest on your lap without it being a distraction.

Opening the bottom panel reveals the gate restrictor, which physically controls the joystick's range of motion. This component is crucial in the world of arcade sticks as it determines the range and direction of the lever's movement. In addition to the pre-installed square gate, the package includes circular and octagonal restrictors that can be swapped in.

This allows gamers to instantly change the joystick's range of motion to square, circular, or octagonal to suit their main character or command input habits. I was particularly impressed that everything from opening the bottom panel to attaching or detaching the desired gate restrictor can be done by hand, without the need for tools like a screwdriver.

However, the main input buttons themselves are not officially supported for replacement. While I enjoyed the tactile feel of the buttons—and I understand the fixed design choice given that response speeds can vary depending on the switch—I didn't have a way to test button longevity or wear during the session since I hadn't used it aggressively for several days. Official information on the switches would be helpful in the future, and if SIE intends to continue exploring this space, I think users would appreciate the option for dedicated switch replacement parts in the long run.

While it might not be a major selling point, the head of the stick itself is replaceable. I'm referring to the circular ball-top that the gamer grips, not the stick mechanism itself. I couldn't confirm plans for third-party accessories, but it seems compatible with most standard stick heads. Given the design, I cautiously predict that separate accessories will be released.

Considering use in e-sports tournaments, a separate hard carrying case is provided, showing that mobility was a priority from the package design stage. Inside, there is a zippered pocket to safely store the included USB cable and other accessories. Above all, the design is so clean that I wish they sold it separately.

The physical measures to prevent fatal mistakes in tournament environments are also noteworthy. Next to the PS button, which handles power and system menu access just like on the DualSense, there is a physical 'Lock Switch' that lights up with an orange LED. Holding this switch down disables all buttons except for the stick movement and the main input area (the 8 arcade buttons). It literally becomes a 'stick for fighting.' It seems that accidental inputs calling up the PS menu screen are common enough in tournaments that they can lead to disqualification, and this feature completely eliminates that risk.

Let's move on to the feel of the controls. I was able to test the FlexStrike with a PS5 fighting game on-site. I won, but I was so focused on the feel of the FlexStrike—especially the response time—that I barely had time to think about the win or loss.

As mentioned, even in wireless mode, the response speed was so fast that it was hard to perceive any lag. The tactile feel of the input buttons was truly top-tier. I'd describe it as quiet yet premium. It seems a low-noise design was implemented, considering that fighting games involve frequent and rapid button inputs.

High-end speaker aesthetic, a design that fits perfectly in any interior! 'PULSE Elevate'

There are many speakers with great designs these days, but the 'PULSE Elevate Wireless Speaker' (hereinafter PULSE Elevate) brings a lot of positive thoughts to mind. It not only matches the PS5 perfectly but also features a clean, attractive design that wouldn't look out of place anywhere in a home. It would even fit well in a trendy shop. Of course, it is compatible with various devices, including the PS5, PC, and smartphones.

People who buy nice speakers always worry about one thing: cable management. You see a product in a display photo and it looks great, but when you get it home, it doesn't fit in and looks out of place—usually, cable clutter is the culprit. The PULSE Elevate is designed as a wireless speaker from the ground up, making it very free from such limitations. You might ask, "Is being wireless all that matters?" but it features a built-in battery, allowing you to easily move it to another room without a power cable, and it supports standard Bluetooth for universal connectivity with smartphones, making it very convenient for daily life.

According to SIE, the PULSE Elevate is designed not only for the large TV in the living room but also for gamers in desktop environments who enjoy games on a PS5 or PC using a monitor in tight spaces like a bedroom desk or a personal gaming room. Like the FlexStrike, it supports wireless connection via a dedicated dongle as well as PlayStation Link wireless technology.

In particular, the included USB dongle supports up to 3 devices, allowing you to pair two FlexStrike arcade sticks and one PULSE Elevate speaker to enjoy games with a friend, or connect one FlexStrike and two PULSE Elevate speakers for a more powerful sound, depending on the environment and situation.

The top of the speaker houses the power and PS Link integration button, volume controls, and a physical microphone mute button. This means the speaker includes a microphone. This is a feature that offers more advantages to desktop-based players than TV-based ones; the performance is better than expected, and thanks to the AI noise cancellation mentioned later, it helps you enjoy clearer and more comfortable voice chat.

It also supports a physical tilt function that allows you to adjust the vertical angle of the product, considering that the directivity of sound changes based on the gamer's sitting height or chair height. You can align the speaker's output direction with the gamer's ear position, ensuring an optimal listening position without sound loss.

Let's move on to the sound. The core of the PULSE Elevate's sound lies in the 'Planar Magnetic Driver' used in SIE's existing high-end headsets and earbuds, the PULSE Elite and PULSE Explore. This allows it to output high-resolution sound with less distortion compared to standard speakers.

It provides exceptionally clear sound quality, especially in the high-frequency range where in-game sound effects are concentrated. I tested the product while playing 'Ghost of Yōtei,' and the sound effects—like the sound of a sword swinging, horse footsteps, or the wind in the natural scenery—were not muffled at all, but clearly separated, which felt very immersive.

PlayStation users are bound to be sensitive to sound because the PS5 offers immersive, three-dimensional sound through Tempest 3D Audio technology. The PS5's dedicated 3D engine makes sounds coming from above, the side, or behind you feel three-dimensional, almost like 'visible sound.' Therefore, it was important to me whether the PULSE Elevate could express this richly, and the expressive power was satisfyingly excellent.

As mentioned, the PULSE Elevate has a built-in microphone, allowing for smooth voice chat with other PS5 users without wearing a headset. To solve the physical environment where speaker output and microphone input occur simultaneously, it adopts powerful noise-cancellation technology to physically separate background audio from the user's voice.

In the actual demo, even though I played loud music right next to the speaker with my smartphone—loud enough to hurt my ears—it showed excellent suppression, recording only my voice clearly while completely canceling out the noise. This is a factor that can act as a major advantage in multiplayer environments where you need to deliver clear voice to other players without being disturbed by noise from daily life, in addition to game sounds.

From another perspective, it could be a great choice for gamers who fundamentally dislike headsets due to the feeling of stuffiness.

The domestic release date for Sony's first official arcade stick, the FlexStrike, is scheduled for August 7, with pre-orders starting on June 12. The recommended retail price for the FlexStrike is ₩308k.