DualSense setup

At a glance

Over USB

Plug the DualSense into your PC with a USB-C cable and let Windows recognise it. Vesper should show it in the status bar along the bottom of the launcher within a moment or two.

This is the connection we recommend. It adds the least latency, it charges the pad while you play, and it removes pairing as a variable when something is not working.

Over Bluetooth

1. Open Windows Settings and go to Bluetooth and devices.
2. Hold Create and the PS button on the DualSense until the light bar flashes.
3. Choose Add device, then Bluetooth, and pick the wireless controller.
4. Start Vesper and confirm the pad appears in the status bar.

Bluetooth is fine for most play. For timing-sensitive titles such as Demon's Souls, a cable is the better choice.

Haptics and adaptive triggers

DualSense support includes haptics and adaptive triggers, which matter more in some titles than others. Astro Bot is the clearest showcase, and Returnal maps alternate fire to a half-pressed trigger outright.

If you are using a different pad, those titles still play, but you lose the trigger behaviour rather than a cosmetic effect.

Other controllers

Most Xbox and third-party gamepads that Windows recognises will drive the launcher and your games. Keyboard and mouse work everywhere in the app, so a pad is recommended rather than required.

For a pad that connects to Windows but does nothing in Vesper, see the DualSense how-to.