Gear Buying guide ★ Most asked
What's the best controller for GTA 6?
For most players, the best controller for GTA 6 is the one made for your console: the DualSense on PS5 or the Xbox Wireless Controller on Xbox Series X|S. If you want back buttons so you can drive, aim and act without taking your thumb off the right stick, upgrade to the DualSense Edge (PS5) or the Xbox Elite Series 2 (Xbox).
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Quick answer
- PS5, best value: DualSense. It comes with the console and has haptics and adaptive triggers.
- PS5, upgrade: DualSense Edge. It adds 2 back buttons, trigger stops, swappable stick modules and on-controller profiles.
- Xbox, best value: Xbox Wireless Controller. It runs on AA batteries or a rechargeable pack.
- Xbox, upgrade: Xbox Elite Series 2. It has 4 back paddles, adjustable stick tension and a battery rated up to 40 hours.
- GTA 6 haptics and adaptive-trigger support: not confirmed yet by our own testing. We'll update this on launch day.
Step by step
- Check your console. PS5 games need a PS5 controller (DualSense or DualSense Edge). An older PS4 DualShock 4 only works with PS4 games on PS5.
- Decide if you want back buttons. They let you press face-button actions with your middle fingers, so your right thumb can stay on the camera stick.
- Pick your budget: the standard pad if you're happy with it, the pro pad if you play for hours or want custom layouts.
- Map the back buttons in your console settings (PS5) or the Xbox Accessories app (Xbox). Start by copying the buttons you press most while aiming.
- Save two profiles if your pad supports it: one for driving, one for shooting. Switch between them without opening a menu.
- Keep a USB-C cable near the console. Pro pads with more features usually need charging more often.
Back buttons on each controller
Extra buttons on the back you press with your middle fingers. More = more actions without lifting your thumbs.
Show as table
| Item | buttons |
|---|---|
| DualSense | 0 |
| DualSense Edge | 2 |
| Xbox Wireless | 0 |
| Xbox Elite 2 | 4 |
Comparison table
| Controller | Console | Back buttons | Power | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DualSense | PS5 | 0 | Built-in rechargeable | Most PS5 players |
| DualSense Edge | PS5 | 2 (swappable) | Built-in rechargeable (shorter than the standard DualSense) | Long sessions, custom layouts |
| Xbox Wireless Controller | Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | 0 | AA batteries or rechargeable kit | Most Xbox players |
| Xbox Elite Series 2 | Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | 4 | Built-in, rated up to 40 hours | Long sessions, custom layouts |
Do back buttons actually help in an open-world game?
They help most when you’re doing two things at once. Driving while looking around, or aiming while jumping or reloading, normally means lifting your thumb off a stick. A back button takes that action instead. If you mostly play casually, the standard pad is fine.
What we don’t know yet
How GTA 6 uses DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers, and which controls you can remap in the game’s menu, are not confirmed yet on this site. We’ll test both on launch day and update this guide.
Common mistakes
- Buying a PS4 DualShock 4 for PS5 games. It won't work with them.
- Buying an unlicensed pad to save money. Look for 'Officially Licensed' on the box so it keeps working after system updates.
- Paying for back paddles and never mapping them. Spend five minutes setting them up, or the upgrade is wasted.
- Assuming every game feature works on every controller. Haptics and adaptive triggers are DualSense features; Xbox pads use regular rumble.