Blackpink's Lisa now has her own DualSense: bangs, stars and Chroma Pearl for $85

Sony has taken its collaboration with Lisa, Blackpink member and actress, one step further, and the result is a limited-edition DualSense that breaks away from what we had been seeing in the PS5 controller lineup. According to GameSpot, the controller uses the Chroma Pearl color, the artist's favorite, as its base, and layers on top an illustration of her bangs and eyes on the touchpad, along with stars and the letters "LL" scattered across the design. Sony itself describes it as a piece featuring elements that hold personal meaning for her.

Why does this matter to an esports team? Because it marks a clear direction in PlayStation's strategy. Until now, limited-edition controllers were tied to video game launches and to bold, eye-catching designs: the Wolverine one, the Marathon one, the GTA 6 one. This one, by contrast, promotes no game at all, but rather a global pop figure, and its aesthetic is soft, almost decorative. The DualSense stops being just a peripheral and becomes a fashion object. It will cost $85, pre-orders open on October 2 at PlayStation Direct, and it will reach other retailers from October 30.

What you need to know

• It is the Lisa Limited Edition DualSense, the result of the deal between Sony and the singer announced last year.
• Chroma Pearl base color, with illustrated bangs and eyes on the touchpad, stars and the initials "LL".
• Priced at $85, in line with other limited editions of the controller.
• Pre-orders from October 2 at PlayStation Direct; retail distribution from October 30.
• It comes alongside a collection of PlayStation merchandise featuring Lisa designs.

From PS5 controller to style accessory

GameSpot's comparison is pretty vivid: if the Wolverine or GTA 6 controllers wanted to grab your attention with striking designs, this one looks like it came out of a home decor store, with that "live, laugh, love" poster vibe. That is not a cheap shot. Sony knows perfectly well who it is talking to with this edition, and it is not the player looking for a controller to compete with. It is the Lisa and Blackpink fan who may not even own a PS5 and who will buy the controller the way you would buy a vinyl record or a figure.

This fits with the move Sony made when it signed Lisa as the face of PlayStation 5. The brand wants to step out of the purely gamer niche and slip into mainstream pop culture, and a controller that can be displayed on a shelf is the perfect tool for that. The accompanying merchandise collection reinforces the idea: they are not selling a peripheral, they are selling a universe.

The specter of resale

GameSpot drops a warning we already know all too well: $85 is the official price, but if scalpers set their sights on this edition, the real figure will be a different story. With a fanbase as loyal as Blackpink's and a limited run, the stage is set for the controller to vanish from PlayStation Direct within minutes and reappear on second-hand marketplaces at double the price. Anyone who truly wants it would do well to have their account ready on October 2.

Our take

From the Underworld Lordz editorial team, we will say it plainly: for a competitive player, this controller brings nothing to the table. As far as we know from the source, it is the same DualSense as always with a different skin. No adjustable triggers, no back paddles, nothing that justifies $85 over the standard controller. If you compete in fighting games, shooters or any PS5 title where precision matters, your money is better spent on a controller built for that purpose.

The world of content creators is another matter, and there we do see the point. An instantly recognizable controller, tied to one of the most followed artists on the planet, is a magnet for clips, thumbnails and themed streams. For anyone who blends gaming with pop culture, or who has an audience with plenty of K-pop fans, this edition is an image asset that pays for itself with a single good content idea.

What raises more doubts for us is the overall trend. Sony keeps churning out limited-edition controllers, each at a premium price, and each time the link to the game itself grows thinner. We have nothing against PlayStation wanting to be a lifestyle brand, but we would like to see the same energy put into improving the controller we all use every day, not just into changing its color. And the resale problem, which the source itself acknowledges, still has no serious answer from the company.

What do you think?

A Lisa of Blackpink controller for $85: a collector's indulgence, a marketing masterstroke, or just another edition to feed the scalpers? Would you buy it to play with, to display, or would you skip it altogether? Let us know in the team chat or on our Discord.