PlayStation 5 To End Decades Of X And O Button Confusion With Button-Mapping

An issue that has long been a sticking point for PlayStation users in Japan and the rest of the world may finally end with the PlayStation 5.

Since the release of the original PlayStation in 1994, four buttons have been accessible on the right side of the controller: the square, triangle, “X” and “O” buttons. When making choices, the settings would usually fall between the “X” and “O” buttons.

That would not have been an issue for the rest of the world, which usually choose the “X” button as the confirm button, perhaps because answers are usually crossed out or because “X marks the spot.” The issue arises when Japan, the originator of the PlayStation, enters the picture.

Screen Rant noted that in Japan, “O” symbolically means “correct,” which makes it the obvious choice for a confirm button on the DualSense. Thus, with Japanese titles, gamers click “O” to confirm and click “X” to move back or not to select an option.

The PlayStation 5 looks to fix that decades-long dilemma with button-mapping for the PlayStation 5. Japanese outlet Famitsu reported that the “X” will now be used to confirm universally around the globe.

While the rest of the world may not think much of this change, it will greatly affect Japan, although it is not yet known how huge its effect will be for players who have gotten used to pressing “O” to confirm their choices on PlayStation controllers.

Since Japan is a relatively smaller region compared to the rest of the “X” button clicking world, it was the easier choice to change their choice for button-mapping rather than the other way around. The standardization of buttons on the DualSense controller moving forward makes a lot of sense for Sony.

Creating this default setting won’t just help PlayStation players but game developers as well. Sony is hopeful that it will not take a toll on those who have gotten used to clicking the “O” button to confirm their choices on the PlayStation family of consoles.

The significance of the changes in the DualSense controller cannot be overemphasized by Sony as just last month, the company revealed that the next-gen controller will have 50% more battery capacity than the current-gen DualShock controller.

The company is expected to continue revealing more details regarding the controller as the Nov. 12 release date approaches.