Sony’s limited edition Astro Bot controller is up for preorder again

After initially selling out, Sony’s limited-edition Astro Bot DualSense controller for the PS5 is available for preorder once again for $79.99. The forthcoming gamepad, which initially sold out but is now available from Walmart and Antonline, will launch alongside the next Astro Bot game on September 6th, giving those who’ve secretly been wishing their peripherals had more, huh, eyes, another option to consider.

This isn’t the first time Sony Interactive Entertainment has released a special-edition controller to commemorate an upcoming exclusive — it launched a symbiote-themed controller alongside Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 last year — but its latest collaboration with developer Team Asobi is far cuter. The new PS5 controller features shiny blue grips and buttons inspired by Astro’s signature blue accents, along with a pair of gawking blue eyes on the touchpad. It also sports some subtle carved lines on both handles, giving the adorable controller a bit of a sci-fi vibe.

The distinctions stop there, though. The limited-edition Astro Bot model touts the same robust compatibility and battery life as your standard DualSense Wireless Controller, along with the same adaptive triggers, motion controls, and haptics. That being said, Team Asobi has supposedly added a ton of new interactions between the controller and the next Astro Bot game, allowing you to feel a wider variety of textures and surfaces while giving power-ups a more distinct feel. The original Astro’s Playroom felt like a glorified tech demo, and if our hands-on time with Astro Bot is any indication, the sequel will follow suit.

Update, August 29th: Updated to reflect current availability at Walmart and Antonline.