PlayStation Teams With Lisa on Limited-Edition DualSense Controller and Merch Collection

PlayStation has unveiled a new collaboration with K-pop superstar Lisa, the main rapper of Blackpink, featuring a limited-edition DualSense controller priced at $84.99 alongside a broader merch collection. The reveal, announced this week, includes a promotional video starring Lisa herself and sets up a preorder window in the U.S. on October 2, with the full launch following on October 30. The collection is timed to coincide with the release of Lisa’s upcoming EP, Press Play, on October 23, marking one of the most high-profile celebrity partnerships the console maker has pursued in recent years.

The centerpiece of the drop is a DualSense controller defined by a soft grey color scheme and a striking central graphic: an artistic rendition of Lisa’s mascara-clad eyes, rendered in blue, with the iconic quartet of PlayStation buttons woven into her makeup look. The controller also carries an “LL” logo on one side and Lisa’s signature on the back, blending the hardware’s familiar silhouette with a distinctly personal aesthetic. Beyond the controller, the merch assortment expands into totes, sweaters, hats, and stickers, giving the collection a reach that extends well past the usual PlayStation release and leans more toward what fans would expect from the artist herself.

A Design That Blends Hardware and Identity

What makes this collaboration notable is how it departs from the typical pattern of gaming hardware tie-ins. Historically, limited-edition controllers have been anchored to first-party titles under either company’s banner, such as PlayStation’s recent Wolverine line or Xbox’s Gears of War: E-Day controller. Collaborations with individual celebrities remain comparatively rare, with the last major example being a LeBron James controller released in 2023. This Lisa partnership signals a shift toward treating the artist as a creative collaborator rather than simply a marketing face, with the design work clearly centered on her personal brand.

The distribution model also reflects this broader approach. While the DualSense controller will initially be available only through direct preorder via PlayStation, the additional merch items will be sold through Lisa’s Amazon storefront, giving the collection a retail footprint that mirrors a standard music-star merch drop rather than a console-exclusive release.

“Gaming is something I do whenever I have time to relax,” Lisa said of the collaboration, adding that the collection “gave me a new way to be creative and show a different side of myself.”

Lisa

The statement underscores a growing trend of pop culture figures engaging with gaming as a genuine creative outlet rather than a one-off promotional stunt. Lisa is no stranger to such ventures, having recently headlined an entire Fortnite Festival season, and her background as a performer translates naturally into the interactive medium. The collaboration arrives as PlayStation navigates a period of scrutiny over its decision to cut production of physical discs, as well as following the notable industry shake-up involving Hideo Kojima’s decision to move development of his next espionage game, Physint, to Xbox. These developments place the Lisa partnership in a broader context of the console maker recalibrating its brand strategy and creative partnerships.

Looking Ahead

For consumers interested in securing the hardware, the preorder window opens on October 2 in the U.S., with the full collection launching on October 30. Those looking to purchase the additional merch items can do so directly through Lisa’s Amazon storefront, which will remain open beyond the initial preorder period. The release is deliberately aligned with the October 23 drop of Lisa’s Press Play EP, ensuring the collaboration receives maximum visibility across both the gaming and music communities.

As limited-edition controllers continue to draw collectors and fans alike, this partnership represents a fresh direction for PlayStation’s approach to celebrity collaborations—one that leans into the artist’s own creative identity while expanding the reach of the merch beyond traditional console hardware.

Blythe (she/her) is an Audience Development Coordinator at IGN who spends way too much time in character customization screens and tracking down collectibles.