Special Edition PlayStation controllers make for excellent collector's items, so here are some of the most attractive DualShock 4 special releases.

The PlayStation 4's time as the primary PlayStation console is slowly coming to an end as the release of the PlayStation 5 is set to happen towards the end of 2020. Since its launch in 2013, fans have been given the opportunity to own a variety of DualShock 4 controllers with special designs related to video game releases and colorway initiatives.

RELATED: 10 Great PlayStation 4 Games For Burning Time

Over the years, which special edition controllers have been the best of the bunch, though? Let's now take a look at and rank the 10 best special edition DualShock 4 controllers.

Updated on September 13, 2020 by Elise Nelson: Soon, the days of the DualShock 4 will be over, replaced by the new DualSense controller for the PS5. Sony did recently reveal that the DualShock controller will be compatible with the next-generation console, but the new PS5-exclusive games will only work with the DualSense due to its new features. As of right now, the DualSense will only be available in the standard white and black design to match the new console, but we can only hope that Sony will eventually reach the level of creativity that they did with these stunning special edition DualShocks.

This eye-catching beauty combines a magenta back, joysticks, and buttons with a teal case for a stunning and memorable color combination. This particular DualShock 4, along with its Sunset Orange special edition counterpart (which we'll discuss below), has been re-released a few times due to high demands. In fact, Berry Blue is so popular that the PlayStation store has limited availability to one per household.

Sony's venture into some bolder and more daring color combinations on the DualShock 4 was a big step toward more personalized options to fit gamers' styles.

Here's the thing, the Sunset Orange DualShock 4 is quite visually loud. The mashing of a navy blue and bright orange might not work for anyone who isn't a Denver Broncos or Chicago Bears NFL fan, but it doesn't mean it shouldn't exist.

Xbox has given their players the ability to design their own controllers via the Xbox Design Lab, so the fact that PlayStation released a bold controller like this is one step closer to them creating a similar product for their millions of console owners.

When thinking about what color you'd most like your DualShock 4 to be, a forest green doesn't seem like the obvious choice. The now-discontinued Alpine Green DualShock 4 did a great job of placing a vibrant green alongside a stark white which gave the design personality via contrast.

Sometimes, you'll find that the simpler designs tend to be a bit more desirable, as they're not tied to a specific game or franchise. It would have looked even better if the touchpad could have been turned into a different color.

Is a gold controller or console something you should own if you have children? The answer to that is likely a clear and definitive no. These types of products are magnets for grease and fingerprints and lose their luster quite quickly. That being said, for those without kids, the gold controller might just be worth snagging.

RELATED: The 15 Best Party Games On The PlayStation 4

It's currently discontinued, but you may be able to find one at a reasonable price. If you like to flex and show off your inner Midas, then spring for the gold console bundle as a whole if you're willing to pay a bit more for a slim PlayStation 4.

This limited edition Death Stranding DualShock 4 matches the color and design of the pod that Sam holds his bridge baby in. The slightly see-through casing features a small design etched on both handles and the game's logo on the touchpad, which glows yellow. Another unique (although a bit silly) feature is a speaker that emits the sound of BB's crying and cooing. Thankfully, for those who don't want to listen to baby cries, the sound can be turned off.

This controller was sold only in a bundle with a limited edition PlayStation Pro, but it can be found separately on eBay.

Electronic Arts haven't done the best job of handling the Star Wars license exclusively, but recent releases and the improvement of Battlefront 2 have garnered optimism.

The special edition PlayStation 4 Pro they launched alongside the game's tumultuous release was less gaudy than almost all other Star Wars special edition consoles. The packed-in DualShock 4 was simply black with a silver Empire and Rebellion logo on each handle. The touchpad also had a repeating watermark that simply said "Star Wars."

If you happen to be a fan of soccer and possibly the color blue, then the F.C. Football Club special edition DualShock 4 is a must-own. The controller features a simplistic pitch design on the touchpad of the controller, as well as a drawn up play on the left handle.

On the right handle it has the PlayStation F.C. logo in all white, which matches the drawn-out play on the opposite side of the controller. It is a nice, subtle way of showing guests you're into soccer, but in a way that's presented as clean and welcoming.

God Of War was an incredible game that took a beloved franchise to new heights and was an example of the pinnacle of AAA games. It turned Kratos into a character people could empathize with and delivered a gameplay experience that was quite impressive.

The custom controller for the game was also quite nice and featured a prominent symbol from the game, as well as its logo on the touchpad. A trend that has occurred in most of the game-related special edition DualShock 4 controllers.

One of the most recent special DualShock 4 releases was the Last of Us Part II controller. Alongside the release of Naughty Dog's highly-anticipated sequel earlier this year, Sony offered a PS4 Pro bundle, which included this sleek black controller engraved with Ellie's tattoo and the title on the touchpad. While the controller did come with the console, it was also available to order separately.

The merch didn't stop there. In addition to the controller and console, a matching Limited Edition Gold Wireless Headset was available.

PlayStation as a brand has done a good job of celebrating certain milestones they've reached as both a company and a platform. When they finally managed to sell 500 million PlayStation consoles over their lifetime in the gaming industry, they wanted to commemorate the occasion with a special edition console. The controller itself followed suit with the console's design and was a dark navy that happened to also be translucent. Both the text and PlayStation logo on the controller featured a pop of rose gold.

This Destiny 2 DualShock 4 certainly stands out among the rest. The white controller, which was released in 2017, features the character class insignia and the title in bright gold. The special edition controller was sold separately, though fans could also snag a glacier white console with a matching all-white controller at the time of the game's release.

Days Of Play is an annual event PlayStation does in June where they hold incredible sales for their player base, and sometimes the event features a special edition product of some sort to commemorate that year's event.

The Days Of Play console bundle may now be discontinued, but that doesn't mean we can't reminisce about the DualShock 4 that came bundled in. This blue controller wasn't unique overall, but the touchpad happened to feature a sequential pattern of the console's sacred symbols, which was pretty neat.

This is perhaps one of the most detailed controllers from Sony, and it came with an equally detailed and breathtaking console. The Monster Hunter World red DualShock 4 features black dragon artwork and a small gold coat of arms, which really stands out when the light hits it. Meanwhile, the black PS4 Pro features a large black dragon with red accents and gold eyes. The set is the perfect addition to a hunting experience.

Marvel's Spider-Man not only gave Marvel its first AAA critical darling video game, but it also gave the gaming world a dope custom console. The DualShock 4 that came packed in with the bundle may not have featured the Spider-Man logo, but it was still a highly adored design.

RELATED: 10 PS4 Games Announced This Generation (That Aren't Out Yet)

At its base, it was colored with the Spider-Man red featured in most of the game's marketing. Alongside that, all of the buttons, sticks, and bumpers were made a stark white color. Thankfully they avoided the mistake they made with the other DualShock 4 controllers by not putting the game's logo on the touchpad.

Based on principle alone, it doesn't seem right to have anything on this list higher than the 20th Anniversary edition DualShock 4. It came bundled in with the celebratory console of the same name that served as an homage to the design aesthetic of the PlayStation 1.

It has the light gray base that everyone associates with the original console, as well as the original PlayStation logo and pastel-colored sacred symbols. The nostalgia of this controller is off the charts and made it one of the most sought after controllers of the generation.

NEXT: The 15 Best PS4 Graphics Of The Last Decade, Ranked

Jerrad Wyche is a writer, designer, and producer hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico. His favorite video games include Mass Effect 2, Inside, Pokémon Soul Silver, Spelunky, and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. He hosts his own weekly video game podcast at Controlled Interests and is a dedicated writer for TheGamer.