# PlayStation face buttons

> basic function buttons of PlayStation game controllers

**Wikidata**: [Q101901478](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101901478)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/playstation-face-buttons

## Summary
PlayStation face buttons are the four primary action buttons found on PlayStation game controllers, identified by their unique geometric symbols: the triangle, circle, cross, and square. These buttons serve as the basic function inputs for the PlayStation video gaming brand, which is owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

## Key Facts
- The layout consists of four specific action buttons: the triangle button, circle button, cross button, and square button.
- The face button layout was designed by Teiyu Goto, as documented in "All About the PlayStation 1's Design."
- These buttons are a core component of the PlayStation brand, a Japanese gaming entity owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
- The buttons are traditionally associated with four specific colors: blue, red, green, and pink.
- The layout is classified as an instance of a "face button layout" and is a registered trademark.
- This button configuration is a primary feature of the DualSense, the main controller for the PlayStation 5.
- Common aliases for the entity include "PlayStation action buttons," "triangle-circle-cross-square," and "Playstation-style face buttons."

## FAQs
### Q: What are the four symbols used on PlayStation face buttons?
A: The four symbols are the triangle, circle, cross, and square. These geometric shapes serve as the primary action inputs for PlayStation game controllers.

### Q: Who is responsible for the design of the PlayStation face buttons?
A: The face button layout was designed by Teiyu Goto. His work on the design is a recognized part of the original PlayStation 1's development history.

### Q: What colors are used for the PlayStation face buttons?
A: The buttons are associated with the colors blue, red, green, and pink. These colors are used to distinguish the different geometric shapes on the controller.

## Why It Matters
The PlayStation face buttons represent a significant departure from the alphanumeric labeling conventions used by other video game hardware manufacturers. By utilizing a distinct set of geometric symbols—triangle, circle, cross, and square—Sony Interactive Entertainment established a unique visual language that has become a core part of the PlayStation brand identity. Designed by Teiyu Goto, this layout has remained a consistent standard across decades of hardware iterations, from the original PlayStation to the modern DualSense controller. This consistency ensures that the "face button layout" is instantly recognizable to players worldwide, serving as both a functional interface and a trademarked symbol of the Japanese gaming brand.

## Notable For
- **Geometric Iconography:** Replaces traditional letters or numbers with a unique triangle-circle-cross-square symbol set.
- **Teiyu Goto Design:** Created by the prominent designer responsible for the aesthetic of the original PlayStation hardware.
- **Trademarked Layout:** Recognized as a specific trademarked instance of a gamepad face button layout.
- **Hardware Integration:** Serves as the fundamental input method for major hardware like the PlayStation 5's DualSense controller.

## Body

### Design and Classification
The PlayStation face buttons are categorized as a "face button layout," a specific arrangement of action buttons used on gamepads. The layout was designed by Teiyu Goto, a fact cited in the source "All About the PlayStation 1's Design." The system is comprised of four distinct parts:
*   **Triangle button:** A PlayStation game controller action button.
*   **Circle button:** A PlayStation game controller action button.
*   **Cross button:** A PlayStation game controller action button.
*   **Square button:** A PlayStation game controller action button.

### Brand and Hardware Context
These buttons are a primary component of the PlayStation brand, which is owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment and based in Japan. The layout is a standard feature across PlayStation hardware, including the DualSense controller for the PlayStation 5. The buttons are officially associated with a color palette of blue, red, green, and pink.

### Technical Identity and Terminology
In technical documentation and general use, the buttons are often referred to by several aliases, including "PlayStation action buttons" and "Playstation-style face buttons." Beyond their functional role as basic function buttons, they are legally recognized as a trademark. The configuration is defined by having exactly four face buttons of this specific class.

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  "name": "PlayStation face buttons",
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## References

1. All About the PlayStation 1's Design