Lunchtime Discussion: Controllers
Who's got it right with their controllers, Microsoft or Sony?Published 17/12/2009 at 12:00 by Watchful
The end of the year is a time for reflection. Something I was doing a lot of yesterday after becoming the second staffer to have their PS3 die this December. Before deciding that I couldn’t go without a PS3 until the end of January, and as a result making my credit card company very happy, I was contemplating spending a lot more time cradling my 360’s controller in my hands and reflecting on its differences compared to my Dual Shock 3.
On the 360’s controller one thing (the only thing?) Microsoft got right was the triggers. Larger triggers, a concave profile, more travel and more progressive resistance make them far superior to Sony’s L2 and R2 triggers in my opinion. Microsoft’s D-pad implementation is shockingly bad for a control mechanism that has been almost universally present since Nintendo gave us the Donkey Kong Game & Watch back in 1982.
There was the alleged improved D-pad on the limited edition PES 2009 Xbox controllers but I have never seen conclusive evidence that those D-pads were better. Certainly the D-pad on the controller that came with the Elite I bought a few months back is no better than the one I’ve had since a few months after the 360’s UK launch. Personally I also dislike the offset analogue stick layout. Strangely that does not bother me on my, still in use, GameCube controllers, possibly because fewer of my GC games require much twin-stick action. Perhaps tellingly, Nintendo have gone for a symmetrical stick layout for their Wii Classic controller.
Needless to say the SixAxis/Dual Shock scores its first point over the 360 in my eyes by having the symmetrical analogue stick layout. Its next win comes courtesy of the D-pad. Sony got that right on the original PlayStation controller and it remains a dependable set of buttons to this day.
As noted above, and for those reasons, I find L2 & R2 to be inferior to the 360’s triggers. (I have tried clip-on L2 & R2 extentions that give them a concave profile but do not get on with them.) Other preferences are for the included rechargeable battery, saving me buying another accessory, and the general lightness of Sony’s controller.
Because as gamers we spend so much time holding controllers we tend not to have feelings of ambivalence towards them and, like Marmite, have definite preferences. So how do you feel about the ‘competing’ controllers from Sony and Microsoft?
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
Kingsleyftw | 17/12/2009 12:03
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I actually prefer the offset analogue sticks on the 360 pad. I find it more comfortable to hold, and find myself stretching my thumb to reach the PS3 one. Just personal preference. I generally prefer the 360 controller, but they both do the job.
Tubbybuddy | 17/12/2009 12:33
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I have large hands and find the size of the xbox good, but the setup of the PS better.
It’s a shame they don’t do a larger PS controller, I think there would be a good market for them.
Also some add on bits form Sony, get with the program… There is improvement’s needed on both, use replacement buttons as DNR, most common parts bought, wins next gen built handset.
cam the man | 17/12/2009 18:56
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I have small(ish) hands so find the 360 controller a bit big. Prefer the Dual Shock.
But the 360 does have better triggers.
hazelam | 17/12/2009 16:23
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i’m ambivalent on the location of the analog stick, the higher one seems comfortable, but then so is the lower on like the dual shock.
but if ms believe the higher position for the analog stick is more natural, why for gods sake did they put the other one lower?
was it as simple as not wanting to be seen to copy the playstation pad so they copied the cube pad?
i’d rather have them both up or both down, not the frankenstein pad they have now.
mind you though, i think we can all agree the dpad on the 360 pad is really crap, the onlky really bad thing about it.
djdustb | 17/12/2009 12:05
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Sony got the controller right with the PS1 and have made improvements all the way through it’s life without compromising the classic style and feel of the controller. I can’t fault mine, Sixaxis is a bit of a fail but then perhaps this is partly up to no decent games supporting it or making the most out of it.
bunimomike | 17/12/2009 21:36
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I can’t even entertain playing Flower without sixaxis but agree with a terrible lack of limitation and implementation of both hardware and gaming support. Very much a “fail”, from my perspective.
Sweetums | 18/12/2009 14:16
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Yeh, ever since they launched the DS on the PS1 it has only had tweaks rather that a complete design overhaul which says a lot about how good it is!
Tuffcub | 17/12/2009 12:07
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MS Controllers give me wrist ache.
seedaripper1973 | 17/12/2009 12:13
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I get wrist ache too…nowt to do with controllers mind
BalramRules | 17/12/2009 12:22
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Innit! I just LOVE = D the PS3 SIXAXIS/DualShock 3 Controllers, although for my taste, the SIXAXIS Controllers are too light, the DualShock 3 Controller is just my fit
= )
Although I suspect that Microsoft is going to abandon the 360 Controller from Q4 2010/Q1 OR 2 2010. Due to Project Natal, I just hope that the PS3 Motion Controllers and 3D TV Combined and Online PlayStation Network combined won’t lag, like you’re playing online tennis, the ball comes out of the screen, the ball lags, you hit it right on! and then your friend loses (me), that’s just UNFAIR!!!!
hazelam | 17/12/2009 16:24
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eeeeeewwwwwwwww
seedaripper1973 | 17/12/2009 17:04
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You do me a diservice hazelam, i suffer from repetitive strain injury…honest
commuterzombie | 17/12/2009 12:08
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PS controller all the way for me. I’ve never really had a problem with the triggers and I find it to be superior in every other way.
seedaripper1973 | 17/12/2009 12:12
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*starts ridiculous american macho rant*
DS3! DS3! DS3! DS3! DS3! …ad infinitum…
Dunks | 17/12/2009 12:15
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Controllers are funny things. Personally, I was a N64 fan for ages and loved that controller. Then Gamecube came along and totally loved that but honestly both of them took time for me to like. This being the first time I’ve used a Playstation controller it’s definitely taken longer than normal to get used to but I have warmed to it. I definitely don’t want more buttons on these damn things I can tell you tat. much…
C_S15 | 17/12/2009 12:16
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DS3 with 360 sticks and triggers. Someone make this pad and make it so I can use it for both consoles and I will buy it =D
DR-DAVROS | 17/12/2009 12:18
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It depends on what your used too. I played a few times with the xbox 360 controller and could not get used to it. Anyone know where I can get a cheap DS3 from as my right analog stick on my sixaxis died during MW2 and now doesn’t recentre when pushing left.
deadairspace | 17/12/2009 12:18
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DualShock 3 for me – all though like Dunks the N64 controller was fantastic.
My question is, when will the d-pad get removed?
djdustb | 17/12/2009 12:49
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Why would you want it removed? What purpose would be served by that?
hazelam | 17/12/2009 16:26
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i think maybe he means removed completely from joypads in favour of totally analog controls.
could be wrong though.
i still like the dpad for certain games so i’d be sad to see it go.
jimmy-google | 17/12/2009 12:21
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PS3 controllers are my preference but I actually prefer not to have the dual shock. I’ve never found rumble to reflect the correct sort of feedback your should get from what you see on screen. It just becomes an irritation.
I think I’d get used to the analogue stick being offset on the 360 controller if I used to regularly (had no problem on the gamecube) but the actual sticks themselves (and the d-pad) are crap.
It took me a long time to get used to the ps3 controllers being so light – its a good job they are though otherwise I would have smashed a lot of things in my living room.
bunimomike | 17/12/2009 12:24
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My mate and I seem to agree on the 360 controller being better for FPS and the Sony controller being superior for everything else. I still find the 360 controller unwieldy but I’m just not use to it, that’s all.
citizeninsane45 | 17/12/2009 12:27
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I couldn’t agree with your comments more Watchful. The other plus side to the 360 controller is the larger ‘handles’. It is certainly a lot better for people with bigger hands, like myself.
Jumping Monks | 17/12/2009 12:39
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Can anyone say Dreamcast controller?
Out of DS3/SIXAXIS, or the Xbox controller, I’m going to go with the PS3 controller, it just seems more refined and less clunky. Though they both do the job just perfectly.
seedaripper1973 | 17/12/2009 12:44
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The dreamcast controller was one of the worst controllers ive ever used…talk about cramp! and the weird sharpends of the ‘handles’ was bizzare..take your bloody eye out they can
shields_t | 17/12/2009 12:54
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…..and what on earth was the point of the very nice tamagotchi like attachment? Other than a severe battery sponge?
shields_t | 17/12/2009 12:54
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Um, that was meant to say niche not nice, thus completely changing the point of my comment – grrr!
seedaripper1973 | 17/12/2009 13:05
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Wel the PS1 had one of those as well (pocketstation) but it was..er…crap! back to the dreamcast though, anybody ever manage to play Rival Schools with the controller?? nigh on impossible, what the hell were SEGA thinking??!
ZenTerrorist | 17/12/2009 12:41
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The main thing that has put me off buying a 360 for so long is its control pad. I really don’t like it. The 360 is a great game console in my opinion (got one to play some of its exclusive games) but mine is gathering dust as I hardly play it, and the main reason is all down to the control pad.
I play on it at home on single campaign games but It puts me off so much that when I’m at a friends place and we play ‘party games’ such as soul calibur or burnout on his 360, I always half heartedly take up the challenge to play where otherwise I’ll be jumping to the chance to kick some ass in a party multiplayer environment. I suck at competing as I’m so used to the Dualshock.
The dualshock feels natural and is the best, bar none.
shields_t | 17/12/2009 12:46
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Well I’ve only owned a 360 for a week, but I must admit I’m experiencing problems I have never had with Sony’s controllers. Having got Forza 3, which depends on the analogue shoulder buttons quite heavily, I get serious pain in my hands after putting a few hours in.
I do however like the weight and feel of the XBox controller, though the huge green light thing on the top is rather off putting when it starts spinning around and catches the eye half way through a lap.
shields_t | 17/12/2009 12:50
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Oh yeah and the d-pad is dreadful, the amount of mistakes I made while setting my profile up was ridiculous.