Editorial: Why I Prefer Sony Controllers
You know, when I first laid eyes on the original PlayStation controller almost 13 years ago, I wasn't too impressed. I thought Sony had decided to sacrifice practicality and comfort for this sleek, futuristic look. I thought the SNES still had the best controller of all time (and ironically enough, the N64 had the worst by far), and I wasn't too keen on trying out that new fandangled Sony machine. I just didn't have a whole lot of faith in that gamepad.
But now, well over a decade later, I find I vastly prefer the Sony controllers, whether they're Dual Shock 1, 2 or 3 or Sixaxis or whatever. It's just a level of comfort that no other controller has ever bothered to provide; I've placed my hands on just about every controller ever known to the video game realm, and I can say, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that I always prefer Sony's. Not only is it about the accessibility of the buttons and the design itself, it's how those buttons respond. I really didn't like the original Xbox controller - it was an ugly beast of a thing - but the S controller was great, which is essentially what we have with the Xbox 360. I have no problems using it, but I just don't like the triggers (never have liked triggers on controllers) and I despise the almost non-existent sensitivity of the face buttons.
I really didn't like the idea of changing the R2 and L2 buttons on the Sixaxis to half-triggers - the buttons on the Dual Shock 2 worked just fine - and it's really very simple: I've spent almost a quarter-century building up the touch and control of my thumbs, and it almost never involved my index fingers. I'm shakier and far more inaccurate when pressing down a trigger with my index finger than I would be if I was pressing it down with my thumb. Furthermore, I don't know if anybody has noticed, but the pressure sensitivity of the Sony controllers has always been the best. Just tapping the buttons will produce a result, and pressing them harder (in many titles) can produce a different, and easily achieved, result. Supposedly, this same technology is in the Xbox 360 controller, but I refuse to believe it. You really have to press the face buttons hard in comparison to the Sony controllers.
It's like I'm mashing on the A button just to perform a simple action, whereas with any Sony controller, I tap it and the responsiveness is immediate and perfect. On top of which, when you consider the fact that, for me, all the buttons are more accessible on the Sony controllers, it's no contest. I've heard the argument that the 360 controller is much better for first-person shooters, and that's presumably because of the triggers (which I will always hate), and the better analog. On this latter issue, I do agree: the firmer analog of the 360 gamepad does feel more durable, and the player doesn't have to be quite so erratic. The analogs on the Sony controllers have always been a little light and too easily moved about, leading to control difficulty in certain situations. But I think I've gotten so used to it, I'd almost rather play FPSs with a Sony controller, too. It's just a matter of personal preference, I know, but I'm wondering how many people feel this way...
Let's face it: when it comes to consoles, the gamepad is of the utmost importance. If you find it uncomfortable or difficult to handle in some way, every last one of your game experiences will suffer. And I've experienced the least number of "scream at your controller in frustration" situations with Sony controllers. That's all I'm saying. :)
7/4/2008 Ben Dutka
Email this to a friend!
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Comments (Beta)
infekt
Friday, July 04, 2008 @ 11:30:15 PM
Reply
Reccaman18
Friday, July 04, 2008 @ 11:39:55 PM
Reccaman18
Friday, July 04, 2008 @ 11:35:51 PM
Reply
SHADOW [Moderator]
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 12:25:50 AM
Reply
Am I the only person on the planet that liked the N64 controller? The gamecube controller is by far the worst modern controller ever.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 1:00:21 AM
SHADOW [Moderator]
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 2:07:19 AM
Jed
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 6:16:41 AM
jmjd00
Tuesday, July 08, 2008 @ 9:29:09 PM
But now on todays consoles my favorite is the ps control, I have everything at my fingertips, it feels great and also love the triggers they're much better than Xbox's and is way more sensitive too, its just perfect for driving games and as said before it just feels good on CoD.
aaronisbla
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 1:43:53 AM
Reply
Jed
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 6:30:40 AM
Reply
Spaceman
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 9:22:05 AM
Reply
The D-pad is awful, the analog sticks are useless, inaccurate and in the wrong place. This is 2008 Sony. All games use analog now. The triggers are poor. Everything is coated in this slippy plastic stuff. The buttons need to be hard pressed to register.
I'd put this a firm last behind The Jaguar and 3DO pads.
It's the area MS got right with their console.
How I wish someone would mod one over to use on my PS3.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 10:20:32 AM
And considering the analog sticks are basically in the exact same place on both controllers...sounds more like you just have a bias, not a personal preference.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 10:59:43 AM
Then after saying it's tiny, you say your hands and thumbs ache for having been "stretched" over the analog sticks, which are CLOSER to your thumbs on the Sony gamepad than they are on the 360 gamepad...you said so yourself when you called it "tiny." And I really don't think anybody is understanding this "coated" comment, either. Is your controller permanently greasy, or something?
Essentially, nothing about the controller "screams 1998." There's a very good reason why the vast majority of gamers have loved Sony controllers over the years, and why many will prefer it over any other controller of the past 10 years. That's all I'm saying.
bugzbunny109
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 11:10:58 AM
Reply
aaronisbla
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 11:52:37 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 12:30:47 PM
But your complaints are invalid. When I said I don't understand the "coating" comment, I meant it. When I say you call the pad "tiny" (and blatantly insult the Sony gamepad by saying it's not for "adults") and then say you can't reach the analogs, I don't understand. Your complaints aren't making any SENSE.
If you like the 360 controller, fine. If you don't like the Sony controller, fine. But at least offer something that doesn't SOUND like fanboy stuff.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 7/5/2008 12:31:02 PM
bugzbunny109
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 12:57:57 PM
aaronisbla
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 11:49:47 AM
Reply
My hands are pretty big, I'm a big guy. The controller feels fine for me.
Quite a few people make it seem like the 360 controller is MS's gift to man, but really, its quite similar to the ps3 pad, minus the almost non sensitive face buttons.
The D- pad on the ps3 isnt what i would call the best, but hell, the pad on the 360 is quite bad itself in my opinion
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 12:31:54 PM
Mista
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 12:11:29 PM
Reply
bugzbunny109
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 1:01:16 PM
Reply
Reccaman18
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 4:05:22 PM
Reccaman18
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 4:00:48 PM
Reply
Aftab
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 4:09:15 PM
Reply
Last edited by Aftab on 7/5/2008 4:12:45 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 5:39:52 PM
Reply
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 7:21:01 PM
The_Chimeran
Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 7:17:59 PM
Reply
Last edited by The_Chimeran on 7/5/2008 7:22:03 PM
aaronisbla
Sunday, July 06, 2008 @ 12:26:51 AM
Reply
orangpelupa
Sunday, July 06, 2008 @ 2:12:00 AM
Reply
the x360 controller have that bulky battery, that really annoying for my fingers.
and x360 controller dont have pressure sensitive buttons like in PS2. on x360 the only button with pressure is the left/right trigger.
i dont know about DUALSHOCK3, but in SIXAXIS i like the new trigger-like L/R button and the light weight, but i dislike the no-rumble.
aaronisbla
Sunday, July 06, 2008 @ 6:22:05 AM
kj313
Sunday, July 06, 2008 @ 9:56:22 AM
Reply
Reccaman18
Sunday, July 06, 2008 @ 10:32:58 AM
Reccaman18
Sunday, July 06, 2008 @ 3:45:48 PM
Gabriel013
Monday, July 07, 2008 @ 1:47:21 AM
Reply
Deleted User
Monday, July 07, 2008 @ 2:23:10 PM
Reply
Cail
Monday, July 07, 2008 @ 4:31:26 PM
On a lighter note 360 controllers obviously win in a landslide, they weigh so much they would just decimate the playstation controller (har har, sorry had to say it).
LordMetzen
Monday, July 07, 2008 @ 7:52:23 PM
Yes you get used to it, but until they remove that thing that holds 2 AA batt or rechargeable batt under it,(wonder why it ain't AAA or like the sixaxis or ds3 since they are quite expensive), it cannot be said that the "360 controller is more confortable".
Try putting a white box between your legs when you are driving, thats how confortable the 360 controller is compared to the ds3...
Noodles187
Monday, July 07, 2008 @ 10:12:49 PM
Doomsquirrel
Monday, July 07, 2008 @ 10:21:07 PM
Reply
Oh and btw some 3rd party controllers have the triggers concaved so its easier to grip with your fingers, but you might experience some hiccups when holding in a button tho, mostly in the trigger department, but its something you'll get used to.
Last edited by Doomsquirrel on 7/7/2008 10:25:19 PM
Reccaman18
Monday, July 07, 2008 @ 10:56:54 PM
Lordnicon
Tuesday, July 08, 2008 @ 11:15:35 AM
Reply
The Joysticks. Well they havent changed THAT much and noticing any difference can be hard but thats good lol. Sony controllers are for the most part my favorites too. I will give the notion that the 360's work well especially for fps's to an extent not because of their firmness or whatever (i almost feel the opposite), but because of the dimple in the top. The control you achieve by sort of having something to "grab" onto vs relying on grip that wears out really helps. The 360 controller works very well, but the face buttons are a little hard and too round for my taste. Mashing away in fighters puts flat buttons ahead.
In your editorial one thing seems a little funny: "I'd almost rather play FPSs with a Sony controller, too. It's just a matter of personal preference..."
I question - Is it really preference? Or is it familiarity - hence comfort? Dont get me wrong im far more comfortable using a DS any day, but with the little experience i do have with the 360, i have to give the "dimples" credit.
Last thing i find sort of funny is the feel you get playing a ps1 controller NOW. Seriously i loved the thing to death but with the advancements into the DS series the ps1 feels a little hard and small. The 2's are the same size as the 1's. I still like it, but the feel is definitely different.
The only controller i find uncomfortable (and ive played almost everything) is the org. Xbox controller. And though it was comfortable, the GameCube's was a little too odd.
mk500
Tuesday, July 08, 2008 @ 3:53:25 PM
Reply
Size/Shape: 360 is better. The first time I held one, I was amazed at how comfortable it was in my hands (my hands are pretty small). The DS3 feels much more cramped in comparison. However, this doesn't seem to be a major issue; as you get used to the DS3 very quickly. Extended gameplay doesn't seem to be an issue with either.
D-Pad: The DS3 is clearly better. The 360 D-Pad is almost unusable. It constantly registers diagonal hits when you are trying to hit right/left/up/ or down. This is a very serious flaw, and causes problems that developers seem to have to work around by reducing the use of the D-Pad (for critical stuff at least). I find they use the analog stick as an alternative sometimes, and this is just a painful workaround.
Analog Sticks: The 360 sticks seem to be more accurate. I'd say they are about 30% more accurate. They also have a really nice response. You really notice this in racing games and shooters. Again, the DS3 isn't horrible in this regard, and you can get used to the difference.
Buttons: The DS3 has far superior button feel. The 360 buttons feel cheap and un-responsive in comparison.
Triggers: 360 is far better. While the larger triggers on the DS3/sixaxis are a HUGE improvement over the DS2; the 360 triggers offer probably 30-50% more levels. You really notice this on racing games. It's not really a critical problem though, as it isn't an issue in other games, and developers work around it. The DS3 does have more "comfortable" triggers, as the 360 triggers tend to "bite" into your fingers after extended use (they are too narrow).
Battery: The DS3 integrated battery is far superior to the 360 "battery pack" design. You are buying so many clunky extra parts to make the 360 controller do what the DS3 does out of the box. Also, a standard USB cable makes for easy charging. Way better than "kits" that cost extra.
Overall: In the end, the 360 loses because it has a fatal flaw (the D-Pad). It is unfortunate, because it is superior in several other ways. It seems as if the developers work around this by just using the D-Pad less; but this reduces control complexity. I can't even imagine how you would play a game like Warhawk (where you switch weapons constantly via D-pad) using the 360 controller.
[disclosure: I like my PS3 better than my XBox 360; but play both daily]
Caballo
Tuesday, July 08, 2008 @ 4:14:50 PM
Reply
jmjd00
Tuesday, July 08, 2008 @ 9:39:14 PM
Reply
ManaKnight
Sunday, July 13, 2008 @ 4:03:32 PM
Reply

View Large Image

Yogi
Reply
Friday, July 04, 2008 @ 11:11:01 PM