PS3 controller here for the long haul?

Alright Sony, we've really given you the benefit of the doubt on this one. We weren't so hot on the boomerang controller when we first saw it back in May, but you were all like: "Hey, it's cool guys, that's just a conceptual design." But now you're saying that we're looking at the near final banana controller? At least that's the word we're getting from Famitsu, a Japanese gaming magazine, saying a Sony executive has denied the rumors of a PS3 controller redesign being unveiled at the CES, and that if any changes are made they will be minor adjustments. We knew of the patent troubles with the Dual Shock, but did Immersion put a blanket patent on decent controller design?

[Via Joystiq]

[dreampc @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Product Warning!

If you throw controller, it's boomerang design will cause it to fly back into your face.

[L. M. Lloyd @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Man, you really should stop knocking this controller until you have tried it. It is pretty much just an updated version of the old Alps PSX controller. I have a couple of the old Alps ones still around, and it is the most comfortable, well made controller ever put out for any system. There isn't a better controller for those 20-hour RPG binges! It fits the hand naturally, and keeps you from getting the annoying "claw hand" cramps long gaming sessions can often induce, because your hands sit in a much more natural and neutral position than on most controllers.

When it comes down to it, which is more important, how the controller looks, or how it feels in your hand while you are playing a game?

[liquid8d @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

They should have gone the way of the most comfortable controller of all time, the MS Sidewinder gamepad. Looks like they were going in that direction, and then just stopped.

[unknown55 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

As for the controller........

**** it, i'll just wait for logitech or madCatz to make a better looking design.

Is it too hard to just take a PS2 controller and jam blu-tooth into it?

[Josh! @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

#6, sounds like someone is jealous....

[Popo Julius II @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

don't use it up-side-down. It the devil face.

[Kurt @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

That controller stinks. It looks a lot like that turd blue controller that was out for the PS1 years ago. A friend of mine bought that controller and all of us made fun of it then so I am pretty sure I will make fun of it now. Sony is reinventing the Duke controller fiasco.

[Saif @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I agree that it's more important for a controller to be comfortable and easy to use than to be attractive.

But why are people knocking the design and appearance of this controller so much? I think it looks pretty cool. Its shape is only slightly more exaggerated than a Microsoft gamepad that I already have. Seriously, what is it about this controller that people don't like?

[Donnie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

This controller sure looks like the Alps controller sold back in 1996. The difference, today's controller requirements.

[Cem @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I'm sure the controller will be comfortable, but I do think the design is ugly. And for 3D shooters we will all be using the revolution controller ;)

[duncanj @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Erm, It looks NOTHING like a boomerang or a banana... You guys suck.
Its like 1/2 an ellipse if anything

[Feroz @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I agree that the controller does look a little weird, but it does seem more comfortable for first person shooters like Crazy said...
personally i think they should've gone with a little smaller design, more like their old one i guess...but i guess it would be great for a multi-player lesbian game...lol i guess you can't really change the controller, so just try to find something good about it!

[guy smiley @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

again i say a bunch of idiots who all have ps3 controllers in their hands right now at this moment, the dual shock 2 is the best controller since the SNES pad (are any of you old enough to remember the SNES?, but just to spark more retarded convo out of you silly silly people. why is it that the ahem xbox 360 pad which by the way has to be the greatest after all is just a dual shock 2 with dreamcast triggers for R2 & L2?????

[Feroz @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

and to Some Guy, engadget does not bach all mp3 players except for iPods, and yes, they DO also tell you if there is something wrong with iPods...and if they loved iPods so much, do you seriously think that they would link to the video of an iPod with video being smashed to smithereens IN THE STORE?? exactly. SHUT UP. (and watch the video, it's great!) http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000167064383/

[John Vargo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I agree with #3, who cares what it looks like. Its the performance and ergonomics that count.

It could be the ugliest controller of all time: it won't matter if I get it into my hands and it feels comfortable, and responds quickly and accurately.

You guys at Engadget really oughtta rethink your opinions on design.

[Jon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

If you want to talk about a great controller for First person shooters, you need not look further than the Xbox S controller and the now much improved Xbox 360 controller. This controller is tried and proven on a whole crap load of FPS games including Halo, Halo2, Doom3, Half Life2, Medal of Honor, Call of Duty, Far Cry...etc....etc.

Anyone that's ever had some real time with Xbox S controller knows how superior it is to Playstation controller. It is of a better quality and controls way better even for games like Grand Theft Auto and Splinter Cell and other 3rd person perspective games.

How bought racing games...Xbox S controller is waaaaayyyy beter than any other controller for racing games.

It's just a better controller now one uped by the 360 controller and pretty much the whole of gaming reviewers and the gaming public agrees...PS2 fanboys aside.

Sony is completely ignoring the success of Xbox controller and not innovating their controller at all. Looks like their taking a few steps back. And Sony is not know to respond to consumers and probably won't change the controller like MS did after the Xbox Duke. This is the same reason you will not see a unified online service like Xbox Live on PS3 for a long time to come. They have allot of listening to do from gamers and consumers out there.

[aural @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I personally think that it is one of the worst controller designs i have ever seen. Long story short is that in the real world form and function are equally important so all those martyrs that say "who cares what it looks like as long as it works well" are fooling themselves (along with announcing their Sony Fan-Boy status).

[boden @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Its no Zipstick but I'll wait until I've had a chance to use it before I comment. The current Dual Shock is getting a bit on the old side now. Hurts my hands after extended play sessions.

[SoopahMan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I'm with the "looks good" crowd, I don't see why people hate the look so much - I think it looks very cool paired with the new look of the PS3, it's all a very cool look I think.

Given past controller experiences, it probably is comfortable for dual-stick use, except for when you want both sticks *and* both R and L buttons - it seems like that could be a weird reach.

[haloman @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

And people complained about the original Xbox controller being huge? Apparently the people at Sony have a size complex. Not only will the PS3 be bigger than the original Xbox, now their controller is too. For me, only the Xbox controllers (large and S) were pain free for extended gameplay sessions for this gen of consoles. Even Sony fanboys have to say that this thing LOOKS retarded compared to the prior PS controllers. It might be a great controller to use, but we can still bash its boomerangosity.

[seweso @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I like it!

[Dread @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Why is everybody bashing or praising this thing??
NOBODY HERE has touched a ps3 yet(CrazySoB16, you're not a game tester you're a liar and a damn loser) how can you all talk about the FEEL and how it LOOKS?? When you guys have a ps3 in a year then you can bash, or praise, all you want! And To all the XBOX FANBOYS; we will all see when the PS3 comes out - I got a funny feeling you will all be jumping on board the sony train.

[L. M. Lloyd @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

May I make a suggestion? Can we get over the whole "fanboy" thing? It is getting pretty tired, and really doesn't make any sense if you just automatically slap that title on everyone who disagrees with you.

I love how I dare to make a negative comment about Apple, and I am a mindless Microsoft Fanboy, and on the very next article comment on, I am a suddenly a rabid Sony Fanboy, because I dared to say there was a single controller ever made better than the Xbox controller. If I'm a rabid Microsoft Fanboy, shouldn't I be backing the 360? Oh well.

Look, all this is just silly. This controller is a very slight redesign of a controller that cam out 10 years ago, it is made by the same company that made it 10 years ago (Alps got the contract to make the PS3 controller) and it will most likely be the most comfortable controller ever to ship standard with a system, since their last controller is still the most comfortable controller made yet. If you are buying a game system based on how 'sexy' the controller will look on your coffee table, then your problems run much deeper than being a fanboy. If you are buying a game system to play games, then you will really like this controller, because it is really comfortable and natural.

[Kamalot @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I'm bashing it because the left analog stick isn't in the primary thumb position.

Back with the PS1, Sony tacked on the analog sticks as an afterthought. They were rarely used. Now there isn't a game that does not make full use of the left analog stick as the primary means of input. Therefore, it should be moved up to where the directional buttons are (since they are no longer used as directional buttons)

Also, where are the variable resistance analog triggers? Do you expect me to drive in a game with digital gas and brake?

Analog triggers (with variable resistance feedback) have been available in the dreamcast, GameCube, Xbox and Xbox 360.

It is barbaric to be left with 'button' triggers.

Poor Sony.

[Raider @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Is it me or does the analog sticks look like the analog nub off of the PSP?

[Revo1 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Um yah post 21, I used that 360 controller last night at comp USA it's way too slow for
1st person it took me at least 5 sec to turn around cause i was getting shot from behind, but by then i was dead. So in conclusion 1st person shooters do not work well with any current or next excpet for revo {because of gyroscopics} generation. Control is way too slow for 1st person

[guy smiley @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

"Sony is completely ignoring the success of Xbox controller and not innovating their controller at all."

Wow um, wow. Lets see here whoa, they took the most out of the way hard as hell to reach buttons in the world (the black & white ones) made them into dreamcast triggers. Now lets pause for a minute, when it comes to innovation no one does it better than microsoft.

I mean after all just buy the smaller company and i'll go really low here and use hotmail as the example, limit the mailbox size to 2 MB for years then say hey why not charge them to have more, while true innovators such as my new favorite company ahem Google makes hotmail look like dog poo. Thats right i said dog poo.

Lets talk some more about listening to the public, how many of you think it's really that hard to add tabs or rss to explorer (gotta love firefox)? But wait why do that when you can release an updated Tiger OS aka Vista packed full of features that you can get for free today?

You see the problem most of you people have is that your idiots, i mean i can go into detail with that but why bother SONY SUX A$$ YEAH!!!!!

The way you people act its like you can't sell your XBOX 360 or PS3 to buy the other system if it doesn't suit you fine.

I wish both companies good luck. but all you fools with PS3 controllers at home can i play with it? I mean i know its ugly but can i at least hold it in my hands?

BTW no blue ray support in Vista because the blue ray camp want to use JAVA which is open instead of what is it iHD which isn't?

[Douglas @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

My personal favorite for gaming console controllers is the old N64 pad. It was also one of the ugliest designs for a controller, but talk about comfortable.... I miss being able to use that thing. I'll definitely wait until I can hold one of these before dismissing it as horrible.

[Jon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Um...were talking about console controllers here, not operating systems and browsers. Sony deserves no free pass on a silly controller design that does nothing to fix all of it's problems.

Problems:
No analog triggers!!! WTF!
No Thumbstick in place of the D-pad position on the left.
Uncomfortable for long ours of play.
Not good for 1st Person shooters, or racers.
No port for a headset!

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

> And people complained about the original Xbox controller being
> huge? Apparently the people at Sony have a size complex. Not only
> will the PS3 be bigger than the original Xbox, now their controller
> is too.

You know I thought that too - that was my biggest complaint. It looked too big to be comfortable. Seemed like it would be awkward to hold. Until I saw this picture (which could be fake I guess):

http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3043

Now I like the size that picture seems to represent. Still not sure about how awkward it will be to hold, but there seem to a lot of people saying it is comfortable.

So while I hated it initially, I'm finally to the point where I'm now reserving judgement until I can hold and try it myself.

[Revrant @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Well this has been horribly retarded almost all the way through, with only a couple of people making not only a valid argument, but at least attempting some form of grammar. Though the best grammar has the worst opinion, which is common around here, of course that is a matter of opinion as well.

Moving along, this thing looks horribly uncomfortable, speaking of looks, who the beaverly-cow=inebriating f*** cares what something looks like? You're shallow as hell if that's your primary concern, but I digress, horribly uncomfortable, if you think this looks comfortable I wonder if you have working hands, because reaching UP to the triggers and UP to the D-Pad and UP to the Buttons would be stretching, and stretching is painful in the long haul.

Now if they implemented a better system for buttons I'd be pleased, but if they intend to dual analog everything, then they're going to be in need of a massive replacement program to compensate for the number of people rejecting the PS3 just for the controller.

That being said, the X360 controller looks comfortable(Wouldn't know myself, and have no intention of finding out.), and I'm surprised Sony didn't seek to improve their current design as Microsoft did, as that seems like the more...Sane...thing to do.

[Revrant @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

#34 Ooo, I think I'm reserving some of what I said now, though I stand by the stretching the dual analog usage might be quite nice.

[Harold @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I personally like the design. I have very big hands and find almost every controller to be awkward. This controller looks like it could be the first one that would really suit me. The big handles make it look like it would be a lot more comfy than anything else I have tried.

[Xomphos @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Well, Nintendo Revolution here I come-I have narrowed it down to you-providing this information is true.
But, wow. Sony what have you done? This controller is just plain wrong. In my opinion, the dual-shock 2 was the best controller-I loved it. Look what you did now-you screwed it. Yes I am aware of the patent issue, but why couldn't Sony just buy their way out or improve the design or something?
I want to get only one next-gen console so I can have more cash for games, so I have been researching a lot. First, I was going to go for the Xbox 360. I played a store demo and although it was an amazing console, I walked away thinking it wasn't all "next-gen". So then I thought of a PS3 as long as they change the controller and suddenly-nope they aren't! Well, it is the Nitendo Revolution I guess. Besides, how could I (being the Nintendo fan I am) live without online Super Smash Bros. or other major Nintendo franchises online? What about extreme back-wards compatibility? Also, what about the controller? If you ask me-Nintendo is making a true "next-gen" console considering the graphics of Xbox 360 and PS3 aren't incredibly improved like the 3D graphical leap we saw from systems like the N64 to the Gamecube.

[[e-mail] @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

hey geniuses ever think the reason its shaped like that is because there planing to motion sensor technology in it so that it can work like a stearing wheel.

[badbob @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Revrant: "if you think this looks comfortable I wonder if you have working hands, because reaching UP to the triggers and UP to the D-Pad and UP to the Buttons would be stretching, and stretching is painful in the long haul."

Why do you need to reach to use the triggers? Wouldn't you just rest your pointer and middle finger on the triggers like on the dual-shock? If you lost all your fingers and only have a thumb on each hand or had your fingers cut short by half in a horrible accident, then yes, you will need to do a lot of reaching to reach the triggers. The only "reaching" I see is to move the thumb from the analog sticks to the dpad or face buttons. But all current consoles need that.

[Danny Dumile @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

People talking about it being a Banana http://geekaustin.blogspot.com/2005/05/sony-playstation-3-hands-on-review.html
a Boomerang http://geekaustin.blogspot.com/2005/05/ps3-reviews-are-pouring-in.html
and a Baterang http://geekaustin.blogspot.com/2005/05/playstation-3-gets-some-bat-lubbin.html
I saw it as a coat hanger somewere. I don't care. I'm gonna buy a 3rd party controller when it comes out anyway, so pi$$ on what people think about it.

[szimm @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

i dont see what the fuss is about.

nintendo has had way poorer controller designs in the past, and i dont hear anyone complaining about that. that revolution controller is probably quite uncomfortable too, seeing as it has to be held in mid-air most of the time to function properly.

as long as the ps3 boomerang is comfortable, i dont care. i agree the design is a little out there, but you know, if it wasnt, you'd all be complaining that it was too conservative. duh!

that x360 controller does look pretty comfy though, although i hate the fact that ms switches the placement of the d-pad and the left stick around on their controllers.

[szimm @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

dreampc:

that is SOOOO old.

get over it. :)

[Loch @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I can't wait to get the custom designed banana painted controller. You know its coming.

[thatcrazycommie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I seriously doubt that Sony would be stupid enough to market that controller when _the entire world_ is laughing at them.

I'm also heartened by the fact that they haven't let anyone touch it - if they were actually confident, they'd probably encourage it.

[Dread @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I bet every single one of you who is complaining will want,and probably have, one of these in your hands come next year.

[Jon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Sony has one more year before they release PS3 in US, If they can't figure out how to make a decent controller by then, not to mention a viable unified Online system, than they are definately missing the boat. Give us what we want or go home!

And can you imagine how rediculous it would be using a normal controller as a steering wheel!? Innovation is great when it betters our lives, not making it worse...that's why the Power Glove failed, that's why Nintendo's controller will fail, and that's why Sony's Batarang needs an overhaul!

[Psiven @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

The Sony exec is lying or doesn't know about it. I'll bet $100 that the controller gets revamped and I think we're all going to be really surprised. This is a red herring. Sony has had the last 9 years to think about a new controller. This is not the best they can do.

Fact is that they're trying to bait Nintendo out to reveal the rest of their controller. Many Nintendo spokesman have hinted that there is more to the contrller than they've revealed.

My guess is that Nintendo will implement the screen they used in the micro as an add-on controller unit. Or maybe I'm just need to stop smoking the shrooms Mario has been giving me.

[jonathan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

#31


its you.

[Cyberblade @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I really wouldn't have a problem with it, except that Sony still has the analog sticks on the inside which in my opinion is the dumbest move in the world for the main control input. Your going to use the analog stick far more then the Dpad now, so why not switch the analog stick to where the thumb will actually be, not where you have to force it to be.

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I liked the NES controler, looked like art, this looks like a concept car, nice but I think the handles may be to long.

[Mu Doggy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

A Friend of mine who works at Playstation said the boomerang controller is not the final design. No one knows what is though, they haven't even started working on it.

[Ryerson Student @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

have to agree, controller looks cool

[Texas Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Well the controller's not that bad I think. However. The system itself looks like a scanner. My favorite of them all is the Nintendo machine.