Official PlayStation 3 Thread

[James]

Maybe I'm just used the PS gamepad design, but the only problem I've ever had with the PS3 controller is the triggers. A $4 piece of plastic fixed it, to the point that I'd almost completely forgotten they used to be like that. What else is wrong with it?

James

[MechDeus]

I'm guessing whatever you bought is for the issue of the triggers having no "guard" at the bottom.

As for the other issues I have: the only time the d-pad is the main directional is in games that I'm probably using a stick for anyway, so having it in the natural location for where I place my thumb instead of the analog stick being there just makes the controller feel tiny and awkward. The analog tops are also the opposite of how thumbs are shaped so my thumb tends to slide around if I'm moving a character for more than short hops. The R2/L2 themselves are also the opposite shape of fingers and, again, my fingers tend to slide down them. The overall controller is also slightly smaller and doesn't fit my hands as well.

I also feel like the 360 controller has a sharper, more clicky press to its buttons while the DS3 feels mushier. Maybe that's something to do with the analog buttons. Or maybe I'm just imagining that.

It's not like I'm going to not play PS3 games because of the controller, but when given a choice I'll always pick the one that feels better and more natural to me. The original Dual Shock was awesome when it came out but it could really stand to get updated.

[Some Stupid Japanese Name]

What I find funny is that the first analog play station controller had the right shape for the sticks. I always wondered why they changed it when they added rumble.

[Joust Williams]

I hate the PS3 controller. The only games I play on it are shooters and racers, and that controller is lame for both. It's my fault, though, as I do nothing to improve the situation.

[mollipen]

As for the other issues I have: the only time the d-pad is the main directional is in games that I'm probably using a stick for anyway, so having it in the natural location for where I place my thumb instead of the analog stick being there just makes the controller feel tiny and awkward.

Matter of preference, but I like the analog sticks being in the same position on both sides. I've rarely had times when a game didn't feel "right" due to the left stick not being in the top position, but I've certainly had times when I could say that about a game due to the sticks being offset on the Xbox 360 controller (Katamari comes to mind). That said, other than a few glaring issues (like one of the worst d-pads created by mankind), I also live the Xbox 360 controller. I probably prefer a dual shock, but they're both good for the most part.

The analog tops are also the opposite of how thumbs are shaped so my thumb tends to slide around if I'm moving a character for more than short hops.

This is one of the arguments I've never understood. Whenever I use the 360 controller, my thumbs are never in the concave portion of the stick - they're always pushing against the outside of the stick. If I try to play the entire time with my thumb resting in that indent in the analog stick, it feels weird and uncomfortable. BUT! I do that with the right stick—thus, the reason I can't do it with the left is its higher positioning on the controller. If the stick was down lower, I might use the left stick in that way as well.

So, in that regard, I much prefer the dual shock analog sticks and their tops. No matter if my thumb is dead center or on the side, it feels proper.

The R2/L2 themselves are also the opposite shape of fingers and, again, my fingers tend to slide down them. The overall controller is also slightly smaller and doesn't fit my hands as well.

The little add-ons Jeremy mentioned are seriously some of the best purchases you can make if you own a PS3. Normally I hate add-on stuff like that, but once you put them on you can't tell that they weren't always part of the stock controller. And once you get use to them... there's no going back.

I also feel like the 360 controller has a sharper, more clicky press to its buttons while the DS3 feels mushier. Maybe that's something to do with the analog buttons. Or maybe I'm just imagining that.

Yeah, I'd agree with that. I'm not a fan of the rounded tops on the 360 buttons though.

[Timber]

The analog tops are also the opposite of how thumbs are shaped so my thumb tends to slide around if I'm moving a character for more than short hops.

I'll never understand why they dropped the original concave design from the dual analog controller in like 6 months for what they still are now. I kept my original dual analog for years and had to change over to a dual shock because I broke the original and couldn't find them anymore.

What I find funny is that the first analog play station controller had the right shape for the sticks. I always wondered why they changed it when they added rumble.

That controller had a rumble feature (just like the dual shock's) in Japan, the just took it out of the US and Euro versions. I really wish I could have had the Japanese one back then. I didn't even know they existed until after the PS2 was already out.

[kedawa]

I'll never understand why they dropped the original concave design from the dual analog controller in like 6 months for what they still are now. I kept my original dual analog for years and had to change over to a dual shock because I broke the original and couldn't find them anymore.

That controller had a rumble feature (just like the dual shock's) in Japan, the just took it out of the US and Euro versions. I really wish I could have had the Japanese one back then. I didn't even know they existed until after the PS2 was already out.

You can swap the analog stick caps really easily between the DA and DS controllers. I wouldn't be surprised if the Dual Analog sticks could be used in the Sixaxis/DS3.
You can also add rumble to the north american DA controller, since the circuit board is the same as the one in the japanese version, and has solder points for the motors.

[MechDeus]

Matter of preference, but I like the analog sticks being in the same position on both sides. I've rarely had times when a game didn't feel "right" due to the left stick not being in the top position, but I've certainly had times when I could say that about a game due to the sticks being offset on the Xbox 360 controller (Katamari comes to mind).

I think Katamari was the only game in the history of ever when I do prefer that layout, but in a magical world where the controller could be reshaped I would actually rather that the second analog be moved up to where the face buttons are. When Sega tried that horrible experiment of Virtual On sticks recreated with tiny analog sticks it was also be better for them to be lined up, but those are too small for that idea to work anyway.

This is one of the arguments I've never understood. Whenever I use the 360 controller, my thumbs are never in the concave portion of the stick - they're always pushing against the outside of the stick.

Sounds like wasted time getting the thumb to the opposite side of the analog before pressing. Just because the Dual Shock analog sticks are so horrible for a thumb to stay on I can see how you would've developed that habit, but it sounds annoying to do.

[Error]

Anyone in the B-Lo gang running around on the PSN with a user name Whiskeywiz? I've run into him like 3 times in MW3

[GohanX]

Best Buy has a Move bundle with Killzone 3, Resistance 3, a sharpshooter and a navigation controller for $100. That's awfully tempting.