What will PS3 Controllers be?

[James]

Sony hasn't said anything about wireless controllers although I'm sure they will say sometime within the next year. The Playstation basically copied the tested and true method of making controllers and applied two wings and two extra shoulder buttons to an SNES controller, then in 1997 they unveiled the Dual Shock which added rumble support and 2 analog joysticks as well as L3 and R3. When the PS2 was developed Sony decided to adopt the same controller design only with 8 analog buttons this time and more accurate rumble support. Last year Sony announced that the PS3 would come stock with in-line releases on the controller cords similar to the Xbox's current in-line release system which is a good idea.

I think in the next round PS3 controllers will basically be wireless PS2 controllers. If Sony does decide to use the same basic controller design again they should do the smart thing and swap the d-pad and the left analog stick positions as it is more comfortable that way now that 90% of the games have 3D control, although knowing Sony the console will probably have tweaked PS2 controllers with no wireless support.

[atomicthumbs]

I hope they stick with the current design. Wireless would be nice (rechargeable SP style or something). I think it's the perfect controller.

[tholly]

it will be two wires that tap into your brain waves and allow for hands free "mind control"....mark my words, it WILL happen

[GameNinja]

it will be two wires that tap into your brain waves and allow for hands free "mind control"....mark my words, it WILL happen

Oddly enough, this is what I picture of the Revolution.

[kainemaxwell]

I hope they stick with the Dual Shock. Why ruin a good thing.

[njiska]

The Dual shock is not the best controller ever. It has some problems that should be addressed in the next round. As pointed out earlier Sony really needs to swap the d-pad and analog stick locations because the analog stick right now isn't comfortable and it feels too loose. Also it'd be nice to see L2/R2 buttons replaced with triggers because that would make life so much easier when playing racing games.

The shape could use some work. I find the ps2's grips are too small and they need to be fixed. Prehaps shaping the ccontroller more like the logitech ones would be better.

[josekortez]

That sucky D-pad could be improved for 2-D fighting games. Then again, 2-D fighting games might not ever appear on the PS3, if Sony has their way...

[DeputyMoniker]

I hope they stick with the current design. Wireless would be nice (rechargeable SP style or something). I think it's the perfect controller.

I dont know whats so wonderfull about it. The analog sticks are too long, slippery and they tend to twist with frequent use. The D pad is too loose and and I dont like how its like 4 seperate buttons instead of a cross or a circle. All the buttons are too loose and I dont like the location/shape of the triggers. The controller has a funny shape, I support the controller with the palm of my hands, it doesnt really fit my hands. I actually like the wacky shape of the Dreamcast controller because I can wrap my hands around it.
With the exception of how loose the buttons are, I think its perfect for games like Resident Evil and arcade style driving games but for anything that requires tapping or quick and precise response like FPS's, I hate it.

I hope they address these issues with the PS3. Im not too hot on the wireless idea. I dont want to bother with recharging and it isnt like I play from more than 10 feet from the TV. Id be happy with the quick release cords instead. I have to admit that the last wireless controller I used was a Wireless Advantage though. LOL

[Mr.FoodMonster]

I could not imagine a better controller than the current PS2 one. Not too many buttons, nice feel to it, and I LIKE the position of the analog and digital pads.

[icbrkr]

I think it'll look like this:

http://www.particles.org/atarij.jpg

[kirin jensen]

It'll be a stick. A big ol' wooden stick. It won't be hooked to anything. And yet it will be about as responsive as any joystick made after the O2. Go figure

[hezeuschrist]

I could not imagine a better controller than the current PS2 one. Not too many buttons, nice feel to it, and I LIKE the position of the analog and digital pads.

I refuse to believe that any human with a regular set of meathooks can find using the shoulder buttons comfortable. The controller NEEDS triggers. Both the Gamecube and Xbox controllers have fantastic triggers.

The analog also sucks. I don't have much of a problem with the placement of it, but it's a crappy analog stick. It's right on par with the N64 analog stick... not to say that the N64 stick was really crappy, it just certainly wasn't durable. They need something similar to the Gamecube or Xbox analog sticks.

[hezeuschrist]

double post :/

[Jasoco]

They'll probably use the same shitty design they've had since 1994 with the badly placed sticks and L and R buttons and stupidly named action buttons.

[GarrettCRW]

They'll probably use the same shitty design they've had since 1994 with the badly placed sticks and L and R buttons and stupidly named action buttons.

A winner is you! ;)

Seriously, I doubt Sony will change much in regards to the controllers (but just enough to make it useless to use PS2 controllers on the PS3).

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Why would they spend millions redeveloping something that already works well?

To quote old Chinese proverb:


"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"


They have no real reason to mess with what they already have, and to be honest, they can maintain their current trend of backwards compatability if they don't do anything.

Wireless controllers are a possibility, but they are something which can be done anytime for any of the PlayStations. I doubt the PS3 will come bundled with them as standard, but will be an optional extra.


Since 1994 the controller design has only changed four times. and with each evolution for the better (Although I did like the chunkiness of the second evolution - The analog Pad - Which was dropped when the Dual Shock was developed, and reverted back to a slightly les chunky controller)

[FurinkanianFrood]

The DPad and Analog sticks on the dual shock can be painful, but I don't think that they will change anything.

They shouldn't anyway, not many people seem to have a problem with the controllers. They are designed better than anything else about the system IMO.

If they go the wireless route the controllers might not have much in the way of battery life issues actually, they shouldn't need much power (unless they have force feedback, which isn't a high point of the dual shock anyway).

I haven't had a problem with the Wavebird but that was the first wireless that I found usable as a main controller.

Is Sony really up to the task?.

[James]

Gemini-Phoenix I don't think it would cost Millions and they probably won't redesign anyway because well their Sony and Sony is the most uncreative company in the world by far. Do not argue this point they just can't innovate. Check out the Logitech officially licensed PS2 wireless controllers those are fucking perfect or at least they would be if they made L2 and R2 triggers and swaped the D-pad and left Analog stick positions.

To be frank the Playstation has fucked up Super Nintendo Controllers and probably always will.

Edit: Gemini-Phoenix where did you get that nice Red PS2?

[jdc]

I agree that we'll get the same outdated, tired, old design that the PS2 got.

There was a day and age that it was the best controller on the market. Not any more. Time has passed it by. It's too small and the D-pad and left stick need to switch places. The shoulder buttons have always been awkward unless you cradle the controller with a finger on each shoulder. Who really holds a Dualshock like that? Thumbs don't point towards the center when you grab a controller, they point up. The rubber compound of the button covers gets smooth and slippery after a time. L3 and R3 get too easy to accidentally push after the controller is older.

What I'd like to see them keep is the shape, size, pattern and "throw" of the 4 main buttons. Keep the "clickiness" of the D-pad as well. Everything else can gladly go.

[atomicthumbs]

Y'know what I REALLY miss? N64 controllers.

God, I loved those (with the exception of the stick wear).

[Jasoco]

Why would they spend millions redeveloping something that already works well?Because they don't have anything that works well at all!

The controller is badly designed with badly placed afterthought control sticks.
The memory cards are BADLY placed ABOVE the controller ports making it extremely difficult to insert or remove the controller without taking the damn cards out.
The power button doesn't work intuatively. I want to turn it OFF, this is a CONSOLE, not a PC. I want to press once to shut it down. Not reboot it. I shouldn't have to hold the button for a few seconds to shut it off.

The PSX was better designed than both PS2's in the third example. The first two are the same thing. Controller afterthought. Poorly placed memory slots.

[RCM]

I was a bit upset when Sony announced they were using basically the same controller. It would have been cool to use Dual Shock 1's on PS2, but give me a new contoller damn it. It's clear that Sony isn't about innovation which is sad.

THE ONE, THE ONLY- RCM

[The Manimal]

They will be called "Dual Shock 3".