ssh83

Seconded.

mrrobsa

1. 360 controller is contoured much better, about perfectly. DualShock is half-way there. The handles are sloped but the face and back of the controller are flat and there are random odd contours here and there.

2. 360 controller uses concave triggers and analog sticks. Dualshock uses convex in both cases. Concave is just the better option and provides better grip. This, IMO, is a huge reason shooters are preferred on 360. Concave sticks = better grip = better fine adjustment. Plus triggers that more closely resemble real gun triggers, not a sloped button. There's no contest.

Then there are personal minor gripes of mine, like the 'clicky' digital buttons of 360 and analog buttons of DualShock. DualShock buttons have no "feel" to them IMO. The 360 buttons feel more responsive because they are like flicking an on/off switch, whereas DualShock is like moving a dimmer switch up and down. The stick placement is at the bottom of my list of what's wrong with the DualShock.

Xiedo

360 has skinnier rear triggers than PS3
PS button is slightly lower than Xbox button on controller face (has nothing to do with gameplay)
On 360 controller, Left analog stick is swapped with the D-pad when compared to PS3 controller.

So does swapping the D-pad with the left analog stick and making the rear triggers slimmer somehow make games easier to play? Im not being a smartass, i am honestly curious, because I've always been wondering about it.

Does Lettering the buttons allow for easier play over naming them after shapes? (okay that time I was just being a smartass)

leimeisei

My dream controller would have a DualShock3 layout, DualShock2 R2 and L2 triggers, and X360's L3 and DS3 D-Pads switching places with each-other.

gencid

artofwar420

SuperMaxZero

The SNES controller made it all the way to the Wii (although only in Japan). If you count the Gameboy as a copy of the NES control design, then that control scheme has been going strong for nearly 25 years.

greatslack

Xiedo

Of course, Sony added their own innovation (second stick), but they were not being particularly original when they did. They were just concerned that they were going to be left behind - just like MS is nowadays with their rumoured Wiimote thingy - and they needed a point of difference.

Too bad they designed it for people with mutated, elongated thumbs and ten-year-old hands... never liked it, never have. Happy birthday, Dualshock - now hurry up and f*cking die already so I can play Wipeout with something that doesn't force my hands into some weird perching-talons arrangement.

freakout

The only thing wrong is when you have to use the d-pad. It is by far the worst d-pad i have ever used, like they meant to put another analog stick there, decided it looked stupid, so they just put some POS d-pad on there.

svenhoek

Great memories, and I can't wait for the new ones I'm going to make with the DualShock 3...

Happy Birthday

ultimate920

robbo_the_hood

the 360 controller is nice. But not so nice that I find it SO much better than the DualShock.

rf switch

Yeah, since the Sony design hasn't matured in 10 years, I guess their controller would make the perfect fit for a game older than dirt. >.>

WingZero987

the dual shock's dpad is actually a dpad and not seperate buttons. it only seems that way because the bulk of it is hidden from view.

That said, I love the Dual Shock, and it's an amazing controller. it's probably the best due to it's simple yet effective design. it's also very comfy in my hands, Ive never complained about the dualshock. EVER

epy0nkaru

imgoingtomakeyoubald

biznatch

rick_x

Sailorcancer

I think Sony has been a little lazy with it's controller over the years, they made some weird decisions (lack of rumble, tacked on motion sensing) and when they tried something with the boomerang, they got scared of the crowd reaction and took a step back instead of perfecting their controller.

Microsoft did a good job, they looked closely at the dual shock and made a controller with the same button configuration but way more comfortable to use.

Shteve

robinandtami

WingZero987

WingZero987

Barf#1

lumpy108

KM91

Josh*

Vidril

LX

googleguru

DS pads are the best pad design in gaming. The symmetry works wonderfully with my hands. I hate the 360's flipped around D-pad """""innovation""""", it just feels like change for the sake of change and gives me cramp. A truly nasty controller, but better than the previous effort I guess.

Happy Birthday DualShock. Long may you rumble.

Ungruntled

Kaliani

murfi

Actually there are plenty of tournament level players out there (Tekken in particular) who use the PS pad.

SG79

In your opinion indeed. You got a bit of a drama queen syndrom when you called it complicated (otherwise every controller but the Wii is complicated). Look at various controllers; 360 with 4 triggers and buttons under the sticks. GC with odd placements. The list goes on.

Analog stick positioning is definitely something to re-consider, but ultimately it's a matter of preference. The size of the controller is just right, and not I don't have tiny hands. The closer the buttons overall, the better.

SG79

Yo, I'm with you on that one, XD

....damn, where the hell did 10yrs go so fast o_O....wasn't I just 15???

Oh wellz, at any rate Happy B-Day, baby!

MizzDiva

vig0r

cough...

sorry.

GOD

Harteex

GOD

I'm personally not a that big of a fan of this controller, the two analog sticks are in uncomfortable positions for me.. maybe because i have big hands XD.

I would say the Super Nintendo controller was the best ever, followed by the Gamecube (god i sound like a Nintendo fan boy in this post XD), and then the xbox 360.

and in case anyone is interested, on the bottom of the list we have the dual shock followed by the worst controller of all time, the nes controller.

detraya

I agree. I hate the Dualshock. I wish that the d-pad and sticks were switched. My thumb always hurts when I play a Playstation. I loved the N64, Xbox 360 and Gamecube controllers. I didn't think the Dreamcast controller was great, but I certainly didn't get hand cramps from it.

I can't believe Sony has had the same design for 10 years. They really need to change it.

Yengwa

dreux36

But after reading a lot of posts here, it sounds as if Sony would have been better off using their boomerang design...

But I have to argue that the Xbox S is the best controller out there, if nothing else because it was very comfortable to use in "claw" style- when you use your right index finger to handle the face buttons while middle takes the shoulder. Course, the Dual allows for double claw, but even single claw is more straining on a Dual than an S.

denki

However, I've got to say that the digital pad on the DS3 is incredibly good and the 360's sucks hard. Also, I feel that the DualShock rumble is superior to the 360 rumble. The latter feels just like rattling all over, while DualShock rumbles more sensitively and accurately to the action in the game. Really prefer it.

But the bare basics? Analog sticks, buttons, triggers? 360 & PS3 are equal IMHO.

Candlejack

ara

JTBX

JTBX

Cube and 360 pads are worth talking about, and Wii is on some other higher dimensional plain. DualShocks are the worst pad design on market which is too bad, because I am most likely picking up a PS3 for MGS, GTA, Rock Band etc. sometime soon.

Josh*

Split up d-pad took some getting used to and they STILL haven't offset the awkward analogs that are really annoying to use for FPS. It's like Sony still thinks that the D-pad is the primary directional input in videogames.

Examples: I'm at a CDX last week and Soul Calibur is playing the Dreamcast, these two kids ranging from 8 - 13 pick up the game and start playing with the analog. My frinds STILL has trouble playing with analog sticks, the guy tries using the D-pads whenever possible, all those years of PS1/2 playing.

Now the DS3/6axis has the awful L2/R2 buttons which are convex and promote slipping.

Sad part is now the PS3's d-pad is the best for fighting games. XBOX/XB360/GC d-pad all suck in some way, expecially the 360's. Wii...not even a choice for serious fighters. Bring back SNES d-pad

SAKY

@exstrat: You clearly don't play fighting games if you use the standard console controller... That's like playing flight sims with a mouse and keyboard.

vantesaur

Fyren

Best 3D controller ever made; time has proven that. There's a reason every console since its introduction (sans Wii of course) has tried to imitate it.

Ahh... the many worlds it's linked me in to these past 10 years. I would dare say many of us could legitimately call it a natural extension of our bodies by now :D

ca$h

murfi

Greedy

Furu

cnas

It's way too complicated. And it makes a huge impact on the system's games. Apple shipped a single-button mouse with its computers for a long time for this exact reason: over-complicated input breeds over-complicated software, and that's just not fun. Seriously, four triggers? They even had to cram two buttons under the analog sticks they had so little room left over. When I wonder why a friend or relative doesn't play games or even want to try, I look at the Playstation controller and remember.

People are going to write this off now, but if I were to pick a best controller, I'd have to say the Wiimote/Nunchuck, even ignoring the motion/position sensing (which you really can't, but humour me). It's naturally ergonomic (the stick-in-hand grip has been with us since cavemen), the buttons are all clearly labeled and under your fingertips. It has a great d-pad. It's weighty and well sized, and tough as hell. The biggest revolution, though: you don't have to hunch over and hold your hands together to use it!!! Why did it take so long for someone to figure that one out? I can play a game while eating, or reclined with my arms flopped wherever, apart, and it makes the whole experience worlds better than any other system before. The point and shoot is just gravy.

swarmster

Xiedo

TheIrishNinja

And the fact that the DualShock still has the d-pad as the "primary" control input saddens me. It feels kinda awkward to use the left stick because of its position, except for in games that require both sticks extensively (Ape Escape or Katamari). It wasn't so bad for the PS1, where many games still relied on the d-pad... but with PS2 and PS3, the analog stick is used far more often than the d-pad, which makes it feel awkward.
Sure, it "looks" cool because it's symmetrical, but it isn't useful.

BPMο

I can't share the same opinion of those with big hands commented. I've played over like 500 hours of Final Fantasy on a DS and it never feels small or do I get cramped hands. Although, some would say "Final Fantasy just involved a lot of menu browsing". I've played other games with it and still love it.

Worst controllers I've used? The original XBox controller...only controller ever to make my hands hurt after 5 minutes. I didn't like the Gamecube controller either. I couldn't hit the Z button without pain...no wonder I sucked at Melee -_-

WillSerenity

Here's hoping for a belated boomerang-controller comback for the PlayStation 4!

Kiriphii

L_K_M

mpar

e_tank

I don't think there is anything to be proud of about this design lasting 3 generations. It needed to be redesigned a long time ago. I think some refer to this cramping and pain as the "playstation claw" syndrome? I know I'm not the only one who experiences it!

fenderfuel08

I feel old

Dauragon C. Mikado

As mentioned by techni, it was innovative. So much so that it also won an Emmy Award for "Peripheral Development and Technological Impact of Video Game Controllers"

Hey, what better way than to put someone(designer) & something(controller) down, then on their birthday.
Happy B'day Dualshock!

"If it ain't broke, why fix it?"

Ariance

Fitz Rhapsody

Jnkzm4

Cube has the smallest dpad ever, the analog stick is horrible. It should not have used the same n64 concentric circle design that caused all those blisters with mario party. And they should have been depressible. The c-stick should have been the same what I wanted for the other stick. There should have been a Z button equivalent for the left side. The bean buttons were retarded, they should have been the standard SNES-diamond arrangement. Bring back select.

The 360s dpad is the worst of any controller ever made. The handles are too wide on the inside where they join the controller. The triggers are too thin, they put too much pressure on a smaller area of your finger giving Crazy Taxi finger/Gears of Sore with prolonged use.

When I hold my hand in a neutral position, my index finger falls on the dual shocks analog stick. I don't know why people want it switched with the dpad, it's not ergonomic.

techni

And yes, I too miss the N64 controller. It would have been great had those 2 designs stuck around (imagine a Wii-mote with 3 legs!)

I wish the DS3 was as light as the Sixaxis though...guess you can't have it all :)

aR-Tard

I remember getting the Dual Shock for the first time and trying it out, wondering "how do TWO analogs work together?!." Now I can't even imagine not having two.

I blame my childishness and my addiction to the N64.

Alaron

It was the first controller to have built in rumble, 2 analog sticks, and depressible analog sticks.
Playstations controller was also the first to have elongated handles and quad-shoulder buttons

Last I checked, that fit the definition of innovation.

techni

behemothzero

Double J

I'll tell ya. Ones run by lazyass companies like Sony. Sorry that was too easy. I guess many will say if it ain't broke. Why fix it? Well I still think they should make it a tad larger. It still feels like it's for kids hands

Orionsaint

ekstrapiksels

bigwhitebear18

I don't think theres a single good SF player in the world that would ever consider using a thumb stick over a dpad or joystick. If you don't realize this you must not be very good at fighting games.

Thats cool. My opinions are not made for me because Street Fighter fans say otherwise. I still, however, don't know what that has to do with my dislike of the D-Pads placement. Better yet, its not the D-Pad, its the analog. Both my thumbs feel funny right next to each other. The D-Pad is fine where it is, its the analog thats in the spot I feel is uncomfortable, hence why I said I always used the D-Pad, but I like the analog better.

Please take your dualshock hating somewhere else like 360fanboy.com.

Thats cool too, I dont mind being called a fanboy. My friends at work call me a PC addict since I log in twice as many DoTA hours than any of my current consoles, so I guess theyre calling me a fanboy also, its pretty cool. You assume I dislike the Dualshock.That makes an Ass out of u and me.

This post is to celebrate the dualshocks 10 year anniversary not to proclaim it to be the best controller or anything.

Well then why are your comments directed at telling us we are clueless on how good the controller is instead of congratulating Sony on an excellent controller?

R3load

DemonBlood

Grimmjow Jeagerjaques

Grimmjow Jeagerjaques

Captain Wrong

And I agree about the separate buttons. The Dual Shock has busted diagonals on the d-pad due to the layout and it's always bugged me.

Captain Wrong

Calm down, man. He's just stating a reasonable opinion. No need to get worked up about it.

Bishmon

Grimmjow Jeagerjaques

Sollus

Please take your dualshock hating somewhere else like 360fanboy.com. This post is to celebrate the dualshocks 10 year anniversary not to proclaim it to be the best controller or anything. Its obvious your just fanboying here by proclaiming the 360 the best controller ever and hating on the dual shock.

exstrat

WingZero987

best controller nest to the Classical SNES Pad.

zanzibarlegend

While the dualshock is a nice controller, I really wish they would change the d-pad. I hate how its seperate buttons instead of a cross. Having them seperated makes it harder to slide across them and makes my thumbs sore when if I use it for a long period of time.

psycoking

R3load

R3load

For that same reason I may buy a Classic Controller to enjoy Earthbound...

Santa_Lock22

Coma

Simplicity > Innovation

IntelSilver

KirbyMorph

exstrat

TheDoomer

Wolfers

DaFox

symphony_of_the_night

i have to disagree. the snes controller's d-pad was absolute gold.

if we could combine the snes controller and the dualshock controller we'd have gold. GOLD I TELL YA!!!!

chrisgriner

comes from the SNES design, but it works. mad love for the dualshock.

TheIrishNinja

Their line of DualShock imitators for the PC are fantastic, and in many ways rival the real thing IMO.

Just my 2 cents ;-)

JimElNino

Current gen must go to 360 Controller. Great triggers, not too soft, not too hard on the springs, just enough range unlike the S model/Fatty/Dreamcast.

The DS3 would have been the best had they made the L2/R2 triggers concave (like 360 triggers) instead of convex (stupid slippage). Can't someone re-make the L2 & R2 buttons to curve the other way? Replacement buttons would be awesome.

emuc64

chrisgriner

TheDoomer

Mustakrakish

psycoking

Best.

Controller.

Ever.

Big World

exstrat

DaFox

CRUNK

@chrisgriner: I'm surprised you like the others over the DS3. When I use the original now, I think L2/R2 buttons suck compared to the new one.

kadaj24

Happy birthday to you old friend :-D

JimElNino

CRUNK

PollockRoc

Try pressing down on the R2 button while only holding it with your right hand. It feels like its going to slide out of your hand.

Comfortable I think not.

On the other hand this thread is for the original. And that controller my friend was one to bow down to.

Happy Birthday

chrisgriner