5 Reasons the DualShock 3 Rocks

In a follow up to why the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller rocks, Fuchal of NextGG.com takes a look at 5 reasons the DualShock 3 is still a force to be reckoned with in gaming controllers.

[Silogon]

I like the DS3, but it is showing its age. I love it, I really do and I prefer all multiplatform games on Ps3, even though they usually look like ass secreation, but the DS3 is still my reasoning behind it all.

with that said, get the triggers for them. They're 10 bucks at Amazon you can read a review I did of them if you'd like. Ds3 doesn't need to go away that's for sure.

[Monchichi025]

The PS3 control has and has always been the #1 reason why it is not my console of choice? C'mon symbols instead of letters??? Who brianiac idea was that?

And the control is absolutely AWFUL for 1st person shooters! (Let's not even talk about the motion control over rumble idea!) Sorry but in my own personal opinion...the control must go!!!

[dude_uk]

@monchichi

dude ur points make no sense....
about the symbols...
its like saying that traffic signals should be words or letters instead of symbols as well.

and about the dualshock 3 it is not absolutely awful for FPS's its not the best, but its still good, and the dualshock 3 does have rumble and motion sensing.
the only reason why rumble was taken out, was because of immersion's lawsuit

[Shadow Flare]

Monchichi025, simply what the hell are you talking about? Using the four symbols for buttons was genius from sony, its used as logo's for the playstation, its a unique thing of playstation that people think of. It stands out and is cooler then A,B,X,Y...wow thats some awesome design right there.

Also, just a personal thing, i have never and will never understand why xbox fans prefer the analog sticks in messed up positions. I've used the xbox controller quite alot and the sticks are fairly comfortable but i find the ps3 sticks more comfortable. Let alone the d-pad is simply the best, the 4 main buttons are well designed and placed too. If theres any fault with the controller the triggers maybe could have been concave instead of convex but its no problem. I've never been annoyed by the triggers.

Also every single button except start, select and PS are pressure sensetive. 360 controller do that? Sixaxis is also rechargable, plus has motion sensing. DualShock 3 has my vote for best controller ever.

[Wildarmsjecht]

Id love to play you in a FPS using the DS3 or Sixaxis and we'll come back and have the discussion about whether or not it sucks. Maybe it doesn't matter whether i Use a SA/DS3, a 360 controller, or mouse/kb, but the idea that fps cant be played well on those controller is simply ignorant.

[LJWooly]

What the hell? How is using symbols rather than letters a bad idea? The reason they used symbols rather than Japanese or English characters is that any culture on the face of the Earth can understand them, and use them. As far as I can see, that's pretty well thought-out. Also, it looks cool and unique, much more so than A, B, X, Y...

Of course, I suppose they can't cater to everyone, I suppose, as evidenced by yourself. Use your brain...

[crank]

Mike my father isn't home tonight....

Bring Ice Cream

[uie4rhig]

@Monchichi025:
YAY, A,B,X,Y is so original, and is certainly not copied from the DS!! oh yeah, and it certainly makes sense since X comes after B in the alphabet..

dude, get your stupid arguments straight, i think sony was the first one to use symbols coz its much better than ABXY when trying to write cheats a page (sometimes)..

[znu]

It's more about what you played first and got a hang to

If your use to a ps controller, an xbox controller will be hard to use, thus you won't like it

Vice versa too, if you use xbox 360 controller you will find ps3 more unusable

one thing i have noticed is that the 360 controllers right analog stick is very sensitive(tight or hard to move) whereas ps3's is very un sensitive (loose). It could just be me but now that im used to it i can't go back.

Both controllers are nice but i play better regardlessly with the PS controller than an Xbox one anyday since im used to it. I can play fairly well with a 360 controller but nothing compared to ps3.

[iHEARTboobs]

I don't think it sucks at all for FPS games. Don't believe the hype. I tried the 360 remote while playing COD4 and while it felt good the analogs felt weird because i'm so use to the PS remote. I hope sony tweeks the remote a little to better fit in your hand. I think thats all it really needs. Nothing major though. Oh and DS3 + MGS4 = awesome!

[SmokeyMcBear]

i still say the original xbox controller is the worst controller ever!!! well maybe not, but i freaking hated it, clunky and useless white and black buttons. I dont like the bumpers on the 360 controller, but so much better than the black and white buttons. Too much reliance on the triggers though, not ever game is a FPS, something the 360 controller was made for, even though the bumpers are too small. The dpad on the 360 is also really bad. well anyways those are my 2.. monchichi. Maybe ABCD would have been better.. don you think?

[edhe]

I disagree. I started on the playstation, up tot he dualshock then ps2 etc... I was always finding myself getting cramp. The xbox one wasn't much better but if ind the 360's great - i'd hate to back to that old design that my hands sprawl over.

[fllysurfer]

How does the PS3 controller offer the same as the Wii in motion controls? That´s a joke...

[bloomerist]

it is not awful for first person shooters. i have played cod4 mp with both the 360 controller and ps3 controller. no controller gives me an advantage

[r1000]

It's all PERSONAL PREFERENCE.... PERIOD...

No one here can honestly say.. one is bad, or one is better then the other etc..

You can only say that when referring to what YOU prefer.... If you talk to someone who was playing Sony consoles from the first Playstation days... you'd be really hard pressed to find someone who does not like it...

Same goes for the xbox

If anything Nintendo has had a different iteration of a controller pad every time a new console came out...

[Dethspyder]

if that's true then I would OWN with Atari and intelavision and comador anyone remember those?

[Mc Fadge]

Battery life on it is AMAZING. Lasts longer than my sixaxis controllers, which really surprises me with added rumble and what not O_o

[PirateThom]

The 360 analogue sticks hurt my thumbs (I tend to push and pull around the sides of analogue sticks, not the tops) and I prefer the shape of the Dual Shock 3. Not to mention, the PS3 has analogue face buttons, while the 360s are digital.

That's the only reasons I prefer it over the 360 controller, but both are pretty good, just personal preference.

[thehitman]

Honestly its mostly personal preference. If you been on xbox for awhile ofc your going to be use to the 360 1 and say its better us ps gamers ofc we think ours is better because we are use to it. BUT with that to say the ps controller can play ANY game smoothly, where the 360 controller sux with certain genres like fighting games. Like I said personal preference but seeing how every1 keeps praising the 360 controller for being good in shooters doesnt really show how good it is when most of the 360 games are shooters.

[Dethspyder]

that explains why younger people tend to lean towards Xbox

[bumnut]

i prefer the 360 controller for shooters and racing games, i find that my fingers slip off the triggers of the ps3 controller (the 360 triggers are curved so this does not happen)

[thehitman]

what finger do u use to hold the R2 button? I use my Pointer finger and never had it slip on me the R2 button is sensitive so unless ur like jamming it down I dont see how it should slip.

[PirateThom]

You play racers with the triggers?

That's your problem, the face buttons are superior in every way.

[resistance100]

http://www.play.com/Games/P...

I use them for motorstorm, problem solved.

Most racers however i use a wheel

[Dethspyder]

wow one of the main reasons I bought a PS3 was for it's better racing controls even my friends that hate PS3 say it's better for racing games but then they just argue about how much racing games suck ha sounds like a fanboy

[Marceles]

The controller pros race with the thumbsticks and switch gears with the triggers...the only time the face buttons should even be used if handbraking.

I really don't know how anyone can have a problem with the Dual Shock 3. It has an added motion sensing feature, it's wireless, but it's the same controller we've been using for years. All of a sudden everyone is having a problem now? It just makes no sense...

[Baka-akaB]

Dear lear i love the sony pad , i still rank it up above even the 360's one (dont like its shape , and the fact the analogic stick is above the d pad) however this blog is pushing it , just for the sake of having 5 points ...

The d pad isnt great for starters , it works well , but is too ridig and unresponsive ever since the psx version . It makes it not a best choice for fighting games . Of course you adapt yourselves , but even if after a while you manage without much troubles , and even if it wont drop your performances , it isnt suited for the likes of SNK games or street fighters ....

Another low is precisely with the sixaxis and dual shock 3 pads ... wich genious decide to have R2 and L2 (good idea) as triggers , but left such an innapropriate shape and cut for the buttons . Once again you adapt yourself , but just try playing some tekken with those buttons , without getting screwed a few time at first .

And last but not least , six axis is utter crap . Those Kai sequences the author glofiries were actually painfull , and so is playing a copter in gta4 . Good uses of it are rare , and mostly coming from small games from the stores , or straffing and reloading in shooters

Instead of sprouting that crap , how about talking about the analog buttons , an actually important and great feature .

[Knightmare]

All the buttons are pressure sensitive, including the D-Pad!!!

Although I would've liked Sony to come up with a new design (ergonomic, more comfortable, better triggers) Don't get me wrong, but that's why I prefer multiplat-FPS on the 360, but anything else goes to my PS3...

[kewlkat007]

Xbox 360 control pad is great for "Shooters". The best IMO.

The PS3 DS3 is great for "Fighters". The best IMO

I'm not gonna tell anyone what they should use. This is my preference.

You won't see me buy Fighters for the Xbox 360 or shooters on the PS3. If it wasn't for demos, Id be wasting my money.

[zodiac909]

finally someone with some common sense!

[DJ]

I still prefer the Controller S and 360 wireless for FPS titles (i know it's hard for some people to grasp, but that's how I see it). But the DS3 is an overall better controller. The motion-sensing + great re-design of the buttons definitely gives it an edge. The DS3 triggers are a lot easier on my fingers than the Xbox's triggers.

[ApocalypseShadow]

but the dualshock 3 does,in my opinion,beat every next generation pad.

no need for extra purchase of batteries.-great design idea.and doesn't explode like the laptop batteries.

great for fighting games of ALL types.-yup.i agree with that point.

sixaxis is fun for those willing to LOOK for the fun.anyone that has played high velocity bowling or driven(yes,driven)in motorstorm or played heavenly sword knows it can be fun.and can do what the wiimote is doing.those that say motion failed haven't played the best implementation of motion in ps3 games.

analogs are great.but be careful because they can be damaged if using them too hard.

rumble is LAST GEN.we all had it last gen.but still fun to have.anyone and everyone knew there was a lawsuit.but now,it's back like i knew it would be.there was no way GT5 and MGS4 were going to not have it.notice how when sony settled,immersion disappeared like they were never there.wonder if microsoft got their check from them?

http://arstechnica.com/news...

... According to the complaint, the SLA entitles Microsoft to a minimum $15 million payment as a result of Immersion's settlement with Sony. Microsoft and Immersion apparently agreed to share the bounty that would stem from a court battle with Sony...

amazing how microsoft had a behind the scenes hand into the lawsuit....sort of like hd-dvd and trying to slow sony up...but anyway....

pressure sensitive buttons should have been added to this article.it's a great feature.

also,putting shapes on the buttons was genius.no a,b,x,y crap.everyone and their mom can recognize and REMEMBER shapes since birth.and played with blocks as a toddler.psycologists would agree with this point.having triangle,square,circle and x was genius.

another great feature or benefit that beats other controllers is familiarity with the pad.nintendo sells you a pad to play classic games on your wii.sony doesn't need you to buy another pad to play ps1 or ps2 games.and the D pad and buttons match up to play old classic games like mortal kombat or dig dug or whatever.

the dualshock 3 is a well rounded and awsomely designed pad.can't be denied.

apocalypse.............

[Avto]

The big thing about DualShock for me is the fact that, I've been using it for very long time, While X360 controller has been out for less time. And I see why younger people do like X360 controller so much because it's much better than the Xbox controller and Xbox was the first console they had, but for us older blokes DualShock is the best

[SkullBlade]

Yeah, A,B,X,Y is most definitly NOT copied from Sega.

...

Oh wait... yeah it is.

[DJ]

Your bubbles will disappear! But yeah, I remember the first time we saw the Xbox controller, the first thing that came to our minds was "Oversized Dreamcast Pad". The resemblance is uncanny. The only significant difference was that the Xbox controller had two memory card slots, and a second analog stick.

[M_Prime]

i believe good sir that SNES was ABXY and that was when SEGA still had the ABC controller.. later on the released the ABCXYZ pad.. also the SNES had the L and R

also for me the SONY controller has made my hands cramp since day 1 and i played with the original PSX controllers that had no sticks or rumble..

when the sticks were added then new problems came.. i never felt confortable using the analog sticks and always used the D pad when possible.. cause it was so much easier..

i don't know why anyone hasn't said this but the GAMECUBE controller was awsome (i hated the N64 controller) but the GC was pretty sweet, the D pad was a bit small but 2 analog sticks and really good triggers.. hell.. after playing PAPER MARIO for like 6 hours straight on the GC i was amazed that my hands weren't cramping..

i don't play much with the 360 but i find it just fine.. and the ps3 controller is good for a few hours then my hands need a break.. the wii controls are awsome.. cause i can lay there however, no need to keep my hands a set distance apart.. which is nice.. and WII has the best motion controlls hands down..

[Moto13]

the 360 controller is better in every way except the D-Pad. I dont' like the PS3 controller that much anymore and wont' buy any FPS games on it unless it's an awesome exclusive. the other thing that's better on the DS3 is the location of the R1 R2 buttons which allows easier access than the 360 counter parts. The 360 controller though is superior especially the analog sticks. This is the first website I have seen preferring the analog sticks on the DS3.

[Solid_Snake]

the design of the xbox controller. It is too big and clunky. I used to love my Sega Genesis, but I had similar feelings about it as well. It just feels weird in your hands. Also, i've played FPS' on both consoles, and I really don't feel too much of a difference. I am only 5'8"-5'9" so I dont have huge hands, and the DS3's triggers are perfectly positioned in my hands. Whereas the xbox controller is AWFUL for any fighter. I once bought a street fighter compilation for the original Xbox and played it twice. It is the worst to play with; The 360 is the same.

The analog controls on the DS3 are perfect; it's why racers are so responsive with PS. If the controller was so bad, they would've scrapped it long ago. But since it is so basic and fundamental, they have only needed to make casual changes to make it more comfortable and modern.

[SaiyanFury]

I love the DS3 because in my own opinion it's generally the most functional for a multitude of genres of games. It may not be the most functional FPS controller but when I'm playing Resistance, I don't have any gripes with it. I will digress I wish the triggers were concave, but it's not a big deal and I've never had any troubles. The D-pad rocks for fighting games or even simple text entry. Ever use the D-pad on the 360's controller for inputting text? It makes it almost seem like work.

I also caught an interesting point in that article.

"Whilst the first Playstation pipped Nintendo before the N64 release, thus allowing Sony to grow and poach much of the mature gaming community in the mid to late 1990s, the original DualShock controller lacked the analogue stick which the N64 put to great use in games such as Mario64, Goldeney64 and Zelda Ocarina of Time."

The original controller for the PlayStation wasn't called a DualShock. As a matter of fact it had no name at all. Just the "PlayStation controller". Originally it had a complete lack of analog sticks and rumble, Sony added those a few years later, and I'm glad they've kept to the original design to this day. It works and doesn't need to be messed with. I also enjoy the SIXAXIS functions when used properly. Adds a bit of depth to games like Ratchet & Clank Future.

[level 360]

I must say Sony does make most of the best control pads ( remote ones ) out there but their DualShock3 which is a carry-over design from the very first PS1 console should have had evolved into something better.

This is were the saying that "if it ain't broke don't fix it" clearly does'nt work at all.

Sony really needs to totally overhaul their "unergonomically" designed pads on their next-gen console ( PS4) - hopefully...

[SaiyanFury]

I must disagree. Sony's controllers may not fit every single hand, but I've never had any degree of discomfort using one. I've been using them since before Sony introduced the first DualShock and they've always felt natural. Just a personal view of course. Many people are different.