PS3 Revisited - The Controller

The controller was something they really improved upon since the first public prototype.  As you can see the original controller is in a banana or boomerang shape.   There's a famous saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."  Thankfully Sony listened to that.  Just from looking at it, it seems as if it would be very painful for play.  I'm not sure what the extended ends jetting out are for.  Maybe if you get ticked off and throw your controller it would come back?  Like the Xbox 360, the controllers are wireless.  However Sony decided to use Bluetooth for their connection instead of infrared like Microsoft.

This is the redesigned controller which is currently being shipped with PS3.  This should look very familiar if you have ever seen any other PlayStation controllers. They did make a few modifications compared to a Playstation 2 controller.  It still uses Bluetooth to connect to the PS3.  It has a non-replaceable battery, while the Xbox 360s controllers are replaceable.  That means when the batteries go, so does the controller. 

You'll notice the Mini USB port on the front of it where the wire went on the last generation controllers for charging the battery. The big addition to this controller is their "six-axis." The six-axis is a form of motion sensing.  It is nowhere near as complex as the Wii's controllers.  It could be used for racing cars, flying planes and such. 

The major feature that is missing is Dual Shock.  They said their new six-axis technology wouldn't have been possible if they included Dual Shock. One company also sued Microsoft and Sony since they hold the shock feature patents, so they would have had to pay royalties if they used it. 

Next: Blu-ray >>
 

More Opinions Articles
More By jkabaseball