It actually exists! An Xbox 360 controller with symmetrical analog sticks

[migo]

I prefer the original design, symmetrical analog sticks are uncomfortable for me.

This doesn't make any sense to me. I could see the lower position potentially being a problem (for some reason, couldn't say what right now), but I can't see how having a symmetrical design is a problem but if it's asymmetrical you're not still having problems with one of the sticks.

 

[maddawg IAJI]

Ahh, just what I've always wanted, a 360 controller that wants to be a PS3 controller [/sarcasm]

The 360 controller is perfect right now, very few games even make use of the D-pad and I've never had a problem with it. Its the perfect controller for the console gamer.

 

[Inco]

I have played both of them to a large extent, and would have to say that the sticks are placed in a more preferable layout on the 360 controllers.

Remember, we all have our preferences, just because everyone else has different preferences to yourself OP, doesn't mean that they are wrong, as you have been stating to them.

 

[Stone Wera]

I prefer the original design, symmetrical analog sticks are uncomfortable for me.

This doesn't make any sense to me. I could see the lower position potentially being a problem (for some reason, couldn't say what right now), but I can't see how having a symmetrical design is a problem but if it's asymmetrical you're not still having problems with one of the sticks.

What? It's just a personal preference.

 

[Dexiro]

Wow... that might just be the perfect controller D: It's the best of both worlds, i prefer either controller for different games.
Sometimes symmetrical analogs just works better, other times it doesn't make a difference and the analogs comfier in d-pad territory!

 

[moose49408]

Not to be rude, but why on earth would you want symmetrical analog sticks? the current 360 controller is set up so that the most used controls fall directly under where you fingers naturally rest when you grip the controller. honestly, it's the primary reason why i don't get all of the games I want to get on my ps3, rather than just the ones that i have to get on it.

The 360 controller was good in theory, but in practice it doesn't work. It's where your thumb rests naturally when it's close to your hand, not where it has a central position to move in all directions.

the only real problem with the 360 controller is the crappy d-pad, but how often do we really use that thing in games any more anyway?

It's not used anymore because it sucks donkey cock, both because of the bad design and because of the placement. The D-Pad design works well enough if it's where the analog stick normally is (see the Saturn Pad as an example), but it's got both bad design and bad placement going against it. If the D-Pad were actually good, games would rely on it more.

hmm...I hadn't really thought of the movement issue, but I've never really found it that uncomfortable to use, in fact I've found it more comfortable that the ps3 controller.

in terms of the d-pad, it isn't used in more not because of where it's position, but because it's an inferior form of control. it only offers 4 (8 if you count combining buttons) ranges of motion, where as an analog stick offers, full range... so i would argue that no, the d-pad does not work well enough when it's placed where the stick is...it doesn't offer nearly the functionality of an analog stick.

 

[Shock and Awe]

What are you talking about, I like the 360 analog sticks where they are.

 

[Miles Tormani]

Jesus Christ you're an arrogant twit. There really is no need to be so dickish in a conversation about preferences.

...

Nothing is a 'fact' in opinion.

And again.... no need to act like a dick.

...

You really need to stop acting like your opinion is the be all and end all of a conversation.... It isn't.

As I said to Snake, he never will. Migo's standard method of debate is to say that he is right, and that if something is problematic, it is never his fault. It is always something else's.

I know from experience (see his iPod Touch thread). You're better off not bothering.

 

[ssssuuuullll]

The xbox controller is perfect for my BIG BIG hands but that's the controller i got used to and it's ALL preference.

 

[stabnex]

An unneccesary addition to the annuls of gaming history. I like the 360 controller just the way it is.

I still have a gripe with the PS3's squishy shoulder buttons and their crap compatibility with the God of War Collection. Having to turn the controller and spank it the same way you would a disobediant pet weasel during active gameplay is frustrating and infuriating.

 

[Nova5]

http://cyborggaming.com/prod/cyborgpad.htm

It shows how sad the state of Xbox 360 controllers is when the only pad with symmetrical analog sticks is one where the left stick and d-pad are reversible.

I'm happy though, my left wrist is starting to really hurt from dealing with the 360 pads, and it's nice to finally find a controller that solves the issue.

To preface my post, this isn't meant to be an attack or anything - I'm really just curious. Your wrist hurts from using a 360 controller? Any idea why?

I actually get serious cramps in my fingers from using any Playstation controller (from pre-Dual Shock to present), since I'm a tall dude with big hands. Then again, I was one of those guys who genuinely liked the original XBOX controllers [http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/benheck_xbox_controller1.jpg].

Yeah, I know exactly why. With the right stick that's lower and to the side, I can use both joints on my thumb to move it in all four directions, so there's much less movement necessary and it's more responsive. With the right analog stick, it's already at the end of my thumb, so it's a chore to push it further, which will give me blisters eventually, to move it left it's poor ergonomics and rather like trying to open or close a door right by the hinge. The only thing that's remotely tolerable is the 90 degree arc between right and down which moves closer to the position of the right analog stick.

The D-Pad is also a pain with the position, since it requires pressing down (I can't use both joints in the same way), so pressing right is very difficult since it's againt at the extent of where my thumb can go. Both the analog stick and d-pad placement are bad, and they're both on the same thumb. My wrist hurts right at the radius and I can feel it come in every time I have to move left on the analog stick.

Ah, that has to suck. While I don't have quite so precise an explanation, I can safely say that my thumbs rest much more naturally on the 360's analog sticks than on the PS3. With Playstation controllers, it always feels as though I'm curling my thumbs as tightly as possible in order to position them properly. This wouldn't bother me if it weren't for some of the PS3 exclusives that I love. Hopefully someone will put out a larger controller at some point, though I'm not holding my breath there.

Anyway, I'm really glad you posted the link to the Cyborg controller. Had my eye on their R.A.T. mouse for a while, and had no idea they were churning out other products. If you end up purchasing one, please post a review! I'd be very interested in hearing more about it.

 

[Flippincrazy]

The Xbox 360 controller works perfectly fine as it is for me, I can use it for long period of time very comfortably. I don't see the appeal of having symmetrical analogue sticks, I can play anything from FPS's, RPG's, weird XBLA games like Geometry War all with the utmost ease. Funny really, considering I grew up playing with the PS1 and PS2.

 

[IamSofaKingRaw]

I love the Xbox 360 controller, fits perfectly into my hand.

It's all a matter of getting used to it tough. Doesn't matter what console.

Wise man.

I wonder though, is anyone used to both PS3 and Xbox controllers? For me I have to admit the Xbox controller sort of bugs me, though that's simply as you said, because I play PS3.

I have no problems switching from both. Although the Xbox analog sticks are less precise in FPS's IMO.

 

[MaVeN1337]

Mouse + Keyboard

More buttons, More control, More accuracy.

 

[Dexiro]

Dude...no. If the controller is causing you pain, it is not the controllers fault. Period. Ever. Unless it's covered in syringes and broken glass.

Let's say you walk up a flight of stairs...ten flights of stairs. Would you complain that it was the stairs fault for being poorly designed?

Nope. Controllers are meant to be designed to be as comfortable as possible, which means making sure it doesn't cause any pain.

The PSP was badly designed because the handheld had uncomfortable edges and only one analog. Some games required you to use the analog and d-pad at the same time to compensate, which was bloody awkward and painful.
The NES controller caused a lot of pain for being sharp too, and the Wiimote had a weird spiky bit on one side which i've found to be painful when you need to hold it sideways.

Those are the controllers fault.
It could be that he's just playing games too much, but he said the left analog in particular was causing him pain. If both of his hands were hurting it'd be much more likely that any controller would have had the same effect.

About your slightly irrelevant point, you could say a flight of stairs is poorly designed. That's why elevators and escalators were invented!

 

[Kirky]

migo... I have to say that, judging by the population of this thread, my own personal experience, and the general attitude I have observed across the internet, you are wrong.

I mean, I'm not saying that the DualShock design doesn't work better for you; ergonomics are entirely subjective, and there is no such thing as a "correct" ergonomic design, since everyone's hands are different. But the grand majority of people, including myself, prefer the 360's layout.

I have both a PS3 and a 360, I spend a lot of time gaming on both, and I have to say that I, personally, vastly prefer the 360's pad. I find it more comfortable in my hands, and I have always found that I perform better with the 360's analogue and button layout. The majority of your argument seems centred around the fact that, while using a 360 pad, your thumb is extended further than it is on a DualShock. That is an undeniable fact, but I see it as a plus, rather than a negative; on the DualShock, my thumb always feels too bent over, too cramped, whereas on a 360 pad I feel perfectly comfortable.

Now, as I said earlier, ergonomics are entirely subjective, but the vast majority of people in the thread, and indeed over the entire internet, seem to prefer the 360's design, as I do.

 

[Icehearted]

The sticks are not an issue. I long for a good d-pad on one of these things. I know MS couldn't make a good one for the PC, so I was pretty surprised at how well the one on the old S controllers held up. These current ones are ass though, especially for anything that isn't analogue like Luminess or Raiden.