Preferred controller: PS3 vs. Xbox360

[thedeathscythe]

I've been using the dualshock for over a decade, so obviously the PS3 controller. The xbox 360 controller isn't bad but I do have some gripes, one being the d-pad; it's not as responsive as I'd like for fighting games or games where I need precision if the d-pad maybe also controls my movement (puzzle games, etc.). The bumpers and triggers sometimes annoy me, mainly because let's say I'm playing Call of Duty on the PS3.

On PS3, the trigger is R1, which is an extremely easy button to tap fast if you're using a semi automatic, but on the 360, the trigger is the trigger (you know what I mean), and this makes it difficult to accurately and quickly tap the trigger to fire fast. Sometimes you'll think you'll be tapping it fast, but it won't register so instead of firing 10 rapid pistol shots to save your life, you fire maybe 3 disjointed shots that all pathetically miss.

I also prefer a symmetrical layout of the d-pads, but that's probably because I'm so used to the dualshock and I haven't used the 360 controller nearly as much. I'll also include a little PC gaming reference too. So for mouse and keyboard, I seem to like it for RTS games, obviously, and any Valve game. I've played TF2 on both consoles, and on PC and I simply cannot play it on the consoles. Yet a shooter like Call of Duty, I seem to prefer on consoles.

TL;DR - I prefer PS3 controller over 360 controller, and I like keyboard and mouse for any RTS or Valve game.

 

[DeeWiz]

Your comparison is accurate. T
he PS3 has better d-pad / buttons for button mashing, its triggers work but have funky resistance.
360 has better triggers / analog sticks. Great for racers

Both can do wireless,you have to buy the proper 360 controller with wireless adapter, and use bluetooth for the PS3 controller and this program http://www.motioninjoy.com/ -which will also emulate you ps3 controller as a 360 for games that support the 360controller for windows scheme. It is still in development so expect minor glitches/problems but its a pretty rocking program. Now it all depends on the game which controller I use.

 

[brick]

360 definately, PS3 controllers are made for small people. And cats.

 

[Hawk eye1466]

I perfer the xbox because when i tried to use the ps3 controler the joysticks felt lose i just couldnt get into using it correctly

 

[Wolfram23]

For PC, I would say Xbox because with a PS3 controller it's a pain in the ass to get it to work. You have to do a modified start up whenever you want to use it, it isn't just plug and play.

That said, I really hate those "PS3 controller is too small! Too frail." Seriously, yes it's smaller than an Xbox controller. However, I have hands that are 8.25" from tip of my middle finger to the base of my palm and it fits perfect and is completely comfortable. I bet my hands are bigger than the vast majority of people here. No, you don't full-on grip the thing like an Xbox controller. Big deal. At least my palms don't get sweaty. I've had all-day sessions gaming on it without the slightest discomfort.

 

[ThatLankyBastard]

I have big hands... BIG hands... And I need a BIG controller to fit in those hands...

360 For the win...

When I play the PS3, I have trouble doing anything because my big, lanky hands are so cramped!

 

[Shoggoth2588]

They can each specialize in a certain area of gaming. The PS3 controller with it's better D-Pad is better suited for fighting games. The triggers on the 360 controller however are better for shooters and, certain racing games. I've used both a lot and haven't noticed any real size issues one way or another. There haven't been size problems since the days of the Xbox original and it's super-sized controller.

I prefer the Xbox 360 though so that controller wins by default by my standards.

 

[jpoon]

PS3 is easily a better controller. Don't even get me started on the shitbox d-pad on the 360's controller. I can see where it might be small for huge people but it fits me superbly and feels all around better.

 

[irishstormtrooper]

They both work extremely well, so the only difference is the layout. Go to your nearest Best Buy try out some of the sample games they have out. Whichever controller you like holding more is the one you should get.

 

[migo]

The official 360 controller is horrible, but some 3rd party 360 controllers that are completely compatible with Windows are pretty good. I had to quit playing the 360 until getting a Saitek Cyborg P3200, and now things are pretty good, but MS was purely on crack when they designed it.

PS3 controller is good, but getting it to work on PC is a nightmare, again, go for a 3rd party one that's designed to be compatible with both if you're using it for PC.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

i could go over for days as to why the 360 controller is better than the ps3 controller (i think it was in a game informer a few months ago..they went over the perfect controller, and they included basically 9/10 of what the 360's controller had to offer)

but i will simply just say the 360 controller.

 

[loc978]

I kick it old school.

 

[Goody]

My personal preference is PS3 controller, I prefer the symmetry of the analog sticks.

On a PC though a 360 is easier to set up, but (as I have done) you can get a free driver for PS3 controllers to trick the 360 controller driver into thinking it is one, if you are interested it is called MotionInJoy. Although it helps to know the 360 button layouts for the prompts on screen if you do use this method.

Disclaimer: I am not advertising MotionInJoy, I am just a user and making a recommendation from personal experience with it.

 

[Emz]

I prefer the 360 controller. If I use a PS3 controller for long periods of time and I am using the shoulder buttons a lot I end up with sore fingers. I never get that on a 360 controller.

 

[sleeperhit79]

Controller preference is all about what you're used to. The people that swear the 360 controller is better played it for a year straight without any other option, so of course they grew used to it to the point that the ps3 controller seemed off...and for some reason people try to pretend their hands are huge. All that said the 360 wired controller is better for the PC because you just plug it in and there you go, and most pc games seem to offer very direct compatibility to the point that the buttons are already in game. If you're comfortable with both controllers equally go with the 360 one even if it has the crappiest d-pad ever.

 

[Chordus]

360. The control stick you always use (left side) and the buttons you always use (right side) are in the same place: towards the upper-side of the controller. On the other hand, PS3's controller has the most important control stick in a really awkward position, making me reach out of my way for it.

 

[migo]

i could go over for days as to why the 360 controller is better than the ps3 controller (i think it was in a game informer a few months ago..they went over the perfect controller, and they included basically 9/10 of what the 360's controller had to offer)

but i will simply just say the 360 controller.

They're clearly biased. Reasons why the 360 controller is crap.

The bumpers were tagged on, the ergonomics of using both triggers and bumpers at the same time is horrible, so you might as well just use the triggers and not have the bumpers at all.

The weight distribution is horrible and has the controller slipping backwards if you're only using your index fingers for the shoulder buttons, so either way you have an awkward design.

The triggers are skinny, which ends up causing a lot of pain over extended usage.

The sheath for the triggers takes up too much space so it digs into your fingers while you're holding it.

The D-Pad is the worst piece of crap in history. Cheap knock-offs have better d-pads.

Having the analog sticks staggered is just poor ergonomics, it puts unnecessary strain on your fingers.

Having to swap out batteries is a huge pain in the ass.

Really the only good things about the 360 controller are the abxy buttons and the right analog stick, that at best gets it a 2/10.

By comparison, the original Xbox controller had abxy in a diamond pattern which was easier to hit all of them with less thumb movement, had an angled d-pad more suited to the position and a design that's easier to actually make use of, larger grips so you could actually pick where you held it, and wider triggers so they don't dig into your finger as much when using them.

they started off with a fairly good design that upset some people because of how big it was (it really isn't a problem, I have small hands), and then went downhill from there doing a half-assed job of copying the dualshock.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

snip.

we went over this in a old thread months ago, and i do believe you were either put on probation or stopped responding, especially with the amount of replies i think you were getting over it, and i'm about to head off to work, so i am not going to sit here and pointlessly argue with you over it, like i had said in my original post.

and just to point out, the majority of people have been saying the 360 controller, im not saying the ps3 controller is bad, especially considering i used to game solely on the ps2 growing up.

 

[migo]

snip.

we went over this in a old thread months ago, and i do believe you were either put on probation or stopped responding, especially with the amount of replies i think you were getting over it, and i'm about to head off to work, so i am not going to sit here and pointlessly argue with you over it, like i had said in my original post.

and just to point out, the majority of people have been saying the 360 controller, im not saying the ps3 controller is bad, especially considering i used to game solely on the ps2 growing up.

Look at every controller that isn't a 360 controller. Each one uses symmetrical analog sticks. Nintendo tried with the GameCube, they went back with the Classic Controllers. The OnLive Microconsole was initially planned with staggered sticks, but they changed the design for the final release. For years, despite the DreamCast and Xbox controllers having the higher left analog stick, any PC gamepad always made use of the DualShock design. The 360 controller is the odd one out here, and the people who like it are also people who like playing FPS games with a gamepad, which is just silly.

 

[chromewarriorXIII]

PS3. I prefer the symmetry. If the 360 controller had the stick where the 4 face buttons are I would probably... still prefer the PS3. I don't like the control sticks on the 360 (how they dip in) that and the PS3 is perfect for my long fingers.