Preferred controller: PS3 vs. Xbox360

[mjc0961]

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

Nooope, you couldn't be further from accurate there. I had a PS1 and a PS2 and played them both a lot, and after spending just a little time with the 360 controller, I loved it. It had nothing to do with never touching a PS3 controller (which is pretty much the same thing as the PS2 and PS1 controller) until after using a 360 controller.

 

[demoman_chaos]

PS3. I never liked the 360 controllers. They feel clunky, have quite horrid battery life, and the R1/L1 equivalents feel awkward. It has better triggers, but that is about it.

And am I the only one who noticed how much they look like Dreamcast controllers. Same buttons in the same place with switched colors. The underside is exactly the same minus where the wire comes out (the bottom is no place for a wire). Add a right joystick and switch the VMU thing for the Middle button and there you go.
While I am going in conspiracy mode, anyone else notice how the Dreamcast used a version of Windows and died not long before the XBox was released. Suspicious, it is.

 

[Nutcase]

360 for everything BUT! fighting games...

the 360 controller is more comfy for my hands. the layout is perfect.. but it lacks a good D-Pad.

PS3 controllers are GREAT for fighting games..or anything that uses the D-Pad..

but overall? i'd go with the 360.

But the better d-pad of the PS3 controller doesn't matter if you get a good stick (and why wouldn't you?).

The 360 controller is way better for controlling the kinds of games these types of controllers are good for to begin with.

 

[Treblaine]

OT: while im thinking about it, I really dislike how , at least on the DS3 controllers, that if you set the controller down it has a tendency to hit one of the trigger buttons, (L2/R2)

The snap on concave triggers are basically essential for PS3, they prevent what you describe. But I find it handy as some games you want concave, other games you want the trigger more receded and tucked under.

 

[jamesworkshop]

360 is far better i'm barley over 5 feet tall and don't have massive hands and even i find the ps3 controller on the uncomfortable side

especially the triggers

 

[PhoenixKing]

I would say the PS2 controller is the best, but for your case, get a 360. PS3, I find, has a better button positioning, and is the right size for my hands, but the L2 and R2 buttons are just messed up. They feel wrong and get pressed at the slightest fart from a butterfly in China.

 

[CleverCover]

Aww, I don't know having never held as PS3 controller ever.
I should really rectify that one day.
Maybe...

 

[brumley53]

I prefer the PS3 controller, The triggers are terrible but they can be easily fixed with snap ons that work really well. the analog placement works better (IMO) because you usually use both of them at the same time, and on the 360 running forwards can be a pain because of how far you have to push the analog stick up. The face buttons are shaped better and slip less on the PS3 controller. the D-pad is undoubtedly better on the PS3, the only thing that the 360 has better is the shape, which does feel better on the 360.

 

[Samwise137]

I like the 360 paddle for gaming but the PS3 setup is MUCH easier to use while driving a robot IMO.

 

[KILLERTHING]

PS3

XBOX one is too clunky and the analogue sticks are in strange places (and that D pad ugh)

 

[mattttherman3]

I prefer 360, more comfortable and less awkward, plus the triggers don't suck.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

I much prefer the PS3 controller, but good luck getting it to work properly. The 360 controller seems like the obvious choice for PC gaming. I haven't used one myself but by all accounts they sound comfortable.

 

[Ghengis John]

Here's the deal folks, I'm looking for a new game pad for my PC, namely for some older games of mine that the ol' Keyboard & Mouse combo aren't the most efficient way of playing (or comfortable after 15-20 minutes for that matter). That said I'm debating on purchasing either a PS3 or Xbox360 pad as a) They come off as better designed and field tested than the average PC made one, and b) I've read enough on getting them to work in different OS environments so that's not an issue for me.

What I need help with is a few opinions on the pros/cons of each controller as I'm kind of at an even split between the two for what I'm looking for, and that I haven't really touched either that much to begin with (Note: I own neither console and can't be really arsed to buy one anyway, so comments to that respect please). I'm thinking the Xbox would be handier for racers and space sims (without paying extra for a full steering wheel or joystick/throttle combo), where the PS3 would edge out on older arcade titles or platformers as the dpad seems a little better placed.

So, seeing as I can get either one for about the same price, what are your thoughts?

(Thought of doing this like a poll, but I'm looking more for proper argument than just controller popularity to be honest)

If nobody has linked this to you man... THIS THIS!
http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/pd/productID.218523900/categoryId.54297600

Do you want sticks and triggers like a 360 but a d-pad with individual buttons like a ps3? Look no further.

BEHOLD THE CHIMERA! RAZER ONZA!

Pictured is the Chimera Tournament edition for Xbox 360. Those dials you see under the sticks are tension adjusters allowing you to customize your sticks for rapid movement or fine precision on the fly, If they're not your thing however the standard edition does away with them and you still get the improved upon d-pad and the 360 style triggers and sticks. Speaking of that D-pad please take a moment to observe it for yourselves ladies and gentlemen, you'll note that each direction has an individual button, no more of that nasty see-saw action. And while I've got your attention on those buttons I might add the face buttons are hyper-responsive, with a tactile feedback more akin to a mouse click than a traditional rubber-peg button. It's corded and works for PC, Standard's 40 dollars and TE's 50.

Having owned both controllers I dislike the mushy feel of the ps3's triggers. And apparently most developers do too because they'd have you use the bumpers instead in first person shooters. Not only that the damn things are always going off by accident. The sticks also are a lot looser than the 360's with a noticeable dead zone and a convex shape that seems intended to make your thumb slip off at the worst possible moment.

Being an avid fan of fighters the thing I despise about the 360 d-pad is it's mushiness. Let's say you want to enter a back then forward command? Somehow the game will think you ROLLED back to forward. Not good. Especially in a genre where that might not simply see you fail to do what you wanted to, but see you actually DO something else that can land you in hot water.

If you asked me to pick, I'd say 360. But why take either of them now? This thing at least looks like the best of both world's and mine's on pre-order as we speak.

 

[Trildor]

I like the PS3 one more, but the 360 controller is more convenient in general. Lots of games are made with it in mind.

 

[Speedwagon]

Get the 360 controller if you have big hands. The 360 controller is also made of sturdier plastic and weighs more.

My preference is the PS3 controller.

 

[omega 616]

I am amazed nobody knows how to hold a PS3 controller, you don't move your fingers to press L2 and R2 you roll them up or down from the groove between them.

"The PS3 controller is made from flimsy plastic", stop throwing it and raging with it! It's not meant to be unbreakable, it's meant to be lightweight so you can play for longer without feeling the weight.

 

[Dexiro]

I think they're both about equal, they're just better for different games.

Like I'd say the PS3 controller is better for arcade games that use the d-pad a lot, and some games work better with the more symmetrical control scheme. I also like the triggers, dunno why everyone seems to hate them.

Then the Xbox controller is a little more comfortable for general use but occasionally I find the controls to be a little awkward, I guess that's something you grow out of though.

Ideally you want to get one of those controllers that have the Xbox style shape, and the interchangeable joystick and dpad buttons :3

 

[GonzoGamer]

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.

Aren't the drivers there free anyway? I thought motioninjoy ran on donations.

I prefer the ps controllers for the same reason: neat, symmetrical, and aerodynamic. Also it's more shapely: tapers out where it should and rounded where it should like a tiny hot chick. The 360 controller feels a bit too knobby and bulky like it's a tiny obese man made out of knuckles... it kind of reminds me of the Dreamcast controller which I didn't like much either.

 

[ToboTheHobo]

It depends on which games you play imo.
The Xbox 360 controller is better for FPS games and racers and the PS3 controller is better for Action/Adventure and platform games

 

[Lord Doomhammer]

I like the 360 controller, its bigger and fits my hands better so it's more comfortable. Also, its heavier; and a lot stronger, I know this because they have been thrown around a lot, and some people have been hit hard in the shoulder. My only gripe is the little grips on the analog sticks ware off and it gets smooth and my thumb slips off.