crumas2 said:   Spankey said: smbu2000 said: I think the PS3 has it's power supply built into the machine (makes it bulkier) like the original fat PS2. As for the batteries, what do you do when the rechargeable batteries run out on PS3 controllers? Can they be replaced or do you have to buy a new controller? I use rechargeable batteries on my two Wii controllers and I have one plug and play kit for my 360. I only need one charging cord even though I have two wireless 360 controllers since I never re-charge them at the same time, hehe.   What Machina said   PS3 controllers don't have removable batteries, just plug the controller in to the PS3 via a mini-usb cable to charge them up again. Pretty nifty imo   I wouldn't call having to plug a wireless controller into the console when the battery needs recharged "nifty". Nifty is being able to walk over to a 360 controller battery recharging unit, pop the spent battery out of the controller, pop a fresh battery back in, and resume wireless playing. Considering the 360 batteries last a long time and cost about $11 to $12 to replace, I can't see how this is anything but the best possible option. This is one area where MS definitely got it right and Sony definitely got it wrong, but I have yet to hear a PS3 fan admit it...

 

I would have to agree with you on that one. I used to just plug up the play & charge cable but then the controller is no longer wireless. Then I realize how much I walk around with my controller. Especially when I'm doing a private chat, I'll occasionally walk to the kitchen for a snack. I keep two batteries so when one dies I throw the other one in and put the spent one on the charger. I prefer that much more but I still have two play & charge kits just in case.

@ Goddbless

Why not just connect it to a USB port when done gaming if the battery charge is getting low, like you would do with a wireless phone or iPod?

Anyway I have a normal and mini-USB cable port extended from my PC on the top of my desk (to easily plug in my photo camera, MP3 player or memory stick). It's really a non-issue for me.

For the most part, I agree with Machina-ax. I do feel that the 360's blades beat the PS3's XMB by far. Still, that's a matter of opinion.

MikeB said: @ Garcian Smith To see what I mean, try an experiment: Hold either the 360 controller or a SIXAXIS/Dual Shock 3 with your thumbs in the air. Now let your thumbs fall naturally. Chances are, on the 360 controller, they should fall on the left analog stick (left) and the four face buttons (right). On the SIXAXIS/DS3, they'll fall on the D-pad and face buttons. In other words, on the DS3, the D-pad is where the left analog stick should be, and vice versa. I don't agree, place your thumbs on the analog sticks and from there try to hit the different thumb controlled buttons. You can easily hit all the buttons without thinking, at least to me it feels much more natural. Take a game like Ape Escape, imagine rowing a boat with the PS3 controller and the 360 controller using both sticks. That wouldn't feel right at all on the 360 controller. I don't think it's a good default layout at all. At least the controller is a little less bulky as the original XBox controller, else I wouldn't even have considered buying the console at all. As with regard to weight, I like how light the Sixaxis feels. Hopefully the DS3 will result into cheaply priced Sixaxis controllers. Rumble means very little to me, it's cool for gunning (following the beat of the gun) but IMO it's often overused for things it's just distracting or feeling unnatural (Sony and Microsoft, why no simple on and off switch on the controller?), like vibrating when dying or hitting something. Would be nice if future games would sport extensive rumble options, being able to customize what to use rumble for and what not.

The Dual shock and 360 are basically the same. But Sony need to move the left analog stick to where the 360's is. Have yu ever watched someone drive a PS3 game? The natural motion for left and right is kinda diagonal down right and diagonal up left. So people generally dont ever full lock on PS3 driving games. To full lock you have to push with your thumb and pull, it's unnatural. And during FPS when you strafe right and look left my to thumbs touch(admitadly I have quite big hands.). 360 wins the controleer till they change the left stick to the natural position. Also @Mikeb you talk about AA batteries in previous post for 360 controller. You know you can buy play and charge kit right? No Batteries need.

 

 

@ selnor

*MikeB confusingly testing the Sixaxis controller, having no idea what you mean....*

How are you holding the controller?

I am holding it like this. Thumbs on the sticks, one finger on each trigger and shoulder button. The remaing fingers are wrapped around the handle. Or depending on the game just two fingers on either trigger or shoulder buttons (alternating between them).

I have big hands, it does not happen to me at all. Placing both thumbs on the middle of the sticks making full circles with both sticks, when both are towards eachother there's still room for a little finger in between. Maybe your thumbs slip or something due to grease, but the sticks tops are made rough to prevent thumb slipping.

Super Stardust HD is one of my favourite games, I think it would suck to play this game on a 360 controller, so I am happy the sticks are placed next to eachother.

MikeB said: @ selnor he natural motion for left and right is kinda diagonal down right and diagonal up left. *MikeB confusingly testing the Sixaxis controller, haing no idea what you mean....* How are you holding the controller? I am holding it like this. Thumbs on the sticks, one finger on each trigger and shoulder button. The remaing fingers are wrapped around the handle. Or depending on the game just two fingers on either trigger or shoulder buttons (alternating between them). nd during FPS when you strafe right and look left my to thumbs touch(admitadly I have quite big hands.). I have big hands, it does not happen to me at all. Placing both thumbs on the middle of the sticks making full circles with both sticks, when both are towards eachother there's still room for a little finger in between. Maybe your finger slips or something due to crease, but the sticks top are rough to prevent thumb slipping. Super Stardust HD is one of my favourite games, I think it would suck to play this game on a 360 controller, so I am happy the sticks are placed next to eachother.

Wha I mean is hold a 360 controller. Your left thumb is vertical, as in strait up and down the pad. Left is sliding your left thumb left and right is sliding yur left thumb right. Hold a PS3 controller, your left thumb is sort of 45 degrees to the right with the tip of your thumb pointing to the right side triggers. Hence right is a pushing motion with your thumb(pushing on 360 is up) and left is pulling(puling is down on 360). So when you watch someones hands at say GT5P your thumb tends to slide the thumbstick diagonal down right and diagonal up left on PS3. Wheras on 360 it is actually left and right. And dont say it's because I'm used to the 360 controller, because I regularly play PS2 games that I am yet to finish.

 

 

@ selnor

I do think what you are used to plays a role with what your preferences are.

For driving the left stick is usually steering. Also the right trigger for acceleration and left for slowing down or driving backwards.

The right stick is for viewing around, I have no issue pushing both sticks into any direction on the Sixaxis. My girlfriend is good at Motorstorm, she seems to endure no limitations. So the Sixaxis can work well with both small (gf) or big hands (mine).

Actually I am a physical therapist. It should normally be easier to move around in the 45 degrees position of the thumb.

The placements of the thumbsticks is > over dualshock, 2, Sixaxis, and 3. Just a lot more natural, it's hard for myself to be as accurate with the Sixaxis thumbsticks and I too have large sexy hands.

Newsflash - its impossible to categorically state that XMB is better than Blades or vice versa, or that one controller is better, unless you can prove consistent difference - which in this case you can't. It's personal taste for the most part.

I for example hate batteries and recharging batteries and opening covers and replacing them - guess whether I prefer PS3 method or 360? Someone else might hate having to wire up the controller for a bit so guess whivh one they would prefer?

Half of the latter comments sound like the conversation after 10 beers when everyone argues about somthing that has no resolution.

Time to drink up and give it a rest with the 'its better because I say so' IMHO.

OT nice write up. Funnily enough I'm always surprised the 360 power brick doesn't get mentioned more - it's huge and I suspect often an unexpected sight for many when they open the box!

Or that the PS3 looks like a George Foreman Grill. There a lot stuff that can be said about any and every system. I'm going to go get a beer.