PlayStation 3 Wireless Sixaxis Controller

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The PlayStation 3 controller has gotten a lot of press because of its lack of vibration. However, it is wireless, extremely light, and has tilt sensors in it. This seems a great trade-off during gameplay.

First, let's get through the "bad" that many people have gotten upset about. They took out the rumble controller from the PS3 controller. This was for legal reasons a company which developed that rumble technology took issue with Sony using it. Some people feel it really affects gameplay not to have that rumbling.

I have to admit that I am VERY happy, personally, that the rumbling is gone. I always turned off the rumble in games where I could. I am on my computer pretty much 24 hours a day, and if I play a game with rumble on, it *kills* my wrists. If you're a rumble fan, this is a decision you'll have to make for yourself.

Now, to the good parts of the controller. First, they all come wireless for the PS3. I *love* love wireless. Wires cause huge clutter in our living room, with all our systems and equipment. You only have to plug the controller in to power it up. It's a regular USB power-up so you can use your iPod's plug (assuming you have an iPod) or plug it into your computer or XBox 360 or anything else with a USB on it. That is to say, you don't have to power it up from your PS3 if you don't want to for some reason.

Next, it is super light! I imagine this is because it doesn't have to hold the motors that cause rumbling. I really appreciate the lightness. You might not notice if you only play a game for an hour or two, but if you're doing marathon sessions of multiple hours, the weight of the controller really does begin to matter.

Just like the Wii controllers, this controller has a tilt sensor in it. It actually knows when you tilt and turn the controller, or shake it. Depending on the game, you can use those tilts to look around or to shake off an enemy. That really gives you much more interactivity with the game, much more than button pushing.

The general controller shape is exactly the same as the PS2 controller. You have a pair of shoulder buttons on each side, two joysticks, four buttons on the right and four directional buttons on the left. There's a PS button in the center, just like there's an XBox button in the middle of the Xbox 360 controller. Also, there are four lights on the unit, to let you know if this controller is #1, #2, #3 or #4 if you are playing multi-player games.

The center PS button lets you turn the unit on and off, which is great if your console is off in a shelf or corner of the room.

In general, I think they did a great job with the PS3 basic controllers. The main console sale both for 20 and 60 comes only with one controller so be sure to get yourself a second one!

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Here's a wireless controller that doesn't feature vibration feedback. That's a first. Both Microsoft and Nintendo have made vibration standard on there controllers. What Sony does different is add motion control. Actually the controller can sense six different movements. Although this is not a feature that really sells me. I was skeptical of this pad because of what was missing. And using the Dual Shock controller for nearly ten years I knew what to expect. Finally getting my hands on one of these I was able to tell all the differences. For one Sony has made it much easier for people to not have to get up every time they want to turn the PS3 on or off. That is what the PS button is for. Secondly they have changed the L2/R2 buttons and made them triggers. These triggers take getting used to. Generally the L2/R2 or what was referred to as shoulder buttons were rarely used. Except maybe in a shooting game. Now these triggers have a starring role in racing games. For many years I have been accoustomed to the X button representing throttle. Now it's R2 in many racing games. After using this paddle for several hours I have realized how much more I enjoy it. It's is quite light. Only a few ounces and makes it easy to use for hours at a time. I have also noticed how well the battery stays charged. Even after five days and twenty plus hours of use it still has two thirds battery power. I have used the 360 controller and the Wii mote and have found this is the most comfortable to me. Right now vibration doesn't make much of a difference for me and motion control is useless. I just enjoy the feel and really that's what's important when playing games for hours.

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Sony's controller has it's good and bad. Good news first, one thing I like about it is the super light weight...by far the lightest controller I've ever owned. It also is now wireless. You can also turn on and off the console with the "PS" button in the middle. One of the best features is the new SIXAXIS motion feature. It makes game playing interesting. For example, you can literally steer your motor vehicle by moving the pad left, right, up or down in the game Motorstorm (demo). We'll see how developers will use this feature in future games...but so far so good!

There are drawbacks to the controller. For one, there is a usb cord that comes with the system and controller...what's disappointing is that the usb cord is so short maybe about only 5 feet long. I'm not sure if they include they usb cord if you buy the pad individually. However, I guess Sony expects gamers to sit right up to the tv when playing or charging the controller because of the short cord. I had to add an extension since I am about 10 feet away. But you won't use the cord so much because it charges pretty quick and battery lasts a long time before it needs charging...maybe up to 30 hours?

Another negative is that the L2 and R2 buttons feel awkward. Sony tried to make this into "triggers" but still keeping it's controller pad form, causes strains with some games. For example playing Need for Speed Carbon and holding the R2 trigger all the time, your fingers will slip when it gets moist. The least Sony could of done was make the buttons more rubbery for more grip or design the trigger so your fingers won't be slipping off the button.

Other than that, the controller is pretty simple and with the motion sensor makes it different from the past ones. I would of still preferred the "boomerang" type controller they had in mind, but the SIXAXIS isn't too bad of a deal....

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This controller works great. It is lightweight, holds a charge for quite some time, and feels fantastic in the hands. I also have an Xbox and every time I pick up this controller I remember how well it fits in the hand. The lack of a rumble effect is the only thing that keeps it from getting 5 stars.

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Why would Sony ever think of changing the design of this controller? It's been the best designed controller for more than a decade. Sony originally thought of changing to a new sleeker looking controller for the PS3, but thank God they changed their minds. Still great to hold.

Yes, there's no rumble. I don't care because I always turned off the vibration on the PS2 controller, so I don't miss it. I'm not sure why the PS button is red in that picture because mine does not illuminate at all. The Sixaxis is cool to have but will take some getting use to.