Console controllers in the current gen

[Perversion]

I found this essay interesting and insightful. It touches on different (mostly gimmicky) controllers through the history of the industry, a main nerve that gets hit in "hardcore" gamers when being forced to acknowledge casual gamers, and the future of Natal and Sony's Motion Control.


All in all, a well-written piece.

[Biggie]

Re: Console controllers in the current gen

1up tends to have very excellent featured articles. Their recent 20 years of gameboy is a very good read too. I like all the 1up writers, and was the reason why I was so sad to see EGM go.

[Dallas Alvis II]

Xbox 360 controllers are perfect for fighting games...

FACT.

*gets hit with a rock*

[John Mora]

Re: Console controllers in the current gen

Except for that awful D-pad :VVVVVVVVV

[The_Real_Crunk]

Re: Console controllers in the current gen

The 360 controller is nearly perfect, except for that damn D-pad. Sometimes I push left or right, and it goes up or down instead. D:

I still think we need more buttons on controllers.

[Jehuty]

Re: Console controllers in the current gen

I'm more fond of the PS3/2 controller scheme, but I don't play enough Xbox to appreciate their controller really.

As for the new "motion control" from both consoles: They'll end up just like ever other gimmick, obsolete, poorly implemented, unsupported and ultimately useless. Sort of like the Wii.

[Kefka Jr.]

Re: Console controllers in the current gen

Magus and I were talking about the 8-way stick on the Neo Geo Pocket Color. Everything about that thing was wonderful, from the way it felt under your thumb to the little click it made when you moved it.

The analog nub on the PSP is maddening in comparison. Even the D-pad on the DS can't compare.

I just... wish someone would copy it.

[Perversion]

Re: Console controllers in the current gen

The thing I really do like about the 360 controller is the analog triggers. It's one of the main reasons I liked the Dreamcast controller. And it's been stated by Microsoft execs that the 360 controller was patterned after the Dreamcast controller.

[Biggie]

Re: Console controllers in the current gen

For playing games like Twilight Princess, or Little King's Story, or other typical low-motion nunchuck style games, wii-nunchuck combo is just about the most comfortable controller setup ever. I can have like, one arm up high and scratch my head while the other is down low by my lap. I love it.

[Dallas Alvis II]

Re: Console controllers in the current gen

But that's what really turns me from the Wii, its interesting to have a divided controller set up. However, I found it...ackward. I never got used to it. And that's why, to this day, I get it handed to me on Super Smash Bros. Brawl whenever I play it at parties.

Kefka: I always hated the analog nub on PSP, myself. The damn thing kept breaking off of mine.

...The thing I really do like about the 360 controller is the analog triggers...

I concur.

[DarkwingChuck]

Re: Console controllers in the current gen

I still don't understand why Sony still insists on putting the d-pad in the primary spot when it's been for secondary use only since the PS1 Dual Shock took over.

[Valkysas]

Re: Console controllers in the current gen

For playing games like Twilight Princess, or Little King's Story, or other typical low-motion nunchuck style games, wii-nunchuck combo is just about the most comfortable controller setup ever. I can have like, one arm up high and scratch my head while the other is down low by my lap. I love it.

reminds me of playing twilight princess back when I first got my Wii. I sat on the floor with the pointer turned off. left hand in my lap with the nunchuck, I had my right arm propped up on my knee in front of me. just lightly moving my hand to attack when needed. chin rested on desk staring ahead at the TV. I have never been so damn comfortable playing a game in my life. my current setup doesnt let me play on the floor, though. TV is up too damn high.

[Toaster]

Re: Console controllers in the current gen

I still don't understand why Sony still insists on putting the d-pad in the primary spot when it's been for secondary use only since the PS1 Dual Shock took over.

Try playing Katamari Damacy on X-Box, you'll realize how unnatural it feels. With dual stick gameplay, having the stick in the "secondary position" feels much more natural.

[Perversion]

Re: Console controllers in the current gen

Chuck, I guess I'm not sure what you mean by a primary position.

N64-Digital pad above and to the left of the analog thumbstick.

Dreamcast-Digital pad below and slightly to the right of the analog thumbstick, which is I guess your estimation of a "secondary position."

PS1/2/3-Digital pad above and to the left of the analog thumbstick.

Xbox/Xbox 360-Digital pad below and slightly to the right of the analog thumbstick.

Gamecube-Digital pad below and to the right of the analog thumbstick.

Wii's Classic controller-Digital pad above and to the left of the analog thumbstick.


So by numbers, counting each console seperately, we have the digital pad to the left 5 times out of 9 consoles, and the analog thumbstick to the left 4 times out of 9 consoles. Sounds like a fairly even split to me, with the digital pad being to the left one more time, actually. And if we do not count the PS1/2/3 and Xbox/Xbox 360 as seperate control schemes, we have an even 3-3 split.


So what's a primary and what's a secondary position again?

[Biggie]

Re: Console controllers in the current gen

I can deal with both fine, but I think having the sticks in seperate positions is much better for shooters, and katamari is one of the few games where it benefits from a controller with leveled thumbsticks.