[CONTROLLER] Sony SIXAXIS Wireless Controller for PlayStation 3

[DuckRacer]

What is it? It’s Sony’s official PlayStation 3 controller, the Sixaxis.

What did it cost you? Nothing; it was included with my system. However, it retails for $50 new.

How long have you owned it? December 28th, ’06.

PROS

• WIRELESS – You just gotta love it. It has excellent range because of Bluetooth, plus there’s no button lag at all (something that handicapped older wireless controllers).
• BATTERY LIFE – It lasts at least a good 20+ hours. And when you don’t have any juice left, you can just plug it into the PS3 system with a USB cord and it’ll charge to full capacity within hours. You don’t have to fondle with battery packs to change AA batteries or any other nonsense. It’s very seamless.
• TRIGGERS – They’re a huge improvement to the flat R2/L2 buttons seen on the DualShock 2. They’re very, very nice for racing and shooter games.
• D-PAD – After using the Xbox 360’s piece of crap D-Pad, this is definitely a welcome “feature”. You can actually control games with it.
• X, O, □, ∆ – What can I say? They’re touch sensitive.
• PS BUTTON – You can shut off your system, exit a game, trigger the XMB in certain areas (like when browsing the internet), etc. Definitely a necessary button in this generation of game consoles.
• WEIGHT – At first I thought this would be a problem… but as a matter of fact, it’s pleasant. For marathon gaming sessions, the light weight will make the Sixaxis more forgiving to your hands.

CONS

• ANALOG STICKS – They’re too long, and not very comfortable. I prefer something more “stubbier” like the X360 pad’s sticks. Not to mention they don’t have a lot of grip, and the left stick should be where the D-Pad is for comfort.
• ERGONOMICS – While it’s not like a thorn in your hands, it just doesn’t feel very good compared to, say, the X360 pad, the GCN Wavebird, the Wiimote, etc. Some people swear by the design. Others – like me – just don’t like it.
• TRIGGERS – Yes, they’re an improvement from last-gen. No, they’re not up to par with current standards. The triggers feel tacked on and flimsy… and my head hurts when trying to determine how they were nearly a year ago when they were much worse. The triggers themselves are convex, not concave, and because of that your fingers can slip off them when they get sweaty. Compared to (yes, another comparison) the X360 pad, they just suck. And you know why they’re designed like this? Sony didn’t want to stray from the DualShock design. They did that with the Boomerang controller at E3 ’05, and it became the butt of all controller-related jokes.
• NO RUMBLE – Rumble is like air conditioning in cars. When you have it on, you usually don’t notice it… but hey, turn it off and then you’ll pitch a fit (at least here in Arizona ). Rumble is the exact same way.

Overall Rating: 8/10

Conclusion: You may have noticed that I didn’t mention the motion sensing function of the Sixaxis… and I didn’t because it wasn’t something that really impacts the controller in a positive or negative way. I hardly ever use it, and when I do, it has some decent functions in some games, and totally crappy functions in others.

The controller itself is a product of valiant effort from Sony. It’s definitely a great controller. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not better than what the Xbox 360 or Wii offers, but after looking at older controllers (like from the Dreamcast and N64), it’s definitely something to be cherished.


Official Site

 

[OZZYGT]

Neat review, however, you should have stick the PS3 console in there as well. I mean, people are not gonna go out there to get a SIXAXIS by itself

But I still give you mad props for it 👍

 

[Tornado]

After looking at older controllers? The Dreamcast was one of the best controllers I ever used, with the N64 pad right behind it.
Good review otherwise, though.

 

[Zrow]

The N64 pad was a pain in the ass - you couldn't reach the L button (or the d-pad for that matter) for half of the games unless you moved your entire hand to that little section of the controller.

 

[kikie]

Nice review.


I have a question. Is it still possible to use a standard wired controller?

 

[Omnis]

After looking at older controllers? The Dreamcast was one of the best controllers I ever used, with the N64 pad right behind it.

Both of which completely sucked. If the Sixaxis had the same lip that the L2 and R2 buttons on the DS2 had, coupled with concave analog sticks, it would be the best.

 

[Robin]

good review 👍 , you beat me to it lol I was going to review it when I get one in the UK..... oh well, I may do a super detailed review with lots of pics if I ever get my hands on one.

 

[DuckRacer]

Neat review, however, you should have stick the PS3 console in there as well. I mean, people are not gonna go out there to get a SIXAXIS by itself

But I still give you mad props for it 👍

I was thinking about reviewing the console itself, but it has so many features and so many variables that it would be outdated even three months from now. Not to mention it'll be some 5 page essay.

After looking at older controllers? The Dreamcast was one of the best controllers I ever used, with the N64 pad right behind it.
Good review otherwise, though.

Are you kidding me?! The N64 controller sucked. The C buttons should just be a C stick, and like Rollo said, if you ever wanted to use the D-Pad you'd have to move your hand over. Not cool.

But thanks for the compliment.

The N64 pad was a pain in the ass - you couldn't reach the L button (or the d-pad for that matter) for half of the games unless you moved your entire hand to that little section of the controller.

+1.

Nice review.


I have a question. Is it still possible to use a standard wired controller?

Yes - you just attach the USB cable to the controller and plug it into the PS3... and then it acts like a wired controller.

Both of which completely sucked. If the Sixaxis had the same lip that the L2 and R2 buttons on the DS2 had, coupled with concave analog sticks, it would be the best.

Nah... I still prefer the triggers.

 

[Tornado]

Both of which completely sucked.

Dreamcast controller? Sucked? I laugh at you. Though all I ever played on the N64 was Goldeneye, so I never encountered the problems with the left trigger.

If the Sixaxis had the same lip that the L2 and R2 buttons on the DS2 had, coupled with concave analog sticks, it would be the best.

Nah. The overall shape of the 360 pad is still better. The SA needs concave triggers, first and foremost.

 

[Omnis]

Nah... I still prefer the triggers.

What are you talking about? I never said anything about getting rid of the triggers. All I said was put the plastic lip underneath them so we can use our other fingers for leverage/backing support.

Anyway, I'm still confused as to why the boomerang is not out. I wanted to play ps3 on a damn boomerang. I had mad respect for Nintendo for having the cojones to introduce a completely different style of control. Sony, however, is about as brave as a paranoid castrati when it comes to controller design.

 

[Tornado]

I wanted to play ps3 on a damn boomerang.

I agree. After I saw how it would be held I wanted to try it.