E3 2006: Redesigned PS3 controller unveiled

PS3 News | To the surprise of nobody (though to the possible annoyance of Nintendo).

Sony has officially revealed a new controller for the PlayStation 3. And whilst we're yet to get our hands on an actual image of the new peripheral, reports coming live from E3 suggest the design is largely similar to that of the PlayStation 2's DualShock, though with one crucial difference - the PS3 pad will boast a - dare we say it, rather Wii-esque - motion-sensitive feature that allows players to control games through turning and twisting the controller in their hands.

Speaking at the conference about the controller, Sony head honcho Ken Kutaragi explained that the new pad would come with "6 degrees of motion-sensing movement" and would be lighter than PS2's DualShock. And to demo the capabilities of the new controller, SCEE's Phil Harrison took to the stage to play on the forthcoming PS3 flight sim/fighter, Warhawk. By twisting and turning the controller in his hands, Harrison managed to pull off somersaults, flips, barrel rolls, lightning-quick turns and all kinds of other fancy moves in his virtual jet, before nonchalantly landing the ship on a ledge. We can almost feel the tremors of outrage emanating from the Nintendo fanboy community as we type.

Looks familiar...

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53 Comments

Jellyfish

6 years ago

Looks like they'll have a Play n' Charge kit like microsoft using that mini USB on the front. While it looks like they have a PS Guide button between the Start/Select Buttons. They probably even have audio jacks on the "inside" between the two stick. Woo go originality!

realitybites

6 years ago

I like the "ain't broke don't fix it model".

The boomerang was crap.

Its a bit like the original analogue joystick. It was bound to happen that Sony would imitate the motion sensing in their controller (technology has been around for years). I think the Wii controller may be a bit more encompassing.

The major point will the games be designed to suit the gimmick?

If not it just gets relegated to the bit bucket.

k1dcharm

6 years ago

Good to see that Sony stick to the original design. The only disappointment is no trigger buttons.

realitybites

6 years ago

Just noticed the little leds on the front identifing the controller number.

Maybe not as artistic as the MS variant.

Infested Jibbs

6 years ago

-Nitendo to Sony

'Immitation is the best form of flattery'

-Jibbs to Sony

Assholes.

macca

6 years ago

'Let down' best describes my feelings on this. Same old uncomfortable design plus some half-arsed Wii functionality.

I've never known of a company (other than microsoft) to so blatantly attempt to immitate other companies designs - and all without even a hint of shame.

Poor old Nintendo are in for an even greater up-hill battle now...

At about AU$630 for the 20GB PS3, it's the same price as the Xbox360 in Australia. And it plays Blu-Ray.

EDIT:

I didn't realise we'd be getting Euro prices!!1!one!!
20GB - 499 Euros ($825AUD or £340 based on current exchange rates)
60GB - 599 Euros ($990AUD or £410 based on current exchange rates)

OUCH!

Jellyfish

6 years ago

^Try adding 195 to that 630. At least Obs will be happy the controller hasn't changed

Xamerkapsy

6 years ago

k1dcharm wrote

Good to see that Sony stick to the original design. The only disappointment is no trigger buttons.

Have a closer look, they look a lot like triggers to me.

Capoeira

6 years ago

macca wrote

'Poor old Nintendo are in for an even greater up-hill battle now...

I wouldn't say that. Nintendo's use of the motion sensors actually has purpose. There are ideas that they've already begun working on that are actually fresh and original. That is something that will appeal to gamers.

Sony on the other hand have NO F**KING IDEA of what to do with this 'new' feature. I'm almost certain that there'll being absolutely no game on the show floor that will let us play around with the motion detection, except maybe for Warhawk itself.

It was just a shameful move by Sony to try and steal away some of Nintendo's thunder. It didn't work.

troublemaker

6 years ago

I can't see how its lighter if you have batteries inside

k1dcharm

6 years ago

Xamerkapsy wrote

k1dcharm wrote

Good to see that Sony stick to the original design. The only disappointment is no trigger buttons.

Have a closer look, they look a lot like triggers to me.

I mean analog triggers, like the Z button on N64, LR or XBox

ugh the boot

6 years ago

AWESOME!! That's all I have to say! Who cares about originality, style etc.....all I want is the best controller!! Sony looks to have found it although it might be a bit of battle for comfort between this and the xbox 360 one (which by the way is my favourite controller to date). I can't wait to try this baby out, the motion-sensing seems to be 1-up on the xbox 360 controller and i'm not too thrilled about the wii controller unless it works properly with traditional games. Great stuff Sony....who cares if you copied....as if other companies haven't copied you in the past.

k1dcharm

6 years ago

troublemaker wrote

I can't see how its lighter if you have batteries inside

I also don't see how it can be lighter, unless Sony uses different type of motor for the "shock"

?oe?oe

6 years ago

sensors useless without wii freehand controller

döppelgangbang

6 years ago

Looks like N should have sat on its ideas for another year... But seriously this controller stands for everything nintendo is trying to get away from...

Its a monstrosity, with too many forms of input, alienating and unoriginal...

Jack of all trdes, master of none.

Jellyfish

6 years ago

^ They could of dropped out the vibrate feature. Most likely they've put smaller motors in to increase battery life. Always on Bluetooth gotta drain the batteries pretty quickly...

Luke

6 years ago

I heard the vibration is gone because it inteferes with the sensor..

troublemaker

6 years ago

Yeah, you're right Luke. No vibration is a backwards step IMO

dc0079

6 years ago

Vibration is gone would be very lightly. As most of the weight of the controller comes from the weight on the motor, hence the lighter weight.
Guess the rumble gimmick is not 'in' anymore.

Well, Nintendo still got something there with a lower price for development as well as for the consumer. And motion sensing in a controller would be no where the level of full positional sensor of Wii. More of a gimmick i'd say, not much application except sims, and maybe fps.
Go Wii!

ObsoletE

6 years ago

same old shape. good.

it's all i really have to say based on an image.

ugh the boot

6 years ago

I hope the vibration is still there, i'd miss that simple feature quite a lot.

Simple fact is....i don't wanna play games like god of war, onimusha, devil may cry, tekken etc with a remote....I wanna play them with a controller.

If anything people should be comparing this controller to the 360 one cuz they're both aiming at the same target audience. I think the motion-sensor will make it easier for some people to play cuz i know people who still duck, dodge and lean to the left or right when playing games so this might be perfect for them

ObsoletE

6 years ago

well, given their lawsuit loss, it's possible they've designed a new vibration mechanism, though exactly what/how, i don't know.

or, like the rumour says, it's been dropped altogether.

maybe there will be 2 types, motion sensitive, and force-feedback.

i hope the sticks are a little more resilient this time though.

troublemaker

6 years ago

ObsoletE wrote

or, like the rumour says, it's been dropped altogether.

no rumour, its true ...

Quote

Pursuant to the introduction of this new six-axis sensing system, the vibration
feature that is currently available on DUALSHOCK® and DUALSHOCK®2 controllers for
PlayStation and PlayStation®2, will be removed from the new PS3 controller as vibration
itself interferes with information detected by the sensor.

http://www.scei.co.jp/corporate/release/pdf/060509be.pdf