First Impressions: Could the PS4 Controller Be Gaming's Greatest Ever Input Device?

Push Square: "It’s been almost 16 years since the PlayStation’s primary input device last demanded real scrutiny. The introduction of the DualShock in late 1997 ushered a new standard for video game control that hasn’t changed a whole lot over the past decade and a half. Sure, the peripheral has been host to a handful of tweaks over the years, scooping up accelerometers and spongy triggers along the way, but many of its changes have been iterative rather than evolutionary.

"However, the DualShock 4, the brand new controller bundled with the PlayStation 4, represents the classic design’s greatest progression since its very inception. And yet, beneath its impressive list of improvements remains a device that’s still reminiscent of its predecessor from yesteryear. But could Sony’s latest peripheral be the greatest input device ever conceived? The jury’s still out, but the signs are certainly reassuring."

[Gazondaily]

Looking forward getting a hold of the controller. The improvements have been made in all the right places plus those extra innovations will be something to behold.

The DS3 left a lot to be desired for me personally but from what I've read and heard, the DS4 is a marvel to hold.

Let's see.

[jujubee88]

The d-pad on VITA totally rocks.

[TechnicianTed]

The d-pad's alright, but the thumb sticks are crap.

[Denethor_II]

analogue thumbs stick are awesome.

[TechnicianTed]

I suppose they are for hamsters with a gaming habit.

[abzdine]

for me the best d-pad ever was on Sega saturn on the small controllers because it was so good for fighting games and Saturn had a lot of them.

it was kinda hard to get used to PSone Dpad but it came over time and now i think it's the best one for fighting games.

@TechnicianTed : are you serious?? they are tiny and lovely! could have been better if they were concave but i'm happy i have 2 sticks on Vita

DualShock 4 is another story and Sony improved their controller like i never thought it was possible. Definitely going to be the best input devices ever made with all the amazing features built-in. PS4 is a beast

[TechnicianTed]

@abzdine

If I've got a choice between playing my ps4 with a ds4 or a Vita I will take the ds4 every time, I'd take the ds3 every time as well.

My experience of the Vita thumb sticks tell me they are okay for playing games on the go, in a fashion. But I'd never choose to play my ps4 games with them except for the remote play options.

It might hurt some peoples feelings, but I personally think the Vita thumb sticks are shockingly bad, they are so small they are next to useless but they come with the Vita so you have to live with them. If you like them, then I have to wonder what you are comparing them to.

Yeah, I hate the Vita thumb sticks. I despise them tbh.

[blennerville]

The DS4's buttons are all digital - only the triggures are analog.

How do People feel about this ???????

[Gazondaily]

@blennerville

I don't think it really matters tbh. I didn't notice that many games utilising it in the first place.

[blennerville]

@Septic

what about games that did use them though - wont they not work on gaikai ??

i like playing GTA with the Classic PS2 controls but i guess i can get over it as long as i can still use R1 to shoot.

[Pope_Kaz_Hirai_II]

I do like thats its bigger tho as my hands completley cover the DS3 but still loved ds3 dont get me wrong.

[warewolfSS]

Yeah deff. I can't wait for infamous. Hopefully it's better than the last one.

[G20WLY]

Yeah, true - the last one was awesome, as was the 'Festival of Blood' dlc, so if Second Son is better we're in for a massive treat! ;)

[InTheZoneAC]

I haven't come close to beating infamous 2, but I can say infamous 1 was a great game. 2 seems to be good also.

[MikeMyers]

Don't really like the PS3 controller all that much, the sticks just feel way too loose and the triggers weren't that great. The d-pad and buttons were very good. This new controller seems to be a lot better.

[showtimefolks]

many developers have praised the ps4 controller and many have even said its the best controller they have ever held so can't wait to try it in my hands

BTW i had no problem with ps3's controller

[IamTheStorm81]

"...it melts into your hands like ice cream into the grooves of warm Belgian waffles."

I just finished breakfast an hour ago and I'm already hungry again.

[kenmid]

nope, my vote goes to the mouse.

[Wni0]

yeah i never lose immersion in a fps when alls i can do is strafe left right back and forward...

[Vladplaya]

*facepalm* Every tried to press more than one key at a time?

[KwietStorm_BLM]

You can make an argument about precision, but what you just said makes absolutely no sense. Do you play with one hand or what?

[YNWA96]

Unless it is huge, I am sure he using one hand. The other one is on standby for the boss fight at the end.

[Khronikos]

Yeah people who play FPS with keyboards and think they are cool equals dudes from 90s and Quake losers. I own a GTX 770 and I don't have any inclination whatsoever to use a Keyboard on any game at all. I go so far as to use a mouse/Half controller on games like Titan Quest even.

The keyboard is wildly NOT IMMERSIVE. This controller looks like pure sex. So you PC only queen babies can get the fack out. Sorry, I use my keyboard to type not to get immersed in a videogame.

[Cueil]

I can push 16 keys in at the same time and all be registered on my mechanical keyboard... wtf can you do with your controller?

[HiddenDragon]

nope, my vote goes to the DualShock 4

[SpecialK]

I tried using a mouse but if I have the option I always go for a controller.

Maybe its just what I'm used to, but its just irritating having to make my hands do gymnastics in order to do certain things.

With a controller every button is in easy reach and its comfortable.

Though that's FPS games and racers ect, obvious with games like RTS and some other genres its a keyboard and mouse no contest.

[KillrateOmega]

Well, if you're a PS guy, then, yes, I imagine that it would be the 'greatest ever input device'.

Ultimately, we'll have to wait until we can get our hands on it, but at the very least, it's looking to be a significant improvement over the DS3.

"...it melts into your hands like ice cream into the grooves of warm Belgian waffles."

Jesus...

[Cueil]

pushsquare... I wonder if they are bias?

[KillrateOmega]

LOL! I didn't even notice that XD

Yeah, I guess there would be a bit of bias here.

[GiggMan]

"...it melts into your hands like ice cream into the grooves of warm Belgian waffles."

I don't know if that made me horny or hungry...

[get2sammyb]

Both, perhaps? ;)

[sigfredod]

My fingers are ready for you DS4

[WalterWJR]

Controllers will never emulate the accuracy of a mouse. Best controller ever, probably. Best gaming device, this is a matter of opinion.

[sarcastoid]

I do think the mouse is more accurate. Yet I still prefer controllers in general.

[Khronikos]

PC only dudes don't get it. We do reports on the keyboard and mouse. People play consoles against fellow console players. I OWN a 770 and that is more than most of these try hard Mouse key only dudes have and I would NEVER give up the chance to play with the DS4. PURE SEX as opposed to click click click headshot I WIN. Guns don't work like mouses in any degree. At least I feel like I am shooting a gun with a controller.

[mxrider2199]

how do you have fun just pointing and clicking in a fps? theres no skill just reaction time cod on pc would blow more than it does on consoles

[WalterWJR]

Give it a try, I don't play cod. There is a ton of skill pointing and clicking, trying to aim at a moving target before they stop you is skill. When you use a gun in real life are you not pointing and clicking?

Try to play a shooting game on consoles without any aim assist and see what happens.

[Sincere0121]

looks like the worst controller ever made but then again playstation controls have always bin poor. they should stop trying to copy nintendo and be original.

[WalterWJR]

You don't get any more original than creating the first dual analog controller so I don't understand what your talking about.

[Sincere0121]

analog stick was created by nintendo, the diamond layout of the buttons are nintendo, shoulder buttons nintendo, rumble feature nintendo. having a screen on a controller nintendo, motion controls. Playstation and xbox controllers are poor imitation of nintendo's controllers.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

No, it was not CREATED by Nintendo. Go off topic a little more though.

[Angeljuice]

@Sincere

Another one of the 'Nintendo invented everything delusionals'. Do some research or
Go back to bed!

[Angeljuice]

@sincere

My mum has been dead for four years, what kind of a perverted sicko does that make you?
You haven't got the slightest clue what you're talking about you moron.

Enjoy your kiddy console, and your life in a delusional bubble.

1st console Motion Control- PSeye on PS2 (years before Wii)
1st console second screen- PS1
1st dual analogue control- PlayStation

Could go on, but maybe if you do the research yourself, you won't be quite so blind.

[sAVAge_bEaST]

@Sincere
-trollolololl -fa1l-

[XisThatKid]

That was a quick debate and factual and sorry for your mom angeljuice if your moms really not of this earth

[Tito08]

@ Insincere- The keyword Walter said was "First Dual Analog", not single analog, and the N64 stick was one of the worst built sticks, meaning it was very unreliable, and to be sincere like your username implies, nobody cares about who did it first than who, so why hasn't Nintendo built a true analog stick on the 3DS? because obvoulsy Sony managed to pull it off with the Vita, and is once again dual analog, while thepad on the 3DS functions almost as similar as the PSP's.

[NeoTribe]

There are not enough palms I could possibly slap you with to erase the retardation you have going on in your head.

[HiddenDragon]

Definitely better then the Xbox One controller

[IcicleTrepan]

Cuz you've used both right?

[Reverent]

I wouldn't necessarily call it better, as that would be unfair since it will end up being a matter of opinion for most people... But consider that the Xbox One Controller isn't really that different from the Xbox 360 Controller. Yes, it's got a slightly better D-Pad and trigger rumble, but not much else is improved (not saying that it needed improved).

On the other hand, the DualShock 4, has improved in a ton of ways. It's bigger (no more big guys having to complain about a tiny controller), the already great D-Pad was improved, the touch screen (while gimmicky, can be very useful in the hands of the right developer), the share button, the analog sticks and triggers being improved, etc.

Hard to argue with if you ask me.

[mt]

hell it will be one of the greatest.

[PositiveEmotions]

Of course :)

[mydyingparadiselost]

The Gamecube controller has been the most comfortable thing my hands have ever held, I'm sure DS4 will be better than DS3 but best ever is a pretty big statement.

[Jaqen_Hghar]

A man wishes Nintendo would've made an improved Gamecube like design for WiiU Pro controller rather than copying 360 which a man finds uncomfortable.

[GezForce]

valar morghulis... I too am not a fan of the wiiu pro controller. Cant get used to the fact that the face buttons are underneath the analog sticks. I've spent countless hours trying to get used to the layout.. its just not any good.
Battery life is awesome though. I hope they revamp the pad and change the layout into a more traditional setting.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Gamecube has one of the weirdest controllers I've ever used, and it's too small for me.

[TechnicianTed]

A man gets tired of seeing someone use the same crap line over and over again. A man hopes the user will just talk like everyone else and forget he made a gimmick of a username and just speak like he would in real life.

[jholden3249]

I really liked the Gamecube controller too, but some aspects of it are now pretty dated. The L and R analogue shoulder buttons rocked! I actually think Wii U Pro Controller is the best on the market, even better than the 360 controller. It's just perfect in every way, from the placement of the joysticks and distance from the edge, to the fact they're above the face buttons as opposed to below like PS4 (I despise the Dualshock's joystick placement), to the more than excellent shoulder buttons. And the D-Pad is the best of any controller I've ever used, though Vita comes at a close second. Plus the 80 hour charge it holds is the icing on the cake. Most people don't know how good the Wii U Pro Controller is cause they never used one before. But almost everyone I know who's tried it says the same thing.

[Prime_28]

Far from it.

[6DEAD6END6]

No the best input devise is the Kinect 2.0 /s. I really can't wait to have the DS4 in my hands and playing Killzone ShadowFall.

[sorane]

Nope not even close, but nice try.....

[Dan_scruggs]

Every time I read a fanboy jerkfest article like this I lose more and more faint in gaming journalism. Such a wast of time and effort. Oh and to be clear the answer to this question is the mouse and keyboard.

[warewolfSS]

Absolutely

[NeoTribe]

These arnt journalist. You or me could make a article and toss it up. Don't come to n4g for journalism, youll rarely find it.

[xReDeMpTiOnx]

Controllers are all a matter of personal opinion but from all these reviews coming in it seems like Sony is just on fire so far.

Can't wait to see what they have in store for gamescon and the VGA awards.

Also I wonder what's going to happen with the gears of war franchise since its not really a Microsoft exclusive anymore.

Only games I loved on Xbox was halo2/3 and gears 1/3 otherwise Sony ups them with all other exclusives

[kewlkat007]

Amazing how you somehow bring up xbox and MS...

[Belking]

An improved controller doesn't even come close to calling it greatest input device.

[Angeljuice]

You can go to bed too, without any supper you naughty boy.

[gamer7804]

Watch videos of ps4 off screen gameplay, the biggest fault of the controller is the reflected blue light on to the tv

[superterabyte]

Are you being serious?

[gamer7804]

unfortunately yes, just found a few off screen videos real quick, not even trying to show the issue, pretty easy to see even with all the other reflecting lights at e3.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[NeoTribe]

Well than, the people sitting next to him must have drank the blue shit in the controller because I can see them in the reflection aswell.

[gamer7804]

yup, you can see them a little bit, not nearly as clearly as the bright blue light that apparently you can't turn off

[NeoTribe]

Gamer, your really gonna keep trying to spin that? You take subtle jabs at ps in a lot of your comments trying hard not to come off as a troll. I apologize that I cant take you seriously.

[PAYNEinc85]

No

[RM-TatoTiburon]

The DS3 was so awful that make the DS4 looks like the greatest input device of all time?

[Thomper]

It was sh1te. Awful dead-zone and it gave me hand cramp. Hopefully Sony have realised that we don't all have tiny Japanese hands :0)

[Larkman13]

@Thomper .. Whats the deal with you? You got to get paid my microsoft? Ohh thats right, i remember your that loyal MS poodle. Hopefully they pet you nicley because you are there baby bitch.

[G20WLY]

A tad racist, no?

Why do I get the feeling it wasn't a DS3 that gave you hand cramp... ...

[gobluesamg]

I have used playstation controllers for countless hours with no cramps or complaints and I guarantee I have bigger hands than you thomper you whiny little Xbox girl. Sick of reading your crap on this site.STFU

[badboy776]

Displays should be up by September. For us to test.

[xReDeMpTiOnx]

@kewlcat ohh I'm sorry didn't realize I Wasent allowed to
Voice an opinion hardy har har.

Didnt bash ethier one so why does it bother you to make a comment

[Thomper]

The shape looks a lot more like an xbox controller from the side, which is no bad thing. I never liked the previous play station controllers, so looking forward to getting my hands on this one.

The XB1 controller will rock. One thing MS got right!

Trolls and fan-bots. This isn't a dig at Sony, just my personal preference in regards to controllers in the last gen. I enter this gen with an open mind (and wallet)

[Larkman13]

@Thomper .....well its nice to see you come around since all you have been doing is digging at Sony on multiple sites. Like you i also will buy both systems and unlike you my opinion will be based on facts not stupidity.

[Thomper]

Oh frack off you idiot. Learn what punctuation is, then come back and call me "stupid"

[Larkman13]

Sounds like i got under your skin. Like i said your my bitch now. Chin up dont cry

Btw knowledgable people use facts. Not bullshit like you spew!

[warewolfSS]

Xbox did nail the controller

[Khronikos]

Except the fact that offset sticks make no sense whatsoever unless you have problems with hand symmetry. Last I checked most FPSs use both sticks and that would make the DS4 the best controller ergonomic wise.

[G20WLY]

Yeah, together from the looks of it lol!

Joking, of course, just couldn't resist ;P

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Definitely not.

Although the triggers are improved from the ps3 controller, they are still mushy and the angle of movement is terrible. It will make playing trigger heavy games a chore.

The DS4 still has that dated 90s style analog set up. For those of you too young to remember, the original playstation controller did not have analog sticks. When Nintendo revealed their N64 controller Sony quickly followed suit and released an updated PS controller with two analog sticks. They basically put the analog sticks wherever they would fit on the existing controller and gamers have been paying for that decision ever since.

Every other company designed their controller around the ergonomics of your hand, which is why the N64, Saturn 3D, Dreamcast, GCN, WaveBird, Xbox, Xbox Controller S, 360, and Wii U Pro Controller all have their left analog stick in the proper forward position. Because it follows the natural line of the bones in your hand, and it stays within the natural range of movement for your thumb. There are even a number of 3rd party PS3 controllers which use this superior design, and its interesting to note that there are no 360 controllers that use the ps3 set up.

The light bar is also a real annoyance. When I was at E3 I could see its reflection on the TV screen. Of course I was standing just feet from the screen so I will have to see if that's a real problem once I get my PS4 home and I'm sitting a natural distance from the screen.

Right now the DS4's only advantage is that its very comfortable to hold and it has a good d-pad. But good d-pads mean nothing in games made after the 90s.

[sentury111]

It must say something that no PS style controllers are made for the Xbox, but the Xbox design is the most copied.

[Lvl_up_gamer]

So long as sony keeps living in the past with parallel analog sticks...the PS controller will never be the best gaming controller on the market.

Simple as that

[sAVAge_bEaST]

right because if you hold both of your hands in front of your face (do it) fold them together, and make a half fist, -- one thumb is always up high, the other is low.. right????

cause I always thought the -it is a mirrored image a.k.a
Symmetrical - appearing the same on both sides

[sentury111]

But when people hold there hands together one thumb sits on top of the other.

Seems more comfortable with one thumb down low and the other leaning forward.

In the end only one manufacture goes with the PS style while everyone else goes with the offset design. Why is everyone not copying the PS style?

[Lvl_up_gamer]

better yet, why don't you hold your hands out straight...which way do your thumbs point? The point up along with the rest of your fingers...welcome to the world of ergonomics.

Your thumbs NATURALLY point up and with an offset analog controller, they allow your thumbs to point in a more natural direction preventing less strain on the joints.

Bottom line, PS controller forces your thumbs in an unnatural position, MS controller does not.

MS controller is the most economical/comfortable/less strain on the joints controller out there.

And as sentury111 already stated...no 3rd party controller makes a parallel controller for an MS console while they make offset analog controllers for PS consoles....gee I wonder why?

You're welcome.

[jholden3249]

I know a lot of people are used to the PS controller setup, and that's fine, you adjust to anything over time. But the truth is the placement of the joysticks on the PS controllers just boggles the mind. As the gentleman above noted, it doesn't follow the natural ergonomic alignment of your hand when holding a controller and resting your thumbs. MS got it half right with the 360 controller, but the right stick was still below the left, which doesn't make sense. The thumb naturally rests where the buttons are, and is where the analogues should be- the Wii U Pro Controller actually nailed it bar none. All controllers have their drawbacks, so while Wii U Pro Controller is by far the superior ergonomic design, its shoulder buttons are digital, not analogue. Now, for me that's not an issue (I don't play racing SIMs or any games that need it), but for many it is an issue. Likewise, Sony nailed it with the analogue shoulder buttons and built in light sensor and touchpad, but failed with their joystick placement, AGAIN. I've already pre ordered a PS4, so no it's not a dealbreaker, but you'd think in the interest of the gamer they'd swaller their pride, admit the joystick placement is inferior and revise it with the Dualshock 4. Unfortunately, they'd rather keep an inferior design and make us suffer than admit MS and Nintendo got it right and they didn't.

[sentury111]

The Wii u layout is a carbon copy of the 360.

[turgore]

There are so many little improvements and features in PS4, that when added it is leagues beyond the PS3.

[Furi17]

I hope it can be used as race wheel (like MS wireless wheel), is not as good as a G27 but is definetely better and more accurate than the analog.

[mochachino]

Most people are saying there's something really special with its triggers that just make them feel perfect.

[slugg]

Glad they finally went to concave thumbsticks, but having them not offset is not ideal in my opinion. The really bummer move was not including the camera with every PS4 at the last minute to undercut the Xbox One's price. Now the built-in motion tracking will be a wasted feature.