ASG Review: Is this The PS3 Controller we've been waiting for? Part II...the verdict

A few weeks ago, we previewed the Nyko Raven wireless PS3 controller. We received a ton of feedback on our initial thoughts, some were optimistic, some were, well....not so optimistic. Many PS3 gamers (notice how we said many, not all) have been looking for an alternative to the Sony DualShock 3 controller, the majority of these gamers prefer the Xbox 360 controller layout. Most third-party controllers that try to give these gamers looking for an alternative have failed, or have succeeded in some areas and failed in others. We hoped the announcement of the Raven would finally give us that alternative. So sit back, relax and continue reading to see what the results were of our review of the Nyko Raven:

[kmr1977]

seems like a Good alternative for those who want to use the Xbox 360 controller on their PS3.

[-Ikon-]

Awesome controller got one myself

EDIT : LOL at disagrees. I'm 6'3 and this bigger controller fits in my hand better. I'm most impressed with the analog sticks and triggers..

dont knock it till you have tired it. I honestly think the analog sticks / triggers are better than DS3.

[skyblue14213]

Now you know why I laugh at unbiased and truthful comments getting disagrees, lol.

[nickjkl]

im 6 1 and ave no problem with the ps3 controller fitting into my hands sooooooooo-

[HolyOrangeCows]

Still playing the "Mah big manly hands" card, guys?

Just goes to show how few of you actually own both systems.

[talltony]

And the d3 is not too small and actually i am tired of hearing that excuse. If you dnt like the d3 dnt say its because it is too small for your hands. I never believe that.

[iHEARTboobs]

In that picture they do look similar in size. But when I go from the 360 controller to the DS3, the DS3 does seem smaller. I actually feel the 360 controller is a little too bulky for me. Or maybe i'm just use to the DS3.

[NegativeCreepWA]

Cow would do us all a favor and just shut up already, some of us have been waiting for a good alternative for a long time. oh, we must not own PS3s because we think the controller is too small. Seriously unless I over bend my thumbs the joysticks are resting half way down my them and instead of griping the controller I'm holding it with my finger tips.

Just because it works great for you doesn't mean it does for every one.

[Zydake]

I'm 6'4" and I'm perfectly fine with the DS3.

[ECM0NEY]

im 6'2" my hands get cramped on the DS3

[DirtyLary]

Do you notice any input lag. Seems all 3rd party controllers have input lag. That's killer for fps games.

[corneliuscrust]

It's a matter of ergonomics!

Notice how hand size doesn't seem to be the common factor when people say that the controller is or isnt comfortable to them?

If you've spent a lot more time with the PS style controllers, you hands have most likely gotten used to the lower thumb positions needed to operate the analog sticks.

The dual shock was not built for the best ergonomic feel, it was built to meet certain aesthetic criteria.

It wasnt built with dual analog sticks in mind!

The design came from the PSX controller which had no analog sticks.

That controller had you playing with the DPAD and face buttons. When the Dual Shock was introduced, Sony did what they could and put the two analog sticks lower since the real estate for the face buttons and DPAD was already taken. This gave the controller a very pleasing, symmetrical look.

The problem is that it is not natural to have your thumbs angled in so sharply while trying to make fine motor movements.

For this reason, Sony TRIED to rectify this with the PS3 "boomerang" controller

http://obviousdiversion.com...

This was a great move (IMO) on Sony's part because they could keep much of the same layout as the DS controllers, but your thumbs would be facing forward (which is much more natural and often more comfortable) rather than bent inward towards each other at such an extreme angle

People, however, voiced that they much preferred the aesthetics of the old dual shock style controllers even though Sony tried to explain that the new controllers would be much more comfortable. People had gotten used to the old design. Sony, wisely, went with the popular opinion.

There is NOTHING wrong with liking the DS design over any other controller design. But we do need to acknowledge that it is a product of form over function. Aesthetics over comfort.

TLDR; DS controllers were not designed ergonomically, but it is just a matter of getting used to them. They will start to feel more comfortable the more you use them :)

[EvilBlackCat]

WTFIT?

[MaximusPrime]

"we" as in former xbox gamers.

[tacosRcool]

Still the Dualshock3/six axis is still the best controller around

[NotSoSilentBob]

Best controller for 360 fans who want to get a Ps3. Anyone who wants to use a 360 giant controller just needs to get an XCM converter and use it that way.

[vickers500]

I've been thinking about getting that, but I'm unsure about trying it out because it might have input lag. Do you know if it does or not?

[cochise313]

who the hell is "we"? i love my DS3, and have no intentions of changing it.

[guru9535]

Maybe if you read the article first, you would see he's referring to individuals who are looking for an alternative....if you're fine with your DS3, then this controller is not for you.....you act as if your mad because some people want an alternative....

[cochise313]

no one will buy this garbage. no one wants an "alternative"

[guru9535]

Lol....youre a close minded fool then......not everyone likes the DS3.....in fact, your not even worth wasting my bubbles on.

@reply below.....case in point....

[cochise313]

why are you here? don't you have some kinect articles to attend to?

[cochise313]

this controller looks very off-brand and bootleg.

[morkendo23]

simple six axis would do just fine

[LF91]

personally i love the ds3 too, but i think for the next dualshock for the ps4, the R2 and L2 buttons should be the same as the trigger button on the move.

[SSKILLZ]

Weak Sauce...-_-

[DaBadGuy]

Don't they already have a USB cord that will allow you to use an actual wireless Xbox 360 controller on the PS3? I read something about that a long time ago.

[4cough]

Cant wait to get a man pad for the ps3.

[guru9535]

I've got one.....it takes some getting used to, but it is way better than the DS3, and the best third party controller I've ever used. And yes, it is a "man-pad"....LOL

[HDgamer]

Will never use this type of controller, and I have big hands. Mainly I'm just used to the normal ps3 controller. I love it for shooters, fighters and everything.

[ForzaGT]

duel shock 3 rules

[ChickeyCantor]

Giiiiief.

Im so used to the xbox and gamecube controller that I always have to adjust a bit, this comes in handy .

YES YOU ANGRY PS3 FANBOY !!! DISAGREEEE
CAUSE IT HURTS YOUR FEELINGSSSSSSSS
RIIIIIIIGHT!!!

i love you kids.

[cochise313]

it's funny how xbox fanboys go against everything sony. give it a break. stop getting upset about a disagree.

[ChickeyCantor]

"it's funny how xbox fanboys go against everything sony"

I own a PS3.
On top of that, i dont have a 360 anymore.
On top of that, are you saying sony fans do like everything MS?

Im sorry but lay off the crack mate =D

[bananlol]

The gamecube controller is probably one of my favorites. but why did it only have a r1 and not a l1? and why was one joystick smaller? and why was the d-pad so small? But for comfortability its clearly the best.

[skyblue14213]

A better question is why did the gamecube controller have those weird shaped face buttons.

[bananlol]

And why did it hac such a short cord? everyone i knew with a gamecube had at least one extender.

[skyblue14213]

I know tell me about it(the short cord deal), the sega console controllers also had short cords. That is why I had to buy controller extension cables for my n64, gamecube, and dreamcast console controllers. What do these companies expect you to do, play 3 feet from the t.v. just because they want to save a few cents? It is just ridiculous on how some companies are like that, I would have payed them the difference for longer controller cords. The only company that gave you a decent good length cord for their controllers would be sony with the ps1 and ps2, their controller cords were about a third longer than most of their competition. I am glad the 3 console and video game companies this video game generation went wireless for their controllers, because I don't miss the days when bad things happened involving cords getting pulled or tripped over while playing video games.

[bananlol]

Well í never noticed a problem with the dreamcast controller cords(besides the fact that they came out of the wrong side of the controller) but that may be because at that time i only owned a small fat tv and used to have the console between me and the tv. And sadly thats the only sega console ive ever owned.

The only consoles where length have been a problem for me are one, the gamecube as previously stated and two the ps3 charge cord, which is easily replaceable. I think the reason for these small cords is the fact that japanese homes are far smaller then western, and somehow the localization offices did not take this into account.

[bananlol]

I used to buy this whole 360 pad > ds3, it even went to the point where i got one of those 360 pad to ps3 converters. At first i was really satesfied but as time went buy i started to use the ds3 more and more. first i made exscuses like its in the kitchen or that cable is fucking hell, but as time went by i sstarted to realize that the ds3 in fac is superior in every way, except for the bumpers. so why someone would want one of those i can fanthom, but its a illusion people, atleast it was for me. Let me add that i have unusually large hands.

Edit: I might add a quirky fact, the wired 360 pad i used with the coverter does not take kindly to 360 consoles aney more. If you try to boot one up with it it induces the RROD symptom. Its completely harmless but i thought it was hilarious, some of my friends however did not.

[vickers500]

Did that converter you tried have any input lag? I've been thinking about getting one for my ps3, but I already wasted my money on a 360 esque controller that looked like a 360 but didn't quite feel like one.

The two things I don't like about the ps3 controller are the crappy convex sticks (I'd rather have concave sticks that grip my thumbs easier, because my hands tend to sweat a lot when gaming even if I'm in a cold room, and my thumbs always slip off the ds3 sticks and my accuracy in shooting games greatly decreases), and the L2/R2 triggers. I bought the "real triggers" from giotek, and they make it better, but still don't feel as I would like them to.

[metsgaming]

The verdict - NO

[Panthers]

That thing is UGLY. I WANT MY BOOMERANG!

[OsamaOnCrack]

if it is can someone please post a link. i really want this controller. but at almost every website like amazon and gamestop it says its on special order or wont ship for 3-4 weeks. WTH!!

[GuruStarr78]

@Osama: Go to Gamestop.com and type the word Raven into the search menu, it will come up as the second or third item.

[hazelamy]

i can see why ms chose to put the left stick at the top, if they think that's a better, more comfortable and natural, position, then good for them, but why then put the right stick at the bottom?

making both sides match would result in a more comfortable pad.

[Sidology]

Might grab one of these. Seems like a less expensive alternative to a Dual Shock.