Introducing the Onyx wireless controller from Hori, available for PS4 next week

Andrew Mason of PSBlog: From 15th January the ONYX Wireless Controller joins our expanding range of officially licensed controllers for PS4

[TankCrossing]

I've never seen a controller with a design and button layout like that. I wonder where they got their inspiration?

[Razzer]

Sarcasm...yeah. Think the GameCube was the first to put the left thumbstick above the dpad. The Razer Raiju also uses that design for their controller. Some prefer that design. Others, the PS default. Personally like Xbox One controller myself. I may look into getting one of these.

[TankCrossing]

I'm personally indifferent to the stick position being symmetrical or otherwise, so long as it is comfortable to use. At first glance neither stick looks like it will rest very naturally under the thumb on this one. Hard to say for sure without holding it though.

[darthv72]

Saturn 3d pad had the left analog above the d-pad. Same with Dreamcast. Neither of which had a right analog but they seemed to be first to do that style. I need one of these controllers in my life. I prefer the offset thumsticks to in-line ones. Much more comfortable for long play periods. For me anyways...

[InMyOpinion]

I prefer this stick layout and the controller looks really comfortable imo.

[Omnislashver36]

I like both. Xbox for FPS and PS for most other games. Deff going to pick one up.

[gangsta_red]

My thumbs will fly off my hands in protest because of this stick position.

[gangsta_red]

Perhaps you can guide them from your comfy spot on my scrotum . *smooch*

[TankCrossing]

Lol.

FWIW, it really isn't as comfy as you think.

[InTheZoneAC]

Never understood the whole left stick up, right stick down layout and it does look generic so maybe those people like those kinds of things together.

[Jinger]

Hey, finally a comfortable looking PlayStation Controller.

[Enjoigamin]

32 disagrees lol you guys are so sad

[nitus10]

At least you will now have the option.

Personally, I have always found the cross pad to be very uncomfortable (ie. Nintendo) and imprecise for extended play while the cross pad (ie. D-Pad) on the dual shock controllers was much more comfortable and precise. As for the analog sticks, I prefer symmetrical while others prefer offset and that is fine.

[NXFather]

I prefer the Xbox controller style minus the batteries but, that D-Pad is a no go for me. Should have kept the PS D-Pad.

[kwijgaming]

No Light Bar and no headphone jack...

In other words, my little brother is gonna love using it

[TankCrossing]

I don't really see the downside of a headphone jack, but yeah I hate the light bar. Maybe I'll get one of these after all...

[nitus10]

I don't see an inbuilt speaker. A few games actually do use that speaker and not having a light bar means that the controller is useless if you want to use a VR headset and play a VR game.

As for not having a headphone jack, you do lose some functionality but I would think that the majority of gamers would prefer using a Bluetooth headset with microphone. Still for those that want to use a headset and microphone that plugs into the controller that option is not available.

I think the main attraction for that controller will be the offset analog sticks and the XBox style controller shell but they could have made the D-Pad the same as the Dual Shock controller which would (IMHO) would have been much more comfortable and precise although that would be debatable.

At least they made sure to put on a trackpad since quite a few games are making use of that feature.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Damn missed opportunity. This would have been perfect with paddles on the back.

[_FantasmA_]

Why ruin perfection? Looks like someone took a dump all over the DS4 and sprinkled Dorito crumbs all over it. The DS4 is boss. This thing is fat and the offset sticks have always been uncomfortable for long gaming sessions. My hands would hurt after a few hours of Gears of War 2, but my hands never got tired with the DS3 or DS4.

[MellauxGMNG]

Your fanboy is showing

[_FantasmA_]

My hands used to hurt after 3-4 hours of Gears 1 and 2 with 360 controller. I never had carpal tunnel syndrome but I would have to sit on my hands until they would go numb before falling asleep because they would feel swollen. With the DS3 and DS3 I don't get any kind of discomfort regardless of how long I play.

[mandingo]

Yay now I can enjoy my PS4 much more

[hanko14]

nice xbox controller, whoops

[ASBO-5]

yeah thats real cute and all but why in the blue hell is the left analog stick in the wrong place? you had one job hori....

[Jinger]

Looks like it's in the right place to me... Where you thumb naturally lays.

[nitus10]

Natural for some can be uncomfortable for others.

Like it or not our hands are symmetrical and with any controller, your hand and thumb positions are dependent on what is commonly used/preferred for a particular game.

I would say that if you have come from using an XBox controller to using a Dual Shock controller you may find that the layout is not to your liking then this Onyx wireless controller is definitely a must buy for you. Just remember that the Onyx controller does not have a light pad so you would not be able to use it with a VR headset. In addition, the controller does not have an inbuilt speaker although there are only a few games that do that feature.

[ASBO-5]

all kinds of nope

[RedDeadLB]

I might actually get this, the DS4 is good but the analog sticks design (not placement) is wonky after using a 360 controller on my PC for a long time. I've grown up with PS consoles and controllers and I can't wrap my hands around any DualShock comfortably after using the 360 controller.