What Ever Happened To The Banana-Rang PS3 Controller?

When the PS3 was first announced it was sporting and oddly shaped controller that was supposed to replace the dualshock controller.

[30sec]

Look at it, you embarrassing excuse for a controller. You're as bad as the original Xbox's first controller...jesus. I hate you.

[xtremexx]

lol, i didnt know you would hate it that much

[VersusEM]

I would buy it!

[kharma45]

I'd buy it too :)

[Genesis5]

I wouldn't mind at least trying it. Might fit nice in your hands.

[darthv72]

it had the potential to serve two purposes. Not only as the controller but also a racing wheel.

The shape makes it look as if it would fit natural in the hands. Even more natural than the sixaxis. For racing games and the motion control inside it could have worked better than the wii and the wii-wheel.

Dont see why people are so negative towards change. Change is good so long as what is changed is a benefit and not a hindrance.

I will say this though. When sony opted to backtrack and use the dual shock design instead made me think sony had no balls. They let the criticism get to them and they sold out instead of being the ones to defy what others were saying.

When the ps first came out, it got criticized by many and yet sony stood their ground and gained lots of respect for that. This controller issue may seem small but it makes you think as to why didnt they stand their ground here as well.

Obviously there was a reason they went with this design and here we are wondering the what if now because it was shelved. We should have just given them a chance instead of harping on it.

[kancerkid]

Jim Sterling hid it up his ass.

[ThanatosDMC]

Terrible looking controller... though it's probably more effective controller weapon than anything else.

[Qui-Gon Jim]

I agree. The only complaint I have about the Dualshock (and it's a minor complaint at that) is that the "handles" are a little too short. This thing looks like it would have been more comfortable to hold. It's not often, but sometimes my hands get just a little cramped with the dualshock.

I also once read that someone who claimed to work for Sony said that people didn't know what they lost with their complaining. He claimed that the controller was really comfortable, and the sixaxis functionality worked better because the sensors were further apart.

[HolyOrangeCows]

I would have liked to have HELD it at least once before making a decision on it.

[iceman06]

This is what happens when companies listen too closely to criticism. I'm all for taking in constructive criticism and all. But, IF you know something is better for the consumer (not that it was known at the time) you gotta stick to your guns.
I remember the banana jokes and such when the controller was revealed. Some say that it was a slight homage to the bat-a-rang and the Batman styling of the font on the original PS3. Whatever the case, it did look ergonomically sound. Plus, as someone has already stated, there are people that actually USED it and claimed it to be quite comfortable and functional.

[Ve3tro]

Double ended dildo.

[GodsHand]

Why hate, you could throw this thing at the tv, and it would come right back.

[xtremexx]

that could have some serious medical issues

[GodsHand]

There have only been two games that have got me so furious that I broke the games.

1. Super Ghouls & Ghost for the SNES
2. Need for Speed: Underground for Gamecube.

I swear the NFS on GC was cheating me out time against the AI. As for Ghouls & ghost, it was just plain hard, not unbeatable, but having enemies you can't hit because they are in walls, but can still shoot projectiles to hit you. I've since then got everything under control, and bought a Playstation. :)

[saint_john_paul_ii]

LOL

[ChrisGTR1]

break the game? WTF!! LOL! thats some hulk rage right there lololol

[HarryMonogenis]

Someone's taking things a bit too serious. The original Xbox didn't have a bad controller. It was a bit bulky, but comfortably none-the-less.

[bednet]

Actually there were two versions of the Original XBox controller...the very first version was huge, had a clear plastic bubble over the XBox logo and the buttons were oval instead of round...that one sucked more.

http://commons.wikimedia.or...

Edit: and it was called "The Duke"

[Holeran]

I actually liked the original xbox controller more than any recent controllers. I think it might be more comfortable to me because my hands are the size of a full grown gorillas.

[skip2mylou]

lies it was like hold 3 dreamcast controllers in your hands

[Ryudo]

Orb released a controller based on that design for use with the PS3. I bought one as a 3rd controller for my PS3/PC it wasn't bad for using the D-pad and or analogs and X and so on but the L1, L2, R1 and R2 placement was horrible making it really hard to press and horrible for gun games.

[BLACKBOIJONES]

To b honest i hope they keep using the normal controller we are all used to.

[jwatt]

They should redesign it a little bit and bring it to the market

[Davoh]

I would buy it just to throw it and see if it works like a real boomerang. If not I could always use it as an actual controller... or throw it at people instead.

[SlyGuy]

I wonder if this would feel more comfortable in BIGGER hands? Like mines for example. Sometimes I find the DS a bit too small.

[CrzyFooL]

Double Sided Dildo of Win!

[MarcusFenixITA]

The R1/L1 R2/L2 buttons could a bit strange

[SonyPS360]

I say it's about 100 times worse.

[lil Titan]

it does look futuristic, have to give it that

[ForzaGT]

but I have to admit it did look nice nect to the sliver PS3

[Motorola]

If it comes out, i would like to try it.

[theEnemy]

it's a concept.

it will never be out to the public.

dealwithit.gif

[Motorola]

Still...would like to try it out.

[DA_SHREDDER]

lol

[SolidSystem]

I would want to hold one for sure. it could fit your hands really well possiblly. the original xbox controller was huge, but I thought it felt pretty good in my hand. and lets not forget how ugly the n64 controller was, i liked how it fit in my hand tho.

[GodsHand]

Your right for an obscure design the N64 controller was right on for most games. But I did find it a bit odd to use when playing a fighting game.

[BlackTar187]

yea the n64 controller to me was so perfect for goldeneye and pilotwings etc.

[BigBoss07]

I got to admit, I wanted that controller for the simple fact that while I'm playing a game, I can throw the controller at my roomate and because of its shape, it will come right back to me without having to get out of the lazy-boy. :)

[goku32359]

good point, whatever did happen to it? im happy they sticked with the original controller though(the banana-rang doesnt look to comfortable, lol)

[Cajun Chicken]

It's been a running joke. I could of sworn that Sony also had that model of controller for the PS2 once.

[BubbleSniper]

Sony should make and distribute this control for limited time

[Max Power]

It reminds me of this controller I had for the PS1, it was super comfortable.

[xtremexx]

lol at that controller

[Qui-Gon Jim]

It is ugly, but if it's comfortable, who cares? How often do you look down at your controller and think "Man, that is one good-looking piece of electronics."

[Cheeseknight28]

@11.1.1

Every time I'm naked.

[ChrisGTR1]

^ hes a cyborg

[Qui-Gon Jim]

The funny thing is I almost wrote that as "How many times do you look down at your lap and think 'That is one sexy piece of equipment?'". Then I realized how that sounded.

[DingDangDoo]

A few simple changes to the original dualshock 3 and you have a beast...

[TardcoreGamer]

glad they never launched with that bs. im not the biggest fan of the current ds3 but that boomerang shit is just plain embarrassing. why they even considered that thing is beyond me. "Sony Style" lol

[Hozi89]

I would buy it. Heck, why couldn't SONY release to both this and the dual shock 3?

[bigtrucknd]

I like it because I have large hands and it looks like it would fit better than the ds3. I would buy it if they released it.

[Kon]

5 lines of text and this shit get approved?? What the...

[xtremexx]

i was starting a discussion

[tigertron]

That was a pretty awesome controller, as much as I like the Dualshock, I would have liked the option of having either.

[MonopolyRSV]

Look at the design carefully. If you ever were to hold the controller upright, with the buttons facing your body, there would be nothing to keep the controller from falling out of your hands as you try to use the L1/R1 buttons and the sticks. You would have to either apply alot of pressure with your palms or you would have to grip the extended handle with your ring and pinky fingers. Terribly impractical design even if it does appeal to you aesthetically.

[duplissi]

"grip the extended handle with your ring and pinky fingers"

in addition to the middle finger im pretty sure this is how i hold both the dualshock 3 and 360 controller......

just let your hands go limp and look at how your fingers and palms are aranged, this design looks as if it was made to fit that

[MonopolyRSV]

You might be right, its just how far the handle begins to curve outwards that makes me think it would put the palm too far out to be able to rest easily.

[IRetrouk]

hit the nail on the head, kaz stated in an interview that it was designed to fit the natural curve of the hand, will try and find article ...

[duplissi]

feels like 2006 all over again....

and the boomerang jokes STILL suck....lol

[Darkseeker]

Dualshock 1/2 models still worked. If it isn't broken don't fix it.

I assume the PS4 will have the same controller as its predecessors as well.

[Mr Tretton]

I hope not. That would be boring. It could use some tweaks.

[KillerPwned]

I think sony should give us a reason as to why they discontinued the controller it always seemed very interesting to me i was excited for it.

[tigertron]

because of the whiny kids who never gave it a chance.

[WoshJills]

and if Sony would say they discontinued it because people whined, people's reactions would be to just whine some more.

[Fatal Blow]

I really wanted the banana rang controller

[Pillage05]

Yeah it looks dumb but we'll never really know how it would have felt. Sony should try designing a new controller and release it for the ps3 to test it out before the ps4 to test it out see if they can't come up with anything better. I like the ds3 but I do feel like it could be time for a change.

[rapidturtle]

I'd buy it. I am not crazy about the DS3. I really don't understand why Sony doesn't try something different. Like one poster said, try a new design out with the PS3, and then you have something for the PS4. I don't see why they don't offer a controller setup like the 360, and then offer the style they have now.

[Scottyabanks]

Ill tell you what happened. If you search for them, you can find old articles here on N4G about it. Back when it was introduced, the gaming community spammed forums, news sites, and Sony PR about it, gratuitously expressing their hatred towards the new design (I know, cause I was one of them). Sony tried to defend it, but they eventually gave in to the onslaught of loathsome comments. My personal suggestion: Don't change a damn thing about the design. If they do change anything, they can make the controller a tad bigger, cause I hear many 360 guys say the joysticks are too close together. Personally, I love it as is, and have for the past 10+ years.

[Neko_Mega]

Prototype controller, if they made it.....well it would be for a Batman game.

[Shield]

This is still by far the best controller!

[xtremexx]

i have been beated

[CaptainPunch]

I think Sony should of released this controller as a limited addition.

[hazelamy]

i can imagine a few uses for it, but few of them involve a games console, i wonder if it had rumble. :)

[DATNEWYAWKER]

What ever happened to the Hover Board? Why was it never released? Was it the criticism from the people for the inability to operate over water?

[sdplisken]

id buy that, it looks like somthin from the future

[sam2236]

They were buried next to the E.T. Atari cartridges.

[tony6767]

this should come out again named rage quit controller its awesome when u rage quit and throw it its like a boomerang XD

[Killzoned]

i think there was 2 reason why this didn't come, Sony didn't agree with the Aliens prices for this controller, Negotiation between Aliens and Sony failed.

2: It was used as a boomerang!

[Dorwrath]

Aborigines threatened to sue because it was too like their boomerangs.

Wouldn't think that thing would be comfortable. Mind you the Dualshock isn't comfortable anyway especially if you have large hands.

[Mr Tretton]

I hope they make a new controller someday.

[DundahMifflin]

Did anyone else notice the horrible grammar in the article?

[damnyouretall]

im 6'6 and my hands are large. handles are too short on the ds3. id love this controller

[Kos-Mos]

Double post.

[Kos-Mos]

They figured they had to go the Nintendo way, but then again Nintendo were a step ahead with Wiimote and they had to create ehm....move...
Edit:
Watch the disagree bullets from people that doesn`t know that sony copied Nintendo in the beginning and still do.
Long live Nintendo.