I was so excited when I found and purchased the NYKO Raven “Alternate” controller for the PS3. It had the same control and button layout and feel as the Xbox 360 controller.
With all these features, the NYKO Raven controller sounds like a dream come true for PS3 owners right?
For those that want an alternative controller option for the PS3, right now you can get the Raven NYKO normal positioned wireless controller for only $14.99 with free shipping or the offset wireless controller (Xbox 360 layout) for only $19.99 with free shipping.
Agreed! I saw one and picked it up for $35 and the trigger stopped working after 4 days. It's also extremely uncomfortable.
you know a product is bad when a Gamestop salesperson suggest that you NOT buy it. Yeah, thats what happened to me while I was checking out the wireless one. Buyers Beware!
after reading some comments from the "lucky" buyers i would say, that those gamepads look exactly how they work... crappy.
The Game Guys on news10.net write:
"About a week ago, we posted our review of the standard configuration of Nyko's Raven controller. The full review can be viewed here, but the long and the short of it is that it was alright but came up short in a number of areas. The alternate configuration isn't far off of that very same assessment, but it is the better option of the two."
uhh no...why would Sony, not SCEA make a controller that will cannibalize dualshock sales
Trust me i've owned two only cause the first one didnt work but it's a pretty awful controller even if the rubber coating feels awesome.
Now that's an interesting idea. Though when you think about it for a while it makes you wonder what the advantage is of one configuration over another. Does one give you optimal shooting ability in Call of Duty?
it's just a style for comfort and preference .
The only determining factor would be the quality itself of the analogs , the buttons and the d-pad .
Personally since i mostly now use the stick , i dont see the point of not having them aligned symetrically .
in a few games , the d pad is just for additional stuff like item/weapons shortcuts . and then with the PS layout , i feel i can reach up with the thumb more naturally ...
While i can easily deal with it , the opposite , "going down" to reach the dpad doesnt feel right to me .
to each their own , i prefer the aligned ps style too .
What would be interesting and great , would be any future ps or xbox pad for the next consoles to allow changing that layout .
I got a 360 styled saitek somewhere with an detachable d pad and left stick . You invert and put it however you enjoy .
Warning to any1 thinking of buying this P.O.S.
It's absolute crap the only thing good is the overall feel, weight and it's design. The d-pad is garbage, the sticks/analogs are horrible. truth, its really hard to aim good with this controller cuz it feels to stiff so u tend to over point and such. idk if it's just me about the analog stiffness
PS y wud the left analog b better on top area? both hands are symmetrical so it's really a BS complaint about dualshock 3.
DevilDog
Yes that is correct, both hands are symmetrical. BUT, it's 1 thing being symmetrical and it's another not having the sticks in the 'natural' location.
DS3 has a symmetrical design, but the sticks aren't in the NATURAL location.
If you want BOTH symmetrical and NATURAL, then both sticks would need to be at the top.
At least with this design (Raven), the left analog stick is in the natural position.
Better to have 1 stick in the natural position, then none.
Problem with this controller though, is the dead parts in the analog stick, which will put off aiming and also the 'stiffer' analog sticks, which you mentioned. This can put off aim and is one of the negatives of the 360 controller also.
There is no natural position here ... other than the one prefered by each gamer .
Nice to see the ergonomic layout of the 360 controller, but will become useless if the analog sticks are too stiff and has a larger deadzone like the 360 controller (poor for aiming)
If this has the same loose feel as the DS3's analogs and same deadzone, I am all for it.
"The Raven also has a switch that swaps the L1/R1 and L2/R2 bumper/triggers."
BRILLIANT!!!!
I currently use the 360 controller on my PS3 and using L1 as primary while having analog stick at the top feels awkward.
This switch solves that.
But then.....
"The Raven lags and seems to have dead spots in the analog stick."
DAMN
Garrett of Ripten: The Nyko Raven controller is an attempt to bring a truly superior controller to PS3 players who complain about the size of the DualShock3 and, to some extent, the layout. The Raven, available in 2 models (alternate and regular) was designed to emulate the Xbox 360′s controller.
It's not, I have the one that looks like a 360 controller and it has bad dead spots in the sticks.
yea the first one i had L2 didnt work on it so I returned it for another and after about a week of using it I took it back too,just way to unresponsive. I had the 360 style setup one, loved the feel of it though.
Looks interesting enough but I prefer to stick with 1st party controllers on my consoles.
I'm actually glad to see an article about this controller. I'm not a big fan of the regular PS3 controller so I purchased this controller on Feb 4th in anticipation of KZ3. It was a huge upset for me. I'll list some pros and cons and hopefully if you plan on purchasing this will help you.
Pros: Easy set up
The covering of the controller has a nice thin rubber feel to it
The triggers and anolog sticks are like the 360's
$34.99 price point at Gamestop
90 day warrenty
Cons: The controller is a bit smaller making causing my hands to hurt with long usage
The small size of the controller makes you use the middle of your pointer finger to press in the LB/RB vs. the tips. You could use the tips but it feels awkward.
I purchased on Feb 4th and the right trigger stopped working on Feb 7th.
You have to pay for shipping both there and back if you have to get the product fixed within the 90 day warrenty
I wouldn't recommend this product to anyone else but you may like it who knows!
It's all just a matter of opinion and taste. I prefer the feel, dpad, size and layout of the DS3, but I do prefer the triggers and analogue sticks of the xbox pad.
I have two Raven's and have not noticed much of any dead zone on the sticks, nor have I had any problem with FPS games. Not even in Resistance: Fall of Man. I haven't had any problems with unresponsive buttons either. Mine also let you switch R1 to R2 and L1 to L2 with an A/B switch which is handy if you want to shoot with your triggers in KZ3. He also talks about the sticks not moving naturally? What the hell?
He doesn't mention this so maybe he bought an older version of the controller? Or a used one that was beat up? I'm not sure why he whines about the USB dongle either as it has never caused me any trouble.
Now my Power A PS3 alt controller seems to have some pretty bad deadzones but the Raven has been really nice.