The Playstation 3 controller - BlueTooth in action!
The new PS3 console features wireless controllers, just like the Xbox 360. Up to 7 players can play simultaneously.
Seven wireless controllers - 7 is a somewhat odd number which has it’s origin in the Bluetooth specification which only allows 8 active units (1 console, 7 controllers). Presumably more players can connect to the Playstation 3 if the wired ports are also used.
With the PS3, Sony supports Bluetooth, the short range wireless connectivity standard. The standard supports a range of 30 feet (10m) and is low-power consuming. This is good news for gamers as it means you can play with considerable wireless freedom and without having to recharge all the time.
The wired version of the Playstation 3 controller connects to the PS3 console via USB. There are plenty of USB ports on the new machine: four at the front (so that up to 4 players can play simultaneously using normal wired controllers) and 2 at the back, which may be used for other peripherals such as the Eye-Toy camera.
Interestingly enough, it will be possible to use the Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable) as a controller over a wireless Wi-Fi LAN . This is reminiscent of the Gameboy Advance that could be used as controller for the Nintendo Gamecube.
As for the looks of the PS3 controller? Well… many people joke that the controller has the shape of a boomerang, so that when you throw the controller in an outburst of frustration, it comes right back and hits you straight in the head. Others muse that Sony has taken the organic design a bit too far and has designed something akin to a futuristic banana with buttons. What do you think? Share your opinion and comment below!
May 18, 2005 @ 10:24 am
coffeeaddict Said,
i must agree, the controller looks like a boomerang.. it’s just kinda all wrong! i can’t really describe why it looks wrong, it just looks w-r-o-n-g! […] more
May 18, 2005 @ 3:50 pm
xenon Said,
Coffeeaddict, that is exactly what I was thinking. Why the heck does it have such long handles, it is going to tow me behind a boat? And also, like yo […] more
May 19, 2005 @ 2:21 am
brad clark Said,
What you guys seem to forget is the fact that microsoft will not have just shoved together a contoller, it will have been ergonomically tested to the […] more
May 19, 2005 @ 3:47 am
sam walden Said,
i think the controller might be very comfortable… but otha than dat i think its stupid and needs to be redone
May 19, 2005 @ 3:53 am
Josiah Ecker Said,
i think this controller looks like butt
May 19, 2005 @ 8:09 am
Games Rock Said,
WOW i love the new controller i just dont know if i should get Playstation 3 or X Box360… I just brought X box 1 end of last year and now something […] more
May 20, 2005 @ 9:45 pm
Justin Cool Said,
I think the ps3 controller are cool.
May 20, 2005 @ 10:16 pm
Focker Said,
I think the XBOX Controller RULES!, the PLAYSTATION 3 might have more power than the XBOX 360, but c’mon, XBOX 1 was already advanced enough, but peop […] more
May 21, 2005 @ 9:35 pm
Jonathan Said,
I am sure that Sony (and Micro$oft) both made sure that their controllers were very comfortable for long periods of playing time. I am sure that after […] more
May 30, 2005 @ 3:49 pm
Larry Said,
What is wrong with the looks… boomerangs are cool! plus I am sure that there was a lot of usability testing going on before deciding on this shape. […] more
May 31, 2005 @ 3:41 pm
PS34life Said,
OMG!!! THE PS3 CONTROLLERS R THE BEST… look at its, its so comfortable and when they design it they know what’s good. ppl who dont kno anything keep […] more
June 14, 2005 @ 2:33 pm
just a design Said,
look, there shouldnt be that much controversy over the new ps3 controllers, as they were just a concept that sony put out for the unveiling at E3. Th […] more
June 26, 2005 @ 7:51 pm
cool Said,
just to say while you guys jugde the controller i have a suggesstion save up for both systems and than say which one is better like me(read below). i […] more
July 18, 2005 @ 12:37 pm
CRAZY-COMET Said,
dang, whats the big deal ’bout the controllers its not like intec or madcats aint gunna make there own design of the already cool looking ps3 controll […] more
July 21, 2005 @ 2:34 am
chris Said,
PS3 is going to be the best systum ever, more power better graphics than the gay box 360.and i think the controllers are pretty cool
August 5, 2005 @ 6:53 pm
Alex Said,
i think there is this no difference between the xbox360 or the ps 3 and they have same prossper and can play up to 7 players.
August 13, 2005 @ 5:51 pm
Foxx Said,
XboX Controller is much better i know that !!!
August 24, 2005 @ 3:51 am
ChunK Said,
The original X box controller was a clunky body extention, and it was rectified with the introduction of the “s” or small controler. I feel the same […] more
August 29, 2005 @ 1:47 pm
giantsfan Said,
I think it’s okay. Odd looking, but okay.
September 10, 2005 @ 3:03 am
darrell Said,
see my blog at 1up.com (34skyline) about the subject
September 11, 2005 @ 3:30 pm
Erika Said,
I think the PS3 controller does look kinda funny but thats no reason not to buy it!!
October 12, 2005 @ 3:09 pm
karkar Said,
ok, why are you people saying that the PS3 controller sucks?! have you ever held one before?! I doubt it!
November 20, 2005 @ 4:43 pm
wateva Said,
to me da ps3 controller looks good. it might be comfortable, why yall hatin on it for?
November 25, 2005 @ 10:47 pm
[TG] Flyest Said,
i dont care how it looks. only If it works……
January 7, 2006 @ 6:45 pm
AfroDude_5567 Said,
I am a huge Playstation fan but I agree with evreyone who says that is a bit odd looking in the lack of a controversal design such as the 360 has but […] more
January 17, 2006 @ 12:19 pm
da stroker Said,
it look so good that it scored a complete 10 on the strokeability scale. yea thats right its hot!!!
February 7, 2006 @ 3:40 pm
Jeremy Said,
Yea, it does look pretty funky, hopefully it will be redesigned. have you seen the latest picture of it? the picture has a hand next to the controll […] more
March 17, 2006 @ 8:58 am
Bobby To-share My Meat Said,
The Control doesn’t suit the console!
March 21, 2006 @ 10:13 am
E-blanken Said,
The controller looks all wrong, they should’ve kept the original design, it was PERFECT!
March 28, 2006 @ 12:14 pm
Digifan Said,
I agreed. Sony should keep the PS2 design but without the dual shock feature. It’s a bugger this dual shock vibration feature must be phrased out. I w […] more
May 3, 2006 @ 8:26 pm
sB Said,
Cmon ppl, its Sony gdi… if you loyal with the master race developers of PS’s than you wouldn’t care what it looks like.. as long as the price tag ca […] more
May 19, 2006 @ 9:35 am
Adde Said,
I think it’s cool with that kind of controller because they had the same controller all the time. By now they cult change and have a “bummerang” but t […] more
February 6, 2007 @ 3:16 pm
zbu Said,
finally a controller that doesn’t look like a brick and people are complaining about it being to futuristic.. o dear.. anyway, going to buy some of […] more