Controller Comparison
May 21 '02
The Bottom Line Before buying a console look at what you'll be playing with
Here you’ll find a comparison between three of today’s primary consoles controllers. These three consoles, GameCube, Xbox and PlayStation 2, each have their own controller, and this review is going to compare them and find which one is best.
History
In earlier times controllers would be nothing more than a plastic box with a couple of buttons on it. From the days of the NES (short for Nintendo Entertainment System) the controllers were simple and worked for their system. Later on the controller developed into a better looking unit, like from the MegaDrive systems to the SNES (Super NES). Then came along a new form of controller from the PlayStation arena, this controller had more shape and it fit into the hands just like they always should. After this period a few years later Nintendo also unveiled the N64, with its odd but innovative controller. While the two designs were altogether different they N64’s was a little too odd, it has a set of three hand grips and often seemed a silly idea. The PlayStation’s controller was altogether more basic, but then came along the Analog Controller, this was designed to give the player more control over the game, with the inclusion of two analogue sticks, which was also augmented with a vibrator in the left arm, which was only available in Japan at the time. After this time the N64 came up with a vibration device which fit into the memory slot in the controller, again to compete with Sony’s jump. Later the Dual Shock pad came into the forum, and this has a smaller design of the Analogue controller but with two vibrators, enhancing the vibration levels to three varying amounts. Later the Dreamcast came into it, with a very strange but innovative controller, this held a VDU (visual display unit) Memory card in the middle of the controller. It also had a vibration function similar to the N64’s. And you can pretty much ignore the Saturn.
Present Day Technology
At this time there are three major consoles doing battle, Sony’s PlayStation 2, Nintendo’s GameCube and Microsoft’s Xbox. Only the PS2 has a name for its controller, but this time since it is for the second PlayStation it is now Dual Shock 2. Apart from the name, there is very little change in the design of the pad to the older design, but does have different components which will be discussed later. The Xbox and GameCube controllers don’t have names, and both controllers are newly designed especially for the console.
The Controllers
Xbox Controller
Sold for a standard price of £29.99, the Xbox controller is one of the most expensive controllers at the moment for games consoles, excluding steering wheels etc. As a standard pad for the Xbox, which has now another Controller dubbed the Controller “S” just released, it will probably be used most. The main pad combines a Dreamcast themed shape, which Microsoft call a “Sidewinder” design, with a group of buttons, these include the Y – A and X – B pattern, typically used by Nintendo. Above these four buttons are two transparent smaller buttons, a white one and a black one, these have no markings so how they reference them in a game is anyone’s guess. The remainder of the unit includes a D-Pad, located on the lower section of the left side, and two analogue sticks, located on the lower right and the other on the top left. While these positions have some theme, the fact the sticks are in different positions is no-doubt uncomfortable.
The Back and Start buttons located in the centre lie beneath a huge Xbox logo, which looks a little tacky to be honest. The shoulder buttons, again a direct copy of the Dreamcast’s have a variable press, they are shaped like a trigger on a gun, and are what most shooters will use, like Halo for example.
The size of the pad is the largest in the group, the pad is also the heaviest, as you can expect, the hand grips run parallel to the pad and the positions of the buttons are seemingly random. When you first hold the pad, it feels comfortable, the button layout follow the swing of the thumb, but many have said that the analogue sticks should be in the same place. The left analogue stick is too high and the other too low, the buttons are all digital and the D-Pad is rather basic. In other words, for a massive console this is a massive pad, though is typically well built and matches the console. But is the most expensive available.
GameCube Controller
The first article I read on the GC’s joypad mention what it looked like, “imagine a cloned Dual Shock with different buttons”. It’s not far off the design of the Dual Shock, its not a good start copying other peoples designs, but still it’s a good design after all. Featuring two analogue sticks, and a vibrator it looks remarkably similar to the Dual Shock pad from the original PlayStation. The pad is slightly different, for example the D-Pad is now located in the area where the Analogue stick is, and the analogue stick where the D-Pad was. In fact it looks a little like the Xbox design too.
The right analogue stick is said to be used for Camera work in the game, and the shoulder buttons are pressure sensitive - the only analogue buttons on the pad. The four main buttons on the right are Y and X, A and B buttons, and arranged in an unusual way in that you can roll your thumb onto the Y and X buttons. The Z-Button found on the N64’s controller has also been added to the pad, except it is on the right side. The shoulder buttons have a concaved shape, and their range is short but responsive. The one thing which seems off, is the way the D-Pad is held on top of a very deep assembly, the same depth as the on for the analogue left side, but D-Pads don’t need mechanics.
The pads shape is a little thinner than the Dual Shock, the right and left hand grips are much thinner, and the pods which stick out like insect eyes are more separate to the controller, and the centre is a little bulkier. Within the pad lies a small vibrator, and there is also a small start button in the middle. While this pad compared to the Xbox’s have similar Traits, it’s not easy to ignore the fact they look like a total rip off of other designs. Not to mention GameCube’s use of the “Memory Card” slots. The fact the analogue sticks have a limited motion; rather than a simple Circle motion - they are restricted to a hexagonal shape - while it may be simple, it is rather innovative, as this allows the player to position the stick better. The pad is the lightest of the three, and second smallest. It costs around £25, it’s well built and the buttons are quite light to the touch.
Dual Shock 2
The Dual Shock 2 pad, is almost identical to the original Dual Shock pad, it looks the same, but in fact the inside is slightly different. The Dual Shock 2 pad not only features that aforementioned twin motor vibrator, but it now features analogue buttons. This system, while seemingly expensive sounding, actually relates to fairly simple materials. The pressure sensitive buttons are relatively new to this industry, and one Sony should keep, they claim a total of 256 different levels of sensitivity. The pad comes standard with analogue sticks, which each have their own L3 and R3 buttons. The front has the Square, Triangle Circle, and X buttons. The shoulder buttons, L1, L2, R1 and R2, and the D-Pad, plus - the only digital buttons on the pad - Start and Select.
The switch to turn off the analogue sticks has also been sent over to the PS2, while it probably won’t be used that much, it’s okay to have it.
The design of the pad is much smaller than the other pads here, but it only the second lightest, it has a much fatter hand grip compared to the GameCube’s, and the buttons are much softer. With these analogue buttons, you don’t get as much feedback to how much you are actually pressing, the way this works is more you’re sensing how much your pushing, rather than how far you’ve pressed. This system makes it more a matter of strength than distance. However as this is sounding more complex, it is in fact not so expensive, at only £20, it is the cheapest pad here, and has the best technology.
Best for what
This is highly controversial, as each pad is for a specific console, and in turn you’re not going to pocket a console based on the controller. This review is more a review of each controller, while there is a better pad; each of them has their pros and cons. Whether you agree or not, the most impressive pad has to be mentioned. But before that is given away, lets just go through those pros and cons.
Firstly there are two pads which have both been developed especially for the system they’re to be used on, while their designs have some elements of other consoles, which isn’t that bad a thing, they are both going to give the best performance with that system. The other controller while, yes it is the Dual Shock 2 pad by the way, is more an old design, it may be based on a 2 or 3 year design, but this might not be such a problem. Yes it has a little problem in the area of hand space, but is probably weighted best. The Xbox controller, well is in fact the most expensive and the largest, it is made similar to the Dreamcast’s controller, with a memory (expansion) slot in the top. The GameCube’s design mixes some elements from the N64’s, but at the same time just looks like a Dual Shock. No mistaking the pads for their technology, they are all well built and will last you. But back to technology and design.
For all the joypads in the world what can they be used for, racing, action, adventure, etc, etc, all types of game genre, all wanting something from the controller. But which one does it all?
Can the elegant camera stick on the GameCube’s controller be better than the Dual Shock’s second stick, or the Xbox’s controller for that matter. Can the pressure sensitive shoulder buttons be better than the Dual Shock’s four shoulder sensitive buttons? Now this seems a fight between GameCube + Xbox against PS2. Still there is not a great deal of difference between the two pads.
Here are some game genres and what they need, and also what the controller has for those needs:
Racing
For racing games you’re going to need a steering mechanism, so all three win with an analogue stick. Next a good accelerator and brake mechanism, fair enough, the Dual Shock 2 can do it with those analogue buttons, and the GameCube & Xbox controllers with their shoulder buttons. All in all you could say that all pads will cope with racing games. Plus none of them have used up their second analogue stick… but what about gear shifting? The Dual Shock 2 has the shoulder buttons but the GameCube & Xbox controllers don’t; maybe the Y and X buttons will do for both pads.
Action/Adventure
Games like Halo, Metal Gear Solid 2, and erm, Luigi’s Mansion, all need good controls. You need a directional control, all three have analogue sticks, you need a set of action buttons, all three again have the main buttons. In the end it comes down to numbers:
Dual Shock 2: 16
GameCube controller: 12
Xbox controller: 14
It doesn’t seem right, but that’s how many buttons each controller has.
Winner?
This review was intended to review the controllers, but has to come down to a winner, so the review has changed to a comparison of design, technology and value.
Xbox Controller
Design : Well, it is big, the hand grips are a little thick and deep, and the button placement could be better. But the triggers are better than the GameCube’s, but could be more stiff. 3/5
Technology : There is not a great deal going on in the pad, there is an expansion socket, and the analogue sticks do give a decent amount of variation. The vibrator is just too weak to shake the pad enough. 3/5
Value : At £30, it’s expensive, as those Expansion sockets aren’t going to make it any better, if anything make it more expensive when it should be on the console in the first place. 3/5
Dual Shock 2 oldest here
Design: It could be a little more spacious, but its fairly comfortable, the button placement is pretty much faultless, and there aren’t any gimmicky buttons. 4/5
Technology : Those analogue –digital-looking- buttons work excellently, the analogue sticks are well adjusted and the vibrations are the best out of the three here. 5/5
Value : Hasn’t gone up in price since from the Dual Shock. 5/5
GameCube Controller
Design: It might not be as original as some might want, but it’s comfortable and the buttons are well thought out, except for the D-pad. 4/5
Technology : They have the same button methodology as the Xbox, and the vibrations aren’t very good. The analogue shoulder buttons are also too short. 3/5
Value : It’s cheap, but should be cheaper. 4/5
Summary Of Controllers
Xbox Controller without the S
They intended the controller to be what gamers wanted, but obviously didn’t as they’ve renewed the controller with an S version. They have implemented what gamers call peripherals into a controller, such as the trigger, but no sight, and the memory slot but no VDU.
Dual Shock 2 oldest
They haven’t intended to change the design of the controller from the Dual Shock 1, but have revised the insides. With nothing special except the vibration’s effects variation and the pressure buttons, the pad has kept the price down.
GameCube Controller give me a name
A traded design of mixed elements, fits just as nice as the DS2, but plays it safe with triggers and coordinated buttons. But where is the memory card slot?
Last part
That’s what you could call a review of controllers, whether it has effected you’re buying decisions or not doesn’t matter, this is just a comparison.
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