Joystiq readers redesign the PS3 controller
by Conrad Quilty-Harper 
{ Jan 25th 2006 at 3:00PM }
Since we started our latest
redesign contest we've had an overwhelming response from you, our readers. Now we can proudly show you the winner of
the contest, along with three runners-up! And the winner is...
Adam Portilla's (Chicago, IL) PS3 "Ball Controller" redesign!
Adam's design was an attempt to create a controller that could do everything the dual shock controller could do and more. At the same time he felt that it was important for it to stand out as something completely new and different. Innovations include a built-in microphone, bilateral symmetry (uh, the left side's the same as the right!) wireless capabilities and accuracte force feedback, made possible by its spherical construction. Most importantly the design was an attempt at simplicity and flexibility in terms of button placement. Well done Adam! Once you've sent us your precise address, we'll send off your copy of X3: The Reunion.
Our runners up include:
Einhanderkiller's remarkably accurate Playstation and Xbox 360 controller amalgamation. If Sony and Microsoft unexpectedly merged their next-gen console efforts, this is possibly what the controller would look like!
Charlie Tang's idea of tweaking the PS2's extremely popular Dual Shock controller was a very popular one. We got many entries including a picture of the Dual Shock under the heading "why fix what ain't broke?". Charlie went the extra mile with his Dual Shock tweak design. He took the number one complaint levied against the Dual Shock and set about fixing it. After speaking with friends he found that the main issue was the location of the left analog stick. So he moved it up to where the D-pad used to be and make the controller wireless. Nicely done.
Malte "Sagan" Sharupke's Lego brick inspired model really caught our eye because of its innovative "DIY" approach to controller design. Whilst the ergonomics are questionable (Lego bricks aren't the most comfortable things to hold!) the principles behind the design are excellent. As part of his design, he imagined that developers would be able to include their own parts for their own games. So if Nintendo doesn't bother to create one, you can build a sword to swipe at enemies in Zelda!
Thanks to all the people that entered the competition!
See also: Joystiq readers redesign the Nintendo DS
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Brizza @ Feb 25th 2006 10:29PM
i think they're all cool but i think we should give the boomerang a chance.....
Logic @ Mar 1st 2006 10:34PM
I like the new ideas and the ball is definately unique, but I like my hands a little more apart than that esp. for FPSs and the like. It would be fine for RPGs. Also there was a company (I can't remember who) that made a ps2 controller that had a podlike system that allowed it to feel just like a dualshock, but the 4 separate button sets (d-pad, 2 analog, triangle-square-circle-X) could be switched around on the controller. :D Anyway, all these designs deserve to at least become 3rd party. Just my 2 cents.
clearskin @ Mar 14th 2006 12:46PM
Charlie's controller is something I've been wishing Sony would do for a while. That simple switch would make the controller so much more comfortable for most of us. Owning a 360 and GC besides my PS2, that was the one thing that always bugged me about the DualShock.
Nyookami @ Mar 14th 2006 1:51PM
The left handed controller is a horrible idea. If someone has a hard time with videogames because they're left handed, they just shouldn't really be playing games at all, because they're no different from a rightey who sucks at videogames in general.
being left handed, I see myself having a huge advantage in videogames. I never had that hard of a time at all dealing with regular input buttons(Square, Circle, A, B, etc.) You usually memerize those by position over time. They're on the right side of the controller. Now on the left side, we have the D pads or movement analogs. I've always been very quick and exterous with them. When playing FPSes with friends I'm always tough to hit because movement is so fluid and natural to me. It's because of the main movement control being on the left side.
Having played videogames all my life though, button mashing on the other side of the controller is no problem. Plus, you're only using 2 fingers a majority of the time, one of them being your thumb which doesn't do much but move up and down; how dexterous do you really need to be to manage that?
I could never imagine how hellish it would be to play with a "left handed" controller. I can use a mouse left handed pretty well, but when it comes to PC FPSes doing movement with my right hand is just totally ridiculous. I've tried it before and I lack the percision I have with my left hand. It's fact that in most PC FPSes you're doing more with your left hand. The mouse is just aim 'n' click, which doesn't take as much as throwing your fingers everywhere, and quick double-taps for you UT players.
That said, left handed gaming control mediums are a joke. If you ask me, it's like righteys designed them to intentionally disadvantage themselves.
Nyookami @ Mar 14th 2006 2:00PM
Er, typo correction. I meant it's as if Right handed people designed the original controllers to intentionally give an advantage to lefties. Left handed controllers don't even exist yet.(I hope they don't. --;)
Jeff @ Mar 14th 2006 3:16PM
First off, the ball controller is not a good idea. It may be something new and something different but it's not something that anyone in their right mind would actually use. Secondly, the next controller design is the best idea because IT'S THE 360 CONTROLLER. I love how the editor's caption says it would be the mixed effort of sony and microsoft. wrong. it would be stealing. Thirdly, the next choice is essentially a gamecube controller. it's what sony should have done from the start. but even still, with the relocated analog stick it would still perform poorly. finally, i will skip the DIY controller because it's not worth my time.
Kristian @ Mar 23rd 2006 6:40AM
Look, charlies design is good, but its nintendo's...and another thing is that the NGC controller is far more comfortable than sony's, because its got really smooth edges that follows the hand extremely well...so i think that charlies design is only half-way there, nothing spectacular, even if it was just a tweak. When it comes to the ball, well, it looks nice, allthough I say as a lot of other people here, it's hardly worth manufacturing, cause I don't think it'll lie steady in the hand, it might just roll around when your trying to reach the buttons in intense gameplay...unless you made some changes like putting a hole in the back fitted to your fingers, and perhaps made it in a special material, and while you'r at it, didnt make a ball at all. I have to say I like the idea though, and with some convincing i might just have gone along with it. The lego consept is funny, but not realistic. I'm having a hard time beliving it would be anywhere near comfortable because of the edges...perhaps if you toned it down a bit, consisting of a few parts that you could reasemble for like 3 different gameplay types..Einhanderkiller's design reminds me of the shape of an old third-party supernintendo controller, and looks less comfortable than it probably is. Still, I think id rather go for the banana with the d-pad and joystick switched places. All in all I i'd rather go with a nearly perfect copy of the NGC controller, or perhaps sony could come up with something based on the ideas of the new revolution pad...using motion control, wouldn't be the first time they stole some ideas...Still, really looking forward to the release of the PS3 though, even if it is quite late...And by the way, it's really easy critisising other peoople's ideas, im not saying I could do so much better though. Nothing personal.
Austin @ Mar 23rd 2006 4:37PM
I think we should have the controller wich was made first to PS3. I think its very awesome. The ball thing was really bad idea because most of games would be hard to play with it. So i stick with the original PS3 controller. :-)
HaZnO @ Mar 24th 2006 3:00AM
Personally, I didn't really like any of these designs.. I prefer the good old "dual shock" controlled.. It got all buttons exactly where I want them to be, and it's comfy to hold :)
http://www.xboxrepairguide.com/images/large/ps2_controller_sm.gif
ANDREW @ Aug 8th 2008 11:34AM
ANY PHANTASM FAN WOULD LOVE TO GET THERE HANDS ON A SPHERE CONTROLLER :D lol IM ONE OF THEM.
venom @ Apr 9th 2006 5:56PM
actually none off them.. its impossible to play curtain games with that ball-thing.. cant imagine playing tekken 6 with that shit! just have the ps2 conrtoll its perfect as it is and nobody has complained. peace
BogogF @ Jan 23rd 2008 8:49PM
The ball design is ludicrous. Playing for extended hours would do all sorts of damage to your hands. Not to mention actually using the buttons or analogue sticks would be a never ceasing source of frustration as the ball moves around in your hands.
As for the D-pad/Analogue swap pad, gamecube did it, turns out it's an awesome idea, and I've been using it for the last few years.
*Gamer-2008_ @ Nov 22nd 2008 8:05PM
Mines more of a question..Is the ball controller in effect or is it still just an idea??
I could TOTALLY use that! Please let me know sometime in the near futrue.
Thanks A Bunch !
*DROP-DEADFAITH14
sammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm @ Dec 19th 2008 7:30PM
All I want to say is, and I'm frankly surprised no one has said this before, the first runner up has just done some really simple photoshopping of a picture of an Xbox 360 controller. Basically they've changed the colour to all black, added the words 'Sony' and 'Select', changed the center button from an 'X' to a 'PS' logo, and then changed the A, B, X and Y buttons to the X, Triangle, Square and Circle of PlayStation. How does this deserve to come basically second place when clearly no thought at all has gone into. Yes, the Xbox contoller may be better thought out but this should have been a competition about creativity, rather than pure plagarism.
Nic @ Jul 20th 2006 5:42PM
the boomerang was perfect, it was a normal dualshock controller with a more round design and longer handles so they could fit everyones hands.
dyrtyrice @ Aug 24th 2006 8:27PM
the ball controller is a terrible idea, I should have entered this contest, most of the controllers here are pretty derivative. Although the ball is the most creative, ergonomically speaking it sucks.
Clank @ Sep 11th 2007 9:30PM
i think the ball controller is kinda cool, but incredibly impractical. nobody wants to be using a controller shaped like a ball, (ecept maybe slowermoving games like rpgs)
the xbox/sony controller realling isnt that impressive, it combines the bulky uncomfortable xbox controller ( compared to the standard playstation controller, which was voted 1 of the best/most-comfortable controller styles), with the unchanged sony controls (except for the anolog/arrow-pad switch,) making it oversized and really not that good.
then that sivler controller with really no changes except the analog stick/arrow pad placement, which really is just more difficult to use, plus nobody is gonna buy a controller just for some stupid control placement.
and DONT GET ME STARTED on that lego controller. it would be uncomfortable, practically IMPOSSIBLE to make the circuitry able to work properly and be able to be taken apart and put in different together in different ways, it would come apart easily, and the idea of it being ENCOURAGED to take it apart would result in thousands of returns do to loss of parts and damaged circuitry from being taken apart/incorrect placements
scott @ Jan 25th 2006 3:21PM
charlie shoulda won.
if it ain't broke don't fix it indeed - that thing would be perfect...
nick @ Jan 25th 2006 3:32PM
charlies is jsut like a gamecube becasue the joysticks and joypads are in the same place. the only thing different is there is no X and Y buttons.
J B Cougar @ Jan 25th 2006 4:07PM
I'm surprised none of the entrees had the boomerang controller in a wastebasket.
Greg2k @ Jan 25th 2006 4:08PM
The Ball Controller design is AWESOME. It could be hard to play some specific games with the awkward button placement, but it should be very comfortable to hold.
Sagan @ Jan 25th 2006 4:11PM
Gratz to adam: It looks great and might
just as well be possible.
Larger version of mine (Scroll down and click on free):
http://rapidshare.de/files/11826947/PS3ControllerSagan.JPG.html
boojiboy7 @ Jan 25th 2006 4:38PM
I would like the ball controller. Oh wait, I already do like it, since it is pretty much the slime controller from Hori, with the addition of an extra d-pad that looks like it would only get in the way. I'm pretty much with the it ain't broke crowd, though I would like a slightly improved d-pad (no segments...one solid pad).
firerock @ Jan 25th 2006 5:10PM
Adam, I'm sorry, but I think your controller looks very similar to Dragon Quest Slime Controller.
http://www.moogle.net/archives/2005/01/peripheral_opin.html#comments
nunchuck @ Jan 25th 2006 5:19PM
i feel like hands would cramp after extended use with that ball controller. am i the only one who thinks so?
The ZeroCorpse @ Jan 25th 2006 5:22PM
Ball looks uncomfortable for anyone with a normal-sized hand. Also, just looking at the pic, the palm would accidentally hit the right-side control cross when trying to hit the buttons in the middle.
The second one is just a re-painted 360 controller.
The third is the best of them. It's a simple tweak, and something Sony should have done a generation ago (both wireless AND relocating that analog stick).
The LEGO thing is clever, but ultimately a bad idea. I've seen players mistreat their controllers, and it would suck to have to crawl around on the floor looking for missing pieces of your control pad so you could continue playing.
Why doesn't anyone make a joystick as the basis for a standard controller anymore? How about something that can mimic a keyboard/mouse without requiring a desktop?
Einhanderkiller @ Jan 25th 2006 5:26PM
It's "Einhanderkiller", not "Einhandkiller".
Lots of people seem to spell it that for some reason (especially in Warcraft III)... hmm...
Coltron @ Jan 25th 2006 5:36PM
The ball design is ridiculous.
First of all, if it was sized so that the buttons were comfortably laid out, it would weigh too much.
Second of all, it would feel awkward after a while.
third, If I lay it down,it's going to roll away.
Cool concept asthetically speaking, but hardly production worthy.
I think Charlie should have gotten the win, definately a well thought out concept there.
simon @ Jan 25th 2006 5:37PM
from boomerang to a ball?
XD!! it would be hilarious...so much material..
sotik @ Jan 25th 2006 5:47PM
The ball 'Looked' the best, its new and some thing diffrent, but when it comes to game play I just have a hard time seeing people using that hours on end. The dual shock control is a good idea, it has already proven to be a good control and moving the joy stick and making it wireless would be best. The lego idea I just have a hard time see that work with all the wires and things that will need to be in it, was a good thought 'make the controler you want' but doubt it would work.
portnoy @ Jan 25th 2006 5:48PM
Nice Job guys. These are all great!
Micheal Mullen @ Jan 25th 2006 6:19PM
I'd like to see a remake of the classic Sega Saturn Nights into Dreams controller to replace the cresent PS3 controller.
http://www.geocities.com/rabidsmily/Hardware/Sega_Saturn/nIghts-controller.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.geocities.com/rabidsmily/Hardware/Sega_Saturn/SegaSaturn.html&h=520&w=650&sz=45&tbnid=jus_dP_y8f68kM:&tbnh=108&tbnw=135&hl=en&start=1&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnights%2Bsaturn%2Bcontroller%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26hs%3DGKt%26lr%3D%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN
mofomojo @ Jan 25th 2006 6:19PM
The lack of Hi-Res images makes this a pointless read, also would've like more runner ups.
:/
KK @ Jan 25th 2006 6:20PM
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b37/mikecuesta/sony.jpg
Is this what the boss will look like?
KK @ Jan 25th 2006 6:22PM
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b37/mikecuesta/sony.jpg
bd @ Jan 25th 2006 6:31PM
I think that both the "Playstation 360" controller, and the "Charlie Tang Dual Shock" should be offered by 3rd parties, not as standards. Personally, I really like the new controller, and nobody can say anything about how comfortable it is (and even if you can, it wouldn't be a fact, sorry) until you play with it.
The Sphere and the "Build your own" are pretty nice ones. I wouldn't mind if the Sphere controller was the new standard.
Maxi @ Jan 25th 2006 6:38PM
I love that ball controller. I can just imagine playing games on that thing. Absolutely awesome and innovative :P
Stick a few LEDs on it and it also becomes a desktop (or bedside) ornament :)
Conrad Quilty-Harper @ Jan 25th 2006 6:46PM
KK, that's naughty...
Adam @ Jan 25th 2006 6:51PM
Try This:
http://www.math.grin.edu/~portilaj/mockups/ps3controller.jpg
Feedback's great, everyone. Regarding a few comments above:
I was invisioning a small flattened area on the bottom so that you could set it on a flat surface and not have it roll away.
And I did think long and hard about the hand-comfort thing. I sat there staring at a ball in my hands for quite a while wondering if it could possibly work. It's a very different sort of grip then the classic controller. It's really not a grip at all. You just cup it in your hands. Hopefully people would figure out that you don't need a cramp-causing death-grip to hold a controller.
Really I was just going for something different and unique that piques your curiosity. I think it'd be a good idea for Sony to at least do something that really stirs the pot.
Adam @ Jan 25th 2006 6:54PM
ehhh, wierd formatting.
http://www.math.grin.edu/~portilaj/mockups/ps3controller.jpg
Charlie Tang @ Jan 25th 2006 7:04PM
Wow, the feedback has been great. To tell you guys the truth, I really didn't think I'd even make it to be a runner up! Although I agree with many who think my design should've won (for the sake of usability), but Adam sure beats the heck out of mine for a totally different design. Congrats to Adam and the other runner ups. This is fun. Joystiq should do more events like this to get readers involved.
tb @ Jan 25th 2006 7:09PM
hey, know wat i think would be really cool?
it should be two separate controllers, both wireless, one for each hand. they would be shaped like the handle of a pistol, but curved slightly to fit your hand more(think of a joystick for pc or somethin) and to be able to tell them apart. the analog stick would go on top at an angle, so you could use them with your thumbs(they should be convex, to give batter grip. the button would be along the side towards the front, right where your fingers could reach them(perhaps the controller could come in different sizes, because not everyone has the same length fingers). analog triggers would be on the top, right where they would be on a gun. it would be really cool if it could have a light gun built in, to play shooters. there could be more, smaller triggers at the bottom, to replace L2 and R2. they would of course have force feedback. they could even have built in gyroscopes so that you could hold them up and use like a steering wheel in racing games.
how cool would it be to play games with these, especially shooters?
Adam @ Jan 25th 2006 7:16PM
That's some hot photoshopping there Charlie.
I wonder if Sony would take more or less heat for going back to a Dual-Shock frame.
And congrats to you as well.
tb @ Jan 25th 2006 7:17PM
ooops... lol
better*
buttons(x o tri, sq.)*
along the inside*
Connizzle @ Jan 25th 2006 7:24PM
What i'm wondering is where will the L and R buttons be on the circular controller?? Because i'd like to play socom 3, i think it would be an interesting experience, but if u go to jump and reach over with your left hand or something, you might hit the joystick and end up running or looking somewhere u didn't want to, but it's a great design, but it may be a pain to play with.
Conn @ Jan 25th 2006 7:47PM
Charlie's design is good, but I think the controller needs larger handles.
kevinchai @ Jan 25th 2006 7:48PM
The Xbox 360 lookalike... yeah, Sony never makes anything new. Microsoft does a few things new, but Nintendo is just way creative. And I'm serious!
Adam @ Jan 25th 2006 7:59PM
Yeah, it's got 2L and 2R buttons. Check out the link on post #20 and look at the sketch in the top-right.
I made em long and skinny so that all-sized hands would reach them without having to adjust your natural hold on the ball.
Rare Hare @ Jan 25th 2006 9:38PM
i totally agree with Einhanderkiller's, except that i'd switch the analog stick back to the bottom position.
the xbox 360 controller is SO comfortable, and everything about it is right.. except the uneven analog sticks ;-).
Shawn @ Jan 25th 2006 9:43PM
Actually I think the reason why they have to redesign is due to that lawsuit with Immersion, the in controller vibration guys. Because everyone and thier mama knows the DualShock is probably the best controller we've ever seen.