Peripheral Vision is the name of our ongoing sporadic journey into the wonderful, oft-terrifying world of third-party peripherals. Think of it as neither preview or review but rather a ... meditation on the curious object in question. Enjoy.
We don't do a lot of critiquing of controllers, we know, but as stacks of them continue to pile up at HQ, it occurred to us that you might be as daunted in the store aisle as we are staring at this pile of plastic. So, in the spirit of making you a more informed consumer, here's a look at the Rocketfish Rapid Fire PS3 controller.
If you're interested in more snappy peripheral analysis from the experts at Joystiq, let us know in the comments section below.
Peripheral Vision: Rocketfish Rapid Fire PS3 Controller
by Justin McElroy 
on Sep 23rd 2009 5:27PM
118
Reader Comments (118)
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:31PM Ample Salty said
Back to the Future II reference ahoy!
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:34PM Ample Salty said
Oh wait, you actually acknowledge that. Never mind.
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Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 9:00PM simbadogg said
yeah that was nice...what wasn't nice wasn't watching the horrible quality of this video. i mean, thanx for doing the review, but when you were comparing the bumpers on the rocketfish vs the 360 controller...i couldn't even see the rocketfish (because of the all black finish). borrow a HD camcorder from ur boys at engadget puhhhh-lease.
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Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:31PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
I like my rocketfish bluetooth keyboard/mouse combo I got from Best Buy last Black friday for $30 and all...but I will stick with my Dualshock 3's....
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 11:50PM Jacksy said
Nice set up man. I was told that the split fish works on the PS3 also. Any of you guys like a mouse as a game pad or the likes should take a look.
joystick PLEASE review this !
http://www.splitfish.com/?uid=m1nokzp22q2goww8
Reply
joystick PLEASE review this !
http://www.splitfish.com/?uid=m1nokzp22q2goww8
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:31PM The Monarch said
second useless comment
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:33PM Complex said
I want a 360 controller in the way of the Dualshock not the other way around but that just my preference.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 7:19PM (Unverified) said
I prefer the convex sticks on the dualshock. That's why I put some in my 360 pad. I just had to open up the holes in the face and grind down the sticks with a rotary tool, so they would have full range of motion.
The ones that come in the 360 pad are useless for geometry wars, that's where I came up with the idea.
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The ones that come in the 360 pad are useless for geometry wars, that's where I came up with the idea.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 7:22PM (Unverified) said
ditto that.. espesh for COD.. well at least when it comes to the analog sticks.
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Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 8:35PM fortunzfavor said
All I could think was "finally, a sane dual analog layout on a PS3 controller." I guess it's all about what you're used to.
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Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:34PM (Unverified) said
Yeah..
No thanks.
The Dual Shock 3 design is pretty much perfect as it is. I don't see the sense in buying a downgraded design when I could just purchase another DS3.
No thanks.
The Dual Shock 3 design is pretty much perfect as it is. I don't see the sense in buying a downgraded design when I could just purchase another DS3.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:48PM sonicspike41 said
At least a few of my friends prefer the weight and feel of the 360 controller.
What may be perfect for you may not be perfect for everyone. So this is a nice attempt at making a 360 style controller, just too bad it seems they lost it on the smaller details.
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What may be perfect for you may not be perfect for everyone. So this is a nice attempt at making a 360 style controller, just too bad it seems they lost it on the smaller details.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:57PM (Unverified) said
"The Dual Shock 3 design is pretty much perfect as it is."
The DS3 is far from perfect. Some people have different tastes. Just shut up already.
Reply
The DS3 is far from perfect. Some people have different tastes. Just shut up already.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 6:02PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
I like how half the video was struggling to get the bloody packaging open.
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Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 9:03PM (Unverified) said
More of these please. I am searching for a guitar controller for the 360 and have to go on word of mouth which one is best. So far I have heard that Rock Band's controller is not as good as Guitar Hero's. So more of these reviews are greatly appreciated.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:40PM geoff0011 said
Pretty lame idea, unless you REALLY love the 360 controller. I personally never cared for the analog stick placement on the 360 controllers.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 6:50PM (Unverified) said
Prefer the 360 layout personally, just makes sense to me to have thumbs in the same place rather than asymmetrical like the dualshocks
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Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 7:29PM Istari Spartan said
Actually the 360 thumbstick is in a better position.
The thumbstick and face buttons are what you use most so they are in the primary position for comfort.
The d-pad and right thumbstick are secondary in terms of importance and so take up
secondary positions.
While the PS pads have a nice symetrical look, ergonomically, they are flawed.
(
Reply
The thumbstick and face buttons are what you use most so they are in the primary position for comfort.
The d-pad and right thumbstick are secondary in terms of importance and so take up
secondary positions.
While the PS pads have a nice symetrical look, ergonomically, they are flawed.
(
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 7:29PM Istari Spartan said
Actually the 360 thumbstick is in a better position.
The thumbstick and face buttons are what you use most so they are in the primary position for comfort.
The d-pad and right thumbstick are secondary in terms of importance and so take up
secondary positions.
While the PS pads have a nice symetrical look, ergonomically, they are flawed.
But what the who, you enjoy your pad, i`ll enjoy mine.
Reply
The thumbstick and face buttons are what you use most so they are in the primary position for comfort.
The d-pad and right thumbstick are secondary in terms of importance and so take up
secondary positions.
While the PS pads have a nice symetrical look, ergonomically, they are flawed.
But what the who, you enjoy your pad, i`ll enjoy mine.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:40PM (Unverified) said
Did you notice any input lag when using that controller wirelessly? I read some user reviews on BestBuy.com and a few of them mentioned that there was input lag and unresponsive buttons when the controller was wireless, but all the problems cleared up when you attached the USB cable.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:41PM Sly C said
this is pretty cool. i really wanted a PS3 controller in the shape of a 360 controller, so this is great. but the thing about the L1/R1 being hard to reach is a major turnoff since i would mostly be using it for COD games.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:41PM shimrra74 said
looks alot like a 360 design.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:42PM (Unverified) said
I REALLY love the 360 controller, and think that just buying this might be simpler than buying one of those converters that'll let you use an actual 360 controller on the PS3.
So, thanks for the review, def keep em coming.
So, thanks for the review, def keep em coming.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:44PM shattercross said
Would've liked to hear whether the D-pad was decent, looks like it's sucks like the 360's. If the D-pad was fighting game decent I might've picked up this controller.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:45PM (Unverified) said
Just tell us if anything is better than the Sony made ones :)
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:48PM MrAlex said
While I quite like the shape of the 360 controller, the clicky R1/L1 and thumbstick placement are bad traits that were brought over too.
I also dislike the gaps on the shoulders and the generally cheap appearance.
I also dislike the gaps on the shoulders and the generally cheap appearance.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:46PM Kaio said
It looks bulky and uncomfortable.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:47PM JuanLovesHorror said
It would have been tempting if both anlog sticks were in the bottom.For some reason can't play good with that set up.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:47PM (Unverified) said
the rocket fire remote is meh. i had one and returned it cause it felt a bit flimsy. i like how theyve made the controller for people who like the 360 style remobte but is not quite the same but if you have a ps3 or 360 and would like to use a 360 remote on the ps3 or a ds3 on the 360 this is the product to use.
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-eq-49-en-70-3bgo.html
this is a great product. i havent had any problems with it yet.
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-eq-49-en-70-3bgo.html
this is a great product. i havent had any problems with it yet.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:49PM adolson said
I'm not convinced that the second half of the review took place after the first, Justin. I think you recorded that first, and then you got cut on your hand and recorded the introduction. You are just trying to trick us.
Prove me wrong!
Prove me wrong!
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 5:50PM CaramelZappa said
I'd like something like this, but from this and other reviews it pretty much comes down with good idea, bad execution. I'll stick with the stock controller for now.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 7:00PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
Yeah I saw this in best buy and was turned off. It looked like cheap crap. Ceck out the shadow wireless ps3 controller. I picked up that as an extra ps3 controller because it was on clearance and it's nice. No sixaxis but it's higher quality than this trash.
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Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 9:20PM CaramelZappa said
Yea I was looking at that one too. The lack of sixaxis isn't really a problem for me. (I wish more games that used sixaxis had an option to turn it off, I'm not the biggest fan of motion control)
I still really wish sony would offer up a more modern option for controllers. I know a lot of people love the dualshock, and it's not going anywhere, but if sony made a first party controller with just the left stick and d-pad switched, a lot of people would buy it.
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I still really wish sony would offer up a more modern option for controllers. I know a lot of people love the dualshock, and it's not going anywhere, but if sony made a first party controller with just the left stick and d-pad switched, a lot of people would buy it.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 11:27PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
That will probably never happen. The lack of six axis isn't a problem unless (obviously) the game uses six axis. I prefer the Dual Shock to the 360 controller but I'm not about to spill damn near $60 on another controller. So, I picked up the Shadow wireless controller. My main complaint is the USB dongle required to communicate with the PS3. There is nothing wrong with it per se but the fact if you stop playing for more than 10 minutes you have to get up and re-synch the controller which can be a hassel if you get a phone call or something. Perhaps it's best feature is the rubberized grip which is super comfortable in all positions.
Like I said I prefer the DS3 and want to get another one at some point. I just don't want to spend $60 for one. Maybe I'll look on Amazon.
In short - If you want a PS3 controller more like the 360 one get the Shadow Wireless one. It's high quality craftsmanship opposed to Best Buy brand crap. Rocketfish is a best buy brand in case you didn't know. As in, they make it themselves.
Reply
Like I said I prefer the DS3 and want to get another one at some point. I just don't want to spend $60 for one. Maybe I'll look on Amazon.
In short - If you want a PS3 controller more like the 360 one get the Shadow Wireless one. It's high quality craftsmanship opposed to Best Buy brand crap. Rocketfish is a best buy brand in case you didn't know. As in, they make it themselves.
Posted: Sep 23rd 2009 11:47PM CaramelZappa said
Thanks for the info. Didn't know rocketfish was a best buy brand.
Also didn't hear mention of having to resync the shadow from the reviews, annoying but good to know. Probably going to pick it up next paycheck, or along with Uncharted 2.
Reply
Also didn't hear mention of having to resync the shadow from the reviews, annoying but good to know. Probably going to pick it up next paycheck, or along with Uncharted 2.
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