Current Events > Does anyone else find PlayStation controller's stick placement to be unergonomic

(+) Yeah! (+)

Always hated how the stick isnt where the d-pad is. Especially knowing the stick was only placed there as an afterthought on the ps1

feel like Sony sticks with this crappy placement just to be different

Sony didn't do to be different. They were arguably the first modern analog controller on the market. Xbox did it to be different, and it just so happens to be more ergonomic. Sony refuses to change, because that's their brand more or less.

Yeah, PlayStation controllers have always been the worst because of it

Alucard188 posted...

Sony didn't do to be different. They were arguably the first modern analog controller on the market. Xbox did it to be different, and it just so happens to be more ergonomic. Sony refuses to change, because that's their brand more or less.

Xbox copied the Dreamcast controller and the c stick from GameCube.

Tyranthraxus posted...

the c stick from GameCube.

The GameCube wasn't out long enough for them to copy it. Controllers aren't designed last second.

I find it better for dmc games that is it tho. With left hand i have my pointer finger on dpad and thumbs on the stick. So I can switch styles and still move dante around with thumbs. Allows me to do the back n forth movement w/ trickster teleport and air dash thing in between swordmaster or gunslinger stuff. I can somewhat do it w/ Xbox and switch pro controllers but it tougher for me.

I kinda wish xbox made same analog stick placement as Playstation outside of their elite controller option tho. Cuz the updated xbox one controller (the one made for series x and s) still feel more comfy. Grips don't feel as thick and also the facebuttons and clicky dpad feels nicer to press.

It's not ideal but it's still fine.

Best D-pad was the psp 2000.

somewhat yeah

Joypads just suck in general. They should be able to split into two, like two switch controllers so I don't feel handcuffed. Also a trackball instead of an analogue stick for shooters, especially nowadays with crossplay against mouse and keyboard.

Certain games are easier to play with a DS4 than a 360 controller, I find. But I couldn't tell you why, they just feel better

Xbox controllers give me hand cramps. Much prefer Playstation

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


Hands are utilized asymmetrically.

In most games you will move the character with the left stick while using your other thumb to push buttons. This lets you keep your thumbs in the same spot.

In FPS games and some other shooters, you still move with the left stick but you end up aiming with the rights stick and using trigger buttons to take action. As the right hand is applying pressure from both sides, this means the left hand gets to stay in the center to make the grasp on the controller balanced like a triangle.

The only game where this configuration is bad is twin stick shooters like geometry wars.

Totally. My friends in college had a PS3, and I always found myself straining to when playing FIFA on it, in a way that wasn't true on Xbox

No because I have normal hands

Adyingod posted...

Joypads just suck in general. They should be able to split into two, like two switch controllers so I don't feel handcuffed. Also a trackball instead of an analogue stick for shooters, especially nowadays with crossplay against mouse and keyboard.

I agree with this tbh. The problem is nintendo makes the split controllers seem cheap and low quality. Like the Wiis controller felt like a Mattel toy. And the switch is just way too god dam small. Hopefully they can iterate on this and make the split controllers feel more solid and less like they were designed for baby hands

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Well, no, because a very common controller arrangement is to use the left stick for movement and the right buttons for controls

really, only shooters make sense for symmetrical thumb sticks

WalkingLobsters posted...

Does anyone else find PlayStation controller's stick placement to be unergonomic

I've never found it all that much of an issue. Honestly, I'm fine with either the XBox or PS designs, and it really just depends on which one I'm using more at any given time. ie, if I'm playing a lot of PS games and then switch to the XBox the XBox controller feels weird, but if I've been playing a lot of XBox games and then switch to the PS the PS controller feels weird. It just takes a little bit of adjustment time to get back into the groove.

The only "modern" controllers where I absolutely loathe the stick placement is the N64 and the Gamecube. Those are ones I feel like were crafted in the bowels of Hell solely to annoy.



TheGoldenEel posted...

Well, no, because a very common controller arrangement is to use the left stick for movement and the right buttons for controls

On the other hand, plenty of games these days (especially FPSs and first-person RPGs) put the camera on the right stick, so you'll be spending a lot of time using both sticks simultaneously anyway. And if primary game input is the triggers and you're only using the right buttons for specialized controls, you'll actually be using the right stick way more than the right buttons (and in that sense, it's not that different from games that add separate contextual commands to the D-Pad).

So how you feel about the issue might depend pretty strongly on just what sort of games you're playing.

WalkingLobsters posted...

Always hated how the stick isnt where the d-pad is. Especially knowing the stick was only placed there as an afterthought on the ps1

feel like Sony sticks with this crappy placement just to be different

yeah, but the dpad being where it is makes it better for fighting games and platformers.

xbox is better for fps games for sure though. Honestly Im glad theyre opposite for this reason.

teep_ posted...

Certain games are easier to play with a DS4 than a 360 controller, I find. But I couldn't tell you why, they just feel better

One of these games is the Tony Hawk series because it's way easier to do tricks with the dpad

Been using ps controllers since they released and never noticed it

Ive always thought it was terrible. Xbox and GameCube had it correct with left stick above D-pad and right stick below buttons.

Legit one of the reasons I never cared for PlayStation.

Another issue with controllers these days are the back paddles and scuf controllers which give an advantage to the user that other players simply don't have.

the original DualShock is the best controller ever designed in terms of shape

I have no issues with either.

Having the sticks symmetrical gives you a more tighter response, you get more precise movement especially playing fps games. Having one stick further away in an awkward placement on a controller is clunky design.

trappedunderice posted...

Having the sticks symmetrical gives you a more tighter response, you get more precise movement especially playing fps games. Having one stick further away in an awkward placement on a controller is clunky design.

But your thumb should never need to leave the left thumbstick. Why would it being further away or closer matter to anything?

Barber102 posted...

yeah, but the dpad being where it is makes it better for fighting games and platformers.

xbox is better for fps games for sure though. Honestly Im glad theyre opposite for this reason.

I also feel the PS controller is better for games like Monster Hunter. I can use my index finger to move the camera/cycle through inventory because it's on the d-pad while also moving my character. With the asymmetrical sticks I have to let go of the left stick to do that.

trappedunderice posted...

Having one stick further away

Further away from what? It's closer to your thumb

Maybe this is a tiny hand issue

rexcrk posted...

GameCube had it correct

This statement is objectively wrong.



Dat_Cracka_Jax posted...

Maybe this is a tiny hand issue

Could be part of it. I know back when everyone complained about the XBox Duke controller and whined about it being too big, I never had an issue with it because I had adult hands and it fit fine (the only problem I had with the Duke was button placement, which is why I much preferred the S-controller).

I've always found the 360 controller to be one of the best I've ever used (across seven generations and about 15 consoles worth of designs) mainly because it's slightly larger than the PS Dual Shock and fits the most comfortably in my hands (I can use Dual Shock fine, but I definitely notice the difference when I switch from one to the other).

Dat_Cracka_Jax posted...

Maybe this is a tiny hand issue

no it's not. It's just a natural position for your thumb when gripping the controller

This statement is objectively wrong.

How odd that in a post I made about two controllers that have a similar stick layout, you cherry picked this part of it to try and zing me. What a shocker.

No, Im used to it

I remember this throwing me off when I went from playing VJ1 on the GC to 2 on the PS2

The problem is the center of gravity, not necessarily the location. The other ps controllers have centers of gravity designed around the dpad. The ps5 is much better built around the analog stick. I don't feel it's perfect yet but it's close

Alucard188 posted...

Sony didn't do to be different.

TC is saying they're sticking with it to be different, not the initial doing it

Tennis elbow is also a common problem which I can attest to

Ive never felt a difference. I have a much harder time adjusting to the analog sticks being above (Wii U Gamepad) or directly beside (Steam Deck, PSP Go) the other buttons. Thats much more of an unnatural reach for me.