If you are a bigger guy, or at least have big hands, you might find that the PS3 controller can really start to be a bother on those longer gaming sessions. Recently I purchased MotorStorm for PS3. I do love the game, this isn’t a slam on the game in particular, but it has really given me a chance to find the flaws in the current controller.
If you read regularly, you already know I think the controller is too light. In this game, more flaws come to view.
In the MotorStorm game, the two shoulder triggers are used for gas and brake. This is where I really start to have problems. Since the controller is so small, the two hand hold portions of the controller does not reach into my palms. This can be a big problem when you are really trying to slam on the gas and go, it pushes the controller back into your hand unless you really squeeze hard on it. when you squeeze on it pretty hard you can actually hear it creak. The seams of the plastic will actually make noise. I showed the PS3 and Xbox 360 controller in the above photo so I can show the size difference, it doesn’t look very obvious does it?
Now look at the controller in my hands. Notice how my fingers curl completely around the bottom of the controller. The Analog sticks seem to be a little low, and the controller itself is kind of shoved up in to the top of my hand leaving the bottoms of my hands holding nothing but air. This doesn’t sound like a huge problem until we revisit how hard I mentioned you have to squeeze the controller to keep the shoulder buttons from pushing it back into your hand.
I know this may all sound pretty nit picky to most people, but it really is a problem. I played MotorStorm for about an hour last night and my hands actually did hurt.
Now to be fair I will admit I really like the Xbox 360 controller. It’s heavier, feels more substantial, more solid and just feels better to me. Notice in this photo how for the same type of game the left analog stick, usually used for steering, is right under my thumb. Also notice how the bottom of the controller completely fills out my hand giving me a firm grip, without having to squeeze it with any amount of pressure. Also notice how my fingers comfortably wrap around it and I can press the shoulder buttons without my fingers arching to the buttons. Sure, this all sounds pretty silly to a casual gamer, but if you are playing for hours, it can really make a difference.
I know, I know, go ride a bike Jason, get out and do something other than play games for hours. Yea, I got that part, but the point is that the controller seems to possibly be designed for much smaller hands than the usual American might have. I am sure there is something to be said to that, hoping nobody bitches at me for racial generalization, but Japanese people are a bit more, well, Wii 
I really like my PS3 lately, but I am definitely on the prowl for a new controller. I hope the next one is bigger and heavier….and maybe has rumble?
Tweet
fuck off
fanny » Man, talk about passionate about little video game console controllers, sheesh…
Dude, you’re not alone regarding the boomerang controller and current design of the sixaxis. I don’t have big hands, but I tend to find the sixaxis controller very uncomfortable and I wished indeed that Sony should either redesign it or make some minor changes to the hardware.
It was also a shame that Sony dump the boomerang controller cause it really solved the issue for people with bigger hands, but you know how fanboys are these days…
xbox 360 rules!
You are 100% dead-on with this report. I have had an Xbox 360 for a few years and I just recently got a PS3 (mostly for the BlueRay playing abilities actually) and I was disappointed with the size and feel of the PS3 controller immediately.
The Xbox controller seems to become part of your hands as weird as that sounds. The PS3 controller feels like it has to be held at your fingertips, and to me feels very awkward.
I found this page while doing a search to try to find if there is a bigger control available for the PS3. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem that there is one.
By the way – I’m not a PS3 or Xbox snob – I’m just backing up what this guy is reporting. It’s exactly what I have found.
I have medium size hands and there is no doubt about it; my PS3′s controllers are not only uncomfortable in the heat of game play, my hands start to hurt while I try to push the thing into a comfortable position. Struggling, I never get an adequate grip on it, which fails to allow me command over the devise for good game play. I have not had this problem with the 360’s controller or a PC mouse and keyboard solution.
My latest frustration has been Lost Planet.
I have two 360′s and one PS3; this issues has made me find games for the PC or 360 rather than the Sony so that I can have an experience that is comfortable and fun, which does not happen with Sony’s poorly designed controller.
Before complaining, I looked many places for a well designed PS3 controller; unbelievable!
Thanks for the post…
Sincerely,
Joseph
I recently purchased a PS3 slim, and could not agree more on your article on the size of the controller. I googled “PS3 controller too small” to see if I was the only one that found my hands cramping, due to the small size of the controller. I have experienced exactly what you mentioned, in regards to having to grip the controller awkwardly in order to press the triggers, or use the thumbsticks. I have always found the 360 controller to be the most ergonomically comfortable console controller ever, and use it for any PC games I play too. I too hope that Sony take non-asian countries into account in future; although I seriously doubt they will!
I found this by Googling “ps3 controller is too small” too. Just got Modern Warfare 2 as the first game to play on the PS3 and it’s a fantastic game, but the controller was way, way too small for my large, but not fat hands. First day playing it I started looking for a larger controller. I either have to hold awkwardly with my finger tips as seen in the photo or when I put it in my hands comfortably, my thumbs far overlap the direction/movement sticks and index fingers are in the top center rather than on the R1, L2 buttons.
Try this for a (seriously) cheap and quick fix: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rmy/4131258128
It’s still a little uncomfortable, but no where near as painful as using the controller as-is.
We make a PS3 grip that is 30% larger. It makes the controller much more comfortable for large hands.
yeah bet u wldnt say that now after using as long as you did your xbox hmmm jason lol
I was just looking for a picture of hands holding a controller for my mobile gaming flyer, and i saw this page, and i just couldn’t help but read it. i don’t really play video games because i believe that most of the games are meant for men, but when i do play on gaming consoles, i always hate the controllers. i agree with this. cool website by the wayy.
I have the exact opposite problem. I hate the xbox because the controller’s way too big for me (small girl hands) which is why I like the PS3 better. They should just make controllers in different sizes.
I used the PS1 controller when I was 4 years old and had no complaints with it being too big. I have above average mens hand size now and the controller is uncomfortable and cramped.
*off topic but I feel like it needs to be said*
Virtually every electronic device is designed in favor of small hands. They’re actually making computer mice smaller these days. *sigh*