With the all new PS4, Sony has managed to dominate over Microsoft at E3 2013. The DualShock 4 gamepad is superior to its predecessor PS3 and even to Xbox One controller in all aspects. The finer and improved version of PS4 controller is a hit if compared with DualShock 3.
The new touchpad that rests at the top of the PS4 controller is 2-inch wide with clickable slick spot supporting two points of touch and smartphone-like swiping and pinch-to-zoom gestures. This mouse-like multitouch still needs to be explored as the one is far better in technology than PS3 and Xbox One.
The second appealer is the concave analog sticks. With features like divots in their center, raised rims around the top and extra space between the two sticks, the new joysticks are able to keep thumbs in place whereas, the DualShock 3 controller featured a less comfortable concave analog nubs that tends to easily move off-canter.
Hello, share and option are new ancillary buttons which have replaced start and select, the standard buttons since the first PlayStation console. An extra space in the center for the touchpad is the PS button, which has been relocated further down the controller. It rests below the new, still mysterious mono speaker.
PS4 is said to be head-and-shoulders better than its predecessor in terms of its shoulder buttons. Pointer fingers can now rest easy unlike PS3 as Sony has reversed the design of the trigger by creating concave dips very much like Xbox 360. The L1 and L2 buttons are somewhat changed too, and all of the shoulder buttons are stamped with L1, L2, R1, R2, instead of PS3’s letter-less numbering system.
The DualShock 4 controller’s light bar has four tiny red LEDs to illuminate in various colors but not very flashy like the three LEDs of PS3. The light bar can also interact with the PlayStation Eye and change patterns during gameplay to deliver messages of low health and minor damage along with player identification.
Both the PS4 and PS3 controllers are same in features like microUSB port to recharge their lithium-ion batteries. They are in the same exact location at the top too. The only difference is that DualShock 4 can be charged even when its console is in sleep mode.
The bottom of the DualShock 4 features a stereo headset jack unlike PS3. It would be better as Sony announced that the PS4 console will be bundled with a mono headset that gamers can use for communicating with fellow online gamers.
Slightly larger ergonomic handles make the DualShock 4 all the more comfortable than PS3 that actually gives tense experience when hold for long.
Playing a PS4 game with DualShock 4 controller is a blissful experience which actually crosses all boundaries.
