The placement of the left analogue stick

You literally still have your hands symmetrical on the xbox controller unless you are holding it wrong. and your thumbs on the Xbox controller are naturally pointing in the area where the left stick is on both sides. a slight adjust to the right stick is the only thing breaking symmetry.

Looks like you will continue to play nothing but flops and Multiplat games lol.

Playstation layout for me. Or Wii U Pro Controller as an alternative. Hate asymmetrical analog stick layout.

why not try having the right stick above the face buttons, and the left one below the dpad??? Innovation!

If you don't mind being wired you can always buy this controller. Hori is a good brand.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hori-Pad-FPS-Plus-for-PS4-PS3-Black-/252541917493?hash=item3accabd935:g:1BwAAOSwzaJX22Gc

If you really need wireless and don't mind spending a premium you could buy this controller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nacon-Revolution-Pro-Controller-PS4-/201846779481?hash=item2eff016e59:g:avoAAOSwuLZY5rkJ

I prefer the dual shock, it was a great design back when the ps1 came out and its only improved since. The DS4 is damn near perfection (minus battery life).

With that said I like the Xbox controllers as well, unless I want to play a fighting game then it's worthless.

Thing is if someone "can't" game with either of these controllers they're either lying trolls or just flat out suck at gaming. If you're a true gamer a controller shouldn't stop you from playing a system unless it's truly abysmal like say the Atari 5200 controller. I jump between my ps4/3 and Xbox/360 all the time and it's all good, reading some of the comments in here makes it seem like you'd need a PhD to use one or the other.

I can use both, though my thumbs sit at a 45 ish degree angle when using a controller making DS4 more comfortable I can shift my thumb to use xbox controllers.

My friend Nick put it in his girls butt. If she wasn't so fat id say that's the winner

Way back in the day at my old buddies apartment we were all passing the bowl around having a good time... then he started passing a picture around... and it was a picture of that very same pipe sticking out of his girlfriends butt.

I gave him a 10/10 backhand pimp slap.

Was so pissed at the time, but looking back at it now it was fucking hilarious.

I like the Xbox controller's placement better, but I'm fine with the PlayStation's stick placement too, but when it comes to PS controllers though I'm less a fan of their analog materials or design, with the DS3 I didn't much care for the tall convex tips, on the DS4 I just don't like the touch of the DS4 rubber in contrast to the XB1 controller's smooth top with the grip edge.

@tigerdragon: really besides driver and Spyro name a game w good 3d visual on PS1 most 3d games looked all jaggy

I prefer Dualshock way. The problem with the analogue stick being above is that the D-Pad becomes essentially useless and incredibly awkward to use. The analogue stick doesn't face the same issue being below because of the way it moves and the height.

Its OK if you play analogue stick only games, but I actually find 2d sidescrollers such as Odin Sphere Leifthrasir or the mini games in Yakuza 0 way more comfortable with D Pad. With all the indie games that come out now I find I'm using the D pad more than expected.

Option 4. Don't bother me rather is above or below!

LMAO that is pure win!!!

@Xplode_games Christ Dude just buy a third party controller for a ps4 or something. there's options if you are willing to look.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXJF056

Check that out. Yeah it's expensive, but at least the option is there, and that one is officially endorsed by Sony. I'm sure you could find some cheaper ones if you want.

When I game on PC I use an Xbox 360 Controller, because I hate the keyboard and mouse. This isn't gaming in the 80's and 90's, you have options for controllers now.

uuuhhh, in every DS the d-pad is ALLIGNED with the buttons. Both analog sticks are BELOW the d-pad and the buttons

see?

Now gtfo. I very much prefer simetric analog sticks cause my muscle memory says so

Um yeah. BF1 and Overwatch on PC totally destroy the graphics on Xbox One/PS4.

I think a little history can out some perspective into this.

The early controllers had the d-pad across from the face buttons for the simple reason; these were the only inputs for the two main controls - direction/movement and action commands (attack, shoot, jump, pick up, etc...), such as with the NES and Sega Master System. Super Nintendo introduced shoulder buttons that enabled easy multi-access action input as more than just the right thumb had a button within reach.

Even the early 3D systems (PS1 and 3DO) were still using that controller design of d-pad and face buttons with complementary shoulder buttons. The first time we saw an analog stick was with the N64, and as 3D design in games was still relatively new, its implementation was experimental (for lack of a better word), to be placed in the lower center between the d-pad and face buttons, while developers got a handle on how to program for 3D navigation. Sony saw the potential in this interface, and quickly adapted it into a revision of their original Playstation controller. They even expanded on the prior concept with two sticks, forming the direction and camera control we have today. But as the familiar layout for d-pad and face buttons was already established, the only place they saw to put the sticks were both below those other more well known inputs.

With the introduction of the Xbox, we see the paradigm shift of controller layout. Because Microsoft saw the future of games, that the analog stick would take over the d-pad's role as the primary movement control, and where the d-pad had been relegated to a new form of secondary input, most commonly menu scrolling and selection, or a simple 4-section quick "hotkey" selection. Basically the d-pad was a secondary "button" interface to support the main face and shoulder buttons. I realize that fighting games still favor the d-pad, but for the majority of other games in different genres, the analog stick is the primary way of moving the character across the 3D landscapes.

So MS saw this transition as the incentive to rethink the controller design, since the left stick had assumed the function of what used to belong to the d-pad, they saw it as a design logic to switch their places. In other words, the placement of the left stick across from the right side face buttons kept the symmetry where it had always been before; primary input horizontally aligned with the primary action inputs. Just like with the old school controllers that determined the d-pad and button placement.

I would argue this was the natural evolution of controller design. People here often talk about "thumb symmetry", but it's really about "input symmetry". And back in the old days of just d-pad and face buttons, both were lined up in unison. While we refer to the Xbox design as asymmetrical, which is true from a rudimentary itemized viewpoint, it's actually symmetrical in the functional sense. And we even saw this adopted by Nintendo with the Gamecube.

* OK I know someone will bring up the FPS, where both sticks are used in simultaneous synergy, and I already brought up the fighter genre that favors the d-pad. But we're talking about just niche genres here, while for the majority of games in 3rd person action, controlling an avatar's traversal and their combat (and other) actions, it's more often seen in stick and face buttons; examples like Batman Arkham, Assassin's Creed, Shadow of Mordor, God of War, Darksiders.... I think you get the idea. The face buttons are still used for attacking (often times dual modes of regular and heavy), jumping, blocking, and then used together in combo attack moves.

soooooooo TLDR;

Once upon a time, d-pad was the primary movement input, face buttons were the primary action inputs, and they were symmetrically positioned. Then with the advent of analog sticks, the left stick became the primary movement input while d-pad became secondary menu interface. So Xbox switched their placement to keep primary movement and primary action input horizontally across from each other, in that input symmetry old school controllers have always had. And with Sony keeping to their familiar comfort zone, wars are raged on the subject.

The Xbox one and the switch pro controller are the two most comfortable gamepads I have ever used. They are both brilliant, and when I game on PC with a pad I would use an Xbox controller over a dual shock every time

Doesn't really matter to me. Controllers are only good for a few genres. Shooters is not one of those genres.

I grew up with playstation so i prefer playstation controllers .

I often use an x1 controller for pc gaming though.Using ds4 with xbox prompts is annoying.

Whart does this have to do with the left analog stick?

The first time we saw an analog stick was with the N64, and as 3D design in games was still relatively new,

it's not the first time we saw an analog stick and 3d gaming wasn't new.

Sony saw the potential in this interface, and quickly adapted it into a revision of their original Playstation controller

Sony based it's dual shock off their flight stick not the N64 controller, which btw was not actual analog.

So MS saw this transition as the incentive to rethink the controller design, since the left stick had assumed the function of what used to belong to the d-pad, they saw it as a design logic to switch their places.

Actually all MS did was add a second stick to a Dreamcast controller (based off the saturn controller), shrink it down, and replace where start and select was by putting it to the side with the intention of preventing a player from moving their hand to the center and having those buttons within, on paper, easy reach. You are right that they kept that control for games like FPS and racing games since MS games usually don't rely or focus on d-pads.

Also the early controller thing is odd with ignoring the consoles before nes where you sometimes had asymmetrical controllers.

I'm fine with either. I've had both a PlayStation and an Xbox every generation since the Xbox and PlayStation 2.

Apparently most gamers dont mind either way considering Playstation has obliterated Xbox

I hate controllers, in general. So, I don't care if it's above or below. I am acclimated and have no troubles with both.

On the flip side, I normally play BF1 on PC, and trying to play it on the Xbone was complete blasphemy. For me, when I'm playing shooters on controllers, I always get frustrated because I know I could have made that shot with a mouse. Also, it's slow and unresponsive, and it also runs at less than 30 fps most of the time, which feels like complete ass compared to 90+.

Xbox 360 controller..most comfortable...so I guess above d-pad.. :P

I can use the PS4's method of putting the stick below the D-Pad, but god does it get uncomfortable after a while.

Yeah Sony is 100% wrong with there design choice here, Xbox and Nintendo both have much better controllers out there right now.

I really wish Sony would release an alternative controller option for people like me who prefer the stick on top.

@DragonfireXZ95: you play at 90 fps ? lol

Yes, on ultra settings at 2560 x 1080.

@AdobeArtist: your history lesson ignores that with the dualshock onward, the controllers gained elongated handles allowing them to be held lower and the premier launch title for Xbox was an FPS that extensively used both sticks. It's more likely MS just did it to be different, like switching the button letters around.

You might want to look again next time you're holding one. I'm not saying it's a big difference, just slightly offset. Either that, or you're either stretching your right thumb down far, pointed at your left palm, or your left thumb up near your index finger, only touching the edge of the stick.

Fat chance... That'd mean they'd have to admit that they've been doing it wrong all these years.

I love how people still try to treat this as a matter of fact lol.

Ditto.

My hands are symmetrical, so ideally the controller should be, too. It makes the most sense. Regardless, the other design is fine w/ me, too.

Above the d-pad. Sony are dumb as hell.

@hrt_rulz01: What have they been doing wrong?

I prefer the PlayStation layout. Playing on the Switch throws me off a bit but also because the A button where circle is on the PS controller is to accept instead of B which is where X is on the PS controller.

Dreamcast Controller was a copy of the N64 controller except that the analogue stick was above the D-pad and aligned with the buttons, there was no right stick.

The Dreamcast controller was largely based on the Saturn 3D Control Pad, not the N64 controller. And in turn, the Saturn 3D Pad was not based on the N64 controller either, as they were both developed around the same time during 1995-1996. The Saturn 3D Pad was based on the XE-1 AP controller for the Sega Mega Drive.

Released in 1989, the XE-1 AP was the first analog thumbstick controller. It had its analog stick aligned with the left thumb, and had two handlebars and a round shape, just like the Saturn and Dreamcast controllers (and the original Xbox controller). The XE-1 AP also had shoulder buttons (before the SNES), and a dual-analog setup (before the PS1), with an analog slider on the right. However, it lacked a D-pad, and the button placement was above both the analog controls, rather than aligned with the right thumb.

@DragonfireXZ95: yeah I get that but I mean is that even comfortable for you?

What are you talking about? It feels amazing. Have you ever played a game at 90 fps?

Of course, my monitor is only 75 hz, so I really only see 75 fps, but it feels so smooth and responsive.

How would it not be? lol

The higher the frames, the smoother the experience.

I mean sure, most games don't see too much benefit past 60fps unless it's a super fast paced shooter, but having the extra frames is never a bad thing.

Playing a shooter at 120+ fps is amazing though lol.