I prefer the 360 sticks as well. Playstation controllers' analog sticks never felt right to me and you did a nice job describing why.

I love the  PS3's sticks. I never have slipping problems on either, but I like the range of motion on the Dual Shock 3, especially for the Skate games, which I play a ton of. Also, the 360 controller doesn't have a proper name! It's just "360 Controller". I need brand recognition from my controllers! I have found that the sticks tend to 'sweat' for some reason when left alone for a while. It's weird, I dunno what the deal with that shit is.

I can't say I'm all that fussed with the sticks themselves, but I do find the 360's more comfy because of how they're spaced. No more thumbs bashing each other when you attempt a sharp turn!

Everyone knows the N64 controller > everything.

Seriously though, I prefer the 360 myself. However another consideration is the specific game. For example, I don't know a single person who preferred playing Katamari on 360 over PSanything. Not just the stick offset, but the shorter height just never felt right.

I love this article. I am a fan of the 360, i think it's the best controller and most comfortable to me but everyone is different.

Thanks for the comments guys! You should all check out the N4G.com post of this article. They friggin hate it! Reading the comments makes me laugh my ass off!

http://n4g.com/NewsCom-502208.aspx?CT=1#Comments

The PS3 analog sticks are FAR SUPERIOR, actually. As a veteran joystick and console FPS gamer, I feel very strongly about this fact.

I was actually surprised by the "outcome" of your blog post, but everyone is entitled to his opinion (regardless of how ignorant it may be ;P). I've played shooters with gamepads and joysticks for many, many years (before it became fashionable) and some of the points you bring up about the PS3 sticks being flawed are actually POSITIVES in reality. The convex nature of the analog tops/knobs on the PS3 are actually advantageous in helping you more precisely and subtly aim (for those long-range sniper shots or headshots) because more of your thumb is in contact with the surface of the knob, allowing for greater control of subtle motions in many different directions.

The taller sticks of the PS3 are another huge plus, because the taller the sticks are, the more leverage the player has, and thus the less resistance of the sticks, allowing for much smoother travel/motions. Not to mention the taller sticks result in a much greater range of motion, also aiding in situations where precise aiming is necessary. The much talked-about and praised "Kontrol Freeks FPSFreek" analog stick add-ons work on the same principle of making analog sticks taller and thus allowing for better control in shooters.

I've used both Xbox and Playstation controllers, and while I somewhat prefer the way the Xbox controller is laid out, I feel that the Playstation analog sticks are of much better quality and accuracy when it comes to controlling first-person shooters. They just feel smoother, better, and more precise, and have a larger range of motion, all of which allows for much finer aiming capability.

Some links that may be of interest to you, FYI:

A person replacing her Xbox analog sticks with Playstation sticks for better control:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKKNlt3MpH8

An article controller comparison that favors the PS3 over the the 360's analog sticks:  http://gamer.blorge.com/2008/11/22/analysis-ps3-vs-xbox-360-controller-comparison/

Kontrol Freek Add-on that promotes the same principle of the PS3's tall-set analog sticks:  http://www.kontrolfreek.com

@Frank, my favorite comment in the N4G thread of comments "PS3 Controller is better then X360. Its a FACT."

Oh why oh why must we have fanboy rage with logic such as that.

My love for the PS3 controller is for nostalgic reasons.  Similar to the flawed NES controller.  But nostalgic love cannot overlook how uncomfortable each is.

I actually think the Dreamcast controller made the most advances and then Microsoft (with the help of Logitech) perfected it.  The MS controller just feels more ergonomically comfortable to me.

Let the troll wars begin!

Thanks Keith! That was my favorite too. All it needed what Shawn Elliott reading it in his nerd voice.

I tried to make my piece as non-judgementally judgemental as possible. I guess I failed on that one. Who woulda guessed a debate over analog sticks could be so contentious? I probably asked for it with the "360 Versus PS3" title, though.

I think both controllers play better on certain games. 360 is my choice for FPSs, but those are my favorite titles... which explains my stance on the sticks. However, I think the PS3 is much better at fighting games and action games. Playing Dante's Inferno on the 360 pad just felt... wrong. Same thing for X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Robert may have joked about the N64 pad, but playing the 3D Zeldas on any other pad just feels wrong to me too.

No one should listen to me though. According to the N4G commentators I'm an employee of Microsoft! Ha!

I think between Natal and Move I am actually more excited for... the new version of the Classic Controller for the Wii. I might hate the Wii Remote, but I love any game that lets me use the Classic. That should be a standard option for most games with motion control-- a non-motion based alternative.

I vote for 360's sticks as well!

I love the logic that the PS3 controller is better because everyone loved it ten years ago. Absolutely infallible.

Congratulations on stirring the hornet's nest though. The comment stream on N4G makes me both admire fanboy logic and feel thankful that Bitmob doesn't suffer from the same.

Personally can't get into the PS analog sticks. I have had a long time to get used to them, and they still don't seem "right". Half is position, the other half is the movement. It feels... mushy, I guess is the best word.