The brutal rivalry between the Sony PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One is surely one of epic proportions. Specs sheets are being thrown left and right as arguments in favor of one console or the other, exclusive titles get analyzed and compared, while each company is using every possible occasion to strike at its opponent. Sometimes, though, we can get a bit carried away in our silly little arguments, focusing on small details that don’t always have a profound impact on our gaming experience. We do tend to forget the importance of some fundamental features of every game console, such as the controller.
In the case of the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4, we really have two very different gamepads that will surely make hacking and slashing your enemies that much different depending on which console you decide to side with. Let’s take a closer look at the expected pros and cons of both the Xbox One controller, and the PlayStation 4 controller, or the so-called DualShock 4!
1. Build quality
If there’s something characteristic about the Xbox controllers, it’s that despite their bulkiness, users simply find them very comfortable and reliable. Of course, we can’t be sure yet if this will be valid for the Xbox One’s controller in the long run, but if history is to repeat itself, then it means that the next-gen Xbox will easily win this one, as PlayStation controllers have traditionally been prone to various malfunctions after being subjected to some heavier usage (word has it that console controllers take the harshest beating right after a lost game).
2. Key layout and features
So, the standard buttons are present on both devices, including directional D-pad, dual analog sticks and four action keys, with the Xbox One controller keeping its characteristic positioning of the analogs. A new feature of the PS4 controller is the touchpad, positioned right in the center. While we aren’t really into that type of stuff, though, we won’t rush to draw a conclusion about its usefulness. Another change to the PS4 gamepad is that Sony has replaced the Start button with a Menu buttons, which seems to be quite similar in nature, while the new Share button will naturally let you share your numerous successes on the battlefield with your online buddies. Players will surely appreciate the fact that Sony has tried to make the analog sticks a bit more comfortable to use by giving them a bit of a concave shape and coating them with a finish that is less slippery.
Meanwhile, the Xbox One has this really cool new “HD rumble” effect feature that can make certain keys or parts of the gamepad vibrate, so that your attention is drawn to the desired control. In addition, Microsoft boasts a 15% increase in the speed of communication between the controller and the Xbox One, which should make for an even more responsive experience.
When it comes to power management, the Xbox One controller is still using AA batteries, but you can always connect it to the console in order to save power. On the other hand, the PlayStation 4 DualShock 4 controller comes with a soldered battery unit that can be recharged. Which solution would be more suitable for you depends on your gaming lifestyle, but it’s always a convenience when you don’t need to go to the nearby store when the batteries of your Xbox controller unexpectedly run out.
3. Your turn
So, now that we’ve gone through the most important aspects of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 controllers, it’s your turn to tell us what you think of them. Sony has quite the legacy, but it can’t be denied that Microsoft is doing pretty well with its own controllers. Which one do you think will present gamers with a more refined experience – the Xbox One controller, or the PS4 DualShock 4? Be sure to cast your vote in the poll below and let us know!
