The ULTIMATE Controller Showdown! DS4 VS Xbox One!

[XTankSlayerX]

 

 

Okay, I know "PC Master race" but its nice to have a little bit of the console race as well, I'm talking of course about the Xbox One and DualShock 4 controllers. This is the long awaited controller showdown.

 

The PS4 comes in a plastic shell inside a box with nothing else other than a manual.  

The One's box is, actually quite nice, it comes in a box that opens like a shell. Revealing the new controller like a pearl in a shell. Its pretty nice. Comes with 2 AA batteries and a manual.

 

 

both of theses controllers aren't made of aircraft grade aluminum or gold plated steel. Nope. Just plastic, good plastic at that. The DS4 does have some very small flex where the One has none. But (this is just my opinion) the DS4's buttons do feel better. They're less clicky and feel more... more better to button.

 

Where as the One has Buttons that are clickly (Excluding the ABXY, Start and select buttons) which just feel odd as well. The DPad doesn't really do any thing special for me. All the clicky buttons are rather loud and feel clciky, which I'm not a big fan of. Clicky buttons belong on mice or small power or option buttons. 

 

The PS4 controller when you pick it up its very nice, its comfortable and the buttons and thumb sticks are laid out nicely. You can reach all the buttons without any discomfort. The Micro USB port wont get in your way when you're using it on PC too. The textured surface on the bottom (Where you will hold most of the controller from) is rather nice, although it can look a little displeasing and feel a little odd the first time.

 

the DS4 is wider than the One controller with my index fingers being about an inch apart at the back. you can also wrap your index fingers around the triggers. In some cases your thumbs will touch each other when they're on the thumbtacks, but it has only happened to me once in the year I've had the DS4. 

 

The Xbox one on the other hand (Get it?) hugs the top bit of your hand more (Just below the fingers) Which makes it easier to hold and generally feels better.

Although it is  a lot smaller, when gripping the controller my index fingers are one centimeter apart at the back where the triggers rest, which can be a cause of concern for some people with bigger hands.

 

It’s a matte surface, which in it self doesn't make the controller more grippy but its helped by the shape of the controller. Other than that, there really isn't much more to say, it’s a very comfortable controller to use for extended periods of time and may be a bit too small for people with big hands

 

Let's talk about the DS4's sticks first. They're nice and big, they feel nice and have a grippy rubber coating, which when you start to sweat can get a little slick... Which is unfortunate. Also, they're  very close to each other, which means your thumbs have a higher chance of touching, although I wouldn't be too  concerned about that.

 

Now the One's sticks, They're really nice and small (just how I like em they have nice hollowed out center backed up by a ring of extra grippy ness so your fingers will never slip when you really need to nail that last comer of the track.

 

 

Triggers, The DS4 has good one's now. they're nice to hold, responsive, and they seem to have no dead zone as well; which can be a problem. accidentally firing your gun or putting on the breaks ever so slightly are both really upsetting things that can happen but you can probably fix those with in game dead zones. 

 

This is the One's strongest point In my opinion, the triggers have an curved shape, so they hug the inside of your knuckles more, that in itself it nice, but the really awesome thing about them is that they have little rubber stoppers inside of them, so no matter how hard you mash dem triggers, you wont be making too much (if at all) noise and you wont get the plastic on plastic feeling, which is very nice! Kudos to Microsoft! 

 

Lets change it up a bit, One's first. The buttons are more tactile (ABXY) and clicky (Pretty much everything else). The One's ABXY Buttons wont wear out, ever probably. Since they are incased in a really tick clear shell with the letter being plastic. other then that, the clicky buttons are something I don’t really like, simply because my left shoulder button doesn't click when you release it, its disappointing but the button still works.

 

While we're talking a bout the shoulder buttons: They're terrible. you can only press them from the side closest to the sides of the controller. This is a deal breaker for me. 

The DS4's buttons on the other hand, are more mushy, so no annoying clicks but do provide some tactaile feedback. They don’t feel cheap, but the X, Square, Circle, and triangle buttons will wear a bit, I can feel the x on the x button.

Not too big of a in my opinion considering you get shoulder buttons are better than the Xbox One's and just generally good. Other than that, nothing too special, although you do get that trackpad thing which is also a button.

Of course the Xbox One controller is going to be easier to setup and use. Just go to major Nelsons website and download the driver and install it. Good job, you're set to go. No support for the One's only special feature which is the vibrating triggers, so I cant really say anything about them other that they wont work on PC Sadly.

 

But you do get rumble feed back, which is nice. 

With the DS4, it’s a little more complicated then that. You have to find the driver, there are many but I've always used InhexSTER's driver. So I guess its time to list all the REALLY great things he has done with his software to make the DS4 pretty much the  last controller you'll ever need. 

1. Wireless via Bluetooth. Well, you have to use one dongle per controller you have attached, so it can be a draw back. I haven't tested this out myself but the only thing's I've heard about wireless via Bluetooth have been that its great and there isn't too much lag.  

2. You can use the track pad on the PS4 as a normal track pad, which allows you to use the DS4 as a mouse. This is fantastic for navigating menus and using your computer when your gaming from your couch, its not perfect but it works well enough! 

3. You can customize the DS4 light bar to what ever color  you want. The Software has a built in RGB slider color chooser thing, so it will fit your setup no matter what. 

It may not be perfect, so you'll have to start the driver every time you want to play a game with the DS4, but it’s a hell of a lot better than what the Xbox one has to offer with its drivers.

 

 

 

If you want a controller with the best triggers and thumb sticks for a game genre like racing, then the Xbox One Controller is your best bet, although it comes with some deal breakers for me. Them being terrible shoulder buttons and overly clickly buttons. But it’s the most comfortable controller of the new generation and perhaps the best looking? 

 

If you want a good well rounded controller to go perfectly with your themed setup and want to be able to game on the couch on your big screen then the DS4 is the one for you, its well rounded and the DPad is really good. With the only downsides being it not having the triggers of the Xbox One controller or the perfect shape of it.

 

Its still one heck of a controller that will blend perfectly with your setup like a HDD and SSD or Peanut butter and chocolate.

 

[X1XNobleX1X]

I haven't read it all yet, but your graphic images are awesome!

[STRMfrmXMN]

You should fix the title my friend. It is PS4, unless I am mistaken?

EDIT: Dualshock, gotcha.

[soaringchicken]

Nice layout/post! My personal preference has always been xbox though, it fits in to my hands great and the ps4 controller on the other side just feels....akward. I've had both PS and Xbox before I came to the PC master race and I definitely have a soft spot for Xbox. I keep an xbox controller for the occasional time when I play a casual game and don't feel like going all out on a keyboard+mouse. 

[connorpiper]

The touchpad works like a track pad on the DS4. Civ V can be played in big picture! XB1 ca't do that! 

[Albatross]

Read it!

 

Good review, and nice to see no console bashing. I appreciate that!  Which would you feel is better for FPS games?

 

Nice graphics, by the way.

[Aniallation]

 The DPad doesn't really do any thing special for me. All the clicky buttons are rather loud and feel clciky, which I'm not a big fan of. Clicky buttons belong on mice or small power or option buttons. 

 

lbr the DPad on the Xbox One isn't any better then the DPad on the original (PS1) DualShock 

[cesrai]

The DS4 is better, I can plug my headphones into it and I can charge it and be environment friendly. 

[cesrai]

lbr the DPad on the Xbox One isn't any better then the DPad on the DualShock 2

I agree.

[A.D.A.M]

I quite like the clickyness on the One. I've gotten used to the shoulders so it doesn't bother me anymore. All in all love me my one controller.

I've used the ds4 but it doesn't quite click with me as much as the One did.

[IMPERIUS]

Good post, how did you make that gif?

[XTankSlayerX]

Good post, how did you make that gif?

Adobe After Effects

[A.D.A.M]

Adobe After Effects

The gif is really good. there is some artifacts here and there (not sure if this is just me), but nevertheless, still awesome. 

[Thorium19]

I'm a fan of the dualshock controllers, so I'll certainly pick up a DS4 at some point, especially as I can use the wireless via Bluetooth and the touchpad. Personally I've never been keen on the Xbox controllers as I feel the left joystick is in the wrong position and should be where the D-pad is like on the DS4. But that's my opinion on ergonomics.

[Guest]

Then there's me who loves his wired xbox 360 controller.

The only thing Microsoft should have done to the 360 controller is improved the d-pad and given it a rechargeable batteries and it would be worthy of the next gen consoles.

[givingtnt]

niicee !

[MuffinTopMike]

Nice post, Xbox controllers are way easier to configure to use with a PC, but in terms of which controller is better to use, I like the PS4 controller way more than the Xbox one, it just feels really solid and the button placement is perfect.

[Shally]

Wheres a keyboard option?

[Trik'Stari]

KB+M > Xbone controller > PS4 controller.

 

I've always hated Sony controllers. Sticks are in the wrong place, stupid button scheme, feels terrible in my hand.

[ManOfDisguise]

You really like orange eh. I like orange too.

[cesrai]

KB+M > Xbone controller > PS4 controller.

 

I've always hated Sony controllers. Sticks are in the wrong place, stupid button scheme, feels terrible in my hand.

KB+M not always, racing games with KB+M not a great experience.

[CaptainGazzz]

Is the XBone controller very different from the 360 controller, in your opinion?

[xvantok]

Really,interesting review, but y'know I'm just gonna stay quietly in my PS2 console with my beloved sonic heros game!