Jeff Cannata says the “PS4 controller is far better than the Xbox One controller”

Jeff Cannata is a former co-host of Totally Rad Show and now a regular on Shacknews‘ video games podcast, Weekend Confirmed and currently the co-host of CNET TV’s Always On alongside Molly Wood.

On his E3 2013 Day 3 Roundup he said this about the next-gen controllers:

“Let me say this, the controller for the PS4 is sublime, far better than the Xbox One controller. I’m a little disappointed to be honest with the Xbox One controller. The bumper buttons in particular are actually more difficult to hit with my fingers than they used to be on the 360. I find it to be smaller and much more cramped and the triggers don’t feel as good.”

He went on about the PS4 DualShock 4 controller:

“The triggers on the PS4 controller are awesome! It’s super cool. It just feels so comfortable in the hand, the bumpers are nice, the triggers are SO nice, it’s got rumble on two sides, it is just a great controller.”

Jeff Cannata says the 'PS4 controller is far better than the Xbox One controller'

51 COMMENTS.
  1. sygys says:

    I dont understand why everyone calls the controllers good. The only one understanding the position of the controls at the moment is nintendo.

    For a nice example. Take a book and hold it with both hands. Hold it like the hands are in perfect comfort. 99% of the people will hold the book with their thumbs pointing up. While all controllers have 1 or 2 joysticks at the left or the right of the thumb. Only the tablet of nintendos wiiu has both joysticks on top. Thats the most comfortable and most acurate way to use a controller. Wich with the ps2, ps3 and ps4 are the almost never used 4 point directional keys and the x, square… etc buttons.

    Its plain stupid.

    • F says:

      Nintendo? Really though?

    • Gorgon Eye says:

      It’s plain stupid. Your comment that is. Long live the Dualshocks.

    • B says:

      Nintendo doesn’t even understand themselves at the moment, much less that “controller.”

    • AdamX says:

      Fanboys will be bashing you for your comment, but I actually agree to an extent. I like how the Wii U thumbsticks are both in the primary position, which allows for more natural thumb placement. Furthermore, I don’t have a Wii U, but I’ve tried one at Best Buy, and the analog sticks are perhaps the best I’ve ever used. The grippy, rubbery surface texture is great, the analog travel is smooth, and the amount of resistance is perfect.

      Fyi, before fanboys start hating on me, I’m a long-time PS3 fan, and plan on getting a PS4 on day-one.

    • Mahmood Shaikh says:

      By your logic the Xbox 360 controller is the most comfortable one because most of the time your thumb is not on the right thumbstick, its on the face buttons with small corrections made using the right thumbstick.

    • nunya says:

      You are quite the gaming idiot with your statement about the wii-u controller

    • orbitz says:

      __________ JEFF CANNATA IS THE KING OF ASSHOLES _____________

    • roruoni says:

      That depends entirely on the posture of your hand. The dual shock orients your hand in a way that the sticks should be lower. However with a Dreamcast-like controller or 360 your palm is turned more so it makes sense to place the sticks higher up and perhaps more raised.

    • Dan says:

      Actually when i hold a book, my thumbs point inward. This feels the most natural, and i have both my thumbs pointing in the same direction. This could be why i find the PS controllers more comfortable.
      I understand your reasoning and agree with it to an extent. I can’t comment on the Wii U as i don’t have one, and don’t plan on getting one.

    • David says:

      Yes, because all controllers are shaped like books.

    • Raider says:

      He’s right about it

    • Johan Krüger Haglert says:

      Rotate your hands and your thumbs will rotate too.

      Hold arms closer to your body and straight wrists and where will your thumbs end up?

      It likely depends on where you hold the controller and what angles it make you use your hands at.

  2. True gamer says:

    Lol sorry the new Xbox controller looks miles better than the ps4 controller

    • DDDD says:

      You’re a faggot, like Microsoft and Bieber.

    • Kmose734 says:

      Looks being the operative word. This guy actually HELD them in his hands and picked the DualShock 4.

    • TMDawg says:

      Ummm…. the PS4 controller doesn’t have “triggers”, and the XB1 controller has 4 rumble motors.
      I’m having doubts this guy should be sharing his opinions when his fact don’t quite add up.

    • cozomel says:

      fucking fanboys with their bullshit opinions, at least the ps4 controller has the touch pad, what does the x1 controller have new on it? rumble triggers!? the ps4 controller has improved rumble motors on it too and had its latency improved. I bet you the x1 controllers latency wasnt improved upon

    • Raider says:

      Xbox is better for some ps4 is better for some but I held both I like xbox one a bit more

    • Raider says:

      DDDD I smell a fanboy who always doesn’t get the point of controllers like Sony and timberlake

  3. Tom says:

    Wow, 1 article by 1 person claiming he likes the PS4 controller more than the Xbox One controller. It must be true.

    From the videos and articles on YouTube and the internet respectively, I am seeing a massive favouring towards the Xbox controller so you’ll forgive me if I feel this guys opinion isn’t really worth an article.

    • cozomel says:

      Oh please opinions are not fact. Both controllers are comfortable and both are fine. Only fanboys think otherwise. I dont care what anybodies opinion is on this, just mine!

    • Tom says:

      To Cozomel

      What I mean is that if the article had gone on about what the controller does well and it’s new features then it’s a legitimate article but to just say he prefers it to the Xbox one is silly. He does give some reasons as to why he feels it is better but I note that he does not say what he finds negative about the controller.

      Also, the fact that the article is titled that someone says something is better than something else is ridiculous. how about we write an article about what I feel about the controllers when I use them and I’ll make a sensationalist comment as the article title.

    • AdamX says:

      So articles favoring the Xbox One controller are valid, but articles favoring the PS4 controller are “not worth an article?” Let me guess, you’re an Xbox fan, right?

    • TitanFAIL says:

      @ Tom

      Go back to circle jerking with your fellow Xbone f@ggots!

    • Tom says:

      Actually I own both consoles but I’m saying that an article stating one person thinks that a controller is better than another controller is not really news.

      Also, to Titanfall, I’m not an Xbox fanboy the fact that you immediately jump to this conclusion tells me about you though. I’m writing my comments with thought rather than just blindly abusing someone because guess what? He disagrees with something that you agree with, the irony!

  4. Kezwar says:

    Geez fanboys, give it a rest.

  5. Jason says:

    Hahaha DS4 any good? Okay…..
    The lights are useless now because the PSEye has been withheld from the basic PS4 SKU at the last minute to undercut MS in price (it was there with every PS4 dev unit) and the touchpad is so small (the tip of my thumb is bigger than the height of it) that it’s even more useless. The tiny speaker has crappy sound
    GG Jeff, what a bunch of BS!
    Rumble was so last gen huh Sony? Well the Xbox One has impulse triggers now with 4 rumble servos that actually add feedback to your actions. THAT is innovation, not tacking on PS Move and Vita features that become useless without a now missing component.

  6. zebo says:

    Well,not that Stupid like Jasons Fanboy comment(“rumble was so last gen,impulse triggers are great”=standard unavoidable pro Microsoft PR bullcrap like in the previous 2 gens trying to sell you nothing as innovation)
    but a far too short review.
    play both controllers with games for a longer time,use the triggers in racing games etc.
    then rate them

    What i want to know:Is the xPox d pad finally a good one or still the same catastrophy like with the 360.

  7. zippiz says:

    “The PlayStation 4 controller is just slightly better than the best thing ever”

    http://penny-arcade.com/report/article/the-playstation-4-conroller-is-just-slightly-better-than-the-best-thing-eve

  8. Tom says:

    Xbox One has WIFI Direct the ability to transfer 250mbs VS PS4 old Bluetooth 2.1 3mbs

    Impulse Triggers – Xbox One’s Wireless Controller sports four vibration motors – a small one behind each trigger that adds precise haptic feedback to the finger tips, and a larger in each grip for large scale rumbles. This gives users a sense of in-game directionality and depth, creating rich, immersive experiences where gunshots, car crashes and explosions can come to life.

    Higher Quality Headset Audio – The data transfer rate between the controller and console has been improved, allowing for higher fidelity audio in communication headsets. In-game chat over Xbox Live, according to the team, will be in many cases clearer than talking on a phone.

    Revamped Thumbsticks – The thumbsticks are built for precision and comfort. They’re smaller and outlined with a knurled texture for better grip. Competitive gamers will be pleased to hear the sticks require 25 percent less force to move, allowing you to adjust your aim in a first-person shooter or execute a half-circle sweep in a fighting game faster and more accurately. The controller also uses advanced electronics that reduce thumbstick deadzone in the center.

    Brand New D-Pad – The old Xbox 360 D-pad is replaced by a new design that pays homage to classic controllers and is architectured to deliver more precision and tactile feedback for gaming. The D-pad’s cross shape is honed to provide accurate cardinal direction input, sweeping movements and combinations – important factors for sports and fighting games, and other experiences.

    Buttons, Buttons, Buttons – The A, B, X and Y buttons are lower to the controller with tighter spacing, making the transition between each one smoother. A new, three-step manufacturing process gives these buttons a more premium look, as if the letters on them are suspended in 3-D space. The size and placement of the Xbox button has also changed so the view and menu buttons are more accessible.

    Seamless Connectivity – Each controller uses a combination of invisible reflective technology and LEDs to send a patterned infrared signal to your console and Kinect sensor. Not only does this make pairing the devices seamless, but it enables Kinect to associate the controller with whoever is holding it. This introduces innovative experiences, such as player switching, where a split screen display can swap positions on the TV if users change seats on the couch.

    Low Power State – If you’re watching a movie or need to step away from the TV, the controller enters a low power state that conserves your battery. The moment you pick it up again, it will be ready for use without having to resynch with the console.

    Refined for Comfort – The controller’s design is deliberately honed to the closest tenth of a millimeter to offer the most comfortable fit in users’ hands, and was tested extensively by a broader age group than ever before to ensure it is optimized for as many people as possible. According to the team’s research, this improves gameplay performance and allows comfortable gaming for longer periods of time.

    Angled Triggers and Bumpers – The triggers and bumpers are carefully designed for performance and comfort. The specific angling allows for a natural fit for your fingers, and the triggers require a lighter pull, so squeezing it repeatedly is an easier and more precise action.

    Internal Battery Cavity –The compartment that houses AA batteries is built into the interior of the controller, providing more room at the bottom for your fingers to grip. Another convenient improvement is that the controller is both wireless and a wired– simply plug it into your console with a mini USB cable and the connection automatically switches to preserve battery life.

    • Mahmood Shaikh says:

      1) Still uses AA batteries, PS4 controller comes with an internal rechargeable battery pack

      2) While time sensitive vibrations are fine. Too much haptic feedback can cause your hands to cramp up over time and severely not only impair your long term motor skills but also cause a strain on your muscles.

      3) The triggers and shoulder buttons are too close together now making it difficult to differentiate between them and easier to hit the wrong button in tense situations.

      4) PS4 controller has a clickable touchpad opening up more possibilities for gameplay and context sensitive actions.

      5) Wifi Direct is only useful in the case that Microsoft chooses to release a touchscreen controller. Sony already has the Vita.

      6) There is no input difference discernible between Wifi Direct and Bluetooth 2.1. In fact there was no difference in the previous generation either.

      7) Standard headset port on the PS4 controller making it compatible with nearly every single headset on the market.

      8) Developer centric design. Meaning developers were responsible for refining the functionality and design of the controller.

      9) Front facing LED which tells differentiates players, identifies them and can be used for health indication.

      10) Dedicated share button.

      11) The D-pad is the same one used by Nintendo. Its now employed by Microsoft because Nintendos patent expired. It is not the best Dpad for fighting games because of the depression within the D-pad recess.

    • Tom says:

      Feed back can be turned off but silly to make it sound like your hands would cramp up lol

      I do not see the ps4 touchpad being more then a gimmick like the six axis was…

      WiFi Direct was not used in last generation of Xbox 360 controller, Wi-Fi Direct is one reason for the high quality audio in the headset as well as future device support…

      Kinect comes with every console that can also differentiates players, identifies them and can be used for location of split screen with a much high accuracy. I also don’t think am ever going to look down or see a light change color on the back of a controller when I play a game to notice my health going down, that info is better when its displayed on the tv..

      one good feature in PS4 controller is the battery in the controller but Microsoft you can purchase improved lithium polymer pack which will give it a longer and better life then the old NiCad design… am sure this will off set the ps4 60 dollar controller…

    • MikeMyers says:

      @ Tom

      I hope you get run over by a car. Your death will clean up the gene pool, humanity so dearly requires.

  9. jakseth says:

    I personally prefer 360 controller because of it larger size and shape. however the D pad is an absolute joke. Ps3 controller is great too minus the analog stick sensitivity which makes more difficult to use.
    the new controllers are refined versions with added feature that will probably not revolutionize gaming so i think it does not worth fan boying about it…

  10. MS says:

    Xbox controller is far better ps4 is the same shit since ps1

  11. xboX Patron says:

    who is jeff pinata?

  12. xboX Patron says:

    The only good that comes out of the ps4 controller touchpad is if you need practice finding the G-spot on a woman.lol

  13. Adam says:

    The boys a fool.

    • MikeMyers says:

      @ Adam

      Go eat a dick, you Xbro moron. I hope your GF/Wife/Significant other gets gang-raped.

  14. TitanFAIL says:

    Wow, here comes the circle jerking, XBRO DEFENSE Force. Holy JEEZ!
    Also, a lot of you have very racist tendencies. Guess what? EUROPE ALSO loves Nintendo/Sony over Microsoft – #dealwithit

    So many dick-sucking Xbros clamouring to a DEAD-ON-ARRIVAL CONSOLE.

  15. t2waet4erwgt says:

    look at the name of the website…there is no professional standard in this industry whatsoever

  16. Jason says:

    There is no professional standard with anything PlayStation or Sony for that matter.

  17. Stercrazy says:

    Trolls/fanboys/and gamers, here my opinion and tremble. I love Xbox controllers even the first huge one. But I’m not getting one just for the controller. I’ll sadly be switching companies this year. I don’t have cable, so an xbox one is kinda wasted. I stream with my pc and 360 on my tv and they work fine. All the info coming out about the natural seburity argency (spelled wrong to escape a possible ping on my account, kidding… “no really” ) is kind of freaky too. The DRM and game policy changes were nice to hear but in their current agreements it always says “can be changed at any time without prior notice. “. Not to mention 1/2 of all their systems broke, 50%+ . And their company did nothing to help my out. I like the controller, and halo had a good run, but I’ll be moving on now.
    Don’t waste time on games you’ll get Stercrazy.

    • Stercrazy says:

      Oh yeah, you can just buy one of the xbox oriented playstation controllers when they come out if you need to.

  18. Kev says:

    Nintendo should stop making consoles and bring Mario kart to the ps4.
    Surely they would be more successful making games for the ps and xbox. They don’t even directly compete with ps4 or xbox 1.

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