Like Miles is saying, go to some sort of store and try them out. And, if you ever plan to use the controllers on consoles it might be good to decide which console you would like.

The PS3 controller is smaller. The little handles on the ends aren't big enough to have them touch your palms, so you end up ignoring them and holding it like a NES controller, which is fine. With the Xbox controller, you hold it and it conforms to your hand a bit better and makes it more comfortable.

That was my experience anyway. There are, of course, 3-rd party controllers that might be nicer for the PS3 controllers.
... those Japanese, such small hands.

LALALALA I CANT HEAR YOU BEING FAIRLY REASONABLE I AM A FANBOY LALALALALA PS3 IS BETTER LALALALA

So uh, tell us what you go with when you do.

(I forgot to mention, IMO the best controller ever would be the PS3 controller with Xbox handles grafted on! )

I'll propably go with a Logitech some kind of PS-layout.

I'd go for some sort of hybrid controller.

Thumbsticks and D-Pad where it is on the 360.
shoulder buttons the way they are on the PS3, but still have the triggers as the 360.
Buttons as a 6-button genesis controller.
add a 'click the middle of' button to the DPad.

Make the controller shape somewhere between the 360 and the PS2.

you know, more conforming than the PS2, but thinner than the 360...


but really? a logitec? you sure? alright, Tell us how it goes.

Actually, PS3 controllers break up just by playing with them, i have broken two PS3 controllers already (thoug i have used them both for a 1 year or more). My 360 controllers haven't broken up even though they are used more often. But i like the PS3 controllers more.

The best gamepad is some logitech/random company's gamepad for pc, exept if you happen to have some console controllers, get an adapter/use them.

EDDIT: And yes natti, olen suomalainen :P

Nimestä päätellen suomalainen?

And yes, I'm definitely going with Rumblepad 2.

I've used them for probably two years now and neither the Xbox nor the PS3 controllers have broken down. All of my controllers are like new, except for one Xbox controller that had the joystick plastic chewed off by my pet bird.

Mantelli, that sounds like carelessness really, not a case of bad controls.

I suspect that PS3 controls are probably more fragile. Although they will wear out sooner. It's like American and Japanese cars. American cars are bigger and are more armoured, which is good if you hit stuff all the time. But Japanese cars handle better and will certainly last a lot longer if you control yourself. Basically what Lizard said.

Also, I never made any claims to longevity, but I'll accept those words as something I'd probably say.

PS3 =/= PS2 PS2 controllers, I've had since the PS2 first came out, and even then only within the last 2 years have they started to break, 1 button each, a trigger, a different trigger, and the select button. However every playstation controller for each playstation I've seen... you know the rattling I'm talking about. just grab a controller and shake it. I guess I'll ask my friend johnathan how his PS3 controllers are doing, he has at least one.

I've had the same ps2 controller for about 6 years and it still works fine. It depends on how much you take care of your stuff.

And yes, it rattles. Not that it makes any difference, it's probably just some bits of plastic that get loose and never quite come out.

I have a perfectly working PS2 controller right next to me, and I just shook it. It sounded like someone took a plastic pellet and stuck it in there, nothing majorly annoying. It would never bother you if you didn't shake the controller around wildly while playing a game, and even then it's so quiet you probably couldn't even hear it over the video game's music.

I've had about 4 PS2 controllers for 9 years, and only one of them has failed, and that was because that pesky pet of a bird chewed through the cable!

I have four PS2 controllers that I have had for over half my life. They are all in great condition. Don't spill crumbs on it and you'll be fine. I think one might rattle.

The PS3 controller's L and R buttons are very fragile. Sony must have used less money on PS3 controller than on the PS2 ones. My PS2 controllers are mostly in a good condition though.