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PS3 Controller Hurts My Hands

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dmw16

Diamond Member
I've had my PS3 for about 2 years, but I bought it for blu-ray support rather than games. I mostly play my Xbox360 because it wasn't until KillZone2 that the PS3 had anything exclusive that I wanted to play.

Anyway, I can play my 360 for hours with no pain, but after about 30 minutes the PS3 controller makes my hand really hurt. I don't know if it's because KillZone requires constant use of the shoulder buttons or what. I'd like to be able to play longer, but I really can't.

Am I the only one who has this problem? Are there larger or more comfortable controllers?
 
I'm not a big fan of the PS3 controller. I find the XBOX 360 controller far more comfortable and functional.

So, it's not just you. 😉
 
I certainly don't consider it to be comfortable, but I don't usually play long enough that it might hurt.
 
I like the Dual Shock. I have the 360 controller for my PC and I've always found it to be too clunky. It all boils down to preference though.
 
I think the 360 and PS3 controllers are both fine (and I have very large hands). Perhaps it has something to do with your control scheme for the game? I'm sure some setups will cause more strain than others. I can play for hours without problem on the default setup.
 
i have a mark in the palm of my right hand from my ps3 controller. maybe its from being too tense while playing 'the show' and gripping the controller too tight, but its now starting to peel over (ive taken a couple weeks off). but there goes my future aspirations to become a hand model.
 
I've never liked the xbox controllers because the face buttons are too rounded. My fingers slip off. I never had a problem like you're describing with the dual shock though. I have smallish palms with long fingers. I've never had pain from the Xbox controller either, I just don't like it. Maybe you're holding it too tightly or something? try a more gentle grasp.

I think sony has had the right idea by not changing the design of their controller too drastically since the original ps1. If it aint broke, don't fix it. Nintendo had it right with the SNES controller, but then they went and fucked everything up. N64 and Gamecube should've both been using something like the current classic controller.
 
I am thinking it's the constant use of the shoulder buttons that does it. I never had an issue playing hours of Gran Tourismo 3.

The 360 controller (in my opinion) is vastly better than the PS3 controller in terms of comfort and layout (the trigger and shoulder buttons on the 360 are much better than on the PS3). But Xbox is what I'm used to maybe.
 
Neither controllers is perfect for me. The PS3 controller puts my hands in a akward position, but I'm very accurate and can play for a long time. The 360 is initially more comfortable, but my middle, ring, and pinky fingers hurt after a while due to the shape of the 360 wings.



Personally for me, using the PS3 controller, it might be from the shape of my hands, but having the L2/R2 buttons as the main fire button is more comfortable, but I'm less accurate and slower when firing in quick bursts. Since you're playing KZ2, you're probably using the alt 2 button scheme and you're aiming and firing with the L1/R1 which will put your trigger fingers higher up than they are use to, especially if you gamed mostly on the 360. Maybe you can adjust with your thumbs and control the sticks where your joint is instead of the tips of your thumbs?



KZ2 can get intense, so you may be gripping and holding the sticks down too hard to run. Just a click down once and you'll be fine, you'll be surprised how many people know this, but still push down and hold it to run.



Given the choice to play with either controller for any game, I'll pick the PS3 simply because I can play longer. You'll get use to it.
 
I love the PS3 controller, but know its not just you.

A lot of people find it painful.

The only game that hurts my hands if SF4 after a couple hours...
 
Originally posted by: Dumac
I love the PS3 controller, but know its not just you.

A lot of people find it painful.

The only game that hurts my hands if SF4 after a couple hours...
Click to expand...

I don't see how people play any fighting games with the default DS2/3 controllers. I've got 2 Street Fighter 15th anniversary PS2 controllers and just recently picked up one of the Wireless SF4 controllers for fighting games (those dudes are hard to find).
 
I haven't played Killzone 2, but I've played marathon sessions of Resistance and Resistance 2 (with the default setup) with no problems.

I've never used an Xbox/360 controller, so I can't say which is more comfortable.
 
I normally don't have comfort issues with the DualShock controllers, but Killzone 2, and its inability to create a complete custom control scheme, really does cramp up my hands during extended play sessions. Having to use two fingers on the left shoulder buttons, due to using both at the same time, really annoys my hands. No other game have I had to use two fingers on the shoulders, and well... I don't have comfort problems when holding a controller like normal.
 
Originally posted by: destrekor
I normally don't have comfort issues with the DualShock controllers, but Killzone 2, and its inability to create a complete custom control scheme, really does cramp up my hands during extended play sessions. Having to use two fingers on the left shoulder buttons, due to using both at the same time, really annoys my hands. No other game have I had to use two fingers on the shoulders, and well... I don't have comfort problems when holding a controller like normal.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Feel better now.

If you could just attach to cover w/o holding a shoulder button it would make a world of difference.
 
I don't use my PS3 for gaming much..matter of fact I have 3 games that I haven't played more than 30 mins of them total. I find the dualshock controller to be too light. I had a 360 for 2 years and I liked how heavy the controller was. I also prefer (2) shoulder buttons to (4) on the dualshock.
 
hurts me if i play for 3 hours straight NHL 09.. but I blame the game for that, because I didn't have a problem when I used to play burnout forever

I think I only get pain when I have to use both analog sticks
 
I have relatively big hands (long and big but not fat) and I have no problem using a dual shock 3, maybe it'd bother me in DMC4 where I use my thumb to press X (xbox360 controller), my index to press the other face buttons and the middle finger to hold the shoulder targeting bumper, it's very unorthodox but it's comfortable enough on a 360 controller, I don't know about a DS3 though.

However that's a very particular case, I've been playing tons of Resident Evil 5 and Killzone 2 on my PS3 lately and zero discomfort, it's only uncomfortable to use the triggers, they feel ackward in my game, however I shoot with Square on RE5 and R1 on KZ2 so it's not problem.

Try to loosen your grip.
 
*slaps OP*

Did Sony give your hand permission to hurt!? Now go enjoy your photo gallery and think about what you've done.

Seriously though, the controller is terrible. My thumbs ache after long sessions with the PS3. It's a relic, a holdover from Sony's glory days, poorly adapted for today's gaming. The position of the thumbs and the horrible "triggers" are a nightmare.

360 controller is much better.
 
Originally posted by: Matt2
*slaps OP*

Did Sony give your hand permission to hurt!? Now go enjoy your photo gallery and think about what you've done.

Seriously though, the controller is terrible. My thumbs ache after long sessions with the PS3. It's a relic, a holdover from Sony's glory days, poorly adapted for today's gaming. The position of the thumbs and the horrible "triggers" are a nightmare.

360 controller is much better.
Click to expand...

It's amazing how I played countless hours of PSOne and PS2 games (of course I was much younger then...), but now with the advent of the far superior 360 controller, I can't play PS3 for more than an hour. The DS3 is too small, the triggers are horribly placed, the analog sticks are bad and poorly placed, and the entire shape of the gamepad isn't intuitive to an adult's hands.

If it wasn't for the crappy D-pad, I'd say the 360 controller was the best of all time. The Dual Shock hasn't changed in any significant way since it was introduced in 1997 (1998 here in the States). Good or lazy design by Sony to keep it the same? You decide!

:moon:
 
When I bought my ps3, that was the first PlayStation I've ever owned, so yeah the shoulder buttons cramped my hands at first. But it went away permanently after a day or two.

Maybe you guys shouldn't hold the controller so tight.
 
No problems here, I can play games like NBA 2K9, RE5 or Ratchet up to 3 hours with no pain. I like how lightweight the controller is but it is a bit small even for my medium sized hands. I dont like gamepad for FPS so I play it only on the PC but I can see how FPS players can have problems due to the position of the thumbsticks.
 
I like it, i have owned a PS1/2/3 and have logged literally 10,000's of hours playing and my hands never hurt. I have not owned a 360 so i cant comment on there controllers.
 
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