http://revolution.ign.com/articles/705/705870p1.html
E3 2006: Seeing The Difference.
Wiimote vs. PS3-mote. Did Sony just steal a revolution?

May 8, 2006 - Just minutes ago, Sony made the announcement that its controllers would support tilt sensitivity and showed off the feature with a live demo of Warhawk. While this is a bit of a surprise, it also is to be expected in the grand scheme of gaming. Nintendo has been an innovator from the very beginning, and the best compliment is imitation. Of course, it's a little different when that imitation could put you out of business, right? Although PlayStation 3's and Wii's controllers may share some of the same technology, don't go counting Nintendo out just yet. There are some key differences between the controllers, and between what PS3 and Wii can do with the technology. Let's break it down.

We've known for over a year now that the Wii's input device is what makes it special. The Wiimote (as we've come accustomed to calling it), has the ability to point at any television with pixel-perfect control. In addition, it also can move in three dimensional space, meaning that if a player wants to punch an enemy in the face, they can by simply moving the controller forward. To add to the control, the nunchuck unit can team along with the Wiimote, giving tilt functionality to any game, as well as an analog joystick.

Luckily, Sony's technology isn't quite the same. Here's why:

The technology inside Sony's controller is a basic tilting accelerometer device. In a sense, that's the same style of control as the left hand of the Wii combination. Think of the technology as true 3D movement vs. basic tilt. The Wiimote will sense all pointing, motion and a new dimension of control, while the PS3 controller will expand only on the specific tilt functions. To make this a bit simpler to wrap your heads around, we've put it all in FAQ form below.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is this technology the same?
No. In fact, the best way to imagine it is to relate the Sony PS3 controller to the left-hand Wii controller; dubbed nunchuck. In short, you would not be able to play a game like Metroid Prime in the same way using the PS3 controller.

What is the difference for developers?
Simply put, it's tilt vs. motion sensing. Monkey Ball for Wii and PS3 would essentially be the same, since it's only using the tilt ability of the controller. On the other hand, a 3D tennis game or sword fighting game with swing control elements is impossible for the PS3 hardware, as it requires full motion sensing technology.

Why doesn't it need a sensor bar?
Since the technology is based solely off the tilt ability, it is self-contained. Keep in mind that the sensor bar is used for the point and click ability of the Wii functions. It doesn't need the bar, since it doesn't use that technology. The same applies to the Wii nunchuck. It can function without a sensor bar.

What type of gameplay styles will work on the PS3 controller?
Here are a few examples: Kirby's Tilt 'n Tumble (which featured tilt control on the Game Boy Color), Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam, racing games (using the tilt to rotate), flight sims, Monkey Ball, fishing (flick the tilt controller).

What type of things won't work on the PS3 controller?
The following actions can't be done on the PS3 controller with the same precision: Throwing/Catching a ball at a specific spot shown on screen, swinging a sword in 3D space and performing stabbing motions, aiming a weapon light-gun-style, swinging a racket, punching, general 3D item interaction, 3D drum simulator, swatting an "on-screen" fly, performing two separate tilt/motion functions at the same time.

In short, Nintendo fans still have a ton to look forward to. Will Wii have what it takes to give the world a true gaming revolution? We'll see you tomorrow morning at Nintendo's E3 conference.

Oh, here's an article which compares the PS3 controller to the Wiimote.

What type of things won't work on the PS3 controller?
The following actions can't be done on the PS3 controller with the same precision: Throwing/Catching a ball at a specific spot shown on screen, swinging a sword in 3D space and performing stabbing motions, aiming a weapon light-gun-style, swinging a racket, punching, general 3D item interaction, 3D drum simulator, swatting an "on-screen" fly, performing two separate tilt/motion functions at the same time.

PS3 will eventually burn out. it cant go on stealing every developer and idea from other systems. I own a ps2 and cube, i prefer the cube, much more innovative games and you dont need to trawl through hundreds of games like barbie horse riding and super excellent boxing 3 and granturismo we havent changed a thing 13 to find a decent game. Yeah they have all the top titles but so do the other machines. the thing that sets nintendo apart is its willingness to change and do something new. INNOVATION and PROGRESS are two words sony doesnt understand.

I don't know why you think the Cube is so innovative, either. Notice how the controller is basically a carbon copy of the PS2 controller? Yeah.

Are you Frickin' high? The gamecube controller is nothing like the PS2 one. It was more like an N64 pad (yes, the original analog innovators).

Oh, sorry, I forgot the MAJOR differences. The Left analog and D-pad are just switched in position from the PS2 controller, and the buttons are different sizes. Ooh. Wow. If you don't see what I'm talking about, compare pictures.

If it wasnt for nintendo, the sony pad wouldn't have shoulder buttons, rumble OR analog sticks. Sony dont have any original ideas.

Haha PS3 will own. PS is the best company oput there right now.

think aobut it. it took nintendos tilt function but think aobut it this way if the tilt function bombs and no none likes it its easier for them to just go back to the ps2 type controler then it is for nintendo to revamp there controler.

and nintendos controler will get anoying after a while i mean who wants to hold that for an hour+.

and ti took al lthe best develpoers and everything because there "THE BEST" why go for sub par espicaly in a buisness where the leader one day is behind the rest the next. i.e.

and ps3 will ahve the best hard ware of any of the systems what does that mean? well better graphics less load time if any cleaner picture. it will dominate.

The sony playstation will dominate all consoles as it has over the past 5 years. When it comes to the nintendo wii I see it going down the same road as the Dreamcast. They should never have changed the name from revolution, they rarely update and create exciting new games and when people buy the new console because they think it looks cool and innovative they will realise its all just kiddie graphics, re-invented old games and go to a real entertainment console like the PS3 or xbox360.

nintendo has a hold on the hand held gaming systems. although psp is better then the ds in many ways nintendo will out sell it still.

if nintendo does not take a page fro msonys play book and make there next one more advanced it may start to slip in the hand held department too. nintendo game cube didn ot out sell xbox or ps2 nintendos problem is they need to apeal to a larger fan base sure zelda and mari are cool games but i mena come on super mario sunshine sucked so much it was unbelivable.

they need to go back to the roots and then they will appeal to a wider group. many peopl probly feel that nintendo doesnt include the amazing things that sony and xbox bring to the table.

even if this is not true people feel that way. it has the label of a kiddie system again even if its not true. they are making profits yes but they could be making alot more. imo they should make the system black and red re vamp the controler i dont tihk the remote look will go over well and realy push the system into the face of the adult gamers.

becuase kids want to do what older people do i.e. play grand theft auto and the like. so make a system that will be able to deliver these things. just because its new doesnt mean its good. some times something is classic for a reason.

that BUT psp can play music movies go onto the internet and play games. ds cannot

IMO nintendo hasn't been on top since N64, playstation has carried the torch.

They should never have changed the name from revolution, they rarely update and create exciting new games and when people buy the new console because they think it looks cool and innovative they will realise its all just kiddie graphics, re-invented old games and go to a real entertainment console like the PS3 or xbox360.

And as for all you fanboys of nintendo claiming that sony 'stole' many features from you. Boo hoo. I could turn to you right now and say Nintendo wii has stolen the cd idea from PS2 but no I wont because us Sony owners are in a different and better gaming world not surrounded by false hopes and kiddie games.

That's a conjecture and it's wrong.

*GBA*

same reason nintendo spelt it wii lol why not we or weeeeee! lol

Key word: "IMO".

Seriously though, it can't really do any of the things the Wiimote can do, it's just a very basic forwards and backwards tilt. I don't think it'll have any impact on the Wii at all, if anything this is simply like adding an extra up and extra down button to the controller.

Don't know how i feel about the design still not changing. The Duel Shock was released half way through the reign of the PSX, so it's been a long time coming that a change should be made. But, on the other end of the scale, why change a good thing?

The Duel Shock was released half way through the reign of the PSX, so it's been a long time coming that a change should be made. But, on the other end of the scale, why change a good thing?

Personally, I'm glad they went back to the Dual Shock. To date, it's still my favorite controller, in terms of comfort (I like Xbox's jelly buttons the best, though). I've never been able to do 20 hour sit-downs with any other controller, GC's being the worst for me. I cramp up after an hour or two of its use. Anyway, like they say, if it isn't broken, don't fix it.