Comparing Game Systems: Wireless Controllers

Wireless controllers are the best thing to happen to video game consoles since the invention of the Compact Disc (sorry, SNES). No more tripping over wires or having wires that are just too short for you to sit on the couch. Now, you just have to pair the controller with the console, and you’re set.

This process has slight variations across consoles, but one feature I found interesting was how the different wireless controllers indicated which Player they were. Back in the days of wired controllers, if a controller was plugged into Port 1, that controller would be Player 1. Today, it’s assigned based on the order each controller is turned on. The interesting differences between video game consoles (Wii, XBox 360, and the PlayStation 3) come in how the controller displays this information.

On the Wii controller, it’s shocking simple. There are four lights, arranged left to right. The light that is on indicates what Player number you are, and the leftmost light is Player 1.

On the XBox 360 controller, it’s not quite as easy. There are still four lights, but they’re arranged in a circle. Upper left indicates Player 1, and the order goes clockwise around the circle. Still intuitive, but not as immediately so as with the Wii.

The one neat feature is that this mapping is shown on the console itself, so anyone just looking at the console knows how many controllers are connected. This is not so on the Wii or the PlayStation 3.

Finally, the PlayStation 3. At first glance, you don’t see anything.

Then you tilt it up, and you see, similar to the Wii, a row of 4 lights.

Except that, from this angle, Player 1 is the rightmost light and Player 4 is the leftmost. This arrangement only makes sense when you’re looking at the controller from a different perspective.

And who in the world looks at their controller from this angle? Not cool, Sony.

Winner? WII! With the XBox 360 close behind.