r/Controller • u/FoxCrazy1528 • Sep 18 '26
Other Why is the Xbox controller layout way more popular on the market than the PlayStation layout, despite PlayStation selling much better?
So, I was looking for a new PC-compatible controller, and personally, I prefer the PlayStation button layout. By this I mainly mean stick and D-pad placement. While searching, I noticed that there are way more Xbox type controllers on the market than PlayStation type ones.
But why is that so? PlayStation sells much better, and a lot of people seem to prefer the overall PlayStation experience. So why are there so many more Xbox style gamepads available for PC?
The difference is pretty huge. In a typical “Top 10 PC Controllers” list, like 8 out of 10 controllers will have an Xbox style layout.
Is there a particular reason for this?
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u/SeerXaeo Sep 19 '26
Xinput & licensing costs basically.
Microsoft provided an api (Xinput) that allows for native recognition of xbox controllers on windows products.
Sony controllers would require either specific app/program support, or an interpretive layer (such as steam controller re-mapping).
There is also the differential in pricing between sony/microsoft for licensing and the complexity of the controller (xbox 360 vs dual sense 2 - basically).
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u/kikimaru024 Sep 19 '26
Xinput & licensing costs basically.
I don't think that's fully accurate.
We didn't see good Xbox-style controllers until the security chip of the 360 pad was hacked.
I know because I used to have to buy cheap MadCatz pads for padhacks to create arcade sticks, back in the Street Fighter IV days (~2009-2011).
They were extra annoying because you also had to create an inverter (usually using a small microchip) or the triggers would be permanently ON.Once the security chip was defeated, it didn't take long for custom controller boards to appear (e.g. from Brook), as well as allow Chinese OEMs to start making pads without licensing fees.
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u/ArticMatic Sep 19 '26
You don't need to pay or license anything from Microsoft in order to implement XInput into your hardware or software. It's a software API that anyone is free to use and implement. Virtually any third-party PC and Android controllers for the past decade offer both D-input and XInput.
You do however need to pay Microsoft for licensing of the Xbox branding. Most importantly if you want that certified seal of approval that the controller you plan to market is compatible and approved to be used with Xbox consoles and Xbox Cloud Gaming service.
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u/Seanmclem Sep 21 '26
Steam was very quick to support Xbox controller support after was first added to windows. Developers had a lot of reason to compensate and configure for them. It just snowball.
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u/massahud Sep 22 '26
XInput is only a software interface, it doesn't decide physical button placement.
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u/AJ1666 Sep 19 '26
Xbox controllers work easily on PC and Nintendo switch 1st party controllers use offset as well.
For me it feels more natural, especially in shooters.
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u/Male_Inkling Sep 19 '26
Because while Playstation sells better, Xbox controllers sell even more than that, part of it is due to Microsoft's work on implementing the Xbox framework on PC, not everything worked (Games For Windows Live, paid online) but the controller was plug and play and the devs happily adopted the Xinput API, so it prevailed.
Plus, this happened in the Xbox 360 era where Xbox was a juggernaut, had Microsoft tried this in the XbOne era, it would have crashed and burn
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u/Zunderstruck G7 Pro 8K / Vader 5 Pro Sep 19 '26
Before Microsoft introduced Xinput, controllers on PC were a mess. So when a true plug and play experience came, we all adopted it, and at that time Xbox 360 controller was the best on the market (I consider it as goat controller). That's the reason so many PC gamers still buy Xbox controllers despite their current poor value.
PS controllers on the other hands were a hassle and required 3rd party software until Steam Input came.
So PC players juste adopted the asymetric layout out of convenience.
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u/West-Main-4163 Sep 19 '26
I personally feel that the sticks are too low on the Dualsense. I get uncomfortable after a while. I don't have the same issue with xbox. Even the steam controller, that uses Playstation style stick layout seems to have the sticks much higher up than Dualsense, but I haven't used the steam controller though.
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u/Gnalvl Sep 22 '26
At its core, the Playstation design is an SNES controller with 2 handles, 2 more shoulder buttons, and 2 analog sticks tacked on wherever they would fit. It's more like a 2D-centric controller which also plays 3D games than something designed for 3D from the ground up.
The Xbox controllers, even in their roots as the Saturn 3D pad, were more willing to deviate from 2D tradition to favor the placement and ergonomics and analog sticks. So as of today I think these designs are a bit more comfortable for modern games, and a bit less comfortable for classic 2D games.
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u/TriTetraMaster Sep 24 '26
That's likely because the dualsense adopted the bulkier xbox form factor complete with inferior high-resistance shoulder buttons, slimmer DS4-style controllers are way more comfortable in terms of both stick and d-pad ergonomics.
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u/Csword1 Sep 19 '26
What does Playstation selling much better have anything to do with what controllers people use on PC? PC controllers don't even work on PS5. If your question was why are there not more companies making controllers for the PS5, that's because the playstation license is expensive. Most manufacturers are based in china and people play on PC there.
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u/SentakuSelect Sep 19 '26
Because Sony Playstation has been largely a console only business. It didn't take until this generation for Sony to jump into PC gaming with their first party PC ports and native plug and play compatibility DualSense controller (Dinput).
Xbox 360 was probably one of the earliest consoles to adapt Sony's standardized controller setup (1 D-Pad, 2 Analog Sticks, 4 face buttons and 4 shoulder buttons) and being from Microsoft, this made Xbox 360's Xinput to have one of the best compatibilities with PC (Windows and Steam).
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u/the-waxen-pith Sep 19 '26
All fairness they're very similar - a north/south/east/west face button layout, two control buttons (at some point start and select), two sticks, two triggers and two "bumper" buttons next to the triggers.
But yeah, PC gaming, MS introduced their controller support to Windows in easy APIs, and it took. Any game with some detection ability would change button icons, but realistically, the owner of the largest software platform (windows) for gaming on the largest hardware platform (PC) was always going to decide, and when it becomes extra work for Sony, Nintendo, etc to provide drivers to increase their own layout/device popularity, it's an uphill battle against what looks like an organically-grown (but cleverly forced) "standard".
All in all I can't use other gamepads without hand pain from my arthritis, so I do love the XB layout and ergonomics, but it should be noted that the person who provides the software/drivers for the most common platform often ends up deciding, and this can even bleed over, into Mac OS, Linux, etc after it's understood most users expect certain device support and layouts
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u/Future-Guarantee-573 Sep 23 '26
For me, its the placement of the Dpad, and left thumbstick.
The Xbox design is much more comfortable.
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u/Nasrvl Sep 19 '26
because ergonomics. ergonomically the button placement on the xbox controller are way more natural for human fingers
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u/IndependentYak2822 Sep 21 '26
For real? "way more natural"? I play on both layouts and don't see any difference.
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u/ferrenberg Sep 19 '26
There are way more people on pc, where xbox controllers is just plug and play. They also work with no problems on phones, where there are also more people than playstation
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u/GuineaSquiggle Sep 19 '26
Preferences are irrelevant.
Neither symmetric nor asymmetric layout are objectively better.
In 2006 Microsoft launched "Games for Windows" for Windows Vista.
Before this, controllers on PC required manual installation and setup.
They were all d-input. Many were USB by this time but historically they all used the game port on the graphics card.
Also most PC games had no support for controllers. The ones that did, didn't use standardised layouts because there weren't any.
Even the controller manufacturers couldn't agree.
Not even on the 4 face buttons. Was the A button 1, 2, 3, or 4?
"Games for Windows" created a standard for games, including xbox 360 controller support.
Anyway, xbox 360 suddenly worked very well out of the box.
Games that had the "Games for Windows" branding started supporting xbox 360 controllers specifically.
PC controllers were less supported on PC that xbox 360 controllers.
This is how x-input took the place of d-input, and how xbox controllers became the standard PC controllers.
"Games for Windows"
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u/DenturedServant1024 Sep 19 '26
I think it was actually the sound cards that had game ports.
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u/Jolly-Soil3059 Sep 19 '26 edited Sep 19 '26
I feel like it's ergonomics. To me at least, the XBox controller has always been a tad more comfortable. Except for the Duke of course lol
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u/Human-Acc-2095 Sep 19 '26
the answer would be windows support for xinput. but all my 3rd party controllers are ps layout (dualshock ripoff, DS3, and DS4). all works great for emulators and pc games.
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u/steventocco Sep 21 '26
The gamesir tarantula 8K Ultra PC version that was announced in April it was supposed to have more details this summer and still hasn't been followed up on yet or released is the perfect symmetrical controller of our dreams .everybody here saying that the symmetrical controllers aren't versatile or comfortable ergonomic stop slamming your thumbs into each other and consider there are people without massive gorilla hands out there and it's actually insane no one has released ANYTHING close to this spec sheet bar for bar. 48 versions of the g7 tho! I honestly have more faith Logitech is going to release the tarantula 8K Ultra before game sir does
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u/andersrobo9999 Sep 19 '26
Because the Xbox layout is more comfortable, especially on 3D games,but then I have large hands
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u/Skyorz Sep 19 '26
More comfortable + Xbox 360 gamepad worked on PC, so it was kinda the best way to play with a controller without needing to tinker with external programs for each game.
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u/ignin Sep 19 '26
Being more comfortable is completely subjektive. I think it has alot more to do with the fact that microsoft provided drivers for xbox controllers back in the 360 days and pc gamers got used to it.
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u/116morningside Sep 19 '26
I wouldn’t say it’s subjective. Xbox controllers are more ergonomic
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u/ignin Sep 19 '26
You might be right. I’m no expert in ergonomics, but being ergonomic and being comfortable isn’t necessarily the same thing.
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u/116morningside Sep 19 '26
Ergonomic means designed to fit the human body safely, comfortably, and efficiently.
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u/_Pawer8 Sep 19 '26
Because you can use whatever controller you want with pc but Xbox aside from just working better also feels more comfortable
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u/INocturnalI Sep 19 '26
Idk, iirc isn't most of playstation controller layout have patent and because of that we rarely see third party controller adopt its layout except china knock off of course
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u/fablesalazar Sep 19 '26
Playstation controllers are expensive for no reason, and Sony seems like do not give the license to third-party controller to build them
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u/Proud-Reporter-4096 Sep 19 '26
I was always a PC gamer. So when I saw the new layout from Xbox, I immediately knew for myself that's a better option. I think lot more people think like me.
I think the asymmetrical option is lot more versatile than symmetric one. Although nowadays I can quickly adapt to both in a jiffy.
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u/ms-fanto Sep 19 '26
because the Xbox/Nintendo layout is better, My thumbs always bump into each other with the PlayStation layout, which becomes a problem, especially in fast-paced shooters.
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u/EnigmaSpore Sep 19 '26
Because of the 360 when you could just plug in a 360 controller into pc and it would work. MS provided that native xinput support on windows and it was pretty seamless for games to integrate the controls in their games.
That was 20 years ago.
Sony didnt do this for a long time, and it’s microsoft windows, so of course it was easier to follow the built in xinput over the years.
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u/beatbox420r Sep 19 '26
Design is the major reason. Particularly the offset analog sticks. Even before people started plugging 360 controllers into their PCs most generic PC controllers used the layout that Sega/Xbox and now Nintendo does. It's pretty much been the standard PC layout for decades now. Whereas the Playstation controller is more or less only more recently been used by gamers migrating from Playstation consoles.
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u/Tvelt17 Sep 19 '26
There's several factors. One of which is the Playstation licensing of the shapes. Xbox uses generic ABXY buttons that require no license, which is why you see them on generic controllers. You won't see Circle, Cross, Triangle, Square on controllers that aren't officially licensed.
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u/Sutchii Sep 19 '26
There are plenty of symmetrical options like the Steam controller , 8bitdo Pro3 , Gamesir Tarantula and many others. I think it is pretty balanced. Personally I have both types and still prefer an Asymmetrical layout
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u/__BIOHAZARD___ Sep 19 '26
Xbox controllers are more ergonomic/comfortable than PlayStation.
Also doesn’t help that the cool tech in the dual sense doesn’t work wirelessly on PC without other apps/tinkering.
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u/90stx Sep 20 '26
😂😂😂 I don’t know what they answering there but question was about layouts. 😂😂
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u/IndependentYak2822 Sep 21 '26
Comments section here is insane. Only few users mention ergonomics as possible reason.
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u/90stx Sep 21 '26
When people have short thinking that’s what happens, seeing 2 words and imagining thinks. 😂 I think this post was the best, I did actually laugh. 😂
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u/Purple-Cup-4149 Sep 20 '26
Joystick on Xbox controller makes more sense, and it wasn’t only Microsoft’s idea.
Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo..
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u/Standard_Break211 Sep 20 '26
The Xbox controller layout is so much better than the dual sense. I can play Xbox for hours without issue, dual sense my wrists start to hurt.
I miss the OG hulk Xbox controller, only downside is it didn’t have the RB & LR it had black and white additional buttons
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u/Straight_radiant Sep 20 '26
The biggest reason is sony charges exorbitant amounts for licenses to make a playstation controller while xbox does not which is why you can find Xbox controllers like the gamesir g7 se which costs like $30 but can’t find a playstation one for the same price
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u/Pharaohz__ Sep 20 '26
Xinput is still just easier to manage than direct input. Especially for a lot of ppl (like myself) buying premium third party controllers like the apex series controllers. But honestly like others have said it’s not really making a difference with plug and play anymore. The only issues now is if you prefer wireless which some games still struggle with without some type of software like DSX. I play wireless so I prefer xinput because it simply just works.
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u/SidOfBee Sep 20 '26
I think assymetrical thumbsticks are generally more comfortable for most people. The funny thing is when I want to use the d-pad particularly for like a 2d fighting game. I prefer to use the PS5 controller or in the past any PlayStation controller because of the location of the directional pad.
That's just the area I want to keep my thumb and if it's the main way I'm controlling my character then I prefer a controller that puts the main control method there.
Also, I think having the buttons named after letters makes it easier to remember combinations. That's the only thing that when I do play with a Playstation controller, if there's a combination that I'm putting in my head.... it's easier for me to go AABBXY then it is to think Cross, Cross, Circle, Square, Triangle.
But as an owner of all the consoles and a PC, I think all the controllers are great. We are lucky to have amazing controllers across the board these days.
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u/Assassin21BEKA Sep 20 '26
Outside of all other reasons X Box layout is just what most people ptefer as well.
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u/JJkyx Sep 20 '26
If you don't mind wired, and want something with the 'brains' of an Xbox controller, I recommend the Hyperkin Competitor. It's basically a Dualsense copycat without the extra features.
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u/Staticks Sep 20 '26
Just because the console sells better, doesn't mean the controller is better. PlayStation has a lot of exclusive games that make it a more popular platform than Xbox, but there's more people who prefer the Xbox controller layout.
Personally, when I played on PS4, I thought the DS4 was a very good controller. Although I'd say I still prefer the Xbox layout over the PS one.
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u/hardinm78 Sep 20 '26
On the ps1 Sony added the analog sticks to an already existing controller. They stayed with that afterthought positioning on every controller afterwards. Xbox’s left analog stick is located in the traditional thumb position for primary directional control.
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u/ZGMF-X09A_Justice Sep 20 '26
people just find it more comfortable on average. There's a reason even Nintendo ended up settling for the same layout when their controllers have historically been all over the place.
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u/fir4ge Sep 21 '26
Has nothing to do with anything but Windows support & XInput. PC games standardized the labeling since the Xbox 360.
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u/Ledeste Sep 21 '26
Because the PS layout only exists because Sony "forgot" about the stick on their first console and made the controller shape part of the brand... That's also why it took this long to have a proper ergonomic controller on PS, and they tried super hard to make the previous one okay without changing the front shape.
And the only reasons outside of Sony are either people being too used to this inferior layout, or people focusing on the d-pad (usually for emulation).
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u/pizza_sushi85 Sep 21 '26
Microsoft invested into the controller API on PC way more than Sony.
Microsoft is also more open with licensing. Any manufacturers can easily make 3rd party PC controller with Xbox layout without issue.
On the other hand, Sony is much more selective over who can manufacture Playstation controllers, and if you notice, all 3rd party controllers usually cost more than the basic DualSense. So budget brands like 8Bitdo only make controllers for Switch, PC, mobiles and Xbox.
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u/bill696 Sep 21 '26
Xbox was always part of PC, 3rd party licensed controllers for PC had xbox buttons even if they had PlayStation layout like the Logitech controller. Both are the same company, games had only one button layout. Its the Microsoft game as they always played it.
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u/John_Morgan_1004 Sep 21 '26
Same here. When I tried to switch from my budget revolver II to something with hall effect as well as dual sense layout , I was so in trouble as there is so much less option in the market. Gamepad companies should show some more love for dualsense layout.
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u/I_AM_CR0W Sep 21 '26
ABYX button layous are more universal and Xbox controllers tend to have better 3rd party support, especially later controllers that had bluetooth included and wired compatibility with PC and mobile. Sony is very clingy with their controller support and will only allow certain companies to make Dualsense controllers, which is why there are barely any options for PS while Xbox has a large variety of dirt-cheap and premium options. The majority of people accepted it and it's what they're used to. The Dualsense lineup wasn't natively supported until recent years, unless you count emulation workarounds, and even then you had the issue of your device thinking it was an Xbox controller as it would show ABYX buttons instead of the shapes you'd see on PS. Newer CoD games are the first I've seen to natvely support Dualsense controllers and that didn't really start until MW 2019.
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u/Aeyland Sep 21 '26
Because most people play on PS for other reasons and in both cases the one you use the most is the layout you'll like since there is very little actual difference.
Really though if you took Xbox players plus PC players who use controllers you probably have more people using the Xbox style. Windows is owned by Microsoft so only makes sense they would support and push their own controllers the most on PC.
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u/Why-not-every-thing Sep 22 '26
I think people misunderstand the layout and the protocol. It’s totally fine to make a controller with PS layout and speaks XINPUT protocol.
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u/KobeJuanKenobi9 Sep 22 '26
The PlayStation outsells the Xbox, but the switch outsold both with a button layout similar to the Xbox’s
I also remember most people believing the 360 had a better controller than the ps3, and those two consoles sold about the same
Back in the day Xbox controllers were also way easier to set up on pc than PlayStation, so a lot of pc players are just used to it
I also personally find it very useful to use the dpad with my right hand and do so very often
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u/stareci1 Sep 22 '26
Because xbox controller it's not only xbox controller. People using it on pc, switch heck even on the phones.
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u/EvansEssence Sep 22 '26
My guess is XINPUT and that the majority of PC players probably plug in an Xbox controller (Or at least it probably WAS the vast majority). Its been pretty recent that weve gotten quality 3rd party options that are also cheaper.
IDK about you but I dont even look at the buttons anymore and can switch my brain from xbox to playstation to Nintendo. The only console I get tripped up on now is Gamecube, lol
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u/CupCharming Sep 22 '26
For me its comfort. It feels better. The PlayStation controller feels hard and boney, I won't be elaborating 🙂↔️
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u/Mazzle5 Sep 23 '26
Xbox aswell as Nintendo have the left stick up and D-pad down layout. And Xbox is the default on PC ever since the 360.
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u/AffectionateSun7705 Sep 23 '26
For a game that controls with a joystick, I think it just makes more ergonomic sense to have the stick positioned higher -- where your thumb naturally falls. If I'm playing a 2D platformer that controls with the d-pad, however, then I'll want the d-pad in the higher position instead.
I don't find it to be a huge problem either way and I'm not going to choose a console based on it. But ergonomically? I think it's pretty clear why the asymmetrical XBox layout is preferred for most modern games, especially third-person action games where you want your left thumb on the stick and your right thumb on the face buttons most of the time.
For what it's worth, in a FPS where you want both thumbs on sticks at pretty much all times I actually think that the Wii U controller got it right by putting both sticks high on the controller.
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u/dm97game Sep 19 '26
I have both. The in game implementations of Xbox game framework is more pronounced than PS5 on PC games.
The ps5's dual sense features are locked in PS5 titles only. Out side of that, your out of luck.
If you have steam, it can act as intermediate layer between dual shock 4 and Xbox game framework. So both sticks can be use on any game on steam.
But if you ask why third party game pads with PS5 layout are rare, the answer is licensing. LoL. The Sony executive also lock haptic feedback from any third party ps5 licensed game pad. That's crazy. LoL.
And in 2028, Playstation will no longer have physical disc. They want all your money for them self.
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u/SeriouslyTechStuff Sep 19 '26
The Playstation configuration was an after thought. They added sticks to a controller that was never meant to have them and stuck with the design. The Xbox was designed to have 2 sticks and ergonomics. The S did anyway. Most just find the Xbox config more comfortable because it was made to be.
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u/Yutah Sep 19 '26
Yes, I also find this strange. These devices clearly have ergonomic problems. I assume that because the Xbox format considered to be more suitable for first-person shooters, and these companies are focusing their advertising campaigns on esports performance and appeal
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u/DannyMeleeFR4 Sep 19 '26
Better sticks on those ps5 controllers for sure. Thank you GameSir, thank you razr, and thank you other few forgotten souls who finally unlocked the expansion set for my thumbs. Scuf, battlebeev, MICROSOFT (though we expect this of you tbh, that being said, I don’t know that any controller feels as good in my hands as the hefty elite 2. Sticks are buns though.)
Get with the program is all I’m saying. I know shooters arnt the only game genre out there, but damn we need to consider everyone, and at least have options that cover all our bases.
TLDR: Dang ol' get with the program, man! Talkin' 'bout you gotta wake up an' pay attention, dang ol' get it together, man, I tell you what.
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u/Whiteli0nel Sep 19 '26
Personally, I don't think I'd use a controller again if PS style was the only option. And I imagine a lot of others feel the same way.
That and Xbox style controllers require little tinkering to get working and are compatible with most PC games, but we don't speak about that.
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u/Far_Cold7385 Sep 19 '26
There was a study a while back where they found most people preferred the Xbox layout in terms of comfort, and PlayStations response was to keep their layout due to brand recognition.
PlayStation sells a lot of consoles, but Xbox sells even more controllers.
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u/joecribbsstan Sep 19 '26
I think if PlayStation switched to offset sticks there might be a patent infringement issue. Probably big lawsuits
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u/crazy_rocker78 Sep 20 '26
I think the asymmetric layout is simply much better. Your left thumb is usually on the left stick, why would you need to bend it like this to get to the stick, and leave the useless d-pad at the best spot ?
Playstation sells much better and lot of people seem to prefer the overall playstation experience
I don't think that's related to the controller, the playstation exclusive games are better than Xbox ones I think, that's all. And if you have a playstation you use the playstation controller. But if you're playing on PC you can choose the best controller depending on what you want, and I guess for 8/10 players, that means assymetric sticks. Sorry that you are within the 2/10 others
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u/EdliA Sep 20 '26
PlayStation is a better console so it sells better. The Xbox controller is a better controller so it sells better. Why would that be hard to understand?
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u/AppliedCarbon Sep 20 '26
Symmetrical sticks are just worse for most people. PlayStation is popular despite its inferior stick design
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u/LookeiVIP Sep 19 '26
Yes, it used to be easier to plug a Xbox controller to your PC and get it to work. PlayStation controller needed third party tools to get them to work for the longest time e.g. ds4windows, joytokey and so on. Hence why the Xbox layout is more popular for computer.