Review: PlayStation Move Motion and Navigation Controller

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PlayStation Move Motion and Navigation Controller
*Imported accessories work on all consoles/regions. i.e. NTSC-J (JPN) accessories will work on NTSC-U (US) systems.

PS3 Move Controller
Manufacturer: Sony
Site: Buy from Play-Asia (JPN) / Buy from Play-Asia (US) / Buy from Play-Asia (Asia) / Buy from Amazon / Buy from Amazon (with PS3 Eye Bundle) / Buy from VolumeRate (with PS3 Eye Bundle) / Buy from LighTake (with PS3 Eye Bundle)
Price: $50.00 (Move Controller) / $99.99 (Move Controller + PS3 Eye Camera Bundle)

PS3 Move Navigation Controller
Manufacturer: Sony
Site: Buy from Play-Asia (JPN) / Buy from Play-Asia (US) / Buy from Amazon
Price: $30.00

PlayStation 3 Eye USB 2.0 Camera
Manufacturer: Sony
Site: Buy from Play-Asia (JPN) / Buy from Play-Asia (US) / Buy from Play-Asia (Asia) / Buy from Amazon
Price: $40.00

PlayStation Move Overview : PlayStation®Move redefines motion gaming with the most immersive and realistic gaming experience only possible on the PlayStation®3 system. The simple, easy-to-use controller captures a full range of motion giving you ultimate control over how you play the game. With a diverse selection of games and new ones launching all the time, you can enjoy hours of fun with friends and family.

The PlayStation®Move is a combination of the PlayStation®3 system, the PlayStation®Eye camera and the PlayStation®Move motion controller. The motion gaming technology is housed in the pairing of the motion controller and the eye camera. The sphere at the end of the motion controller allows the eye camera to pinpoint your every movement and position within the room. This tracking is translated, with absolute precision, into gameplay. So when you hit that bullseye, it won’t be a fluke.

PS3 Move Controller Overview : The cornerstone of the PlayStation Move system, the PlayStation Move motion controller combines advanced motion sensors, a dynamic color changing sphere, vibration feedback, and an easy to use button interface to provide the ultimate in motion-based gaming. Equipped with a three axis gyroscope, a three axis accelerometer and terrestrial magnetic field sensor, PlayStation Move motion controller tracks the precise movements and the angle of the controller. The PS3 system also detects the absolute position of the controller in 3D space by using PlayStation Eye camera. Highly sensitive movement tracking can be accurately traced back to the game, allowing intuitive gameplay as if the player is within the game. The PlayStation Move also features the familiar PlayStation controller button orientation, for seamless play from the very first use.

PS3 Move Controller Features :

• Works with PlayStation Eye camera to accurately track player position.
• Includes action buttons of DualShock 3 and Sixaxis wireless controller for direct input.
• Sleek and Wireless.
• Built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery.
• Advanced motion sensors in the controller precisely track both fast and subtle movements.
• Color of the sphere's light provides visual feedback during gameplay.
• Vibration feedback is felt during specific actions.
• Bluetooth technology supports wireless gaming.
• Simultaneously use up to four motion controllers with a PS3 system.
• Charge the controller and automatically pair it with the PS3 system via a USB cable (Type A - Mini-B).
  * Users will need to use the PlayStation Eye camera to enjoy PlayStation Move motion controller on PS3.

Quality/Usability : First thing to pop into everyone's mind when we first heard about the PlayStation 3 Move Controller is that it's a copy of the Wiimote. Although the concept is the same (two motion controllers), the Wii detects movement with its built-in accelerometers pointed at a sensor bar whereas the Move can be tracked precisely within real 3D space using a camera. With the Wii, its all controlled with a flick of the wrist (literally). With the Move, its more...it requires complete movement.

The Move has four familiar buttons that we are all accustomed to when it comes to PlayStation. These four buttons surround the Move button which acts as the OK/Accept command input. Below the Move button is the PS button that takes you back to the XMB (same found on normal controllers such as the Dual Shock 3). On the back is a T trigger and on the butt (bottom) are two ports: a mini-USB for charging and syncing and an additional "extension connector" as well as connectors. These connectors allows you to place the Move controller on a charging dock. The extension connector allows buttons to be placed on attachments such as Sony's PlayStation Move Sharp Shooter Attachment for easier accessibility, so you do not have to press the buttons on the Move controller itself. Out of the package, a wrist strap is already attached to the Move controller. As for the white sphere at the top, it's made of opaque rubber that lights up when you're playing a Move compatible game.

The Move Controller is comfortable to hold in the hands as its contoured. All the buttons are easily accessible and within reach. But as you can see from the picture above and what you have read so far from our review, there's no mention of directional pad. That leads us to our second part of the review...the Move Navigation Controller.

PS3 Move Navigation Controller Overview : The PlayStation Move Navigation Controller is a supplementary controller developed to further expand the experience that PlayStation Move games can offer. It can be used in most PlayStation Move games that require navigating an in-game character as it replicates the control features of the left side of DualShock 3 or Sixaxis wireless controllers into one's PlayStation Move experience.** The PlayStation Move Navigation Controller adds an analog stick, directional buttons and two face buttons into the PlayStation Move's control scheme. In addition, the Move Navigation Controller contains the L1 button, L2 button and L3 button for actions and commands common in advanced gaming.

PS3 Move Navigation Controller Features :

• Wireless control adding to, but completely untethered from PlayStation Move motion controller.
• Intuitive navigation of in-game characters.
• Easy and intuitive XMB menu navigation.
• Built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery.
• Charge the controller and automatically pair it with the PS3 system via a USB cable (Type A - Mini-B).
• Sleek curved body design that easily pairs with the Move motion controller.
  * Users will need to use the PlayStation Eye camera to enjoy PlayStation Move motion controller on PS3.
  ** DualShock 3 and Sixaxis wireless controllers can be used in place of the Navigation controller for all games that are compatible with the Navigation Controller.

Quality/Usability : So the Move is about motion but what about if you're playing a game and need to navigate/move? In comes the Move Navigation Controller. The Nav controller has all your traditional analog controls such as the joystick and directional pad underneath. Right in-between the joystick and d-pad are usually the main buttons X and O. These two buttons are usually used for ACCEPT and CANCEL in games, respectively. Below the directional pad is the same PS button found on the Move controller that takes you to the XMB. On the underside near the top are two buttons; L1 and L2. The butt (bottom) also has a mini-USB to charge the Navigation controller if you prefer to use a mini-USB cable. There are also connectors on the bottom that allows you to place the Nav controller on a charging dock.

Like the Move controller, the Navigation controller also has a slight contour design to it that makes it fit into your hand comfortably. Buttons are also easily accessible.

Why didn't Sony include the Navigation controller? Well, its technically not required. Why you ask? Well, you can actually use your Dual Shock 3 controller as a Navigation controller. If you look at majority of the buttons on the Nav controller, its found on the left half of the DS3 controller; joystick, directional pad, L1 and L2. But with the Navigation controller ($30), it makes playing a bit more convenient and more comfortable.

Conclusion : Overall, the PlayStation Move Motion and Navigation Controller is a must own accessory. As newer games are released, they will support the Move and Navigation controllers. With these two controllers or even just the Move controller, it gives gaming a new experience instead of the typical controller. The Move controller comes in a different variety. You can purchase just the Move controller for $50, purchase a bundle which includes the Move controller, PS3 Eye Camera and a game (depends on your region) or if don't own a PS3 yet and plan on picking one up, they have a PS3 bundle that includes the console, Dual Shock 3 controller, PS3 Eye Camera and Move controller.

Some games require two..yes, TWO Move controllers. That's $100 worth of Move controllers alone. If you have friends/family to play with, you'll need to pick up an extra Move controller regardless. But if you don't and you usually play alone, this is something you'll have to factor in plus the cost of one or two Navigation controllers.

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