Controller
OUYA Console offers a two-tone dark gray
and black color scheme, and so too does the controller. It is a fairly simple
shape compared to most modern gaming system controllers, with several strong
curve or straight line to be found. It looks very similar to the Xbox 360
controller, but is more malleable.
OUYA
Console offers a two-tone dark gray and black color scheme, and so too does the
controller
At the front, you will find the layout very
similar to the 360 controller with two analog sticks together obliquely, the
left one moved up to make room for the d-pad. You will also find four face
buttons (marked O, U, Y and A going clockwise from the bottom) and a fifth
button positioned between the d-pad and right analog stick. This button is
marked with the logo OUYA (a circle with a U inside), will allow you to return
to the OUYA main menu with a double-tap. In some games, one single tap will
pause the current game, while in the other game, it does not do anything.
A
fifth button positioned between the d-pad and right analog stick, which is
marked with the logo OUYA (a circle with a U inside)
Move up a bit and you'll find a 2 inch wide
flat area which is small capacitive touchpad that can be used to control the
cursor on the screen. Finally, four small LED lights embedded along the top, to
represent 1 to 4 players.
4 shoulder buttons are arranged much like
the PlayStation 3's Dual Shock. The top two are simple, digital inputs while
the bottom two are analog triggers, of the sort that fans of racing games will
appreciate. Flip the controller over and you'll see... not much. It's a smooth
black plastic bottom that is quite comfortable to hold. No stickers, logos or
FCC-type branding to get in the way here.
4
shoulder buttons are arranged much like the PlayStation 3's Dual Shock
That smooth layer of black plastic also
extends through the center of the controller, but the right and left sides are
covered by gunmetal gray plates that, interestingly, can be removed - the idea
being customization-crazy gamers could swap on different ones later. Here you
can insert one AA battery in one of two grips (yes, they are included with
console), and when the battery is inserted, they give the controller better
weight balance.
Here
you can insert one AA battery in one of two grips
Swappable faceplates are an interesting
idea, but the execution results in what can only be called a design flaw. Each
plate is held by 6 magnets, making them somewhat easily removed. We've seen
pictures from many gamers eagerly opened the OUYA box to find one or both
controller faceplates loose in the box, which of course led to damage during
transport.
Swappable
faceplates are an interesting idea, but the execution results in what can only
be called a design flaw.
Another problem is that they do not seem to
be even. We have observed two OUYA consoles and on one, the left plate would
poke out slightly at the top when affixed. As in the other console, the right
plate does not match well.
Finally, and most important, the right
plate expose a serious problem for the right analog stick and face buttons.
When you rotate the analog stick around its area, it hit the edge of the plate.
In addition, we are constantly having problems with 4 face buttons trapped
under the faceplate. It was most commonly the green O button, because that's
the one you'll be using most frequently, but all four can and will get stuck.
The delay is a problem with the controller
- but not enough to be noticeable in casual games, but for those requiring more
precise timing, it can be a bit of a problem We're curious to see whether this
comes down to this specific iteration of the controller or that's what the OUYA
owners have to live with.
One of our consoles also had a very sticky
right analog stick, which, when pushed all the way up, would stay there for a
few seconds before popping back to neutral. And we have to say we prefer the
concave surface at the top of the analog stick rather than convex surface here,
but that may depend on personal preference.
In general, the controller is useful, but
not wonderful. The sticky buttons and analog stick are the sorts of things you
wouldn't even tolerate on a cheap, third-party controller and so it's
disappointing to find them here on the official unit. We hope this is one area
will be thoroughly revised before the console ships to retail this summer.
