Home : Hardware : Reviews : Zero Controller
Sight
The Zero has a unique style, with sharp edges, a bulkier chassis, thinner and sharper triggers and a boomerang-curve look. It keeps with the previous model by having backlit face buttons, a very likeable concept. The slight red hue emanating from the face buttons is both calming and a friendly way to play in the dark without the need to use light from the TV to see what buttons are being pressed.
The center button, or “0” button if you will, doubles as the power and PS button. Once on and connected (connecting is very quick and simple) it functions just like the PS button in every way, a classy and simple solution to needed both functions.
The buttons are smaller than both the other controllers, but stick out an extra centimeter from the base which makes them easier to press and gives better feedback. This applies to the Start and Select buttons, as well as the D-pad. Both thumbsticks are also slightly longer than the other controllers, which felt better and made aiming slightly easier. The elevated nature of the thumbsticks is similar to the idea behind the FPS Freek.
The accelerometer control is slightly oversensitive, meaning games that use lots of it will suffer by using the Zero. Lair and flOw, for instance, but the difference is not that big a deal for the typical PS3 title.
If there is any serious flaw behind the Zero, it's that the R1 & L1 buttons, which have very little feedback and feel awfully dainty. It’s like an odd mix of the other two controllers, which isn’t a good thing. Using the middle finger for buttons instead of support is already an issue for many gamers, one Microsoft cleared up brilliantly using the bumper system. However, the Zero sends a mixed message; they look like bumpers but feel like weak buttons.
Our other concern is it uses a 2.4GHz wireless connection with a USB dongle, meaning one USB port is going to be used and that there's no option to power on with the controller. Nyko got back to us on this and said that the Zero would be more expensive if it used Bluetooth, and they would have had to cut out the USB charging cable (a long 9' cable) and the backlit buttons. Or, of course, raise the price. Giving up powering on wirelessly has never been easier.
