NEO Controller
Score: 70% Developer: Subsonic Device Type: Controller
Function: If you're looking for a replacement wireless PS3 controller and you can't deal with a wireless controller with a dongle, since you need to be able to use it to turn the PS3 on, then, previously you'd have to go buy a Sony OEM controller, because no one else could make a controller that could use the built-in Bluetooth wireless communication. The NEO Controller is the first third party controller I've seen that doesn't need a dongle. Additionally, the NEO Controller has a set of special buttons with media-specific functions on them, to make it a bit easier to use your PS3 to enjoy movies without trying to remember which shoulder button (I think) to use to fast forward.
Performance: The ability to turn the PS3 on is greatly appreciated; in living rooms of today, with HDTVs, surround sound systems and a couch across the room from the television, it can be a pain to go over to the entertainment system and turn the system on - especially if your media is already in the PS3. This might sound like a strange point to even mention, but if you try third party wireless controllers that use a USB dongle, you'll understand. The NEO Controller is rechargeable with the same type of USB cord as the Sony OEM wireless controllers and includes the cord in the package. The first time you use the NEO, you will need to use this cord to sync it with your PS3 (just like the Sony OEM controllers). The most noticeable differences between the NEO and the OEM controllers are the overall shape and the media buttons at the top of the controller's face. The top of the NEO controller is more flat and slick, and somehow seems less ergonomic. It can feel a little strange, at first, if you're used to the original controllers, and then, with long periods of gameplay, I found the edge of the controller would be uncomfortable to my thumbs near my palm. Most of the game controls seem to be in the places you'd expect them and seem to work similarly to the Sony controllers. J.R.Nip said that the shoulder buttons felt like they were further forward than he was used to and required more force to activate, but I didn't really notice an issue with that. What I did notice is that the D-pad had more play than I liked. Other than that, the game controls were fine, and the sticks are the same size as OEM PS3 and Xbox 360 products, so they work with the KontrolFreek analog stick extension products. Along the top of the face, there are buttons for Previous Chapter, Pause/Play, Stop Playback and Next Chapter. These simply map to the appropriate buttons, which are... one of the shoulder buttons for Previous and Next chapter (I can never remember if it's top or bottom) and X and Start for the others. Um, I think. Well, that's the point of the media buttons - to arrange these functions in a way that makes sense and is easy to access. Well, that was the idea, anyway...
Features: Includes USB Cord for Syncing and Charging Multimedia Buttons (Previous, Next, Pause/Play and Stop) Economy Mode (Powers Off when Inactive) Battery Level Indicator Vibration Function
Drawbacks & Problems:: Sadly, while easy to access, they would sometimes simply not work. It seems like they would sometimes stop working if the controller had long enough to fall asleep while a movie was playing and then you turn the controller back on and try to use them. The first time I tried out the media controls, they worked perfectly. Any time I set out to actively test them, they worked flawlessly... next chapter, next chapter, pause, play, previous chapter, pause, play, next chapter, pause, play, stop playback... no problem. However, start a movie, watch it halfway through and then try to pause it when someone calls and even after turning the NEO back on, and it wouldn't pause the movie. Mind you, it wasn't even that easily predictable. When I watched Drive Angry, I had to pause the movie a few times, for phone calls and Starscream dropping by for games, but, other than having to turn the NEO back on because it had been over ten minutes since I used it, it worked just fine for me. Also, I, personally, found the grip to be uncomfortable during heavy gaming; if you look at the NEO, you'll see that the curve of the controller flares out to a dull point at its widest spot. When I hold the NEO, that part pokes into my palms, at the base of my thumbs. If I held it differently, with the controller more simply resting on my fingers, this wouldn't happen, but I have a bit more of a deathgrip on controllers when I play, which contributes to this issue. I also have rather large hands, so players with smaller hands or who don't grip the controller as tightly as I do might not experience an issue with this at all. All-in-all, the NEO is a mixed bag. While the native bluetooth support is a great feature and the concept of the media buttons is a good one, the hit-or-miss operation of the media buttons and the fact that the controller sleeps after just ten minutes, mar the media control aspect. The awkward shape of the controller's casing and cheap-feeling D-pad don't earn it any points, either. Unless your main issue is turning the PS3 on remotely or simply not having a dongle to keep up with, I would suggest trying this one out before buying... or at least keeping your receipt until you're sure it works for you.
-Geck0, GameVortex Communications AKA Robert Perkins
Related Links: Buy the NEO Controller on Amazon Game Vortex's Reviews of KontrolFreek Analog Stick Extension Products
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