Nyko's Zero Wireless controller seems like the result of a company seriously listening to gamers. Inside the $59.99 package is the controller, a rechargeable NiMH battery, an additional battery pack for two AA batteries, a 10-foot hot red USB cable and a USB wireless receiver. Rather than merely offer simple game controls, the Zero is the first aftermarket controller to offer vibration, a welcome addition since our desire to buy a new hand cramping PS3 controller is rather low.

Picking up the controller, you'll notice a slim width and two palm pads adding a rounded spike end. On top, a single d-pad, two analog sticks and the start and select buttons are all available, but the PS button was replaced with a jewel-like button. While it doesn't turn the PS3 on remotely (meaning that you'll have to turn the PS3 on before using the Zero), it does toggle the backlit buttons on and off. Yes, action buttons are backlit red, thanks to transparent action shapes (not stickers so you won't wear them down). Most interestingly, if you add a second controller, the backlit color changes to blue (player 3 gets an orange color and player 4 gets green). Even with the backlighting, Nyko claims up to 25 hours of wireless gameplay with the rechargeable battery pack.

Controls add to the feature list, as the two analog sticks offer concave, rubber-topped surfaces with movements that feel smoother than the stock PS3 controller. They're fast enough that you'll need some time to get used to the change, but it quickly becomes second nature. The L1 and R1 buttons offer a familiar blocky feel, but the L2 and R2 buttons are sharpened triggers, which felt like they made our R2 shots in Haze feel a bit faster. If you care about colors, the controller comes in three shades: black, silver and white. Each pad's surface is covered with a slightly course metal plate that Nyko says improves heat dispensation -- which is nice, but makes the controller feel more solid.


That's not to say that the device doesn't have some negatives that we think most gamers can live with. First, this is not a Bluetooth controller, so you'll have to plug the included USB receiver into the PS3 in order to use (it didn't appear to affect speed in games though). Second, the controller's d-bad is a single piece of plastic that lacks the higher-quality feel of the Zero's analog sticks or action buttons. Third, the included USB receiver features an on light that's brighter than anything in our entertainment cabinet (the wife even asked if the light indicated that something was wrong). We also would have liked the option to change the backlight colors on demand (we prefer blue).


Does that mean we wouldn't buy it? No. Actually, the negatives are pretty minor compared to what gamers get for their money. Gamers with larger hands might find the device cramped, but packed with two battery packs, SIXAXIS motion controls, added comfort for long playing marathons, vibration feedback, backlit action buttons and improved dual analog sticks. Nyko's Zero Wireless controller clearly makes Sony's DualShock 3 the second best choice for playing your PlayStation 3 games.