It's all in the wrist

Bottom line: I like the Wiimote more.

Why: The PS3's SIXAXIS controller, in theory, is a fine piece of equipment. It's basically a standard Dual Shock, only wireless. It also has motion sensitivity, which I've tested briefly on Warhawk at E3. But, as far as I can tell, the two games I've received so far (Resistance and Genji), don't use the tilt function. Rumble and force feedback are gone, thanks to an ongoing patent dispute with a company called Immersion (more on that in a later post).

The tilt/rumble tradeoff could eventually be a wash, if developers take advantage of the tilt.

But the bigger problem is the cheap-o quality of the controller that came bundled with my PS3. The buttons feel mushy, and the left shoulder button often gets stuck when I press it. I either have to pry it back up with a finger nail, or press it very gently so it doesn't get stuck.

Plus, the USB recharger cable that comes with the controller is way too short, about five feet. So when you plug your controller into your PS3 to recharge, you either have to sit right in front of the screen to keep playing, or turn off your console and go do something else until the recharge is done. Me no like.

The Wiimote, on the other hand, is a pleasant surprise. I've been very skeptical of this controller since it was announced. And it does have a learning curve. But it's really growing on me.

Having to set up the sensor bar was annoying, but the Wii package includes tons of adhesive stickers and even a little plastic holder for the sensor bar to make sure you can attach the bar to just about any surface, in front of or on top of your TV.

The Wiimote is also surprisingly precise. You can easily pick out tabs and buttons in the Wii menu or in games. The little speaker in the Wiimote and the built-in force feedback are extremely well deployed. For example, when you move your cursor over a button in the Wii menu, the controller vibrates briefly. The tactile feedback complements perfectly what you're seeing on the screen.

I found the most comfortable playing position was seated on the edge of my couch, with my elbows on my knees, just flicking my wrist to activate the Wiimote. Standing up and waving the controller around like an Olympic gymanist twirling a baton is a recipe for exhaustion.