[Review] PDP’s AfterGlow AP.1 PS3 Controller, PL-6302 ($24.99 USD)

The AfterGlow AP.1 is a wired PS3 controller from Performance Designed Products (PDP) that costs about $25 at Best Buy, or if you get the 2-year Geek Squad warranty (for buttons sticking, normal wear and tear, which I thought was a nice option to have) it costs a bit closer to $40.

There’s quite a few unique features of this controller, all of which I’ve found to be quite amazing. First of all, the case for the controller is transparent, so you can see the internal circuitry. I got the green controller (it comes in green or red) so all of the circuit boards are green as well as a few green LEDs scattered throughout. There is a button on the back of the controller that allows you to control the LEDs with 3 modes. The modes are ON, which just has the green lights always on, Vibration, where the lights only come on when the controller vibrates, and Off, clearly where there’s no lights. The LEDs are quite bright and will certainly stand out amongst other controllers at any gamer gathering.

The button and thumbstick layout of the controller is perfect for any hardcore gamer. The thumbsticks are positioned as they would be on an XBOX 360 controller, where the left thumbstick is up above the D-Pad. The thumbstcks are also indented for better grip than the standard PS3 thumbsticks, so it’s much more comfortable than the standard controllers. While all of the buttons feel much more comfortable to use, the best change in the buttons would have to be the L2/R2 triggers. On the standard PS3 controller, L2/R2 was simply buttons below R1/L1 that were quite difficult to quickly press, as you had to press the button awkwardly up against the controller. On the AP.1, however, there are nice triggers for L2/R2 that have indentations so your finger fits perfectly. The triggers are extremely easy to press compared to the pseudo-triggers on the standard PS3 controllers.

Overall, with the LED-lighted circuit boards, the sleek style, comfortable buttons and layout, and hand-molded side grips, the AP.1 has got to be the best controller I have ever used for any console. I definitely think this controller is well worth the money and would recommend it to anyone looking for something a little bit different than the standard PS3 controller.

(Note: PDP also has a few AfterGlow WiiMotes, as well as the PS3 controllers.)

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Adam Taylor (D3M0L1$H3R)

http://youtube.com/user/tehd3m0l1sh3r