Dec 1, 2010 10:59 GMT  ·  By

If you're quite seriously considering replacing that old PS3 controller of yours this Christmas and want to try something else than the standard controllers provided by Sony, then Nyko's brand new Raven might really be a nice solution, since it combines a really interesting set of features and attractive design with a fairly affordable price tag. The Raven features a Soft Feel Surface for superior grip, a built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that lasts up to 25 hours, and full vibration support. Moreover, in order to cater for the needs of PS3 gamers looking for a higher level of versatility, the Raven is available in two configurations, namely a Standard and an Alternate one. The Raven Standard configuration is laid out with symmetrical analog stick placement similar to the DualShock3. The Raven Alternate configuration swaps the position of the left analog stick and directional pad, which gives gamers an ergonomic alternative to Sony’s layout and is a great option for players seeking a more comfortable controller for gaming sessions. New to the design of both controllers is the ability to swap the assignments of the bumper (L1/R1) and trigger (L2/R2) buttons, allowing the user to customize their gameplay experience and take advantage of the Raven’s improved ergonomic triggers. “We wanted the Raven to be the most comfortable controller possible, so we turned directly to PlayStation owners for their feedback,” said Nyko’s director of marketing, Chris Arbogast, adding that “the innovations present in the Raven’s design are the result of combining their feedback with our 11 years of experience building quality peripherals for gamers worldwide.” As mentioned right from the start, the new Raven PS3 controller from Nyko is not exactly what one might call extremely expensive, since it has a MSRP of just around $34.99, which might make it a pretty nice gift this Christmas.