The PS Move can be used as a straightforward motion controller for compatible titles on the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation 4, but it is also aimed at the PSVR platform. The PlayStation Move Controller is not essential for the console's VR games, but it does introduce a range of new experiences to the play. You can use them to punch, grip, throw in-game items and much more. In terms of responsiveness, this wand has moved way beyond what you would expect from the Wii or Kinect, and Moves can be used in pairs to create a more authentic feel.
The PlayStation Move was initially launched for the PlayStation 3, but was upgraded in 2013 to be compatible with the PlayStation 4 and then the PlayStation VR in 2016. Sony is now marketing it as an accessory for the PS4 which can be used in combination with other devices to produce a virtual environment. Although it’s mostly advertising it as an accessory to be used with the PlayStation VR, there’s also titles available where you can use the Move controllers without a VR setup.
There are a number of ways to purchase the Move controllers! Your choice will depend on the type of budget you are working with, your console, and the sort of gaming you have planned:
PlayStation Move Twin Pack – If you plan to play games designed for two wands, or you want to play with a friend, this twin pack will be your best bet. Both wireless controllers have advanced motion sensors that work in conjunction with the PlayStation Eye Camera on a PS3 or the PlayStation 4 Camera. These pick up and replicate your movements on the screen and when rendered in Blue-ray HD, the results can be pretty impressive. Each wand is topped by a sphere which is capable of changing its colour depending on the current gameplay or to give feedback on the action. Bonus feedback is provided through the rumble feature which can be turned off if you prefer. The battery is rechargeable and each wand can be paired with up to three others for a gaming session.
Single Move Controller – These single wands are perfect if you have just bought a Move title or are interested in one. For less investment, you can test out the gameplay and decide whether it is something you’d like to pursue. Whether you are playing on a PS3, a PS4 or you are planning to try out the PSVR platform these controllers are compatible.
PS VR Aim Controller – A revamped version of the PS3's Sharp Shooter accessory, the VR Aim uses the same concept as the Move but does not need a separate controller in order to work. It has an onboard light orb, as well as the standard buttons and is a complete package on its own. It is solid enough to feel like a quality product and is also extremely ergonomic when in use, with all the features you would expect on a DualShock controller. R2 acts as the key trigger, with L2 being the second choice. Inside the front grip area, there is an analogue stick to rest your thumb on, along with a D-pad and options buttons. Your other thumb is positioned on another stick closer to the handle, near the familiar configuration of PlayStation buttons, including the cross, the circle, the triangle and the square. These buttons have been enlarged for this item, so selecting the wrong action by mistake is unlikely.
Buying the PlayStation Move as part of a starter pack can be a great way to get everything you need to get gaming straight away at once. It's also the best way to save money when getting the PS Move, particularly if you plan on expanding to VR in the future. There are 2 main options available:
Sony PlayStation VR Starter Pack – This bundle is geared toward people who want to begin playing VR games, but who also want to integrate move controllers into their experience. Included are a camera, a game and a headset, as well as all the required cables. You can use the headset to enjoy 360° views of the terrain, as well as 3D audio which means sounds are presented as being distant, or far, or to one side, just like in real life. Using the Move controller in this environment means you can really feel like you are participating in the action. Depending on the title, you could be obliged to crawl through a tight space, shoot a boss, play sports or move through a busy street. The wands are lightweight enough for longer sessions and fit into the hand comfortably, leaving you free to use your whole arms to play.
PlayStation 3 Move Starter Pack – This earlier version of the Move is still available (used) for people who are gaming on a PS3 and want to enjoy motion control play, the pack has everything you need to begin. Along with the controllers, there is a PlayStation Eye Camera which picks up the player's movements and transfers them to the game.
While the overwhelming majority of titles released for PlayStation Move do require you to have bought PlayStation VR, there’s still a selection of great titles available that don’t require you have any extra kit. Here are 3 great titles that can be enjoyed using PlayStation Move on the PS4:
Just Dance 2019 – A new release of this hugely popular series from Ubisoft, Just Dance 2019 lets you take on the part of the onscreen dancer, using the Move to copying their actions as closely as possible to earn points. There are 40 well-known tunes including tracks from Ariana Grande, BIGBANG and Bruno Mars. As you play more frequently and your dancing skills improve, the game personalises the experience by suggesting new challenges.
Dreams – The newest release from the makers of LittleBigPlanet, Dreams gives you an ever-expanding game universe that lets you explore the imaginative dream-worlds of players around the globe. The possibilities are endless, you aren’t really bound to one setting or genre. You can use the Move controllers to get more precise creation in the dreamworlds, allowing you to create the fantasy world you see in your imagination.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch – This game lets you play the role of an octopus who has been mistaken for the father of a family, easily one of the most bizarre premises in the history of gaming. Controlling two unwieldy tentacles can be hard work with the classic DualShock controllers. Using two PlayStation Move wands allows you to move Octodad more precisely, so you can keep his true identity hidden from his loving, if unobservant, family.
Sony has kept the same basic controller for PS3, PS4 and PSVR motion-sensor games, so let’s take a look at the specs:
Type: Remote/motion sensor
Compatible platforms: PS4 with PlayStation Camera
Connectivity: Wireless/micro USB
Controls: Seven action buttons/one PlayStation button/one trigger
Battery: Rechargable
Rumble feature: Yes
Colours: Black with orb that changes colour
Dimensions: 19.1 x 13.5 x 1.5 cm
Weight: 159 g
While extra items are not essential to use the PS Move, these accessories can enhance the experience of using the Move wand and protect it from damage:
PS Move Charger – Running out of battery charge mid-game is one of the most frustrating things any gamer can experience. Using a PS Move Charger, you can keep your wands ready for action at any time because the unit is also used for storage. When you click them into position an LED light indicates that they are being charged.
Gun Attachment – This accessory sits in the hand and is held like a pistol. A soft casing ensures it feels comfortable even on longer gaming sessions. To use the Gun Attachment, you will need to slot in a Move wand to make it work. In play, it leaves your other hand free to navigate with the other wand or a Dual Shock.
Skin Kits – Skins are designed to fit over a PS4 Move controller to make it feel more comfortable in the hand, to give you a better grip and also to protect the wand inside. Aside from these practical purposes, you can also buy colourful and distinctive skins to personalise your console.
The uptake for the PlayStation Move was not as great as Sony had hoped in 2010, but with forwards compatibility and new VR titles, many people are dusting off their old wands or buying new ones to try out. They are a highly responsive controller, but there are a few aspects which could be improved.
Pros
Accurate and responsive – When you are engaged with an enemy or trying to complete a specific task, the Move wand is capable of carrying out the movement smoothly, without any frustrating glitches.
Great for getting fit – Using titles Like Just Dance 2019, you can have a great work out which gets your heart pumping without ever having to leave home. Better still, if you enjoy the game, even the most demanding routines still feel like fun.
VR Gaming – While it’s still expensive, VR gaming has been made more accessible through the PlayStation 4. This is a highly immersive form of play which allows you to lose yourself in a narrative. You use the Move controllers to manipulate or interact with the virtual world around you.
Multiplayer gaming – You can link up to four Move controllers together for co-play sessions, joining forces to play golf, defeat enemies or complete dance challenges.
Cons
Expense – Like all controllers, the Move wands are not cheap to buy singly, but you can make a saving if you buy them as a pair.
Aches and Pains – Although the wands are very light, you are constantly moving your arms around, compared to keeping them relatively still with a conventional controller. Eventually, this can begin to hurt, so in the early stages, you made need to limit your gameplay.
Accidents – As with all motion sensor games you will need a fair amount of room to get the most out of the experience. Without adequate space, you could end up dodging walls, people or furniture which will soon become irritating.
The PS Move is a key accessory for people who want to enjoy motion-sensor gaming on a PlayStation console, it’s also for players who are interested in the cutting-edge VR experience offered through the PS4. This means the Move controllers have remained relatively expensive and a shortage in early 2019 only added to their desirability. You can shop for bundles and individual controllers at the online stores of Argos, Game and Very. Larger online retailers like Amazon, Currys and eBay also have a wide range of Move merchandise.
Held at the end of November, Black Friday is another big day for people looking for gaming products, as many stores reduce their stock by up the 60% in order to attract paying customers. There are also other sales available, particularly in the post-Christmas and mid-Summer periods.
Movable controllers are changing the way we play games, making games more immersive and real than ever. If you’re looking to get a PlayStation Move controller, you’ll get it for less by checking out the hotukdeals listings.
