Iwata: 'I Laughed at the PlayStation 3 Controller'

We were looking around for official comment on the PlayStation 3 controller announcement from Nintendo executives who had been surprisingly quiet on the issue, and we came up with this gem from Nintendo presiedent Satoru Iwata. As you'll know, Sony tried to take a bite out of Nintendo's giant pie of glory by adding functionality to its controller that the layman might mistake as comparable to that of the Wii.

"Actually before they made the announcement we already anticipated that they might do that, so I had to laugh. Even though I was laughing, it was with a grim face, I should add," Iwata told the Seattle Times. "Having said that, please know that putting the motion-sensor technology into the classic-style controller is one thing. Putting the motion-sensor technology into the Wii remote as well as the 'nunchuck' controller, where you can use both hands freely and independently, this is quite another thing."

Iwata also commented on the pricepoint announced by SCE. "That's not something I should comment on as a corporate president. But as one single person, a potential customer for the PS3, I think it's a bit expensive. But it depends on how the general public is going to see it. So far, within two days now, a majority of people who have commented on the pricepoint are saying the same thing: It's expensive."

Of course, the actual functionality of the Wii and the PlayStation 3 controllers is a world apart. The PlayStation 3 offers unexplained 'motion-sensing' technology, whereas the Wii boasts full recognition of the controllers movement, tilt, angle and placement.

As soon as Sony outlines exactly what its controller will offer over and above the standard game pad, you'll be the first to know.