Syphon filter: dark mirror for the psp? Never played it, but I've heard that it has the best (3rd person) controls for the psp. AFAIK all the psp games have bad controls since the psp is missing dual analog sticks. This is what I've heard, I don't even own one..

I fact I don't play that many shooter on a console. I've played halo for about 4-6 hours and while I got better at controlling the character I often found my self admiring the sky or the floor far to often :)

I play the shooters on the computer(hurray for the mouse and the keyboard) and 2d games at consoles.

Okay here's my theory. I think a lot of FPS would be much easier if we had an input devices like the NES Zappergun. A mouse and keyboard or a controller just put limitations on your ability to manipulate a real life object (like a gun). (although in FPS you control a person holding a gun).

I think gamedesigners need to find the right balance between:

Making the game either so realistic that becomes very difficult to control (with a mouse or keyboard)

The need to implement mechanisms that "automate" part of this control (such as autoaim or steering brake)

Use different types of controllers (like a dancemat or guitarhero guitar).

However certain players may not like these "auto-X" mechanisms so when they select the "bring it on mode" we should also disable such mechanisms.

Read them game reviews. That's what they're for. I never liked 3D games cause of this issue, but they're getting slightly better now compared to the N64/PS1 age.

That's why I stick to 2D games, where if the controls suck you know that the developers have serious issues.