PDP’s Trigger Grips for the PlayStation Vita

If you just got yourself a new Playstation Vita, and you’re like us at Wanderson75, then you are knee deep in some awesome portable gaming. However, as with any new portable device, it can take a while to get comfortable using the controls, since the system itself generally does not have the same feel and design as the more familiar console controller. Luckily, PDP has just released a new accessory called the Trigger Grips to answer your prayers and aching wrists. Do they hold up to the test or are they just another throw-away accessory we are presented to at launch?

Once you open the package to the Trigger Grips, you’ll notice the ‘Grips are a simple one-piece accessory- requiring zero assembly. The design is such that the accessory wraps around the border of the Vita, leaving the back touch panel open for play and stays clear of each button and both analog sticks.  The Trigger Grips’ top half has been molded to wrap around the corners of the Vita near the shoulder buttons. Attaching the ‘Grips can be easily accomplished by sliding the handheld in an upward motion to match the corners of the grips. From there the bottom portion of the Vita is pressed inward so the small teeth on the Trigger Grips can latch on it.

As part of the simple design, there are triggers attached to the underside of the handles, making for easier gaming with shooters, such as Uncharted: Golden Abyss. I played the game both with and without the ‘Grips, and I can say that I will have trouble going back to the normal shoulder buttons after shooting my way through the jungles with PDP’s new accessory.  The triggers aren’t perfect though; they are built to be loose fitting and I’m worried they might leave rub marks on the Vita’s shoulder buttons.

The grip itself is coated with a soft satin coating to offer less sweaty sessions, and they never slipped out of my hands while in use.  The handles fit the Vita perfectly, and not once did they interfere with me trying to use a button, nor did it prevent me from using the back touch panel.  In fact, I found that the back panel was easier to locate since the design of the grip is molded around the corners of the panel.  This gave me a good landmark, so that I knew wasn’t tapping in a random space.

Although I would recommend investing in a proper case, with the Vita in the wrapped design it also offers some protection from normal wear and tear. As with any new gadget, I’m always extremely careful when setting it down on a surface, for fear of scratches. With the Vita in the Trigger Grips, I can set it down with peace of mind, knowing that the system never touches anything but the accessory surrounding it. However, I noticed that if you hold the handle the right way with one hand, the teeth that hold the Vita into place snapped out of position, putting my handheld at risk of falling. I understand that the grip needs some flexibility to allow for ease of removal for the Vita, but the snap-on teeth could have been larger, or longer, in my opinion, to avoid this potential hazard.

Out of the wave of accessories about to hit the market for the Vita this year, I think PDP’s Trigger Grips will be one of the most useful. Despite a minor design flaw, the Trigger Grips does the job, offering more comfort and extended my playtime with the Vita. For only $16.99 your wrists will thank you.

Wanderson75.net gives the PDP Trigger Grips 4.5/5.0