[DonDonDonPata]

I always wondered why. My kids have been messing with some of my Japanese imports during COVID lockdowns. On SEGA Saturn the games work and control the same way whether it's a Japanese game or US region game. Genesis games use the same button layouts regardless of region. NES and Super Nintendo games... same button mapping for both regions.

But for some reason on Playstation they flip the controls: for US-region games X button is 'Yes/Confirm' and the O button is 'No/Back'**. In Japanese games, it's the opposite. The O button is Yes and the X button is No. The Japanese one makes more sense, since you Circle something as a 'Yes' in school and cross it out as a 'No'. They even call the X button 'Cross'. I have a Japanese PS2 and a US region PS2 to accommodate a mixed US/JPN PS2 collection. Dualshock controllers work fine on both systems, no issue.

Most people know this peculiar quirk, but I've never understood why Sony made this decision. Anyone happen to know?

**I suppose some Playstation titles use Triangle as the Back button, depending on the genre, but for the most part that's how the system works.

 

[miona's shoulder monkey]

Because the X symbol is seen as No/deny and O as yes/*correct*

it's not really about the controls because in that case i prefer the western approach.

 

[mcz117chief]

Because the X symbol is seen as No/deny and O as yes/*correct*

100% this. When you say no in Japan you cross your arms into an x.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

Yes, so why'd we flip that for US region games? In the USA we don't cross our arms or X something out to say "yes"

 

[miona's shoulder monkey]

Yes, so why'd we flip that for US region games? In the USA we don't cross our arms or X something out to say "yes"

I must admit I was too quick. I say it's because of the comfort/familiarity (other controllers, where x is supposed to be main "A" to pick an option) whereas Japan goes for literal meaning.

 

[mcz117chief]

Yes, so why'd we flip that for US region games? In the USA we don't cross our arms or X something out to say "yes"

In Europe we do put an x in forms and tests as a "yes" or "this".

 

[DonDonDonPata]

When you say no in Japan you cross your arms into an x.

also crossing arms into an X increases attack damage

or the universal sign for "transfer me into my power armor"

I'll accept either of those before I accept "X means Yes"

 

[DonDonDonPata]

In Europe we do put an x in forms and tests as a "yes" or "this".

Hmm, so X would be like a in the bubble and O would be the empty, un-checked bubble? That makes sense.

 

[IrishWhiskey]

I think in the west from an ergonomic standpoint maybe it made sense that the closest button to the player/bottom button was going to intuitively be pressed first/most often by people so they flipped it while ignoring the symbols?

If you think about it I think Dreamcast and Xbox consoles both use the bottom button as confirm too if I'm remembering correctly

 

[Zog]

…because we have bigger hands. It's the reason behind the original Xbox's huge controller. I think they called it 'The Duke'.

 

[miona's shoulder monkey]

I think in the west from an ergonomic standpoint maybe it made sense that the closest button to the player/bottom button was going to intuitively be pressed first/most often by people so they flipped it while ignoring the symbols?

Yes, imagine pressing square or something for yes. That be even more fucked up. Even worse than triangle.

"press any button to continue"
*pushes power button*
...
*system shuts off*

WTF???

 

[Hostile_18]

A couple of years ago it was news that Cross would be proceed for Sony games even in Japan. It was another sign at the time of Sony becoming more Westernised.

I don't really care as long as it's consistent. It's hard going to Switch games because of the X and O buttons being reversed.

 

[miona's shoulder monkey]

…because we have bigger hands. It's the reason behind the original Xbox's huge controller. I think they called it 'The Duke'.

Despite not having large hands I couldn't for the life of me figure out while playing RE7 in VR why his hands are so small until way after.

 

[Snes nes]

well if I were to play playstation I'd have to get a japanese import I guess I'm too used to nintendos layout.

 

[mcz117chief]

well if I were to play playstation I'd have to get a japanese import I guess I'm too used to nintendos layout.

Plenty of games allow you to switch input layout on PS systems. Sometimes from presets, other times as much as you want. Also, plenty of Japanese games use the Japanese button prompts even in the western versions, for example the Ace Combat series has it as an option I think. I'm certain Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops has the Japanese layout even in the west.

 

[Zefah]

As someone who has been using Japanese hardware since PS2, the forced change to the "western way" with PS5 bothers the hell out of me.

 

[Bunta]

Apparently this was answered by SDNA (Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc. )some time ago. This article mentions it, but the source is no longer on Sony's page:

「○」ボタンはキャンセル!? 日本と海外で変わる記号の意味 - DESIGN JOURNAL - 株式会社モンスターラボ

国によって異なる、記号が持つ意味 突然ですが、アンケートなどにおける「◯、△、☓」の記号が、世界では必ずしも「

aco-tokyo.com

Anyway, what SDNA wrote, in short, according to this article, is that O is associated with OFF in western made electronics based on the image of on/off switches.

 

[Soodanim]

I never questioned it until I found out about the Japanese way, and even the I assumed it was because X is the "first" button, which is contrasted by triangle being the last one. But then again, that could be because I'm used to it being that. I do have trouble adjusting to Nintendo buttons sometimes, because it isn't as intuitive to me.

For me I was Sega then Sony, so PlayStation was my first standardised button layout. A, B, and C all took turns being the "Ok" button back then.

I wonder if Arabic speaking/writing nations have an easier time with Nintendo buttons by default because of the right to left text.

 

[Grinchy]

X marks the spot

And sometimes in a checklist we will X out the choices we are confirming.

That's all I've got.