As others stated, this is one busy remote. There are more buttons on it than a remote for a complex stereo system. I also do not like how it takes pressing a button twice because the remote has to wake up first. Plus with no button pushing indicator light, you cannot tell if what you did worked or not.A must have? No, I do not think it is a must have. A "would be ok to have" is better terminology. Hopefully a third party remote will come along that is a little better than this. It did some with Sony batteries, so it is nice you do not have to buy those right away.If you have the money to get this, do so. You can live with it. If money is tight, use it to buy another controller. Yes, not as pleasant as a remote, but a controller has more uses with a PS3 obvioulsy.