Joystiq impressions: DualShock 3 (PS3)

Short version of our DualShock 3 impression: It's like a Sixaxis. Oh yeah, but it has sweet, sweet, rumbles.

More poetically speaking, Joni Mitchell's words that "you don't know what you've got till it's gone" were never truer than in describing what happened when we went from the PS2's DualShock 2 to the PS3's rumble-less Sixaxis. When you get your hands on a DualShock 3 for the first time, your general expectations of controller feedback from a PS3 game are fulfilled. After giving the heftier controller (193g vs. Sixaxis' 138g, even though it "feels" heavier) a little charge time with the USB cable, it was time to test some games.

PlayStation 2 titles (for those who have backwards compatibility) control and give feedback just like you remember -- minus a pesky cord. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune feels like a totally new experience with every gunshot, punch and explosion letting your hands know something is happening on-screen. We had a little hiccup updating MotorStorm, one of the few titles that requires a rumble patch (make sure to go to the online option -- it doesn't auto update), but other than that, the DualShock 3 performs like one would expect. For those who don't want the rumble functionality on, there's always the option of turning it off by hitting the PS button ... but, why would you do that? The DualShock 3's suggested price is $55 and should be available as soon as the box from Sony arrives at your local store.

DualShock 3

Reader Comments (88)

No, you are serious about innovation!

Repeating the same old jokes and using the same old meme.

I swear to god, I hope they better set up a freakin exchange program!

Otherwise, my controller just might "fail" and need replacement by the warranty. They screwed me over with the PS2 didn't they? So in my mind they deserve it.

Hah, that's actually not a bad idea.

Yeah poor baby you were forced by SONY to buy their products.

Careful, you may end up with nothing for a while...

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/04/02/backwards-compatible-ps3s-in-europe-have-long-waits-for-replace/

Bring on the insults! lol

I wasn't forced by Sony to buy their products, I decided to. Just like I'm going to decide to sent in my controller for a Dual Shock version.

I wasn't forced to buy a PS2 or an Xbox 360 either. The only thing is when my PS2 died I had to pay 200 dollars for a new one because the warranty was only 90 days. When my Xbox 360's died Microsoft sent me a Free Controller and game as well as having extended the warranty to three years.

Seems like I am starting to like good customer care and I expect the same of Sony.

Shut the fuck up.

Straight to the point, I like that, CGamble20.

Be more creative!

Stupid memes.

After using the 360 controller for so long, going back to the sixaxis for something like a racing game is just painful. Using R2 for throttle control is downright uncomfortable. That's really going to put a damper on GT5, for me atleast.

Agreed, the PS3 controller will give anyone but small children arthritis. It really is the worst controller ever made.

The right analog stick is used for gas and brake. It has done so since GT2 on the PSone.
If you want, you can configure the controls for whatever you want.

But to play GT, you NEED the GT Wheel.

Does it come with USB charge cable? Is the cable longer than the mere inches that came with the SIXAXIS, or will I still have to sit a foot from my screen while charge/playing?

The IS another option believe it or not. You could go out and buy a longer USB cable and not have to worry about the length of the one included with the controller (if one is included at all).

Check it out:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030302&p_id=3898&seq=1&format=2

15ft USB A to mini-b for only $2.15 USD.

Yeah, we know, Vidikron...but it was still kind of a shit move on Sony's part to include such a ridiculously short USB cable in the box.

The one I ordered from japan didn't come with a cable, just the controller itself, btw thanks for the monoprice link, its a bitch when my DS3 dies out and i have to use the sixasses because that cable is so damn short.

Too little too late (Euro release date anyone? ah it's Sony...)

The crunch came and I bought a 360 instead. Little things like, oh you know the bit that interacts with the games is pretty important and the PS3 didn't deliver.

Whin, whine, whine... you spend all your time bashing the PS3, don't try to make it sound like you were on the edge of purchasing one and the lack of rumble was the issue that pushed you to the 360.

What's there to know? It's essentially the DS2 + tilt, so it'll share the pluses (symmetry, segmented D-pad) and the minuses (hideous left analogue placement), but now its BlueTooth!

Go with what works, i suppose.

rumble is so last gen.

so is your comment

Actually, his comment is this gen, but formerly next-gen.

Sony said it first.

I imported a DualShock 3 over a month ago now. I mean it's cool and all, but this is something that really should have been built in from the start, but that is Sony's fault for thinking they were too cool to have to pay Immersion for use of the patent.

Immersion are jackholes. I've dealt with them directly. When they developed force feedback, they crapped on rumble as being worthless since it doesn't communicate enough info. They showed off their FF sticks and pseudo-mice. But once their technology failed, then they decided they owed rumble.

Patent trolls. I wish no one were paying them.

For the longest time, after I got my PS3, I didn't mind not having rumble. But after going like over a year without rumble (minus playing 360 and wii at my friends house) I think I'm actually wanting rumble. I've never said rumble is that important, though I've always agreed that having rumble is better than not having rumble...

Why couldn't they just fix the second row of shoulder buttons? ;_;

For the same reason Microsoft won't fix the damned D-pad...

...pride.

Indeed, without new triggers, the DualShock 3 is a no-sale for me.

Doesn't the cancellation of the SIXAXIS kind of imply the MSG4 bundle already announced with the SIXAXIS will actually come with a DS3 instead?

I mean, what are the chances Sony even has any left by the time that bundle comes out?

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/499-80gb-ps3-bundle-includes-mgs-4-dualshock-3/

And the rabid fanboys rejoice.

I'd get a PS3 if I could use the 360 controller on it. The ergonomic design of the DS2/3 is terrible by comparison. DS2 used to be my favorite controller. It had the best of SNES button placement, with wings so you didn't cramp.

But the 360 design is so much more comfortable. The only thing wrong with the 360 controller is the D-pad.

Anyone else having problems with theirs losing synch to their PS3? My DS3 drops and has to be re-synched everytime I go from the XMB into a game or vice versa.

No. That's not normal. I've had a DS3 since January, and that doesn't happen with it.

I'm looking forward to the new DualShock 3 but I think it's a little more expensive than it should be. It feels a little like Sony is passing some of their Immersion legal fees on to the consumer. I'll get one anyway because rumble is worth it.

http://www.hugegamer.com

I'm glad they added rumble to the PS3 controllers. I never liked the feel of the Sixaxis, so I'm hoping to try one of these out soon. Don't have a PS3 yet, but it's slowly becoming more appealing.

I have a pair of DS3 that I imported from Japan before Christmas and much much prefer them to the old Sixaxis. The rumble is great and I didn't realise how much I missed it until it was back. The controller is about 50% heavier than the old Sixaxis and feels a lot more solid as a result. Plus they were cheaper to import than to buy a Sixaxis at retail here in the UK. The only downside is that you don't get a USB cable with them.

i think sony should have the controllers live up to thier name. if its dual-shock, i expect to get jolted right out of my seat and shot across the room while riding the lightning bolt steaming out of my sony controller.

Previous 50 Comments

Joystiq impressions: DualShock 3 (PS3)

DualShock 3

Reader Comments (88)

Posted: Apr 2nd 2008 9:11PM NightElve said

Posted: Apr 2nd 2008 8:30PM Abuzar said

Posted: Apr 2nd 2008 8:45PM Hyams said

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