dualshock3 posts (Subscribe to this feed)

{ Dec 1st 2009 at 6:00PM }

Look, if for some crazy reason you've still not gotten yourself a DualShock 3 and, even crazier, haven't played through Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, then you might want to check out this Amazon bundle -- which is set to release December 15.

For $60, you'll get a black DualShock 3 controller and experience every earth-shaking explosion in Nathan Drake's first adventure through glorious rumble or -- given the time of year -- gift your procrastinator friend or loved one with one sweet bundle, granted they haven't already acquired a new console in the last year or a new PS3 Slim.

There's no word whether Sony will offer other bundles and together the two will only save you $7 right now (Amazon is pricing the game at $27 and the controller at $40), but we still wouldn't suggest playing Uncharted without a DualShock 3. What are you, some chump on the street not getting the fullest from your games? No, you hold yourself to a higher standard.

[Thanks, Yingerman!]

{ Oct 12th 2009 at 4:45PM }

If you don't factor girth into your console purchasing decisions, then SonyStyle has the best deal on a PlayStation 3 we've seen to date -- for just $249, you can pick up a 80GB PS3 Phat and an additional DualShock 3 controller. Sure, it may lack the svelteness and hard drive space of the PS3 Slim, but for a $50 discount and a free controller, we think it's well worth the trade-off.

Equally tantalizing is the 160GB PS3 Drake's Fortune Bundle, which includes Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, a voucher a free download of Pain and an additional DualShock 3 controller for $349. Again, if you don't mind the additional chunky pounds, an added $50 on top of the PS3 Slim cost is a small price to pay for these savory bonuses. Hell, if they'd throw in the David Hasselhoff Pain DLC, we'd probably buy two.

[Thanks Ian!]

{ Sep 18th 2009 at 2:00PM }

Can shoulder buttons still be called "shoulder buttons" when they no longer sit perched upon the Dualshock 3's shoulders? Could they be more aptly described as "hip buttons?" Regardless, the onus for renaming these toggles now rests upon modder extraordinaire Ben Heck, who made the controller's L1, L2, R1 and R2 buttons "easier to get at" by placing them on the front of the controller (at the cost of the peripheral's rumble motors).

We're perfectly contented with the shoulder buttons' current location, but we suppose folks who lost their index digits in a terrible Chinese Finger Trap incident may find this mod useful.

[Via Engadget]

{ Sep 2nd 2009 at 5:45PM }

A growing thread on the official PlayStation 3 forum alleges the recent hardware firmware upgrade to version 3.00 has spawned a host of controller connection issues for PS3 users. According to the forum, various wireless controllers -- some users specifically naming DualShock3 model CECHZC2H (Ceramic White) -- are unable to connect to the console. When turned on, users claim the controller LEDs for ports 1 and 2 activate, but the controller remains inoperable.

Users attempting to troubleshoot the problem claim that resetting the controller (through the built-in pinhole reset function) and plugging it directly into the console (via USB) do not correct the error, with one user going so far as doing a complete system restore to no avail. The issue, however, appears to be isolated, but is still a concern for a number of gamers.

Update: Overnight, the issue has spawned an interesting development. Users are pointing out that the problem may be isolated to "knock-off" PS3 controllers. Joystiq has contacted Sony for an update to see if XMB 3.00 targets these fakes or if the controller issue is simply a byproduct of the controllers not being able to catch up with the new firmware.

{ Aug 4th 2009 at 12:30PM }

This seems like one of those things that, when a Sony representative sees it, it elicits a sharp forehead smack, accompanied by the following exclamation: "Why didn't I think of that?" A clever eBay user known as "thegroovygamer" recently put a lovingly crafted LittleBigPlanet pod replica on the virtual auction block. Of course, it wouldn't be an exact replica without two additional items: A DualShock 3 controller, and a little Sackboy to inhabit it.

We would have bought an armful of these bundles had Sony released them in the thick of LittleBigPlanet fever last fall. Oh, heck -- we'd buy an armful now. Just throw in a few sticker sheets, and we'll get out our checkbooks.

[Thanks, Corey!]

{ Jun 25th 2009 at 4:15PM }

If you've been looking to color up your PS3 controller collection, you'll be glad to know that silver DualShock 3 controllers are now available nationwide at GameStop. This new color will set you back $54.99, which is the same MSRP as the standard black controller.

[Via Twitter]

{ May 12th 2009 at 4:30PM }

click to enlarge

We first saw evidence that Sony might be planning to expand the selection of DualShock 3 colors in the US last month, when retailer GameStop listed a silver version of the controller for release on June 24. Now we have a photo, via a tipster, of what's purportedly a US model of the white DualShock 3 already available in Japan -- purchased at a Wal-Mart in Florida. Henry, who sent in the photo, says it was the only one left at the store where he bought it. He also included additional pics showing the rest of the seemingly North American packaging, complete with bilingual English / French adorning the front and back.

Naturally, we got in touch with Sony to ask about this find ... and were told it doesn't exist. Specifically, when we inquired whether this was some sort of "stealth" release, an SCEA hardware PR rep told us, "We have no plans to release a white Dualshock 3." No plans? Did someone not get the memo, or, as our tipster suggests, accidentally ship out something that's not due to be announced until E3?

This is where you come in. If you spot a white, official first-party DualShock 3 in US packaging, send us a photo along with info on when and where you saw it. Better yet, if you find and buy one, send us a photo of the receipt, too. You know how to reach us.

[Thanks, Henry!]

Gallery: White DualShock 3 (US version) -- or is it?

{ Jan 12th 2009 at 7:00AM }

People have been using Sixaxis controllers on PCs for a long time now. But, what about DualShock 3s with rumble support? Apparently, it's now possible. A Japanese coder has released four drivers which allow Windows users to play games on PC with a DS3, tweak some of the controller parameters and subsequently employ rumble. It sounds like a fun experiment to play around with, though, from the looks of it, the driver menus are mostly in Japanese. Check DCEmu UK for instructions in English.

[Via Engadget]

{ Oct 8th 2008 at 9:30AM }

Famitsu reports (via IGN) that Sony will release the 80GB PS3 in Japan for the same price as the current 40GB model. For a limited time the company will also include Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Spec III with the system.

Sony will also offer an 80GB PS3 LittleBigPlanet bundle with extra DualShock 3 controller for about $50 more than the standard 80GB version. The company also plans to have a LittleBigPlanet and DualShock 3 bundle for about $80. All the new 80GB models, including the LBP controller bundle, will be offered in black, white and silver color varieties (already available for the 40GB as well). Remember, all this information applies only to Japan, so don't go thinking it's going to be a white 80GB PS3 Christmas.

{ Sep 22nd 2008 at 1:30PM }

DualShock 3 controllers are currently on sale at Amazon -- you can snatch one up right now for $40.96 with free shipping. That's more than $14 off the MSRP of $54.99. Take advantage of this deal here now.

$40.96 still a bit steep for you? Amazon also has third-party Nyko controllers for sale. They contain the vibration function and SIXAXIS just like a regular DualShock 3, though they are considerably less sexy. But at $14.98, you gotta make some sacrifices. It looks like they only have a certain number of the controllers for sale at this price, so hurry up if you are interested. The deal you want is right here.

[Via Slickdeals and thanks to Joshua M.!]

{ Jul 24th 2008 at 11:30AM }

~~Not quite as good as the deal offered before~~Thought the previous deal of $42 plus shipping is good? How about $43.99 including shipping for a DualShock 3 controller? Considering it retails for $55, this is pretty awesome. Besides, most games just ain't the same without that rumblin' action going on, catch our drift? Head over to buy.com now for this deal. Update: Get an additional 5% off with this coupon.

[Thanks, Goonchy and Jason!]

{ Jul 11th 2008 at 10:30PM }

It was a sad day indeed when the rumor that Eternal Sonata might not see the light of day outside of Japan. Thankfully, that rumor may be just another one to stick on the "Not Gonna Happen" pile, as the game has been spotted on the official UK DualShock 3 compatibility list. The list itself was updated on July 8th, only two days ago, along with a whole host of games including some which are due to come out in the next year or so, such as Edge Of Twilight and Brutal Legend.

Does this mean it's headed West at some point in the future? Our guess is yes, which really makes our day (as if the iPhone launch wasn't enough). Hopefully an official announcement will be made by Namco Bandai soon. Wait, what's that just around the corner? E3? Fingers crossed.

[Via PS3Forums]

{ Jul 1st 2008 at 9:55AM }

GoGamer.com is offering the rumble-ready DualShock 3 controller for 25% off its retail price. You can snag one for $41.49, a pretty sizable discount from its $55 MSRP. Games, like Metal Gear Solid 4, just feel so much better with rumble. Whatever it takes, make sure you try to snag one.

[Thanks, Greg P.!]

{ Jun 30th 2008 at 9:00AM }

Sony Europe announced this morning that the DualShock 3 will release in the land ~~down under~~ over there on July 2 and in the UK on July 4. The rumble-licious controller will cost £40 -- there is currently no price given in Euros.

So, happy American Independence Day merry ol' England! Crack open a can of Bud, prep some barbecue and go down to your local games shoppe and pick up a DualShock 3. Yes, it's everything the Sixaxis was supposed to be.

Gallery: DualShock 3

{ Jun 13th 2008 at 4:00PM }

We know some of our readers here are from Canada, so we're tossing this Canadian-only promotion out to you. Best Buy has a pretty sweet deal on $25 DualShock 3's -- that's a savings of more than 50 percent off. There is one catch though; you can only get the discounted price if you purchase a copy of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. The total for the game and the controller would come out to about (we really mean aboot) $65, so that's roughly the same as any regular game without a controller. Definitely worth it if you've yet to own either Prologue or rumble for this gen.

[Thanks farfisa!]