bit-tech Shopping: Sony Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Includes vibration & feels more sturdy

Weaknesses: Had to reset couple of times

Summary: When I heard about this controller, I got real excited. To be able to play my PS2/PS1 games with original rumble experience on PS3 was fantastic. And it really turned out to be a great controller. Not only the rumble works great with old games, there were some current PS3 games also which already supported it. Besides the rumble feature, the controller also feels a little better in hand than the sixaxis one which was too light for my liking. One problem I faced was that after certain firmware updates, my PS3 would not recognize my Dualshock 3 controller, unless I reset it. Sony can launch some more colors in USA but for now I am happy with my black one

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Force feedback, right weight, backwards compatible to PS2 rumble

Weaknesses: Should've been included from the beginning, not supported in all PS3 games, no included USB cable

Summary: The Dualshock 3 is the second-generation PS3 wireless controller, adding force feedback to the Sixaxis controller. With the addition of the force feedback motors, the too-light feeling of the Sixaxis feels perfectly weighted now. The Dualshock 3 provides rumble for PS3 games that support it, though not all games do. Some older ones have been patched to support it, though it's supported in all PS2 games on the PS3. There's no included USB cable, so charging two controllers at once needs the purchase of a cable. Also, this should have been the controller included with the PS3 from the beginning. It's a great controller and is well worth the money.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Rumble, Sixaxis motion, Comfortable, Familiar design and interface, Sturdy

Weaknesses: L2/R2 buttons feel weird, No usb cable included

Summary: The Dualshock 3 is essentially the Sixaxis controller with rumble technology. There are no other visible changes, but it is noticeably heavier than the Sixaxis. My Sixaxis makes a squeaking noise if you try twisting the controller but the Dualshock 3 feels much sturdier and like one solid piece. If you've ever used a Playstation controller, you know what to expect in terms of comfort and button layout. Battery life seems the same as the Sixaxis, but I would assume that it is a tad shorter because of rumble. Both the Sixaxis and Dualshock 3 have these L2/R2 buttons that slope down. For me, it becomes uncomfortable when you're holding it down for a long time like in a racing game. The slope also makes it easy to have your fingers slip off at times. The controller did not come with a usb cable. Although I am not really in need of more usb to mini usb cables, it would have been nice to have one included. Overall, the Dualshock 3 is the Sony controller you would have expected them to release in the beginning.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Weeks

Strengths: balance and overal feel

Weaknesses: location of analog sticks

Summary: Being new to the PS3, I?ve never used the 6 axis controller so I don?t really have it to compare to. The DS3 is a good controller with the right weight and balance for me. I can play for hours without hand fatigue. The triggers and buttons are easy to get to (they?re where you?d expect them ergonomically) and have good tactile feel. The only minor thing is that the spacing of the analog sticks is a bit close to each other, but that?s mainly because I have bigger hands/longer fingers.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Vibration function really adds to the experience. Bluetooth wireless.

Weaknesses: Bit pricey, short battery life. No regular batteries. Motion controls not accurate.

Summary: Nice controller where the vibration function adds a lot to the game experience. Though a bit pricey in my opinion, I would highly recommend owning one of these to every PS3 owner. FPS games are great with this, as are many casual games like Pixel Junk monsters. I wish it used regular AA batteries though - that way I could stick in some rechargeable batteries. I am worried what will happen a year from now when the built in rechargeable stop working - do I have to buy a new controller then? I less star for that, otherwise would have been a perfect 5.