Dualshock 3 review

Stallion · 11-27-2007, 11:43 PM

PlayThree: PlayStation 3 DualShock 3 Review

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When Sony launched the PlayStation 3 without rumbling controllers I was one of those people who was massively disappointed. Now I understood that force-feedback doesn’t change the way a game plays, but since it’s introduction in the latter half of the 90s it has become an essential part of my gaming experience. Goldeneye 64 wouldn’t have been the same without Rumble Paks. When I bought my PlayStation 3 at the European launch I played the launch titles and enjoyed them, but I couldn’t help but feel slightly disconnected from the whole experience. Motorstorm looked great, had great playability, it just felt like I was playing it through heavy duty gauntlets. So when Sony finally announced the return of rumble to the PlayStation 3 I was genuinely happy about it.

The new DualShock 3 controller launched in Japan earlier this month as a stand alone purchase, however it wont see release in Europe and the USA until Spring next year. Considering most new PS3 titles support rumble I didn’t see the point in waiting and ordered a DualShock 3 from a Hong Kong exporter.

It arrived on Monday. I know I am a gaming-geek for saying this but opening the box felt like Christmas! Taking out the DualShock 3 the first thing I noticed is that the controller is more weighty than the SIXAXIS. Reassuringly heavier. It doesn’t feel like a toy, it’s the real deal. Cosmetically there is a slight change from the SIXAXIS, the semi-seethrough paint has been replaced with opaque black paint. Not even strong light will reveal its mechanical secrets.

It still has the triggers which were introduced on the SIXAXIS and I don’t like them as they require extra pressure which make my knuckles ache. In this respect I cant help but compare it unfavourably to the Xbox 360 controller.

A quick playtest of a handful of games. The first had to be Tekken Dark Ressurection Online. I load it up. I select Law. I press start. A quick kick… and I feel that familiar vibrating rumble. Beautiful! Fighting games are born for it.

A recent patch means launch game Motorstorm also has rumble. Bumps, crashes, boost all give you that rumbling feedback that grab you by the scruff of your neck and pull you straight into the game.

Resistance: Fall of Man allows you to feel when you shooting and when you are shot. This extra feeback on your senses makes you feel that you are in immediate danger, and reignites the spark I first had for this game. Despite all the new games I will make time to play this some more.

No rumble in Warhawk although it is meant to be coming. I tried a couple of demos. Toy Home and Uncharted: Drakes Fortune the rumble works great. PS2 games Final Fantasy XII & GTA: Liberty City Stories work with no problems.

I pulled out PS1 game Tekken 3. I load it up. I select Law. I press start. A quick kick…no rumble! I go back to the options screen and switch on vibration, start again and it works great. But it’s the first time I’ve played a PlayStation 1 game in years. I cant believe how much the graphics have dated. I did have this romantic notion of replaying Final Fantasy VII and reliving more innocent times, but to be honest I think the flickering interlace graphics would make my eyes bleed. I’ll wait for the remake. But I digress.

As with all SIXAXIS controllers sold in Europe the DualShock 3 comes without a USB recharging cable. My only disappointment is that Sony didn't add a little blue light in the PlayStation button.

Rumble comes as standard with the Nintendo Wii & the Xbox 360 but its absence on the PS3 makes you realise how much you miss it. The DualShock 3 adds that extra sensory connection between you and your games. It makes games feel alive again. How much you miss it will determine if you wait for its official release or decide to import it. Personally I’m glad rumble is back again.