Finally Sony has released the Dual Shock 3. There is no category to review it yet, so here is my guide.
First things first: The Dual Shock 3 is not yet released in a US version, so if you want one now you will have to buy an imported one. eBay is a great place to find an imported Dual Shock 3, and you don't have to bid on it because it is available in eBay stores.
The Dual Shock 3 Japanese version is 100% compatible with US Playstation 3 consoles, so there is no worry about buying the imported model. It is currently available in Black, and Ceramic White.
A brief bit of history: When Sony introduced the Playstation 3, they claimed that rumble would interfere with the SixAxis controller. This was not true, the reason rumble was omitted was a legal dispute with Immersion, the company that licenses the technology. Now that dispute is settled, so the PS3 is gaining rumble. It is a shame that Sony didn't have the forsight to include rumble in the first place.
OK, so how is it? Excellent. The Dual Shock 3 has the best feeling rumble, easily beating the Dual Shock 2 and the Xbox 360 controller in terms of strength, and subtlety. The rumble ranges from the slightest pulse, to the strongest jolts and the full range in-between. It is nice to have a genuine Sony controller that is cordless and features rumble. Sony's PS2 cordless controller was a licensed product, not a genuine Sony. The controller itself feels slightly better than the original Six Axis, partly because it is a bit heavier. Of course the SixAxis technology remains, and works just as well as it did in the original controller.
Rumble is a necessary feature, and it is a good thing Sony now has it for the PS3. In many games, the feedback rumble gives you not only enhances the experience, it can even you play better. A fine example is Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, where rumble convey's your character's hearbeat (as well as registering hits), which tells you if you are in trouble during a gunfight so you don't have to be distracted by the health bar. Many PS3 games have rumble programmed already, obviously developers guessed that Sony would have to reintroduce the feature. PS2 games also regain rumble, another big plus.
Eventually the Dual Shock 3 will be sold in a US version, probably being introduce this spring, but there is no reason to wait since the imported version's price is probably the same as what the US retail version will be: $50-$60. The only downside is shorter battery life due to rumble's power draw, but most users will gladluy make the compromise.
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