DUALSHOCK 3 Wireless Controller

If there was one major gripe shaking out (pun intended) in the wake of the release of the PlayStation 3 console system, it was that the wireless controller didn’t feature the familiar rumble features that PS2 owners were accustomed to.

Well, it’s been better than a year (the PS3 released on November 17, 2006) and Sony has finally released the DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller with rumble technology incorporated into the device. What an absolute pleasure this controller is to use. It retains the look and size of the standard PlayStation controller, still has the Bluetooth wireless functionality, it heavier than the controller released with the PS3, still has SIXAXIS features, but now comes with the desired rumble effect.

The rumble technology has been implemented very well into the controller. Playing Gran Turismo 5 yielded the crispest realization of this when the car drifted too far into the corrugated edging on the track. It almost felt as though each of the ruts was coming through the controller’s detection system, and adding to the joy was the fact that the controller was a good five yards from the PS3 and its USB cable connector. The USB connector does also act as the charging cable for the lithium battery in the DUALSHOCK controller.

The controller may not sync, rumble-wise, with every PS3 title owned out of the box, but just updating the game (with online updates) will translate into the power of the rumble sensors relaying explosions and such through the technology.

Call of Duty 4 was a delight and the addition of the sensors added to the game’s intensity. Games, in general, took on a new dimension with the addition of the rumble.

While some may not like the added weight, I liked it. The controller did not feel as flimsy and even prolonged gaming sessions didn’t dampen the enthusiasm. Having that weight gave the controller substance.

The responsiveness of the controller is still crisp and without noticeable delay. The look is classic PlayStation controller, so you can’t go wrong there.

It’s taken almost a year and a half until the rumble was added to the controller, and while it would be easy to say “what took so long?” credit has to be given for a job done right.

Pros:

• ·         Nice weight, but this is the same basic design.

• ·         The rumble effects are crisp, and distinctive.

Cons:
None, unless you want to complain that it was a long time coming.

Overall: 9.75
The look is the same, and all that has been added is the rumble technology, but having gone for almost 18 months without it on the PS3, it feels fresh and is welcomed. The wireless controller just took a big leap forward and became a great console gaming device.