Got a PS3 and miss the old Dual Shock Controller that you had with PS2? Fear Not, the PS3 Dualshock 3 Wireless controller is here!
We've only had the PS3 for a few weeks, and realized that we NEEDED a second controller. How else was my son going to attempt to school me in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. We needed to race 2P style.
Back up, how much is it, where do you buy it?
The salesman at my local Gamestop made an easy sale to me of the Dualshock. After talking about glorious graphics of the PS3 and a few games ranging from Assassins Creed to Gran Turismo, I told him I needed a second Six Axis controller. He said For five dollars more. I asked if it could be turned off if you didn't want to have the rumble shock, and was told yes, most games will ahve this option. I was sold. In my home Gamestop and EB Games are a plenty, and all sell PS3 accessories including the Dual Shock.
So, What is it Now?
This is a dual shock controller
That means that with many games programmed for it, the controller will rumble and shake a bit for certain effects. In Uncharted: Drake's Fortune the controller would pulse with Nathan's heartbeat when you are on low health. In Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction the controller gives a satisfactory shake as you slam the enemies with your trusty wrench or shoot them with your amazing arsenal of weapons. Sorry, so far these are the only two games we've played with it that the dual shock did something. However, if you had PS2, you know how the dual shock worked. I think it adds a bit of excitement to the game. If you have the backwards compatible 80 gig PS3, that means all your old dual shock PS2 games will work just fine, like the rumble and shake those darn zombies give you in Resident Evil. (if PS2 games looked halfway decent on the big screen, I may have sprung for the 80 gig model)
This is still a Six Axis controller.
If you read my review of PS3, you know that the new PS3 controllers respond to your twisting and turning of the controller in several games. Tilting it will balance you in Drake's Fortune. It will allow Nikko to drop shoot and roll in GTA IV. It's also sweet for riding those motor bikes, as you tilt into your turns. It's similar to the Nintendo Wii in some respects. One of the weapons, a VSI -copter is controlled all by six axis. You steer it towards your enemy and wreak havoc.
and yes it's wireless
That means that unless you need to recharge it via the USB cable, you can walk around your room or sit with no wires and control your game. For me, this means sitting in my chair controlling my character. For my son, this means jumping up out of the chair, and standing in front of the screen rapidly pressing the buttons while doing a sort of dance/fight in the middle of the living room. Yes, wireless is very convenient.
Are there any disadvantages?
I've used both controllers, and I have to say, the dual shock is a wee bit heavier, but it controls exactly the same. I have not noticed any difference in responsiveness or ergonomics while holding it. If I did not pick them both up at the same time, I don't even notice the weight difference really.
Now for what's really important - did my son school me in Grand Turismo 5 Prologue?
First race, we did the Daytona Speedway. He chose a Nisssan R35 GTR '07. I went with Milano Red, and chose the Ferrari F430 '06. Although he sped away from me on the straightaway, I soon caught up handling the wide turns with ease. Although he passed me a couple times, I always retook the lead and came in FIRST.
Our second race we chose the complex twists and turns of the Suzuka Raceway, home of the Japanese Gran Prix. This time my son chose the Ferrari,and I went with the BMW concept car. I have to admit, I spun out in the first turn and wound up in the dirt, but by lap three with better handling in the turns and MaD sKILLZ on the straight aways, I again passed the finish line FIRST. BOOYAHHH! However, neither one of us could blame our controllers for our races, it was all in our finger tips. Gran Turismo relies on neither the six axis or dual shock just the accuracy and responsiveness of the controllers. (D pad to steer, X for gas, Square for brake)
Summary
So, who is the winner? DAD by .23 seconds. Oh yeah, and the new Dual Shock Playstation 3 Wireless controller. It really is a five star product. It has the reliability of Sony, the six axis and wireless functions of the regular PS3 controller and the addition of dual shock for the PS3 games that support it.
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