DualShock 3 rocking retail this week

[UPDATE] Motion-sensing, force-feedback-enabled peripheral for Sony's PlayStation 3 landing on store shelves in the next few days; Sixaxis discontinued.

In February, Sony's PlayStation Destination retailer conference had two bits of exciting news for PlayStation 3 owners: Konami and Kojima Productions' long-awaited Metal Gear Solid 4 would arrive June 12, and gamers would have two months in advance to break in their shiny new Dual Shock 3s. Today, Sony narrowed down its broad April release for the PS3's newest peripheral, saying the controller will arrive at retail this week for $54.99.

The latest addition to the DualShock family.

Following a lawsuit settlement with Immersion Corporation in March 2007, Sony officially unveiled its newly redesigned controller later that year at the Tokyo Game Show. The oft-requested force-feedback technology will augment the Sixaxis' motion-sensing capabilities, and it will also have a heft along the lines of Sony's Emmy-award winning DualShock controller, according to GameSpot's hands-on with the peripheral.

[UPDATE] Gamers who prefer the light-weight Sixaxis best not tarry if they have a mind to pick up new controllers. GameSpot has confirmed with Sony that the current PlayStation 3 controller has been discontinued, and will no longer be available at retail once current supplies have sold through.

Sony promises a full list of titles capable of utilizing the new tech will be available on its official Web site later today, and updated regularly as new games are added. In the meantime, titles compatible with Sony's DualShock 3 when it launches is listed below.

DualShock 3 Compatibility List
Formula One Championship Edition
MotorStorm*
Pain
High Velocity Bowling
MLB 08: The Show
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Resistance: Fall of Man*
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
Go! Sports Ski*
Folklore*
Heavenly Sword*
Warhawk*
Super Stardust HD*
Snakeball
Toy Home
PSOne Emulation
Piyotama
PixelJunk Monsters
Blast Factor*
Condemned 2: Bloodshot
Lost: Via Domus
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2*
Burnout Paradise
Dynasty Warriors 6
Devil May Cry 4
DragonBall Z Burst Limit
Turok

*Titles will be given rumble functionality through an update

608 Comments

  • Irve

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 1:42 am PT

    Nomad :
    the dpad on the wii is copyrighted by nintendo ... every other d-pad has to be slightly different ... luckily d-pads are rearely used these days .. however if you are a PS3/360 owner and buy retro games you will start to use them .. and notice that they are poor
    and Nomad if you read my blog you'll see that it won't be before june ... and then i'll finally have my
    PS360
    finally SpoonHeroSR .... would be nice if we had BC to find that out !! whatever people think about the sixaxis peeps should all be pleased that the DS3 is here and here to become the standard ... and as peeps have said it's not like the sixaxis will suddendly stop working ... worst case you've got a spare controller for multiplayer ! the only thing it does is make me wait for a packed in version with the PS3

  • Irve

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 1:42 am PT

    Nomad :
    the dpad on the wii is copyrighted by nintendo ... every other d-pad has to be slightly different ... luckily d-pads are rearely used these days .. however if you are a PS3/360 owner and buy retro games you will start to use them .. and notice that they are poor
    and Nomad if you read my blog you'll see that it won't be before june ... and then i'll finally have my PS360
    finally SpoonHeroSR .... would be nice if we had BC to find that out !! whatever people think about the sixaxis peeps should all be please that the DS3 is here and here to become the standard ... and as peeps have said it's not like the sixaxis will suppendly stop working ... worst case you've got a spare controller for multiplayer !

  • SpoonHeroSR

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 7:42 pm PT

    This works with ps2 games also for anyone who has doubts. And yes for the last time it comes with Dualshock and Sixaxis and its only 5 dollars more then the sixaxis. I love it.

  • tyzwain

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 5:00 pm PT

    All im bothered about is whether the sixaxis will work alongside the DS3 or when the game has been updated to play with DS3.

  • Nomad0404

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 3:41 pm PT

    People don't post pictures of the underneath - so get snapping and posting I know you have the cotrollers to do so. Or, in the case of the 360, you could have if you wanted to and will do at some point in May.

    Hey I'm no fan of the Wii controllers - I think they should have been released along side a decent pad - something better than the GC pad at least.

    I'm no fan of the sony style controller either, i've never liked the 'arms' on it or the d-pad or the old style double shoulder buttons. I have to say if it now has triggers then woooot because racers should be that much better on the PS3. Just a couple of points I don't pay for online - well except the £25 I pay to keep a 20mb connection in my house - and I don't fight with my D-Pad. However, from what Irve is saying you're referring to the 360's D-pad what's wrong with it? I can't remember having to use it as a main control device when playing any 360 game.

    It's a bit like saying go fight with the Wii D-Pad as that's used for hardly anything either.

    In fact I'd be surprised if in 1 or 2 console generations we don't have d-pads at all.

  • Irve

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 10:52 am PT

    chaosblood21
    darkride66
    ReDeYeRaver
    Nomad0404


    everyone seems to have a valid point ...at the end of the day the DS3 might not do anything original but it does do it all in the one package ... Sony have been forced to double dip their fans for these controller and it is something they themselves caused and PS3 owners have a right to be miffed
    but the important thing here ... and this goes to chaosblood21 ... none of these guys are bashing the PS3 they are all talking about the controller
    personall i've always preffered the DC/XB/360 pad style ... but for many people it's a case of "if it ain't broke"
    Darkride ... personally no developer would miss pressure sensitive buttons ... the only PS2 game i know of that used them was Ridge racer 4 ... and they didn't work properly ... they should be buried in the graveyard of bad ideas.
    Nomad ... you criticise the PS3 for tacked on motion controls .. i agree with you ... but you've got a Wii ... doesn't that do it more ? the motion on the Ps3 is an inessential but nice feature ... and all the ideas sony has stolen have improved their pad so stolen or no the change is for the better.

    Darkride .. sorry you do come over as a fanboy .. simply becasue your favouring your PS3 over your 360 to such a degree that you finish your post insulting Xbox live and the 360 pad .... we all know the dpad on the 360 sucks .. but then so does the DS2/3 pad ... you just don't notice it because the 360 is 5 times worse ... and online is way off topic !
    Nomad those pictures to show the 360 links to the DC / nights controller are great .. but if you really wanted to prove the point pictures of the underneath really show the similarities and the difference to the DS controller !

  • phantom5813

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 10:51 am PT

    Well said chaosblood21!!!! Took the words right out of my mouth.

  • Hitman2500

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 10:28 am PT

    thats good news

  • thegod66

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 10:17 am PT

    when is it coming out in britain

  • thegod66

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 10:14 am PT

    when is it comming out in Britain?

  • extrasafeivy

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 9:25 am PT

    I've had a dual shock 3 for a couple months now and it feels good to have a controller you can feel if you get my grasp. The sixaxis seemed to be abit light and breakable but now this new controller feels sturdy and can take a drop on the floor without breaking. Dont see why it has taken so long to get anywhere else. The white dual shock also looks pretty sweet.

  • TheGum

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 9:22 am PT

    I don't like how they are trying to sneak in an extra $5. It's like, I probably would have bought one at $50, but I don't feel right just tossing an extra five on there for no reason.

  • MichaelGeorge70

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 9:03 am PT

    i hate sony's "discontinued" attitude at the moment if i had known about the 60gb versions death i would own one instead i had to settle with a 40gb and stick in a 120 hdd as for the controllers i like it being light weight and if you cant turn the rumble off ingame that would suck "it hurts after prolonged play"

  • chazzx21

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 9:00 am PT

    Thank goodness it works on MLB The show my only PS3 game. I am glad I didn't get 2k8 now.

  • GtKiNg29

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 8:45 am PT

    So it is finally coming out; i can't wait

    Still, why so few compatible games?

  • Lost_forgotten

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 8:34 am PT

    5 dollars less then the Wii's Remote and Chuck combo, so don't see why everyone is slamming the pricing. I own all there new systems I love them all, they bring lot of different things to the gaming experience, same with Psp and DS.

  • Nineball2112

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 8:28 am PT

    I got my DS3 yesterday, and the games I've played so far already have the rumble capability with them... I didn't need to update the game. Both Resistance and Motorstorm had it as soon as I started playing them...

    This is MUCH better. It just adds so much to the whole gaming experience, IMO.

  • chaosblood21

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 7:43 am PT

    The thing i don't get is that why the hell are you people arguing in every dam forum and all this system war crap, can't you guys just play your dam games and enjoy your systems and controllers, and games, every time i go to a diffrent forum i see people arguing about why can't it be for xbox why can't ps3 have this and all that, for example the GoW 3 forum you see xbox fanboys saying they want it for xbox which will never happen like halo 3 going for ps3. Just stick to your system and enjoy what you have. Theres people out there in the world that are starting wars about bread like Egypt, games, fanboys and w.e need to chill with your systems and relax.

  • the_sorrow_MGS_

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 7:40 am PT

    cool, Physco Mantis can use his telepathic abilities once more

  • joey4uncw

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 7:38 am PT

    It'll be interesting to see what happens with this controller. I don't have a PS3 but hopefully it won't be a poorly designed and rushed together item that works half way. We'll see how the addition of a non planned item goes.

  • ravspdr

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 7:26 am PT

    I;m sad to see the sixaxis go!

  • darkride66

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 6:59 am PT

    Sorry about the length of that previous post, folks. I can't believe the people who flock over here just to rag on people who may like the Dualshock. If MS came out with new features on their controller, my first though isn't "I must rush to the forums and explain why the new controller sucks!" I guess that's what seperates gamers from fanboys. I'm not saying we shouldn't debate the merits of controllers as gamers, but come on!

  • darkride66

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 5:54 am PT

    Nomad0404 said "What I am saying is that you are getting screwed by Sony because they wouldn't settle with the pattern owners"
    A. I'm not a Sony Fanboy. I love my 360 just as much as I have a blast with my PS3. My PS3 hardly got any use till Uncharted and COD4 came out. As I'm sure you're aware, just like when the 360 first came out, good titles were scarce.
    B. It's patent.
    C. Sony's been fighting this lawsuit since 2002 and settled in March of last year. Unlike Nintendo and MS they didn't just roll over and now looking back that was a mistake IMO. They also were sued by Immersion for using IR for their wireless signal, probably why they choose bluetooth for these, so they could at least release something wireless.
    D. I've never bought into Sony's "We can't do rumble because of motion" spin because I was aware of the lawsuit. I didn't buy it anymore than I bought MS's "The failure rate is normal," lies or "People don't want or need HDMI."
    E. So the motion of the controller can be replaced by a button. Yeah, or it can be replaced by a motion. That's ReDeYeRaver's point.
    That's kinda the point of motion sensing, isn't it now.
    F. So not many games utilize the pressure sensitive functions. Why should that matter? I would think that if I were a developer I'd rather have the option of using pressure sensitive buttons and motion sensing than not have the choice. It's all about options.
    Here's an idea. Go back to paying for online and fighting with your d-pad. Calling me a fanboy is certainly the pot calling the kettle black.

  • NinjaMunkey01

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 5:06 am PT

    I am not really that bothered about the force feedback.

    what I want to know is if they have redesigned the L2 and R2 buttons, they need to make it more like the 360 controller so your fingers dont slip off.

  • caro94

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 5:01 am PT

    49.99 at buy.com

  • Ryusennin

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 4:33 am PT

    55$ for the return of the good old DualShock ?? This is insane.

  • Nomad0404

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 4:15 am PT

    darkride66

    What I am saying is that you are getting screwed by Sony because they wouldn't settle with the pattern owners of the rumble technology but yet again fanboys like yourselves believe the lies and end up paying for it.

    ReDeYeRaver

    I had a Wii on preorder long before they released and got mine on the same day - I am hardly adverse to using motion control - I will still stand by my opinion that you can do everything with buttons that the sixaxis motion control offers you. You've hardly prooved me wrong - what can you do in Fight night then dodge? That's fine but you could use shoulder buttons for that? Are their any games out there that use the pressure sensors on the XO etc buttons then? If not isn't it a bit pointless as well.

    I've never denied it's a lot of technology in one package I just wouldn't pay $60 for the luxury of owning one. Having said that I resent paying £45 for the luxury of owning a Wiimote and nunchuck so Sony aren't the only company trying to make more out of us via controllers.

    Webdoom - who will buy a Sixaxis now that the DualShock is out?

  • webdoom

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 3:00 am PT

    eh?? discontinuing Sixaxis!?! how is that a smart move???

  • ps3cooly21

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 2:52 am PT

    im will get one in austraila when its out this will make games better and real ps3 rules

  • Mattyrock

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 12:27 am PT

    What a suprise, The Sixaxis was a bit useless since it was a bit loose, unlike the Wii with most games.

    At least Sony are doing something right.

  • Harvestbuddy

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 12:15 am PT

    Sony's understanding us gamers now..

  • jamesh-42

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 11:27 pm PT

    @timothyt: if Sony offered a trade-in program like that, what would they do with the controllers? A program like you suggest would only make sense if either (a) they could sell the controllers that were traded in (possibly after refurbishing them) or (b) it was a court ordered program. Given that they want to phase out sixaxis controllers, and the existing controllers are not defective neither of these seem likely.

    What this announcement does mean is that the PS3 systems being sold with sixaxis controllers are suddenly much less desirable. Why buy a new console with out of date controllers that don't let you fully experience the games?

  • theone86

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 11:20 pm PT

    Finally, I can stimulate my balls whilst playing video games from all the way across the room. Goodbye, Liara and female Shepherd. Hello...wait, damn you Sony! Make a game with girl on girl action already!

  • Da_HeAdBaNgA posted Apr 7, 2008 10:22 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Da_HeAdBaNgA

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 10:22 pm PT (hide)

    i guess that means they will have to raise the price of all 3 worthless systems. Way to go SONY, best marketing stragety in the gaming world. Bunch of idiots

  • timothyt

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 9:54 pm PT

    I personally hate the SixAxis - it feels flimsy and I can't stand the lack of rumble. I really feel that Sony should offer some kind of a trade-in program where SixAxis + $10 = DualShock 3 or something. They completely lied to all of us when they said they couldn't put in rumble because it would interfere with the motion sensing hardware, and the only reason I bought two of the stupid SixAxis controllers was that Sony said they would not be adding rumble. Then lo and behold a settlement later and they've solved the mystery of how to make the hardware work together! There will undoubtedly be a class action lawsuit brought against them for fraudulent advertising if they don't offer some sort of upgrade path for the people they duped.

  • elguino3

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 9:35 pm PT

    thats the spirit YogidAbEAR152 microsoft sucks

    they should do like a trade in thing or somthin cuz all the people who bought sixaxis just wasted their money, like 2 sixaxis for 1 dualshock 3 trade

  • navigata

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 9:20 pm PT

    Picked it up over the weekend here in toronto On canada...Local bestbuy had tons of em. Its nice, bit heavier but thats expected...

  • kingdre

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 8:11 pm PT

    Great. That means the Sixaxis will become a collector's item in a few years. I better keep mine just in case. hehehe

  • YogidAbEAR152

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 8:05 pm PT

    so when these going to show up in canada? time to replace my unreliable noisy, non-bluray 360. so long microsoft

  • bennae66

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 7:12 pm PT

    ahhh. one of the gaps between my bluray3 and my 360 closes a little. now all the bluray 3 needs is a game to play on...

  • USAFCOM

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 5:43 pm PT

    i want one, but for $55 i might as well just get a new game

  • PlayB3yond

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 4:50 pm PT

    hey its a great idea considering i HAVE ALREADY BEEN PLAYING GAMES WITH A CONTROLLER what they expect peolpe to hold out on their gaming for this TRUE GAMERS can't wait on anything realese dates for games, dvds, movies nothing.

  • darkride66

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 2:58 pm PT

    Nomad0404. That's a pretty long post for what can be summed up as "So the DualShock 3 takes great ideas and technology that's been available for years and brings it together into a revamp of an already widely respected controller format. Thanks Sony!"

  • ReDeYeRaver

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 2:53 pm PT

    to Nomad0404:
    This isn't about Sony doing it FIRST...it's about doing them TOGETHER. If your gaming history is so good then when has any company previously made a BlueTooth wireless controller with force feedback, motion control through accelerometer, full throw triggers, all 12 buttons pressure sensitive AND (not OR) 2 10-bit movement joysticks all with a rechargeable battery that you did not have to purchase separately for a charge equal to the hardware you were buying (average recharge kit still costs $50+)? Hmm didn't think so.
    The whole point of motion control isn't that you can't do it with a joystick/button press...it's that it can be much more immersive (see: 'Fun') and so that you don't HAVE to push yet ANOTHER button to do some action or, God forbid, a combination of buttons! There are several games that use the SixAxiS tilt-control to great effect but if you're stuck in the mentality that games must be played with a joystick and buttons then you're not going to like it either way. Not because it's not functional or well implemented but because of a pre-conception. Several of my friends have a hard time coming to terms with motion controls or using the 2nd joystick for action (like Fight Night:R3)...you are not alone. A bit stuck in the past, but not alone.
    And why OH WHY are you mentioning the controller shape stolen by Xbox from Dreamcast when the rest of us are talking PS?

  • Master_2K4

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 2:44 pm PT

    sorry.. i forgot.. they tried the batarang thing....

    http://obviousdiversion.com/images/ps3-boomerang.jpg

    thank god it didn't stick....

  • Master_2K4

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 2:40 pm PT

    you people discussing buttons and s***.... WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO DO? REINVENT THE WHEEL EVERY TIME THEY SEND OUT A NEW CONTROLLER?
    they can only tweak it... wireless from the get go, improved pressure sensors, rumble (or not), rechargeable bateries... as for the buttons go there´s no way around it... they're all going to be more or less the same...

  • Nomad0404

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 2:18 pm PT

    Wireless controllers have been around for decades, nothing new there and all three current gen consoles have them. The saturn had them for sure:

    http://bp2.blogger.com/_h327jbSGoh0/RfShjgpuapI/AAAAAAAABCg/E4tFEfzfyWc/s1600-h/wireless.jpg

    Rechargable - rechargable batteries have been around since I was little and I'm 36!

    So that leaves us with motion sensing and the triggers which are both stolen ideas.

    Is there a single game that benefits from the sixaxis/dual shock motion control? I mean there's nothing it does that couldn't be done with a button is there? So really what's the point, I'll tell you what the point is - Ninetendo had motion control so Sony stole the idea!! And the triggers, well they date back to the nights controller as has already been stated:

    For the fanboys out there that know nothing about the nights controller it looked like this, nptice how it's next to the DC controller:

    http://bp1.blogger.com/_dTJCOGBUipA/Re2FY3lnqfI/AAAAAAAAAFg/4wryvO-vMb0/s1600-h/PANA0092.JPG

    Oh and lastly this is a review of the dreamcast mad catz controller, look at the button placement on the right and the overall shape - resemble anything like the xbox controller maybe?

    http://www.planetdreamcast.com/hardware/reviews/madcatzdreampad/

  • Irve

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 2:15 pm PT

    $5 more than the PS2 controller ... your lucky .. the sixaxis cost $30 more than the DS2 in the UK .. god only knows what the DS3 will cost ... likely an extra $10 .... so all in all double the price of a DS2 controller !
    don't get on such a downer about the HDD for the 360 ... ALL ms peripherals are shockingly overpriced ... the Wi-fi addapter , the Hard drives , the faceplates.
    the worst is the Wii , i feel sorry for anyone that wants 4 player Wii action as a Wiimote and Nunchuck cost a total of $100 here in the UK.

  • BuzzBoy

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 2:13 pm PT

    Sweet, NND1 Ill be about as pumped when the 360 gets a blu ray drive, or a hard drive that isn’t 200 dollars. I happened to be picking up a new ps3 controller on Friday from gamestop (only store in my town) and was pretty surprised when it turned out to be a dual shock 3. More so because the helpful gamestop employee joked with me about how crazy it was that the ps3 doesn’t have rumble functionality

  • NND1 posted Apr 7, 2008 1:39 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    NND1

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 1:39 pm PT (hide)

    So after a couple of years Sony finally gets rumble "WWOOOPDIE --DOO"

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