The PlayStation 3 is ready to rumble once again - and it's most welcome news for owners.
Sony has just released locally the new Dualshock3 wireless controller for the PS3 (RRP: $109.95) enabling us to have a more realistic experience, especially with games like Gran Turismo 5: Prologue, Resistance: Fall Of Man and MotorStorm.
The
has been sadly missed. The vibration gamepad first appeared around 1998 for the PS2 and many games took real advantage of the vibration sensing.
The company Immersion sued both Sony and Microsoft claiming vibration in their respective console controllers was their original idea. Microsoft settled out of court but Sony fought the
but it lost and had to pay royalties of US$82m as well as stopping the sale of rumble controllers.
After an appeal by Sony was unsuccessful, the two companies started talking about officially using the technology.
So arrives the Dualshock3 with its feedback and all the sensors of the stock standard bluetooth PS3 controller but now with that rumble giving you a sense of impact.
Man I have missed that vibe when the enemy lays into you with a round of bullets and the shudder when your car rides a track's ripple strips or collides into a barrier or another vehicle.
The black opaque controller is definitely heavier than the original Sixaxis PS3 controller which will now be discontinued. Sixaxis was about providing six-way directional motion sensitivity instead of button pressing to create the movement.
That heavier feel gives it a well-assembled feeling and the handgrips don't flex when squeezed.
The new use of Bluetooth technology means you can have up to seven wireless controllers at one time and the controller can be charged at any time through the PS3 system using the provided USB cable.
The moment it arrived, I couldn't wait to try it out on Gran Turisomo 5: Prologue.
Wow, what a difference. You really feel the impact of hitting cars or a wall and losing traction feels more authentic. You definitely feel the sensation of going off the track.
And it's much more subtle than before - or perhaps I've forgotten the joys of rumble.
It's just what was needed. Thanks Sony!
Some couldn't wait, like this strange person who remedied the situation by
.
And his old skool bud in the video below is nostalgic about all the rumble controllers going way back to its first release in Japan.
PLUS: Waterproof Allbirds - and some "professional" sneakers for the office.