A lot better than you'd think
It's all very odd.
When the SIXAXIS spec was first published, there was a little fuss from gamers about the lack of vibration support. At the time, I was fairly ambivalent about this deprecation, and so after finally getting my ps3 began gaming without issue.
- But something was missing -
I couldn't place it exactly, but there was certainly a lack of immersion when racing cars or shooting mexican militia. The SIXAXIS has a good (albeit 'cheap' feeling) design, and yet I yearned to use my 360 controllers with my ps3.
Yesterday I played through the RaceDriver:GRID demo with the DUALSHOCK3, and whilst I didn't immediatley notice any difference, the fact that I felt finally like I was actually sat in that car made it all so very clear.
The range of vibrations generated by the controller in your hands adds a significant amount of extra sensory information.
The difference is like having slowly lost your sense of smell, then suddenly got it back again overnight. Your dominant senses haven't changed, but somehow you 'know' more than you did before.
Every hill bump, every fender-bender, each clipped barrier is an event that is transmitted to your subconscious and relates to the occurrence on-screen. "Ooh" you might say, "I bounced of that curb quite hard, I hope I didn't mess up the tracking".
This is what you are paying for, and now that I have it I can never look back.
The only negatives of the DUALSHOCK3 design are also true of the SIXAXIS:
I think the handles are too small and lack the right shape for my hands. I also think the L2 and R2 buttons need to be recessed and made more trigger like.
That all said, this controller still delivers on it's claims, and the vibration function has more finesse that older designs (e.g. DUALSHOCK2, N64 rumble pack).
So what are you waiting for? Get one, make sure your games are up-to-date and support the vibration function, and see for yourself.
Such an Improvement!
I gave myself the choice to buy a Dualshock 3 or a game, and to be honest i was torn between it, i mean c'mon £40 for a control pad that just has the rumble feature added to it!
But i made the choice to get a Dualshock 3 and i admit i was slightly dissapointed with it at first, until i tried playing a game with the Sixaxis again, that is.
There is such a huge difference with entertainment in games with the Dualshock 3, i adore the controller now! and to be honest im not sure i could play with the Sixaxis again!
There a plenty of noticable differences:
It has rumble (obviously)
It is heavier, but not dramitically heavier, it makes the control feel much better and as others say not as cheap.
It has different plastic case, the Sixaxis is all shiny and slippery while the Dualshock 3 has a less shiny case and is much more firm to hold, its a small difference but it makes the control pad a hell of alot better!
The analog sticks are much easier to press in, a little push and it will go in.
The L2 and R2 buttons are slightly more inwards then the Sixaxis and they feel harder to push in, which feels much better in my opinion.
What can i say about the Dualshock 3? Well i can not play on my PS3 without it now, if you have a choice between a game and a Dualshock 3, absolutely go for the Dualshock, its a small difference but makes the PS3 just that much better to play on!
Buy one! or two, or three, its up to you!
Other improvements over the Sixaxis
Here are some other improvements I have noticed over the old Sixaxis pad :
- The plastic case is not so shiny, and feels less slippery if greasy.
- The plastic case is stronger and doesn't creak.
- The L2 and R2 triggers seem slightly easier to press in and the plastic is more grippy, so your fingers don't slip off so much.
- Clicking the analog sticks in feels slightly easier.
Obviously it also rumbles, and don't worry about the extra weight, it's not much different to a Dual Shock 2.
About DualShock 3 PS3 controller (PS3) detail
- Amazon Sales Rank: #13 in Computer & Video Games
- Brand: Sony
- Released on: 2008-06-27
- Rating: To Be Announced
- Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
- Original language: German
- Dimensions: 3.94" h x 5.91" w x 8.66" l, .66 pounds
Features
- Get closer to the action with the wireless DUALSHOCK3 rumble pad! Designed for use with the PS3
- the DUALSHOCK 3 gamepad includes a SIXAXIS motion-sensing function and pressure-responsivekeys
- ensuring you feel every turn
- tackle and rush. Every hit
- crash andexplosion is more realistic when the user feels the vibration in the palmof their hand. The DUALSHOCK can even detect natural movements
DualShock 3 PS3 controller (PS3) Description
PS3 Dualshock Wireless Controller (with Rumble function)