Sony's DualShock 3 for PS3 finally arrives

When Sony Computer Entertainment’s behemoth, the PlayStation3 (PS3) launched locally back in March last year, one missing feature from earlier PlayStation console systems was the rumbling controller.

While the PS3’s new wireless SIXAXIS controller debuted in all its motion-sensing glory, the vibrating feature wasn’t included due to legal action at the time that saw both Microsoft and Sony being sued for a patent infringement to do with the technology both of their consoles controllers used. While Microsoft settled out of court by purchasing shares in the company Immersion, Sony chose to fight on defending their case.

Though fast forward a few months and $100 million later and Sony too has settled its differences with Immersion, which cleared the path for them to release the game controller that should have shipped with the PS3 in the first place, the DualShock 3.

Featuring exactly the same physical look, shape and tilting-goodness as the SIXAXIS controller, the only things that tell these two apart are a subtle insignia and the weight difference with the heavier DualShock 3 now a more comfortable 190g.

There’s currently over 60 PS3 titles that support the DualShock3, either automatically or after a downloadable patch and naturally any new titles are going to be rumble-ready.

At present the DualShock 3 is still an optional accessory for $99.95, but we hazard a guess it could be something you can expect to see packed in with all new PS3s before the end of the year.