Hands-on: DualShock 3 lacks punch; full game list

Long live the DualShock 3. Vicious Sid tries out the new vibration-enabled PS3 controller. Though it's a welcome improvement, it seems that rumble on the PS3 lacks some punch.

A feature that games and game developers alike have clamored for, Sony has re-introduced vibration features to the previously rumble-free Sixaxis controller. Dubbed the "DualShock 3," the new controller combines wireless functionality, motion sensing, and the vibration features.

What does it feel like? A bit heavier, for a start...but no heavier than the PlayStation 2's DualShock 2, and much lighter than the Xbox 360's controller. Overall, it felt very comfortable, as expected.

Meet the DualShock 3. Not a big change, huh?

Meet the DualShock 3. Not a big change, huh?

I tried the DualShock 3 on a vibration-enabled version of Rachet & Clank Future for the PS3 at TGS, and I was left somewhat underwhelmed with the results. *Note that the controller was certainly a pre-production prototype and may not represent the final version -- it doesn't launch until Spring 2008 in North America. Also, our rumble experience was limited to Ratchet & Clank; further software enhancements may improve the functionality.

PS3 titles that are already in the market may become compatible with the rumble feature through software update."
--Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc.

In Ratchet, the DualShock 3 didn't rumble so much as "pulse." When firing the default fireball gun, the DualShock 3 distinctly quivered during each shot, but few other effects seemed to be implemented and the overall impact was somewhat muted. The effect was similar to the PS2's DualShock 2, but seemed to be gentler. Whether this is due to concerns over battery consumption, interference with motion sensing, barebones implementation in the current Ratchet build, incomplete hardware, or a combination of all these factors is still up in the air.

It's unknown whether the DualShock 3 will become a new standard controller sold with every PS3, or a premium controller gamers must buy separately.

However, we'll take gentler rumbling over no rumbling at all, particularly if the final price point is the same as the current Sixaxis. Sony hasn't yet announced details on pricing, and the release date for North America is a tentatively schedule "Spring 2008," while Japanese gamers will score the new controller this November.

Sony also said that already-released games may see software updates to enable rumble features for DualShock 3 owners, but gave few specifics outside of its first-party lineup. It's unknown whether the DualShock 3 will become a new standard controller sold with every PS3, or a premium controller gamers must buy separately.

Sony also released a full list of games expected to support the new (old?) rumbling features. Highlights below: read the full list here.

North American/European titles to support rumble:

  • The Darkness

  • Enemy Territory: Quake Wars

  • Soldier of Fortune

  • Resident Evil 5

  • Devil May Cry 4

  • N-Cube

  • Warbit

  • Dark Sector

  • Turok

  • Highlander

  • Kane & Lynch: Dead Men

  • Burnout Paradise

  • FIFA franchise (title name TBD)

  • Legendary: The Box

  • To End All Wars

  • Rage

  • WarDevil: Unleash the Beast Within

  • Dynasty Warriors 6

  • Fatal Inertia

  • Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

  • Blacksite: Area 51

  • Unreal Tournament 3

  • Wheelman

  • Cops (codename, title name TBD)

  • Planet One (codename, title name TBD)

  • Heroes over Europe

  • Condemned 2

  • Iron Man

  • The Club

  • The Crucible

  • The Incredible Hulk

  • Blast Factor (*1)

  • Echochrome

  • Elefunk

  • Folklore (*1)

  • Formula One Championship Edition (*1)

  • Heavenly Sword (*1)

  • MLB 08: The Show

  • MotorStorm (*1)

  • NBA 08 (*1)

  • Pain

  • Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

  • Resistance: Fall of Man (*1)

  • SOCOM: Confrontation

  • Super Stardust HD (*1)

  • Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

  • Warhawk (*1)

  • WipEout HD

  • GripShift

  • NBA 2K8

  • Destroy All Humans 3

  • Stuntman Ignition

  • Assassin's Creed

  • Beowulf

  • Haze

  • Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced

  • Warfighter 2 (*1)

  • Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas (*1)

  • Prototype

  • The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

(*1) Users will be able to enjoy the rumble feature through software update.

(*2) Actual titles to be released may vary among countries and regions.

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