by Marilla Mulwane

Created on: February 04, 2013

The PlayStation 3 Dual Shock 3 Wireless Controller comes standard with any new PS3 purchase. It is by far one of the best console controllers made. The design is almost identical to the PS2 controllers, so it feels the same in hand. What makes the Dual Shock 3 Wireless Controller one of the best, if not the best, are the extras that were designed exclusively for the PS3.

Wireless capability

As the name of the controller suggests, it does not require a cord attached from the controller to the console. The controller syncs to the console, similar to how a laptop connects to a wireless port to access the Internet. Just hit the PS button on the middle of the controller to turn it on. The console will automatically read the controller and it will work. The controller has amazing wireless distance. Stand two rooms down from where the console sits and it will still read the controller. Sit under a blanket on a cold day and the console will still read it.

Control the console

Nice and comfy in the chair and don't want to get up to play a game or turn off a game? Just use the PS3 Dual Shock controller. Hitting the PS button on the controller while the console is turned off will turn it on. Hit the PS button while playing a game to turn off the game, and then navigate to the menu to shut down the console. As long as the game is already in the PS3, a player never has to touch the console to play.

Charging the controller

The wireless controller needs power to work, and after a time that power diminishes. Unlike the Xbox controllers, the PS3 controller does not use batteries. It is charged using a cord that connects the controller to the console, turning it into a wired controller. Users can leave it plugged in and let it charge, or continue to play while the controller charges. Charging is quick with new controllers, but as they age charging can take a little longer.

Sixaxis controls

The neat thing about the wireless controller is the ability to manipulate things on screen by moving the controller. Instead of hitting buttons, players tilt, shake, or flip the controller upside to make something happen on screen. An excellent example of the use of sixaxis controls is the game "Folklore." Players capture creatures by shaking, swinging, and jerking the controller. Unfortunately, it is not easy to play these types of games while the controller is charging because the cord gets in the way.

Syncing issue

About the only time that the PS3 Dual Shock Wireless Controller becomes annoying is when there is more than one PS3 in the house and they share controllers. The controller is synced to one console and remains synced to that console. Let's say someone wants to play a two-player game and needs two controllers. One controller is synced to one PS3 and the other is synced to the second. If the player hits the PS button on the second controller, it's going to turn on the second console and not work on the first console. It has to be synced by plugging it in with the charging cord, and then re-synced to the second console after play. This is a hassle, and is why it is better to purchase controllers for each console. Except that takes money.

Cost

It doesn't matter that the PS3 has been out for years, the price of the Dual Shock Wireless Controllers hasn't gone down. They cost upwards of $50, and buying them used isn't much cheaper. New PS3s come with one controller, but more are required for multi-player games. That adds up, and is probably the only real bad thing about the controller. Looks at all the extras, though, and it seems worth it.

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