On the bright side, Sony could be working to make PS3-era peripherals compatible with the PS5. Game Rant discovered a new patent for “Systems and methods for converting a legacy code into an updated code” filed on June 28th by Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. Though highly technical, it features a diagram of the EyeToy, an older DualShock controller, the Sony Media Remote, and more.

Of course, this being a patent doesn’t mean that Sony is confirmed to be working on support for the same. For all we know, it could be patenting the various functions of these devices in anticipation of its rumored native PS3 emulation for PS5. Time will tell so we’ll need to stay tuned for more details.

Much has been said about Sony’s deal to work with Nintendo and develop a CD-ROM add-on for the SNES. This would spiral into a standalone console known as the PlayStation and the creation of the PlayStation Controller. While taking inspiration from the SNES controller, Sony’s creation would have several key differences – the use of shapes to denote its action buttons, two sets of shoulder buttons and grips to make it easier to handle the expanded button setup.

Sony’s use of shapes wasn’t a haphazard decision. Along with becoming a key part of the PlayStation’s marketing, they denoted different actions like Triangle for PoV, Circle for confirming options and Cross or X for canceling, and Square for menus. In retrospect, it’s funny how the Circle is used to cancel choices while Triangle is used to access menus in many games today.

Overall, the PlayStation Controller was a good effort and launched with the PlayStation One in 1994. Better things were coming though. At the PlayStation Expo 96-97, Sony showcased the predecessor to the future – the Dual Analog Controller. Similar to the PlayStation Controller in almost every way, it carried two analog sticks and three operating modes. The first, Digital Mode, allowed for using the controller’s directional buttons and disabling the sticks. The second was Analog which enabled the sticks while the third, Analog Flightstick, was based off of Sony’s short-lived PlayStation Analog Joystick.

Complaints began to mount over the long grips and lack of Rumble for Dual Analog Controllers in the West. At the time, it was thought that Sony was keeping manufacturing prices down. The company also cited rumble as being one cause of controller issues, hence the exclusion. Behind the scenes though, the war over rumble copyright infringement was taking shape. For the time being, the PlayStation Analog Controller launched in April 1997 and was subsequently discontinued in 1998.

Thankfully, Sony would have a replacement ready by November 1997 – the DualShock, the de facto controller of choice going forward.

Boasting dual analog sticks, each with a vibration motor, the DualShock also felt more comfortable thanks to the rubber texturing on the analog sticks. It wouldn’t take long before the sticks were adapted by a number of different companies. There were even releases like Ape Escape which mandated playing with both analog sticks as opposed to either the D-Pad or face buttons.

With the PlayStation already seeing exceptional success, the DualShock cemented itself as one of the best controllers at the time. The design would see very minimal changes when the PS One, Sony’s smaller redesign of the console, released but it was still very much the same controller.

To no one’s surprise, Sony didn’t try to fix what wasn’t broken as it transitioned into the next generation. The DualShock 2 released with the PlayStation 2 in 2000 and stuck with the same button layout, two analog sticks (which feel somewhat stiffer than its predecessor’s but still), two shoulder buttons and so on. A few key differences were included though, like analog support for the buttons and D-Pad, with the added sensitivity factoring into some PS4 titles, and less weight than the original DualShock.

Riding the wave of the PlayStation 2’s success, the DualShock 2 was a worthy follow-up and stood out in an era of over-sized Xbox controllers and unorthodox Nintendo controllers. The DualShock 3 was mean to continue this line-up of controllers and was seemingly poised to launch with the PS3 in time for the seventh generation of consoles.

Of course, that’s not what we got. Instead, Sony unveiled something altogether different – a boomerang-shaped controller. This debuted at E3 2005 and was routinely ridiculed for its long handles and odd shape (which the company clarified to just be a concept rather than the final design). Unfortunately, the company then unveiled the actual controller for the PS3 – the Sixaxis. “Hold up,” you might ask. “How do you go from the DualShock 1 and 2 for the PS1 and PS2 respectively to this new Sixaxis controller for the PS3?”

The lack of the trademark DualShock brand wasn’t the only problem. Instead of vibration aka rumble, the Sixaxis employed motion sensing technology. Players could tilt the controller across the X, Y and Z axes in different ways, providing six degrees of freedom. Interestingly, the Sixaxis had some other new features including the introduction of the PS Button to replace the Analog button; the use of both analog and digital signals; changing the L2 and R2 buttons to act more like squishy triggers; and more.

However, the motion sensing controls were received negatively, mostly because of the timing of the announcement. It was revealed several months after Nintendo’s Wii reveal which had a Wii-mote for motion-sensing and came across as an imitation. And despite being the major selling point of the Sixaxis, there wasn’t many games that were confirmed to support motion controllers before launch.

We did inevitably see the likes of Warhawk and Lair, the latter infamous for reportedly suffering in order to support motion-sensing controls. The jury is still out today as to how stringently Sony mandated Sixaxis support for its games but it did crop up in major releases like Heavy Rain and Killzone 2 over the years.

Sony did provide reasons for introducing motion-sensing tech and removing rumble but the real answer lay in that ongoing lawsuit with Immersion. The latter took umbrage with companies infringing on its copyrights for haptic technology. Though Microsoft chose to settle – and even purchased a 10 percent stake in the company – Sony failed to come to terms with Immersion before the PS3’s launch. As a result, the DualShock 3 was sidelined in favor of the Sixaxis.

Thankfully, this didn’t last long. The DualShock 3 would be revealed in 2007 and released worldwide in 2008, with rumble making its return. In terms of design and other features though, both controllers were identical – the DualShock 3 even had motion sensing tech. By April 2008, the Sixaxis was discontinued completely and the DualShock 3 was the default PS3 controller going forward.

2013 signaled the arrival of the next-generation of consoles. Microsoft was busy revamping the Xbox One into an all-in-one entertainment solution with its controller being changed to reflect as much. Sony’s DualShock 4 was introducing some major changes of its own, including one that would serve as a minor revelation of sorts.

Revealed in February 2013, the DualShock 4 was very much similar to its predecessor in terms of button layouts, analog sticks, triggers and the implementation of motion-sensing. In terms of feel, the analog sticks sported outer rings for easier gripping and the digital pad’s buttions were more concave-shaped with the center being recessed. Sony spent an exceptional amount of time tuning the latter to make the controller feel better for fighting games.

However, a large touchpad now adorned the front where the “Sony” logo used to be. The Options button combined the functions of the Start and Select buttons into one. A mono speaker was visible just below the touchpad and would relay sounds based on the game, even being capable of playing game audio. And at the top of the controller was a light bar which could change under different circumstances (and would be useful for another Sony invention down the line, namely PlayStation VR). Its default color was blue but it could change – if a second player joined on the same console, their light bar would turn red to distinguish, for example.

There was also the Share button which allowed players to capture screenshots and videos from gameplay. Though the Xbox One could also capture gameplay footage and screenshots, the Share button was more seamless and significantly more streamlined, especially when sharing to social media. It’s probably no coincidence then that the upcoming Xbox Series X controller now boasts its own dedicated Share button.

Despite some issues with the left analog stick’s surface, the DualShock 4 has been a success much like the PS4. The light bar, initially met with some skepticism, felt unobtrusive enough while also having some actual use, though Sony would issue a patch that allowed for disabling it altogether. The second generation of the DualShock 4, released in September 2016, featured slight improvements like better battery life and the light bar being visible from the top of the touch pad.

All these years later, we now have the DualSense coming up for the PlayStation 5, sporting a bold two-toned color design. The light bar has moved from the top to the edges of the touchpad; a new microphone array, sporting noise-cancellation, allows for chatting without a headset; a USB-C connector is now used for plugging and charging the controller; and the Share button has been replaced with the Create button. Sony has yet to share finer details on the controller’s functions but it did confirm strong battery life and a relatively light frame.

Perhaps the defining features of the DualSense are its adaptive triggers and haptic feedback which can simulate different kinds of pressure – the most common example provided is drawing an arrow with a bow. Expect more information on other ways this will be implemented along with how the Create button works in the coming months.

It’s crazy to look back and realize that the PlayStation brand has been around for almost three decades. It feels like almost yesterday when we marveled at the possibilities of two analog sticks on the original DualShock or questioned the horror that was the Sixaxis. Even as the DualSense is met with some skepticism and its fair share of memes, we can’t wait to see how this iteration will define the PlayStation 5 experience in the years to come.

One of Sony’s promises for the DualShock 4, when it was first unveiled, was its compatibility not just with its native console, but also with all manner of other devices as well- including PCs (with which it has been compatible for a while now), microconsoles such as PlayStation (Vita) TV, and the PS3 as well.

That last part of the puzzle became concrete reality today, as the astute folks on Reddit are now reporting that it is possible to use the DualShock 4 controller with the PlayStation 3 now- provided the connection is wireless.

The connection needs to be made over Bluetooth (and does require a wired connection for the initial setup, as well as syncing in the PS4’s  Bluetooth Device Manager), and the resultant support is very patchy- the PlayStation button, vibration functions, and Sixaxis functionality are all not supported, for example- but it’s a start.

Now, Sony, about letting us use our PS3 controllers on the PS4…

The DualShock 4 brings forth a ton of improvements to Sony’s classic controller formula, but when it comes to the analog sticks, you may find it a bit odd compared to the DualShock 3. While the former is a tad lower and more concave, the latter is more convex and might be more comfortable for some since it adheres to the traditional PlayStation style. To top that several users are reporting that the rubber of the DualShock 4 sticks are wearing off. A new video has emerged which shows just how you can replace the analog sticks on the DS4 with the DS3’s. Check it out above.

Of course, when we say “replace”, we mean that it requires a fair amount of slicing, dicing and mutilation of the DualShock 3’s analog sticks to ensure they fit inside the DualShock 4. The video above explains just how this is possible and the benefits offered by replacing the DS4’s sticks.

It’s a matter of preference though, so don’t try it if you’re satisfied with the new analog sticks and how they react for the PS4. But for those who want a bit of the old DualShock feel, this is the way to go about it.

FTA: Sony at one point had something very similar to the steam controller (no buttons or dpad) and “The vote on that was probably 100-0”

— Kurt Margenau (@kurtmargenau) October 26, 2013

Valve has different ideas for the haptic feedback that the Steam Controller will provide. But it would have been intriguing to see how Sony implemented the same into the DualShock 4. Considering how gimmicks failed the DualShock 3, first with boomerang design and then the SixAxis that made the final design, we’re glad they’ve kept it relatively simply.

Margenau is also a big fan of the DualShock 4 and says that it makes the DualShock 3 “feel like a cheap toy”. And Margenau loved the DualShock 3 controller.

I’ve had a Dual Shock 4 at my desk for a couple months, and it really does make DS3 feel like a cheap toy. And I loved DS3.

— Kurt Margenau (@kurtmargenau) October 25, 2013

The PlayStation 4 will be launching on November 15th in North America and November 29th in Europe.

And it looks like we put those timed exclusive rumours to rest (for the time being at least), as Respawn revealed that the video footage was from 2010. And regardless, they play video games all the time so a few controllers in the office are to be expected.

@NicholasGigante that's from 2010. No PS4 controllers existed then. Also, we play games at work so we have all systems. Got a WiiU also 🙂

— Respawn (@Respawn) August 26, 2013

It’s also been stated that “people are reading a lot into an old picture.”

@NicholasGigante Not sure what you're asking…just people are reading a lot into an old picture.

— Respawn (@Respawn) August 26, 2013

Which leads to a Wii U sales joke (we’re sorry Nintendo, we didn’t think it would go down like that).

So Titanfall will be releasing for the Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC when it lands in Spring 2014. Of course, EA’s Frank Gibeau assured us that the Xbox exclusivity doesn’t reflect a “strategic tilt” of any kind.

The PS4 will support Party Chat and you can have up to 2000 friends in your friends list. The PS4 won’t support DualShock 3 but will support Move. Interestingly, while you need PlayStation Plus for playing multiplayer on games like Killzone: Shadow Fall, you won’t need it to access services like Netflix, Party Chat or free to play games (such as PlanetSide 2).

The PS4 will ship in one colour – jet-black – at launch. With regards to 3D support, Sony has plans for 3D content with more news to come soon. Xross Media has changed with the ability to manage downloads, content and see what your friends are up to. Finally, you won’t need to make a new PSN log-in ID. Your current ID will work fine, and you can limit what personal information is shared with others.

Of course, for games that use the touchpad, it won’t be possible. However, for the majority of titles, you can either plug the DualShock 3 into the OUYA directly using a mini USB cable and then hit the Home button or just reset the OUYA and then hit the Home button to use the controller wirelessly.

So far, the OUYA has been seeing a great reception. Within the same day as releasing at retailers, the console has been sold out. We’ll see how much further the Android powered marvel goes in the coming months.

Sony is looking to launch a new ‘Metallic Gray’ DualShock 3 controller for the PlayStation 3 in the United States sometime in then near future.

This new controller has recently popped up on the official PlayStation website, along with a couple of pictures showcasing the exterior of this new DualShock 3 controller.

No official release date or price has been announced. However, we’re expecting the new DualShock 3 to arrive in the next few days/weeks and for the usual price of $54.99.

Despite the PlayStation 4 being on the horizon for launch later this Holiday season, Sony isn’t done releasing new peripherals for the PlayStation 3. It is speculated that Sony will be revealing the actual PlayStation 4 date during their conference at E3 2013 this June.

Stay tuned on GamingBolt for more news regarding this new ‘Metallic Gray’ DualShock 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 news. Will you be picking up this brand spanking’ new controller for your PlayStation 3? Let us know in the comments below.

The DualShock 4 features quite a lot of new features, which we’ll get to in a bit. For starters though, how does it match up to previous PlayStation DualShocks in terms of looks and design? Check out our comparison gallery below to find out.

Sony carries forth the same design aesthetic from previous generations, though the back of the device and its curves reminds us of the Xbox 360 controller.

In the first four pictures, you can see how the design compares to the originals. While the very first PlayStation DualShock didn’t even feature the twin analog sticks, the DualShock 2 introduced the same (but not before a modified version of the DualShock did it first, bringing much acclaim for its innovation and response).

The DualShock 3 introduced the majority of changes, most notably with the SixAxis button, the Home button and the revamped L2 and R2 buttons. Compared to the DualShock 3, the DualShock 4 – as seen in the last two pictures – has remoulded its L2/R2 buttons to be like proper triggers. We can’t wait to test the response, given how uncomfortable and awkward the DualShock 3’s triggers felt.

Speaking on the analog sticks, Sony has gone with a compressed head compared to the bulky heads of previous DualShocks. This slight compression can also been in the directional pad, which is also missing its slightly recessed look along with the face buttons. The result is a more clean appearance, but one that also draws more attention to the touchscreen and the two subsequently new buttons “Home” and “Options”.

The new Light Bar, seen on the top of the DualShock 4, provides a different take on the player designation notches seen on top of the DualShock 3. Now, it will assign different colours for each player so everyone knows their character at all times. It will also change colours depending on a character’s in-game status, such as if a character is low on health.

We’re very interested to see how the new touchscreen will work out. We hope it’s not just Sony trying to one-up the Wii U Gamepad – and if it’s meant to access the XMB interface without leaving the game, we’ll remain sceptical. Why incorporate more expensive tech to make up for a simple press of the Home button, even if it goes against staying constantly connected to the game?

This is one of those for-or-against things. Once the pricing is announced and functionality fully revealed, we’ll deliver our final verdict on whether the touchscreen is a good or bad idea in retrospect.

Finally, we come to the SixAxis control. We’ll be honest: We personally detest SixAxis functionality. Unless developers have found a way – 6+ friggin’ years later – to successfully incorporate it into gameplay, we’re not interested.

Now it’s your turn to sound off. What do you like most about the new DualShock 4? Which feature are you most excited about?