Whilst Japanese gamers have been able to rumble along with their PS3 games since November, the Western market has to date had to make do with the rumble-less Sixaxis – but it’s all change from next week.
Sony has announced via its US blog that the Dualshock 3 pad will be shipping to retailers in the territory next week, and that it will cost $54.99.
Though the current motion-sensing Sixaxis pad is expected to stay in circulation for some time, the Dualshock 3 (which retains the motion-sensing functionality) is expected to permanently replace it in time.
When Sony first announced the PS3, it claimed that rumble was a redundant technology, However, following the firm’s legal settlement with rumble patent holder Immersion, talk soon emerged of an upgrade to the console’s pad.
It was then confirmed last September that a revised version of the PS3 pad was in the works, and it was in Japanese stores two months later.
There’s still no word on a European release date for the Dualshock 3.
The following titles will offer rumble gaming from the off, though those marked with an * will require an online update:
* SCEA – Formula One Championship Edition*
* SCEA – MotorStorm*
* SCEA – PAIN
* SCEA – High Velocity Bowling
* SCEA – MLB 08: The Show
* SCEA – Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
* SCEA – Resistance: Fall of Man*
* SCEA – Go! Sports Ski*
* SCEA – Folklore*
* SCEA – Heavenly Sword*
* SCEA – Warhawk*
* SCEA – Super Stardust HD*
* SCEA – Snakeball
* SCEA – Toy Home
* SCEA – PSOne Emulation
* SCEA – Piyotama
* SCEA – PixelJunk Monsters
* SCEA – Blast Factor*
* Sega – Condemned 2: Bloodshot
* Ubisoft – Lost: Via Domus
* Ubisoft – Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2*
* EA – Burnout Paradise
* KOEI – Dynasty Warriors 6
* Capcom – Devil May Cry 4
* Atari – Dragon Ball Z Burst Limit
* Disney Interactive – Turok