DualShock

DualShock is the trademarked name of Sonys rumble capable Controllers for the PlayStation line of gaming Consoles.

original DualShock

The original DualShock controller was released in 1997/98 for the original PlayStation. Like its predecessor, the Dual Analog Controller, it featured two Analogue Sticks. The new and name-giving feature though was vibration feedback. At first it was sold separately from the console, but later models like the PS1 came bundled with it. It was available only in the same gray as the PlayStation.

DualShock 2

The DualShock 2 was released in 2000 and was the main input device of the PlayStation 2. It featured all analogue buttons (except for "Start", "Select" and the L3/R3 analogue sticks buttons) and came in black, blue, red and some other colours. It can be used with the original PlayStation as well and even with the PlayStation 3 via an USB adapter.

DualSchok 3

The third DualShock controller was released for the PlayStation 3 in 2007. It was the first DualShock controller to feature Sixaxis motion detection hardware - early models of the PS3 shipped without DualShock controllers due to a copyright lawsuit; these controllers were simply called Sixaxis-Controllers and had no vibration. Both the Sixaxis and DualShock 3 controllers use Bluetooth for the first time: After pairing the controller using an USB cable, they can be used wirelessly. Power is supplied by an internal rechargeable battery that can be charged using USB. It is available in black, blue, and red, as well as some other special edition colours.

DualShock 4

The PlayStation 4 was released in 2013 together with the new DualShock 4 controller. It features a touch sensitive button in the center and removed the Start and Select buttons; instead it introduced a Share and a Options button. While the latter takes over the functionality of Select, the Share button is used to take Screenshots or to record video sequences of game play, a new feature introduced with the PS4. It also contains a small audio speaker that can be used by games independently from the main audio output to the TV screen - Tomb Raider Definitive Edition for example uses this speaker for weapon sounds like fire and reload - and a standard 3.5mm audio jack for headset and microphone - again, the Definitive Edition can use the microphone for switching weapons and other voice commands. On the back there is a light emitting area that can change colour, e.g. when Lara uses her Torch it starts flickering red and yellow. It is available in black, blue, and red, as well as in gray bundled with the 20th anniversary edition of the PS4.

DualShock Controllers and PC

DualShock and DualShock 2 can be used on PCs by using a third party USB adapter that "translates" the signals from the proprietary Sony protocol to HID-USB.

DualShock 3 and 4 already use a USB port for charging and pairing as well as input transmission. Connected to the PC they show up as a HID device and can be used like normal controllers. However, for wireless use a Bluetooth receiver - either build into the PC or a USB dongle - is required and pairing is not straightforward.

To use all of these controllers with newer games that require Xinput, a third party wrapper driver might need to be installed.