DualShock
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The DualShock is the name for the PlayStation/PlayStation 2/Playstation 3 game controller included with all three consoles. Released in May 1998 as a secondary peripheral for the original PlayStation, a revised PlayStation version came with the controller, and subsequently phased out the Digital controller that was originally included with the hardware. The controller was a success providing gamers with a new way to get further into their games. The Dual Shock stands as the main controller for the PlayStation/PlayStation 2.
The DualShock was introduced in Japan in late 1997 for the PlayStation game console. It launched in America on May 1998 and met with critical success. Alternatively, an analog controller was released in late 1997 that only featured the weak buzzing motor and lacked rubber tips on its analog sticks.
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Main features
The DualShock analog controller is a controller capable of providing feedback based on the onscreen action of the game (if the game supports it), or Vibration Function. The controller is called Dual Shock because the controller has two vibration motors: a weak buzzing motor (like cell phone or pager vibration), and a strong rumble motor, similar to that of the Nintendo 64's Rumble Pak. Unlike the Rumble Pak, however, the Dual Shock uses the PlayStation to power the vibration function, where as the Rumble Pak uses batteries. Some third party Dual Shock controllers use batteries in lieu of the PSone's power supply.
The controller is widely supported; shortly after its launch, most new titles including Crash Bandicoot: Warped, Spyro the Dragon, and Tekken 3 included support for the vibration function and/or analog sticks. Many games took advantage of the presence of two motors to provide vibration effects in stereo; for example, Gran Turismo or the PlayStation port of Quake II.
Like its predecessor, the Analog Controller, it has two analog sticks, and unlike said controller, the sticks featured rubber tips, in lieu of the grooves recessed into the Analog Controller's sticks. However, the handles of the Dual Shock are a bit smaller than that of the Analog Controller.
Vibration function suit
In March 2005, Sony and Microsoft were sued by force-feedback company Immersion for patent infringement for the use of vibration functions in their controllers. While Microsoft settled out of court, purchasing a 10% share in the company, Sony continued to defend the case. Sony lost, and was required to pay considerable royalties to Immersion and suspend the sale of the controllers, including all PlayStation and PlayStation 2 console packages containing them. Sony plans on appealing this decision and will be able to sell its products until the appeal has been processed.
DualShock 2
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When the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system was announced, the controller included with it was the same as the Dual Shock analog controller, except it was black, added two additional vibration levels, and all of the buttons (except for the SELECT, START and ANALOG mode buttons) were pressure sensitive. This controller was dubbed the Dual Shock 2 analog controller. A few games support the pressure sensitive buttons, such as Square Enix's The Bouncer, SCEA's Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, various EA Sports titles, and the PS2 Metal Gear installments. However, such a feature is not considered as crucial to PS2 games design as it was when first introduced. Also, a similar feature was implemented into the controller included with the Microsoft Xbox.
DualShock 3
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The DualShock 3 is the unofficial name given to the prototype "boomerang" controller shown for the first time in conjunction with the PlayStation 3 at E3 in 2005. It will be using wireless Bluetooth technology to connect with the console, which Sony's specifications indicate is capable of utilizing up to seven of the controllers simultaneously. The design of the controller has prompted some controversy, with many alleging that it will require awkward hand positions to use. Defenders of the design claim that the ergonomics of the controller will actually be more comfortable than the current DualShock 2 design for long-term use. Other critics have suggested that Sony should replace the lower R2/L2 shoulder buttons with spring-loaded analog triggers, similar to those in controllers for Microsoft's XBox and XBox 360. In either case, Sony may choose to substantially alter the controller design prior to the launch of the PlayStation 3 in 2006, as Chris Deering of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe described the controller displayed at E3 as "just a design study".
Multitap
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Multitap is an accessory that allows PlayStation/PlayStation 2 to use more than 2 controllers. Like a hub, a Multitap connects the Dual Shock controllers to the Playstation unit. With two multitaps,a single Platstation unit can support up to 8 controllers. Most of the games that support Multitap functionality are sports games and FPS with four split screens.