Controller:DualShock 3
XInput support | |
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Connection method | |
USB-Mini, Bluetooth v2.1+EDR | |
Predecessor | |
Sixaxis DualShock 2 |
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Successor | |
PlayStation Move DualShock 4 |
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The DualShock 3 is a game controller developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment and manufactured by Sony, released on November 11, 2007. It was the primary controller for the PlayStation 3 console.
The DualShock 3 added the 6-axis motion control capability with its motion sensors. It also phased out the proprietary PlayStation controller port in favor of Mini-USB port. There also are minor changes to the button layout compare to its predecessor; The pressure-sensitive L2 and R2 buttons had been replaced with the analogue triggers, the analogue mode button was replaced by a PlayStation button. The controller can be used wirelessly via Bluetooth and is powered by a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Analogue joysticks and pressure-sensitive buttons has been upgraded with 10-bit precision reading and Rumble motors are retained.
The DualShock 3 is preceded by Sixaxis, which was launched alongside the PlayStation 3 console on November 11, 2006. While it share many features with DualShock 3, it lacks the rumble motors. The Sixaxis would later be phased out and replaced by the DualShock 3.
Despite using the standardized Mini-USB port and Bluetooth connectivity, using the DualShock 3 requires the use of special drivers because of the use of pressure-sensitive buttons, but even then, it is mostly treated as a DirectInput controller, requiring the use of third-party wrappers in games that only support XInput API. Special drivers also exposes the gyroscope function. There are also reports of software conflict when MotionInJoy and Better DS3 were installed, requiring both software to be uninstalled in order to use the controller properly (See Removing MotionInJoy.). Some software, like the RPCS3 and PCSX2 emulators, can support the DualShock 3 natively without special driver.
General information
Inputs
- Motion sensing: 3 axes, 6 degrees of freedom
- 2 × clickable analog sticks (10-bit precision): L3, R3
- 2 × analog triggers: L2, R2
- 2 × pressure-sensitive shoulder buttons: L1, R1
- 4 × pressure-sensitive action buttons: △ ᴛʀɪᴀɴɢʟᴇ, ○ ᴄɪʀᴄʟᴇ, × ᴄʀᴏss, □ sᴏ̨ᴜᴀʀᴇ
- 4 × pressure-sensitive directional buttons (d-pad): ↑, ↓, ←, →
- 3 × digital buttons: ► sᴛᴀʀᴛ, ◼ sᴇʟᴇᴄᴛ, PlayStation
Controller variations
- The Sixaxis controller is an earlier variant of the DualShock 3 controller, lacking haptic feedback. See Sixaxis.
Use with PC platforms
Windows
- Windows 10 has no native drivers; drivers are needed. When the gamepad is plugged in for the first time, Windows 10 detects it and the device shows up as a placeholder device. Once the official drivers is installed, the device acts as a DirectInput gamepad. All buttons are tested to work under Windows "Game controller settings".
Supported features | reWASD | DS4Windows | DsHidMini | SCP | Steam | Gamepad Phoenix |
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Virtual Xbox controller emulation | ✓ [N 1] | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Virtual DualShock emulation | ✓ [N 2] | ✓ [N 3] | ✓ [N 3] | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Vibrations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Bluetooth connection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ [N 4] | ~ [N 5] | ~ [N 5] |
Pressure-Sensitive Buttons | ✓ [N 6] | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Motion Control | ✗ [N 7] | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
LEDs | ✓ [N 8] | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Dead-zone adjustment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Multiple controllers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Wireless Keypad | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Keyboard & Mouse input emulation | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
Virtual Nintendo controller emulation | ✓ [N 9] | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Retro DInput/WinMM compatibility | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Battery status | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ [N 10] | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Cemuhook's UDP protocol | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
- ↑ Allows using controller as Xbox 360 and Xbox One virtual controllers.
- ↑ Allows using controller as DualShock 3 and DualShock 4 virtual controllers.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Allows using controller as DualShock 4 virtual controller.
- ↑ Blocks whole Bluetooth adapter. Requires a supported Bluetooth 2.0 (or higher) compatible USB dongle with EDR (Enhanced Data Rate).
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Requires third-party software installed like DSHidMini or DS4Windows
- ↑ Every button has three activation stages which can activate different action depends how hard button is pressed.
- ↑ Allows only to forward motion control data to emulators, but it's not possible to remap gyro to eg. mouse.
- ↑ LED shows which config slot is active at the moment.
- ↑ Allows using controller as virtual Switch Pro Controller.
- ↑ LEDs are used as charge indicator. It flashes when it battery enters low/dying state.
reWASD
- Supports DualShock 3 controller via Bluetooth adapter or cable, does not require manual driver installment.
- Allows to remap pressure sensitive face buttons. Every button has three activation stages which can activate different action depends how hard button is pressed.
- LED shows which config slot is active at the moment.
- Can emulate an virtual DS4 controller to play PS4 Remote Play, PS Now or Dualshock 4 compatible games. Including gyro and accelerometer control.
- Can emulate an virtual Xbox 360 controller to play XInput-compatible games.
- Supports analog face buttons feature which can be remapped to High, Medium and Low zones.
- Motion related functions not supported.
- Not free of charge. 14-days trial.
- Custom configs for DualShock 3 controller can be found in official Community Configs Library maintained by reWASD users.
DS4Windows
- Needs to be running under DsHidMini driver and in DS4Windows Mode.
- Requires BthPS3 for Bluetooth connection (covered on DsHidMini installation guide).
- Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR or higher required for wireless connection.
- Rumble works as normal, though the small motor has only one strength level.
- LEDs can be controlled by setting the correct lightbar colors (more on this here).
- Pressure sensitive buttons not supported.
- Motion related functions not supported.
- Ryochan7's build not longer being maintained since January 1, 2024.
Wired connection - official drivers
- Third-party application DS4Windows allows to use accelerometer and gyro with official drivers.
- Third-party application reWASD allows to use pressure-sensitive buttons, connect controller wirelessly and emulate virtual DualShock 3 controller with official drivers.
Setup |
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Notes
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Wired connection - unofficial drivers
Using nefarius Drivers
- Development of DsHidMini is still active.
- DualShock 3 can be used as virtual DualShock 4 controller.
- No background program or service needed to use the controller.
- Only supports Windows 10, older versions will not work. Windows 11 is partially supported and work-in-progress as of writing.
Instructions[1] |
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Using SCPDriver/XInput Wrapper
- Supports Windows XP and up.
- No longer maintained[2].
Instructions |
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Bluetooth connection
Using nefarius Drivers
- Can use other Bluetooth Devices.
- No background program or service needed.
Instructions[3] |
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Using SCPDriver/XInput Wrapper
- Other Bluetooth devices cannot be used.
Instructions |
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Notes
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Bluetooth Driver Removal
- If the instructions didn't work then remove the Bluetooth drivers and try something else.
- If the device manager asks to restart select No.
Instructions |
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Notes
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XInput wrapping
- With certain adapters and/or software it acts as a DirectInput controller, making it possible to use any of the generic wrappers. See the controller article for those.
macOS
OS X 10.7 and Newer |
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OS X 10.6 and Older |
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Download and install this driver. |
Linux
- Native support in modern kernels.
- To use Bluetooth connection, controller has to be connected via USB first.
Steam
- Controller can be found in Supported Controller Database and it's correctly recognizable as PlayStation DualShock 3 controller.
- Natively supported wired and wireless (since beta build 554). To pair over Bluetooth: connect via USB cable press PlayStation button. Unplug USB cable then press again PlayStation button and now DualShock 3 works over Bluetooth.
- Not capable of making full use of Steam Input. Does not include support for the DS3 gyro or analog face buttons. Gyroscope is not visible in configuration menu.
- If you’re using a DS3 on Windows you’ll have to obtain the Sony driver through PlayStation Now.
Steam Link compatibility
- Natively supported wired and wireless (since beta build 554).[4]
- Works without any drivers on any operating system that supports Steam.
- Can be used just to send input from a controller to a PC. Go into Streaming options, hit △ ᴛʀɪᴀɴɢʟᴇ and disable video and audio streaming.
- To pair over Bluetooth connect via USB cable press PlayStation button. Unplug USB cable then press again PlayStation button and now DS3 works over Bluetooth.
- Some clones (CECHZC2H Bluetooth DualShochIII and OUBANG PS3 Controller Wireless Dualshock3) won't work wirelessly.[5]
- Won't work great unless you connect it to LAN or a low latency Wi-Fi.
Hardware
Adapters
Mayflash Wireless PS3 Controller to USB Adapter
- All controllers that can be paired and work with regular PlayStation 3 should work, including third party ones.
- Has switch on side of adapter, allowing for both XInput and DirectInput modes natively. XInput should work with regular drivers, for rumble to work with DirectInput mode, drivers needs to be downloaded manufacturers website.
- Can connect one controller in XInput Mode and four controllers in DirectInput Mode.
- Includes turbo mode. Pressing PlayStation and button toggles turbo for that button. To disable turbo for all buttons press PlayStation button twice quickly.
8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter or USB Wireless Adapter for PS classic edition
- All controllers that can be paired and work with regular PlayStation 3 should work, including third party ones.
- Supports X-input, D-input, Mac mode, Switch mode.
- You have to use the PS3 pairing tool to first pair them.
XIM APEX
- XIM APEX provides the highest precision mouse and keyboard (and more) experience on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 (PS4), Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 (PS3). Software emulates Keyboard+Mouse inputs into signals from controllers connected to third USB port.
- Supports official wireless Playstation 3 DualShock 3 controller connected with a mini-USB cable
- Simple real-time smartphone and tablet-based configuration. Real-time feedback to guide you to your optimal settings.
- Firmware upgradable.
- Active community forum.
- Needs your controller plugged into USB port #3 on your XIM HUB at all times to function.
- PlayStation 3 headsets and chatpads are unsupported.
Expansions
Wireless Keypad
- Does not work in games.
Issues fixed
Controller no longer detected or working (Windows)
Instructions |
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Playing with multiple PlayStation 3 Controllers on Windows
- Set up the Xbox 360 Controller Emulator, then play the desired multiplayer game with multiple controllers.
Support in games
- Games with generic DirectInput support are supported by the controller, however button placements may be out of place and need to be rebound. Refer to game-specific articles for rebinding support.
Games with pressure sensitive face buttons support
For a list of games, see List of games that support Pressure-Sensitive Face Buttons.
- Pressure-sensitive face buttons are supported in PlayStation emulators PCSX2[6] (thanks to DsHidMini) and RPCS3[7].
- Xbox emulator Cxbx-Reloaded do not recognize pressure-sensitive face buttons from Playstation controllers yet. Controller will require Xbox OG Controller emulation to be recognized.
- Pressure-sensitive face buttons are recognized by PC games thanks to reWASD application which allows to remap their three pressure zones (low, medium, high) to any key.
- Mod GInput for GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas enables support for DualShock 3 controllers and SCP Driver Package or DsHIdMini driver - including pressure sensitive buttons and SIXAXIS accelerometers[8].
Games with motion control support
For a list of games, see List of games that support tracked motion controllers in non-VR gameplay.
- Accelerometer is supported in emulators like RPCS3[7], Cemu (via Cemuhook[9]) or Dolphin (via DSU protocol[10]).
- Mod GInput for GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas enables support for DualShock 3 controllers and SCP Driver Package or DsHIdMini driver - including pressure sensitive buttons and SIXAXIS accelerometers[8].
- Number of games which natively support motion controls is limited and accelerometer support is still not a PC standard.
Games with DualShock button prompts
Other information
Removing MotionInJoy
- Due to the way MotionInJoy behaves a full reformat is advised instead. The following steps could potentially harm Windows, backup any important files before following these instructions.
- MotionInJoy should be always treated as malware due to its odd and overall harmful behaviour. It can trigger BSODs, crashes and other major system issues.
Instructions[11] |
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Notes
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Overridden Bluetooth Driver |
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Technical information
- Wireless controller, HWID: 054C:0268
Input lag
- Wired connection input lag: 13.6 ms for button press and 10.1 ms for joystick move.[12]
Connection | Input lag |
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Wired (button press) | 13.6 ms (± 2.9 ms) |
Wired (joystic move) | 10.1 ms (± 2.9 ms) |
Bluetooth (button press) | ? |
Bluetooth (joystic move) | ? |
References
- ↑ https://docs.nefarius.at/projects/DsHidMini/v2/How-to-Install/
- ↑ forums.pcsx2.net - last accessed on June 2023
- ↑ https://docs.nefarius.at/projects/DsHidMini/v2/How-to-Install/
- ↑ List of compatible controllers with Steam Link - SteamWiki - last accessed on June 2023
- ↑ SteamCommunity - last accessed on June 2023
- ↑ Native Windows Bluetooth drivers for PlayStation 3 Peripherals - last accessed on June 2023
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Using dedicated DualShock 3 pad handler
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 GInput
- ↑ ScpToolkit (supports DS3 and DS4 controllers, but requires that you dedicate a Bluetooth dongle to it) - last accessed on June 2023
- ↑ DSU Client - last accessed on June 2023
- ↑ Emulation Wiki - MotionInJoy - last accessed on June 2023
- ↑ Ultimate Controller Comparison | Input lag, etc. (PS5, PS4, Xbox SX/Elite 2/One, eSwap Pro)