Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Even with today’s wireless video game controllers, you can’t stay untethered forever. After a few hours of gaming on the PlayStation 3, you’ll have to plug in that SIXAXIS or DualShock 3 USB cable to charge. Starting December 18th, Sony Japan will offer an AC adapter intended for PS3 controllers at a price of ¥2,800 (just under $30). Like third party solutions we’ve seen, it has two USB ports so you’ll be able to do two controllers or toss in a Bluetooth headset. Nothing yet on availability outside of Japan, but if we get word we’ll be all over it, ’cause we feel slightly guilty for leaving the PS3 on overnight to charge — what with the world’s dwindling energy supply and all.

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Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Peripherals

With only one analog nub, the PSP can’t seem to nail down a comfortable first or third-person shooter control scheme on its own, but a new tech called “PSP Plus” will allow users to pair the handheld with the PlayStation 3’s more genre-capable SIXAXIS or DualShock 3 controllers. Sony announced PSP Plus at the Tokyo Game Show today but didn’t provide much info about how it works, so we’re not sure if it’s the same technology that was patented last year. We do know there’s a pretty outrageous catch: you’ll need to connect your PSP to your PS3 to use the controller. With only one game supported (Resistance Retribution), we prefer just about any homemade hack to this solution, and if you’re at home with your PS3, why not play Resistance 2 instead? It’s what Kratos would do.

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Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

So GamesIndustry’s got word that Sony’s supposedly-forthcoming Wiimote competitor is taking shape as something that sounds a lot like a break-apart DualShock 3, which would split down the middle and be used as two independent halves. Because that’s really what the PS3 needs, is another kind of controller. Seriously, do they really think any new device will be greeted warmly by the PlayStation fans they first disappointed with the SIXAXIS, and then bullied into paying $55 for a DualShock 3 (and only because they spent so much time fighting Immersion over the money they clearly owed in the first place)? There’s a chance we could find out at this year’s E3 if this controller really is in the works, but it’s a small one as they’re still trying to help people get over the DualShock 3 hump, after all.

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Filed under: Gaming

Oh great lorf of the mighty rumble, the DualShock 3 has finally been spotted on US retailer soil. The one above caught the attention of Stephen at a Maryland Circuit City. Now best get on the horn with your local big box, no telling how long supplies will last.

[Thanks, Stephen B.]

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Filed under: Gaming

We’d been hearing that the DualShock 3 wasn’t supposed to land until April 15th, but apparently Sony decided that getting gamers good and buzzed couldn’t wait until Tax Day — the official PlayStation Blog says the vibration-enabled controllers will hit US stores next week. There’s a new DS3-compatible logo for rumble-compatible games, and quite a few titles will be getting updates to support the new controller. Everyone got their $55 together? Sweet, now all we need is an early release of MGS4.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Read - PlayStation Blog announcement
Read - Full list of compatible games

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Filed under: Gaming

Sure, you’ve been able to get a DualShock 3 on the gray market for a while now, but it looks like that “early 2008” rumor was spot on — Sony just announced that vibration-enabled version of the SIXAXIS is due to arrive in North America in April 2008 for $55, along with that new 80GB PS3 SKU. We doubt much will have changed from the Japanese version we’ve already played with — if you can’t stand the anticipation the whole gallery is right here.

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Filed under: Features, Gaming, Peripherals

While it wasn’t as though our Tokyo bureau was blessed with PS3 firmware 2.0 way in advance of us poor saps in the States, they certainly were among the first in the world to snag the retail release of the most controversial next-gen controller, MIA since launch in late 2006 until now: Sony’s DualShock 3. (In ceramic white, no less!) It’s nothing you haven’t already seen here on Engadget, but feel free to inspect the package porn in the gallery below, letting waves of envy wash over you as that ¥5,500 ($50 US) burns a hole in your pocket. But hey, no reason to get too worked up, after all what possible need could your next-gen PlayStation have for the hottest “last-gen” feature on the block?

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Gaming

Sure, 2.00 might sound like a magical milestone, but in reality there’s not a whole lot here that’s going to revolutionize your gaming experience, and sadly nothing yet to bring online communication and play to parity with Xbox Live and Xbox’s handy dandy dashboard. That said, Sony is strengthening some of the PS3’s unique features, like the new Remote Start function that lets you fire up your PS3 remotely when you’re accessing it with your PSP, and playlists for music and photos. One of the biggest “additions” is DualShock 3 support, but that’s so laughably last-gen that it’s hardly worth noting. Sony is also packing in the ability to create and share your own Themes for XMB, and a news ticker that will eventually make way for the importing of your own RSS feeds. Sony also added a new XMB group to the main menu to pave the way for Home and other internets-friendly features, and — oddly enough — Canon printer support to really round out the package. The update will be available in the States tomorrow, November 8th.

Update: PS3 Fanboy has some exclusive screenshots of the new interface.

[Via Joystiq]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Gaming

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Gaming, HDTV

Nope, not an early sign of cataracts, you’re looking at Sony’s ceramic white 40GB PS3 and DualShock 3 controller just loosed in Japan. Like its European 40GB cuz, the CECHH00 Series PS3 aces the backward compatibility, memory card slot, and 2x of the 4x USB slots in favor of a low, low ¥39,980 (about $341/€242) price tag when it ships on 11 November. The DualShock 3 wireless rumbler (sold separately) first revealed at Tokyo Game Show hits shelves the same day for ¥5,500 or about $47/€33. Yes, both the PS3 and DualShock 3 are available in black if you’re feeling the ebony over new-school ivory.

[Via Akihabara News]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!