Accessory guide · NexWave Games
Sixaxis or DualShock 3: What's the difference?
Two black PlayStation 3 controllers are next to each other. The buttons look the same, but on one is SIXAXIS and on the other is DUALSHOCK 3. Can you play with both the same PS3 games? In many cases, yes. The noticeable difference is mainly in what your hands feel when something happens on the screen.
Both have motion controls, but only one vibrates
The original SIXAXIS wireless controller has motion sensors. With games that use that you can tilt or move the controller. The later DualShock 3 retains that SIXAXIS motion control and adds vibration. Sony described him as the functions of SIXAXIS with vibration feedback. A DualShock 3 is not just a SIXAXIS with a different name on the front.
Not every PS3 game uses movement or shaking in the same way. In a quiet menu evening you may notice hardly any difference; in a game with palpable collisions or shocks, DualShock 3 is more fun. If you simply want an extra player to participate, a good working SIXAXIS can be a great choice. Choose based on the games you really play.
So you know what's being offered
Read the inscription above the buttons and ask for clear photos from front and back. An original SIXAXIS is usually referred to by model series CECHZC1; a DualShock 3 with CECHZC2. Check the exact label, because an ad title with 'PS3 controller' doesn't tell you about the variant yet. The color itself doesn't prove it either.
A pictured USB cable can be useful for loading and connecting the controller to a PS3 but is not always part of a loose second hand controller. So look what is actually delivered. Don't be fooled by a cheap counterfeit controller with 'DualShock' in the title: compare logos, label and behavior with the pictures of the real product.
What should you test on a used controller?
Start a game and check all buttons, both sticks, triggers and PS button. Move the sticks slowly: a character or menu must not continue to walk on its own. See if the controller charges via USB and then stays connected wirelessly. A battery that is empty after a few minutes can make the price of a further neat controller less attractive.
Test for a DualShock 3 also the vibration function in a game that supports that feature. In a SIXAXIS the absence of vibration is normal; this is not a defect. If a motion function is important for your game, try it out separately. One successful push on the X button is not yet a full controller check.
Which one should you buy?
If you want the most complete original PS3 experience, choose a working DualShock 3. If you're looking for an extra controller for games where vibrating adds little, a SIXAXIS can apply. In both cases the state counts more than the wording: a fine, tested controller plays better than a broken 'better' version.