DualShock 3

Featured Guides

DualShock 3 Battery Replacement

Use this guide to replace the internal lithium...

DualShock 3 Motherboard Replacement

Use this guide to replace the controller's...

Techniques

How to Fix/Prevent Joystick Drift on a DualShock 3

Replacement Guides

Analog Stick Covers

Battery

Buttons

Charging Port

Front Shell Cover.

Input Board

Motherboard

Motherboard Assembly

Rear Cover

Trigger Buttons

Vibration Motors

Tools

These are some common tools used to work on this device. You might not need every tool for every procedure.

The DualShock 3 was released by Sony as a controller for their PlayStation 3 game console. The controller was released in November 2007 for Japanese markets as a replacement to the Sixaxis controller which originally shipped with early PlayStation 3 consoles. The DualShock 3 was released to the rest of the world in 2008. Until 2013, the controller was sold in a variety of colors, with some being limited editions or available only with the purchase of a limited edition console.

Sony originally released the PlayStation 3 with the Sixaxis controller with its namesake ability to detect motion in six directions: three linear axes and three directions for rotation. After settling a patent infringement lawsuit with Immersion (a producer of haptic technology), Sony added the rumble motors featured in earlier DualShock controllers to the Sixaxis and released the new controller as the DualShock 3.

You can identify this controller by looking on the back for the model number “CECHZC2x.“ Unlike Sony’s previous controllers, the DualShock 3 can connect to devices using Bluetooth and has an internal battery so you can use it without a cable. It can be charged or connected directly to a console or computer with the mini-B USB port on the rear of the controller. Otherwise, the new revision is very similar on the exterior to the DualShock 1 and DualShock 2.

Buttons

Left and right joysticks (analog 10-bit precision) with digital buttons activated by pressing inward
Left and right triggers (analog)
Left and right shoulder buttons (pressure sensitive)
4 directional buttons (pressure sensitive)
4 action buttons (pressure sensitive)
“Select,” “Start,” and “PlayStation” digital buttons

Motion controls