- Controller:DualShock 3
- Contents
- Controller variations
- Use with PC platforms
- Windows
- reWASD
- DS4Windows
- Wired connection — official drivers
- Wired connection — unofficial drivers
- Bluetooth connection
- XInput wrapping
- macOS
- Linux
- Steam
- Steam Link compatibility
- Hardware
- Adapters
- Mayflash Wireless PS3 Controller to USB Adapter
- 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter or USB Wireless Adapter for PS classic edition
- XIM APEX
Controller:DualShock 3
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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.
- 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
Contents
- 1 Controller variations
- 2 Use with PC platforms
- 2.1 Windows
- 2.1.1 reWASD
- 2.1.2 DS4Windows
- 2.1.3 Wired connection — official drivers
- 2.1.4 Wired connection — unofficial drivers
- 2.1.4.1 Using ViGem Drivers
- 2.1.4.2 Using SCPDriver/XInput Wrapper
- 2.1.5.1 Using ViGem Drivers
- 2.1.5.2 Using SCPDriver/XInput Wrapper
- 2.1.5.3 Bluetooth Driver Removal
- 3.1 Steam Link compatibility
- 4.1 Adapters
- 4.1.1 Mayflash Wireless PS3 Controller to USB Adapter
- 4.1.2 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter or USB Wireless Adapter for PS classic edition
- 4.1.3 XIM APEX
- 4.2.1 Wireless Keypad
- 5.1 Controller no longer detected or working (Windows)
- 5.2 Playing with multiple PlayStation 3 Controllers on Windows
- 6.1 Games with pressure sensitive face buttons support
- 6.2 Games with motion control support
- 6.3 Games with DualShock button prompts
- 7.1 Removing MotionInJoy
- 7.2 Technical information
- 7.2.1 Input lag
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 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 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓ 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.
- ↑ 3.03.1 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).
- ↑ 5.05.1 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.
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.
Allows emulate virtual DS4 controller to play PS4 Remote Play, PS Now or Dualshock 4 compatible games. Including gyro and accelerometer control.
Custom configs for DualShock 3 controller can be found in official Community Configs Library maintained by reWASD users.
DS4Windows
Wired connection — official drivers
There is no need to have a program running in the background, once the drivers are installed the controller works.
- Plug in the Dualshock 3 or SIXAXIS controller into the computer, and if prompted, install the dummy drivers. These are not designed to make the controller usable, they are just there to make it so windows can identify them.
- Download and install the Official DualShock 3 drivers v3.0.0.0 for Windows and install it.
Wired connection — unofficial drivers
Using ViGem Drivers
- Make sure no other DS3 drivers, like SCPDriver/XInput Wrapper/Fireshock/Sixaxis(Official driver), are installed.
- Download DsHidMini from here
- Download and extract the attached dshidmini_vX.X.X.X.zip archive.
- Make sure you know your architecture:
- On x64 navigate to x64\dshidmini
- On x86 navigate to x86\dshidmini
- Right-click on dshidmini.inf and select Install, continue until the driver is installed.
- Right-click on igfilter.inf and select Install, continue until the driver is installed.
- Connect your controller via USB
- With your controller connected by USB, open the DsHidMini Control Utility (the DSHMC.exe file that comes along the driver archive) to see if the controller gets detected
- Run it as Administrator to change settings, check the documentation for details.
- It is not required to keep the utility running for the driver to function, only if you want to observe battery level or change settings.
Using SCPDriver/XInput Wrapper
- Plug-in the controller and let Windows install any drivers if prompted.
- Download the DualShock XInput Wrapper.
- Push ⊞ Win + R and type %SystemDrive% then select OK and extract the ScpServer folder in that location.
- Now perform the following based on the operating system:
- Windows 10, 8.x:
- Run ScpServer\Binaries\SCPDriver.exe and uncheck the Bluetooth checkbox then select Install.
- If the controller still does not connect (may involve the controller number LEDs all flashing), uninstall and then retry while having Force Install checked before selecting Install again.
- Download and install the Xbox 360 Controller Drivers.
- Run ScpServer\Binaries\SCPDriver.exe
- Check the Force Install checkbox and uncheck the Bluetooth checkbox then select Install.
- Run ScpServer\Binaries\SCPDriver.exe
- Check the Force Install checkbox and uncheck the Bluetooth checkbox then select Install.
- Download and install the Xbox 360 Controller Drivers.
Bluetooth connection
Using ViGem Drivers
- Install BthPS3.
- Follow Using ViGem Drivers wired setup.
- Controller should’ve been paired after connecting from USB if you have active supported Bluetooth dongle.
Using SCPDriver/XInput Wrapper
- Plug-in the controller and let Windows install any drivers if prompted.
- Download the DualShock XInput Wrapper.
- Push ⊞ Win + R and type %SystemDrive% then select OK and extract the ScpServer folder in that location.
- Now perform the following based on the operating system:
- Windows 10, 8.x:
- Run ScpServer\Binaries\SCPDriver.exe and check the Bluetooth checkbox then select Install.
- Download and install the Xbox 360 Controller Drivers.
- Run ScpServer\Binaries\SCPDriver.exe
- Check the Force Install checkbox and check the Bluetooth checkbox then select Install.
- Run ScpServer\Binaries\SCPDriver.exe
- Check the Force Install checkbox and check the Bluetooth checkbox then select Install.
- Download and install the Xbox 360 Controller Drivers.
Pair the controller to the desired computer by plugging it in. Unplug it to use it with the Bluetooth dongle.
If the controller isn’t working push the central Home button to turn it on, plug it into the desired computer, then unplug it.
Bluetooth Driver Removal
- Plug-in the desired Bluetooth device.
- Push ⊞ Win + R and type devmgmt.msc then push OK.
- Find the desired Bluetooth device under Universal Serial Bus devices.
- Right Click on it then select Uninstall and select the Delete the driver software for this device checkbox.
- Unplug the Bluetooth device, then plug it in again.
- Find the desired Bluetooth device under Bluetooth.
- Right Click on it then select Uninstall and select the Delete the driver software for this device checkbox.
- Unplug the Bluetooth device, then plug it in again.
- Reinstall the drivers for the appropiate device. See Bluetooth.
XInput wrapping
Acting as native DirectInput controller, it’s possible to use any of the generic wrappers. See the controller article for those.
macOS
- Plug-in the desired controller and ignore the Pairing Request.
- Go to Bluetooth Preferences.
- Select Connected and Configured and deselect Paired if needed.
- Find the PlayStation3 controller in the list, and add it to the favourites.
Download and install this driver.
Linux
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.
Steam Link compatibility
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]
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.
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.
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.
Simple real-time smartphone and tablet-based configuration. Real-time feedback to guide you to your optimal settings.
- Windows 10, 8.x:
- 2.1 Windows