Rumblepack Returns To The Playstation Next Week

Chicago (IL) - The wait is almost over: Playstation 3 fans will be able to buy a new wireless controller with vibration support sometime next week. Sony announced today that it already has begun shipping these new "Dual Shock 3" controllers to retail stores. They will be pricey, but somehow Sony has to recoup those $152 million in legal charges that enabled the company to bring the feature back to the market, right?

The Sixaxis controller, despite its motion sensing capability, is one of the key weaknesses of the Playstation 3 (PS3). The vibration feature, which has been available for the Playstation 2 for some time, was never offer for the PS3. At the time of the console’s introduction, Sony told journalists that the vibration feature interfered with the motion sensing of the controller and therefore could not be offered.

However, Sony was also involved in a patent infringement lawsuit against Immersion at the time: Immersion accused Sony that the Dual Shock controllers infringed on the firm’s Touch Sense patent. In March of last year, four months after the launch of the console, Sony indicated for the first time that the vibration controller may return, Two months later, the company settled with Immersion in exchange for a $152 million payment - setting stage for the return of Dual Shock.

You will be able to pick a Dual Shock 3 player up for $55 and Sony said there is a long list of games that will be supporting the rumblepack feature.

Games that will work right away with the new controller are PAIN, High Velocity Bowling, MLB 08: The Show, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Snakeball, Toy Home, PSOne Emulation, Piyotama, PixelJunk Monsters, Condemned 2: Bloodshot, Lost: Via Domus, Burnout Paradise, Dynasty Warriors 6, Devil May Cry 4, Dragon Ball Z Burst Limit and Turok.

The following games will need a patch that will be offered for download next week: Formula One Championship Edition, MotorStorm, Resistance: Fall of Man, Go! Sports Ski, Folklore, Heavenly Sword, Warhawk, Super Stardust HD, Blast Factor and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2.