DualShock

The DualShock (trademarked as DUALSHOCK or DUAL SHOCK) is a line of vibration-feedback gamepads by Sony for PlayStation consoles and devices. The DualShock was introduced in Japan in late 1997, and launched in the North American market in May 1998. First introduced as a secondary peripheral for the original PlayStation, a revised PlayStation version came with the controller and Sony subsequently phased out the digital controller that was originally included with the console, as well as the Sony Dual Analog Controller. As of June 2008, over 28 million controllers have been sold in the DualShock line (excluding bundled controllers).

Original DualShock

The DualShock Analog Controller (SCPH-1200), originally called Dual Shock, a controller capable of providing vibration feedback, was based on the on-screen action of the game (if the game supports it), as well as analog input through two analog sticks. The controller's name derives from its use of two (dual) vibration motors (shock). These motors are housed within the handles of the controller, with the left one being larger and more powerful than the one on the right, so as to allow for varying levels of vibration. The DualShock differs from the Nintendo 64's Rumble Pak in this respect as the Rumble Pak only uses a single motor. The Rumble Pak also uses batteries to power the vibration function while all corded varieties of the DualShock use power supplied by the PlayStation. (However, some third party DualShock-compatible controllers use batteries instead of the PlayStation's power supply.) The rumble feature of the DualShock is similar to the one featured on the first edition of the Japanese Dual Analog Controller, a feature that was removed shortly after that controller was released.

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