DualShock

DualShock is a family of game controllers produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation consoles. The line is best known for combining dual analog sticks with vibration feedback, a combination that helped standardize controller design across multiple PlayStation generations.

The first DualShock was introduced for the original PlayStation in 1997. It added a pair of analog sticks and rumble motors to the existing controller, enabling more precise movement and tactile feedback in games. This design quickly became the norm for Sony’s handheld and home consoles, replacing the earlier, more basic gamepad.

DualShock evolved with each new console generation. DualShock 2, released for the PlayStation 2, maintained dual sticks and vibration while improving sensor precision and adding pressure-sensitive face buttons. The PlayStation 3 era brought DualShock 3, which introduced wireless operation via Bluetooth and integrated motion sensing (the Sixaxis feature) before rumble functionality was restored in later revisions.

For the PlayStation 4, DualShock 4 offered a more ergonomic shape, a touchpad on the center, a light bar for motion tracking, a built-in speaker, a headphone jack, and a dedicated share button, along with standard wireless capability and USB charging. Across these generations, the DualShock line has remained Sony’s primary controller family.

With the PlayStation 5, Sony introduced the DualSense controller, which expands on the DualShock concept with advanced haptics and adaptive triggers, signaling a shift beyond the traditional DualShock naming while continuing the emphasis on immersive input and feedback.