Sony Dual Shock 2 - game pad

...people something they associate with Sony you said "quality". Our survey said, *DING!*, *cue siren-like sound effects!* "It's the top answer!" *Round of applause*. If I took part in that survey I can guarantee that my answer would not be "quality".

Not that I've anything against Sony, I happen to have been playing on a big Sony Trinitron TV for many years, which on the rare occasion does it show signs ...
...However, when it comes to Sony Computer Entertainment I've not had similar luck.

And I'm not the only one. Anyone familiar with the PlayStations of the ones and twos will know too well of early models of these consoles not lasting the pace.

The design through the evolution of the PlayStation standard controller to the PlayStation 2 Dual Shock 2:

-> Standard controller <-
The standard controller ... more

In our survey we asked a hundred people something they associate with Sony you said "quality". Our survey said, *DING!*, *cue siren-like sound effects!* "It's the top answer!" *Round of applause*. If I took part in that survey I can guarantee that my answer would not be "quality".

Not that I've anything against Sony, I happen to have been playing on a big Sony Trinitron TV for many years, which on the rare occasion does it show signs of age. My Sony (cassette) Walkman has been great as well. However, when it comes to Sony Computer Entertainment I've not had similar luck.

And I'm not the only one. Anyone familiar with the PlayStations of the ones and twos will know too well of early models of these consoles not lasting the pace.

The design through the evolution of the PlayStation standard controller to the PlayStation 2 Dual Shock 2:

-> Standard controller <-
The standard controller could almost be love at first sight. Building on the near-symmetry of that of the SNES, where opposite the 4 fire-buttons (of the much-universally marketed symbols) is the d-pad segmented into the 4 obvious directions underlining this near-symmetry. All which of course along with the middle modal buttons (Select and Start) are within reach of the appropriate thumbs.

However! I've had the segments of this d-pad split into 3 on my first Dual Shock controller; it's not too bad though. Other notable changes include the extra shoulder buttons, situated away from the player, bringing it to a manageable two on both sides. Also the handles, its curves coming at you, provide the grip and make the controller comfortable to hold.

-> Analogue/Dual Shock <-
The analogue is the evolution of the standard pad, with the addition of two thumb sticks situated around the middle which also serve as two extra buttons. It certainly is heavier as well as bulkier, resulting in the enlargement of the lower shoulder buttons. A button in the centre switches between analogue/digital control, and there is LED indication. Of course not all games support analogue control.

For those who don't know, about analogue control, it allows for precision play, to put it one way!

Now there is some history with regards to there being separate analogue and Dual Shock controllers (over here at least), the Dual Shock is the analogue with the added vibrations brought about by a combination of the weak and strong motor inside. No batteries required.

-> Dual Shock 2 <-
Dual Shock 2 takes analogue control further, with its fire and shoulder buttons said to differentiate between 256 levels of pressure. Revised, it's lighter and the range of vibrations had been increased. Note that both Dual Shock controllers can be used on both PlayStations, with the first Dual Shock unable to support analogue button feature in games. Available in a range of colours, RRP £20.

-> REaD all about it! <-
In the need of another Dual Shock, I bought a Dual Shock 2 in which I got a crimson red coloured one supposedly "pre-owned". The controller did not work, I then tested it on my PC the buttons were shown to be locked. I returned this for another of the same colour only to encounter the same problem. This did not compute with the idea it was pre-owned, so I thought it was a compatibility issue, only to find out they had a faulty batch of these controllers!

-> Back in black! <-
So I got a black working controller. Unfortunately after some use the shoulder button became temporarily jammed, this resulted in something inside breaking around that area which I'll get to one day when I get my Philips screwdriver! The disappointing thing was that lightning struck twice and so my new PS2 controller has the same fault despite having not used that specific one an awful lot.

You might think there must be a lack of care towards the controller on my behalf, but as an RSI sufferer I tend not to use excessive force to play. Even still, a product like this has got to be built to last. When it comes to peripherals it is said that official is best, but with my story I'm going to have to consider a third-party option next time around.

Specific Criteria - Manufacturer support does not apply.  

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