PS3 Controller Shopping Tips

[XFoxPrower]

I need to buy a few PS3 controllers. The 3 I have (2x DS3, 1 Sixaxis) have issues like analog skating, phantom button pressses, and alzheimer's when it sbould remember pairing. I beard there's counterfeits on Amazon, and possily at local stores too. What should I know before shopping?

 

[Marc_LFD]

You could just buy a PS4 controller from AliExpress as they're PS3 compatible and what's more, they use USB-C!

DualShock 3 and 4 are kind of past for me.

 

[XFoxPrower]

You could just buy a PS4 controller from AliExpress as they're PS3 compatible and what's more, they use USB-C!
DualShock 3 and 4 are kind of past for me.

I've never heard of a PS4 conoller with USB-C. Is that a good bootleg? But I generally dislike the DS4 due to its sunken-in Start / Select (or whatever they're called now. I use mine on my PS Classic). Also one of these PS3 pads would be for my PSTV, for games that either don't detect my Switch Pro pad or need he full analog threashold (bugs in VitaControl's driver).

 

[StarNativi]

You can get one of these adapters

https://www.amazon.com/MAYFLASH-Bluetooth-Controller-Raspberry-Compatible/dp/B079B5KHWQ

It let's you use any controller with your PS3.

 

[Marc_LFD]

I've never heard of a PS4 conoller with USB-C. Is that a good bootleg? But I generally dislike the DS4 due to its sunken-in Start / Select (or whatever they're called now. I use mine on my PS Classic). Also one of these PS3 pads would be for my PSTV, for games that either don't detect my Switch Pro pad or need he full analog threashold (bugs in VitaControl's driver).

There are a variety of them on AliExpress.

Here's one I bought several times (to resell) before: https://a.aliexpress.com/_EvUx4OS

This one is really good too: https://a.aliexpress.com/_EIn9csI

 

[Deleted member 753700]

There’s so many it’s insane now…

I would agree with the others, I use my dualsense and it works fine - just no home button.

You could pickup a cheap ps3 dupe just so you get the home button or you could get the wingman controller converter attachment but it is quite expensive.

 

[Marc_LFD]

There’s so many it’s insane now…

I would agree with the others, I use my dualsense and it works fine - just no home button.

You could pickup a cheap ps3 dupe just so you get the home button or you could get the wingman controller converter attachment but it is quite expensive.

DualSense works with PS3, but yeah, the Home button doesn't take you back to the Dashboard. PS4 clones do.

 

[Deleted member 753700]

DualSense works with PS3, but yeah, the Home button doesn't take you back to the Dashboard. PS4 clones do.

Aw sick my bad I misunderstood

 

[XFoxPrower]

So 3rd party's in as Amazon has only used stuff. How's Mayflash compare to 8BitDo? I can't view AliExpress pages (Vita user). But any thoughts on the Defender? https://stoneagegamer.com/defender-...on-3-playstation-4-and-pc-retro-fighters.html. Being native PS3, it should work better than Switch Pro on PSTV too. Home button's pretty important as my PSTV won't boot without a legit-enough USB-connected DS3 (Rarely shuts down properly).

 

[lwiz]

I need to buy a few PS3 controllers. The 3 I have (2x DS3, 1 Sixaxis) have issues like analog skating, phantom button pressses, and alzheimer's when it sbould remember pairing. I beard there's counterfeits on Amazon, and possily at local stores too. What should I know before shopping?

Some of the DS3 phantom press etc. problems are quite easy to repair. The ribbon connector connecting buttons to the mainboard is connnected by pressure only and the pressure inducing foam gives in with age. New foam, suitably sized tape bits etc. can be used in fixes. (New foam is the best, but temporary - lasting even years - repairs can be done using other materials. First gen DS3's can be bit iffy to put back together again, the ones with little separate plastic bits between L/R buttons and triggers, but still quite doable (anf ifixit is your friend if unsure).

 

[XFoxPrower]

I read that the Defender doesn't work in PS3's Safe Mode (connec cable, no Bluetooth), so likely a no-go on PSTV too. Back to where I started.

 

[DaFixer]

I still have a PS3 controller for sell if you are interest?

 

[XFoxPrower]

I might be, but shipping alone would probably eat up half of my budget. I never thought to check out how the trade forum works. Maybe should.

 

[Deleted member 753700]

I went for a Defender BT and it’s pretty good. Works fully with pressure sensitive buttons and triggers. Home buttons works and wakes the console. Only thing is there is a slight input delay I’m sure others mention about but I did notice it too.

When using my dualsense my controller was just doing on and off input on the triggers and no gradual increase like a gas pedal so I guess it’s not fully compatible if you intend to play racing games as I am!

Will maybe post a longer review of the controller if I have anything substantial to say

 

[XFoxPrower]

Input lag has no place here as I replay the Project Diva Dreamy Theater remakes. But there's gotta be a good 3rd party pad out there somewhere.

 

[Deleted member 753700]

Input lag has no place here as I replay the Project Diva Dreamy Theater remakes. But there's gotta be a good 3rd party pad out there somewhere.

Yeah it’s infuriating - I’m in the same boat so I just was like well I guess I’m repairing a dualshock 3 at some point lol

I was looking at Hall effect but I think the board isn’t setup for it so it may not work. I didn’t fully research it so unsure but I assume it must have some problem else I would’ve seen some somewhere..?

 

[wolf-snake]

i have a good tip for in store purchases like flea markets where they might even have a system hooked up. Pair the controller to the console and give it a good shake in the base ps3 menu background, if its legit then the particles would move, if not its fake. Never ever liked how third party controller feels so i always go with original if i can find them.

 

[XFoxPrower]

Bought a controller from a used game store. Wanted to test it on my Vita but it's not that simple (Vita HW Tester would catch input issues. It even shows the limited analog support with the Switch Pro driver). Tested at home. Turns out the D-pad sucks. Time to return it.I also learned that it's a pain to pair a DS3 with Vita as it requires a PC and tool to write a MAC address to the controller via USB. That would have been a nice bit of homebrew for PS3, for the PC-less. Particle test? I tried it with my good controllers but couldn't notice.

 

[Marc_LFD]

i have a good tip for in store purchases like flea markets where they might even have a system hooked up. Pair the controller to the console and give it a good shake in the base ps3 menu background, if its legit then the particles would move, if not its fake. Never ever liked how third party controller feels so i always go with original if i can find them.

It's not that simple as there are very good fakes out there.

The weight, the quality of the buttons, the rear sticker, etc. I personally don't care about DS3 controllers anymore as unbranded PS4 USB-C controllers are recognized as a DS3/DS4.

I'm surprised Sony never made DS4 controllers with a USB-C port, even newer revisions they still had a Micro USB.

 

[Deleted member 753700]

It's not that simple as there are very good fakes out there.

The weight, the quality of the buttons, the rear sticker, etc. I personally don't care about DS3 controllers anymore as unbranded PS4 USB-C controllers are recognized as a DS3/DS4.

I'm surprised Sony never made DS4 controllers with a USB-C port, even newer revisions they still had a Micro USB.

USB C was only really coming into the standard by the end of PS4 no? I only ever got it on DualSense