eStarland has some amazing deals going on right now that you definitely need to know about. So, let’s get right to it!

First up, eStarland is currently selling new PS3 copies of Super Street Fighter IV for the low, low price of $22.95, using promo code BLANKA to activate the discount. Coincidentally enough, Amazon’s Gold Box “Deal of the Day” is Super Street Fighter IV for $25. This deal is even cheaper — though the Amazon offer does include the Xbox 360 version, so if that’s your platform of choice you’ll have to pay the extra $3 to get it there. But if you own a PS3, jump on this deal immediately.

Another great offer for PS3 owners is eStarland’s first “Daily Steal.” For today only, you can get a brand new DualShock 3 for $38.95, which is a substantial price slash on the wireless controller’s regular price of $55. Geez, controllers have become too expensive these days, haven’t they?

Anywho… If you’re looking to pick up some used games for your collection, eStarland has you covered there too. You can now get free ground shipping on all pre-owned purchases totaling a minimum of $20.

The latest Power-Ups giveaway is underway as well, and boy is it a doozy. Just add the Power-Ups product to your cart and check out and you’ll be entered to win a PS3 copy of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, Fable III for Xbox 360, or one of eight PSP prizes. The winners will be announced next Wednesday on eStarland’s Facebook page.

Oh, and one last thing before signing off. The Nintendo Entertainment System celebrated its 25th birthday on Monday, and to celebrate eStarland gave out free Wii Remote-shaped candy dispensers with the purchase of any Nintendo product. I’m not sure if the offer is still valid, but try promo code HAPPY25TH if you’re buying a little Nintendo something and see if it works. If it doesn’t, you can always buy one of the dispensers anyway — they are only $2.50.

Sometimes you don’t know how important something is until it’s gone, especially when it’s something as seemingly insignificant as controller rumble. I’ve realized just this after recently my hands on the new DualShock 3 (DS3) wireless controller for the PS3.

It has the same form factor and base functionality of the original Sixaxis (which is now being discontinued) – the face buttons, d-pad, analog sticks and shoulder buttons all feel exactly the same and the tilt-control capabilities function as always – only now with the added immersion of force feedback. As of this moment, only around 30-40 PS3 games are officially rumble-compliant (Sony has a compatibility page up with the full list of supported titles), though a few unlisted games like Army of Two and Unreal Tournament 3 are said to be rumble-ready as well. Backwards compatibility users, you’ll be happy to know that the force feedback in all your favorite PS1 and PS2 games can also now be enjoyed once again.

The rumble itself is pretty much on par with that of the PS2 DualShock. That may give the DS3 tech a dated sound to it, but compared to the Xbox 360 and Wii controllers it still comes out on top – the force feedback just feels more nuanced and immersive to me than the competition. Racing and action games are the main beneficiaries of force feedback, so in the week I’ve had my DS3 I’ve spent the bulk of my time testing it with GT5 Prologue, Turok and Devil May Cry 4, and I’ve found all three to be noticeably enhanced experiences by the newfound rumble.

Bringing vibration back to the PlayStation brand is the main objective of the DS3, but there are other subtle improvements that also make it a far superior controller to the old Sixaxis. For one, it’s something like 40% heavier and thusly has a substantial heft that gives you a lot more confidence when you hold it. In short, it doesn’t feel like some cheap, hollow piece of plastic like the Sixaxis does. The extra bulk also seems to help balance out the tilt mechanics in certain games. Like with Lair, the motion controls feel even smoother to me now than before.

Another added benefit of the DS3 is the improved Bluetooth implementation. Every time I play a game with the Sixaxis I get at least one brief break in connection, but thus far I’ve experience absolutely no interference or failed connections with the DS3. Not a single one. That’s as vital an improvement as anything else.

At $55, the DS3 doesn’t come cheap and may be a tough sell for some, especially anyone who has already invested in multiple Sixaxis controllers already. But comparatively speaking, the price is in the same ballpark as all other wireless game pads, so it is competitively priced (especially considering the higher quality). Controllers are getting ridiculously expensive in general nowadays; just something we all have to get used to just like the increased cost of everything else in gaming.

For your core PS3 gaming experience, there’s no way you should be without at least one DualShock 3 in your arsenal, simple as that. Now kneel down in reverence, the king of console controllers has reclaimed its throne!