The PS3’s upcoming DualShock 3 controller will offically arrive in early 2008, according to a morsel of text on a US Sony website.

Sony’s PS3 version 2.01 firmware update website already explains what’s available in the release, which appeared last month, ranging from custom themes to an information board.

However, it’s since been revealed that the page now carries a small note alongside a paragraph on the forthcoming vibration function for the DualShock 3 controller, stating that it’ll be “available for purchase in early 2008”.

Sony's DualShock 3: already approved by the US FCC

Sony announced the wireless DualShock 3 controller at the Tokyo Games Show in October and it’s already gone on sale in Japan. However, until now it's been rumoured that the controller will appear next in the US around March or April 2008.

The vibration function has been added as an option under ‘Controller Settings’, which appears when gamers press the PS button on the controller.

Of course, the emergence of this snippet of availability information on the website gives gamers, in the US at least, faith that it’ll be ready to buy soon after Christmas. British gamers may still have to wait until March...