The game is far, far from impossible with the dual shock controller. I currently can't use a wheel and pedals due to motorcycle accident and I have completed all the races and gotten gold except on the endurances which I haven't tried yet, and gold on most of the special events. I didn't spend much time on trying to get gold on the licenses yet I just did them to get through it, so I have a mix of bronze, silver and gold. I'm sure all golds are quite do able and I intend to go back and give it a shot. What I've accomplished so far was purely using the buttons, not the triggers, although you will be faster using the triggers for gas and brake as they offer better "resolution" so you'll be smoother. All that being said, I wish I could use a wheel, it makes it easier to find that extra couple tenths here and there.
