• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Did I buy a counterfeit Dualshock 4?

Looks very fake, I have the same controller and the light bar doesn't have that weird ridge. Also, "an evolutionary controller" looks like it should probably say "a revolutionary controller"
 
It actually looks decent, although the box and the seams on the controller itself (around the front EXT/headphone port and especially the light bar and USB port) give it away.
 
The plastic around the light bar, the barcode, yup, got yourself a counterfeit there OP. As others have suggested, it could be a rejected controller from the factory sold through the backdoor. Only reason I could be pushed into believing that is that it looks like it's a really solid fake.

In any event, this wouldn't be sold in stores, is the point. Something's funky with it.
 
I wouldn't keep it or use it. Who knows where they got that battery from, it might be one of those that one day decides to set your house on fire or something. These chinese sellers don't care.

Just ask for a refund, if that doesn't work open an eBay dispute, should be no problem since eBay is usually on the side of the customer no matter what.
 
"An evolutionary controller" is on the official box.
51w2LZBJNnL.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/DualShock-Wireless-Controller-PlayStation-Wave-4/dp/B00KVP780Y
 
If the rubber on the sticks feels 'weird' and 'wrong' and peels off after a couple hours of use..

Congratulations, you have a legitimate DS4

Don't sweat it OP, the quality of a counterfeit DS4 is probably about the same as a real one.

Probably better.

If it's Mad Catz quality, then it's probably the real deal.

Check if the L1 Trigger is stuck. If so, it's official.

does it feel cheap as fuck?

if so, it's official.

I bet the build quality is superior to an official controller (a very low bar).

Holy shit, this thread delivered! XD
 
I have experience with eBay giving refunds for a fraudulent transaction. They took a few days and I think I had to ask them twice but the refund went quickly when they responded to me. Contact them.
 
Comparing yours to my white DS4, three things look suspect.

The plastic around the lightbar looks unfinished.

The "SONY" lettering above the light bar looks too dark (this may be a function of the lighting, mine is about the same hue as the arrows around the dpad.)

The indentions next to L1/R1 look way too pronounced, mine are barely perceivable (again could be lighting in the photo)
 
The included USB cable is a dead giveaway. I have bought a few DS4s and none included a cable other. The PS4 includes a USB cable, but individual DS4 do not contain a USB cable in the box (at least in the USA region).
 
The DS4's I have are solid, none of this "cheap" feeling or trigger problems. They are both the "A" model.

My Xbone controller I can twist and it seems the plastic will bend... (it's the original Xbone controller, not the 3.5mm jack version), so I don't know what that's about.

I'm looking right at the box for a DS4 purchased from NewEgg and on the back it definitely says "An evolutionary controller for a new era of gaming, the DUALSHOCK(R)4 Wireless Controller features familiar PlayStation(R) controls and innovative new additions, such as a touch pad, light bar, and more."

Note that "Wireless Controller" is capitalized.

CUH-ZCT1U 3000084 Made in China
 
Looked at the back of my controller and it's different from yours. Probably counterfeit.

The back is different depending on your region...

"An evolutionary controller" is on the official box.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51w2LZBJNnL.jpg[IMG]
[URL="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KVP780Y/?tag=neogaf0e-20"]https://www.amazon.com/DualShock-Wireless-Controller-PlayStation-Wave-4/dp/B00KVP780Y[/URL][/QUOTE]

...as is the packaging.
 
Here's the video.

Don't know where to start. Trading Standards or Sony to verify the fake as proof for eBay? Paypal?
Oh my God!

Man this might be off topic but how are there counterfeit DS4s and yet not a single third party controller? It seems like the demand for a different PS4 controller (maybe one with an Xbox layout and less battery draining LED) is through a roof...there were plenty of third party options on PS3 did Sony change its licensing for PS4?
There is the Hori FPS Pad Plus, Xbox layout, just no rumble and wired. It's the one I use when I play PS4.
edit: oh yeah, no headphone jack... Probably a deal breaker.

Yeah, that's weird, I don't think I ever had to hold on the PS button to turn it on before.
I'd probably contact them first before doing a dispute, and at least give them a chance/hear what they have to say. Paying for shipping back with a tracking number for a return, though...
 
If this controller is fake (and I am sure it is)...please remember to

Get a full refund...don't take anything less. If the seller wants the controller returned make him pay shipping..

Give a negative review..if you can stop one other person from getting tricked it will be worth it.
 
Why not just get a legit one from a store? And then you picked the China seller lol

Alot of people don't realize that eBay has legitimate storefronts where there's some incredible deals to be had. You just have to make sure it's a reputable seller.

eBay isn't just for auctions anymore though.
 
My launch day black definitely does not look the same.

That finish and the plastic itself look cheap as all hell, so I'm going to say that you got DUALSHYLOCK'D, yo.

Haha no :P its a blue one from amazon germany before they where sold out for months. The buildquality is just rubbish.
 
open it, usually the batterypack in the fake ones is a taped together timebomb looking device.

On PS3 era the fakes were easily identified as soon as you got a hold of the pad, buttons felt all wrong. Externally that one looks fine, probably a chinese model or a refurbished one like someone already said.
 
The sticker on the back of the controller suggests it's a European controller, yet the box is very clearly not an EU box (ours doesn't mention PS Now at all, and has a different style of hook hanger among many other things). Also the print quality of the Sony logo above the USB port seems poor, the PS button is off and there are those rough edges around the light bar. It's certainly a decent quality fake, but a fake nonetheless.
 
looks very good...for a copy. for me, the clue is the finishing of the case, you can see it's go little sharp bits if plastic where it's not been finished as nicely.

0M3jkIC.jpg


just log it with ebay

love the watch picture btw lol

oh, and the reading material!
 
I bought an SD card once from a Chinese seller off eBay. This was many years back, but I think it was supposed to be a 32GB card. It was somehow formatted to appear as though there was that much space on the card when it actually only had like 512MB of space on it. As soon as I realized it was a Chinese seller (after it shipped), I found some YouTube videos warning people about these sellers and explaining what to look for to know if yours is fake or not. Sure enough, it was. Emailed the seller and called him out on it and sent him a link to this video. He refunded my money and I kept the card.
 
Ask PlayStation UK: Brilliant! I have checked the controller and we can find it in our system with the serial number. Also the texture of the controller is the same and the light colours are signed on how many DS4 controllers are connected to the PS4 console.

Me: I see, usually the default lightbar colours are blue and red for player 2, but the white pad shows up purple, is that normal?

Ask PlayStation UK: That is normal to have that colour on the controller light bar.

Me: Okay. Is there anything I can do about the buzzing battery?

Ask PlayStation UK: There is not much that we can do about that I'm afraid.

I don't know what's real life anymore.
 
It might be possible that he's selling stuff that failed Sony's QC. The buzzing battery would be an auto-fail on QC I'd think. So essentially you didn't get a counterfeit, just a production model with a minor issue maybe?

I think you have hit the nail on the proverbial head. all the DS4s are probably made in China, There will be cast offs from quality control.

Fake DS4s would be hard to come by mainly becuase of the encryption used in the controllers when they authenticate to the PS4. This is probably the same reason there are almost no 3rd party controllers available. IDK but I would imagine cracking and implementing the encryption in a knock off controller is more trouble than its worth.

If the controller disconnects after 8 minutes then its fake or faulty. If it doesnt its probably the genuine thing.
 
Because you can get legit ones cheaper on eBay. Lol. But yeah my observation skills were lacking that day.

So has anyone successfully got their money back from a situation like this? I should liaise with Hustle Time guy.

It's ebay. They protect the buyer even when the buyer is scamming. Since this is pretty legit case, they'll give you the money back no problem.
 
I think you have hit the nail on the proverbial head. all the DS4s are probably made in China, There will be cast offs from quality control.

Fake DS4s would be hard to come by mainly becuase of the encryption used in the controllers when they authenticate to the PS4. This is probably the same reason there are almost no 3rd party controllers available. IDK but I would imagine cracking and implementing the encryption in a knock off controller is more trouble than its worth.

If the controller disconnects after 8 minutes then its fake or faulty. If it doesnt its probably the genuine thing.

good point, could be I guess...tho it's been out a few years now so who knows...
 
Top Bottom