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How Long Do Controllers Typically Last You?
- Thread starter User 479360
- Start date
I take good care of my things, and hands down my PS4 controller was the biggest pile of crap I have ever owned. My day one ps4 controller lost a ton of rubber from the sticks about four months in, it picked up a strange dead zone sometime this December, and then both triggers got stuck in January and I just gave up and bought a new one early this month.
Best cheapest controller I have ever used.
Best cheapest controller I have ever used.
Adam_Roman
Member
The only controllers that have broken on me were Mad Catz N64 controllers. My brother's Gamecube controller died in 2004, but then a few months ago he decided to look at it for the hell of it (he kept it for replacement parts) and found out there was just a break in the connection from the board to the wire and fixed it in 15 minutes.
GeordieMark
Member
I can't think of the last time a controller died on me, although one of my 360 pads developed a slightly iffy right analogue stick after about 5 years. I've never been one for throwing pads in fits of rage so they are usually pretty well looked after.
I find controllers far more durable than joysticks. Back in the Amiga days, I went through them at a ridiculous rate.
I find controllers far more durable than joysticks. Back in the Amiga days, I went through them at a ridiculous rate.
This is the same for me too, apart from my most recent console the PS4. The PS4's Dual Shock 4 is the first control I've had to replace, and its not even a year old yet.
Same here. Never had a problem with a first party controller. Some third party ones have died on me in the past, although even that is rare. Last controller I can remember breaking on me was on the genesis.
One giant exception is the n64 analog stick. That thing is sloppy now on my old controllers.
kriskrosbbk
Member
6-7 hours
Define last..
In general terms I'll hold onto a controller as long as it's mechanically functional.
I do have somewhat of a pet peeve when it comes to analog sticks. I like that new controller feel. So when I feel the analog sticks are getting too loose. I buy a new controller. It takes about a year for the sticks to get to that point. I'll have something like 5-7 controllers by the end of a normal console cycle.
Now with the PS4 I've been very unlucky. I bought two extra controllers at launch..My main controller started fall apart in October 2014. It's left analog stick had drifting/acceleration issue. I sent that into Sony, who then sent me back a controller with charging issues. I didn't notice the problem until a month later. By that time my second controller had it's R2 button break. I decided to swap the R2 button from the dud Sony sent me and stick it in my older controller. I then opened the second controller I had purchased at launch... Fast forward to Jan 23rd. The brand new controller I opened just under a month and a half ago, has it's left analog stick cover start to peal off.. I've since ordered some analog covers from Amazon... So yeah, very unlucky. Three bad controllers already.
In general terms I'll hold onto a controller as long as it's mechanically functional.
I do have somewhat of a pet peeve when it comes to analog sticks. I like that new controller feel. So when I feel the analog sticks are getting too loose. I buy a new controller. It takes about a year for the sticks to get to that point. I'll have something like 5-7 controllers by the end of a normal console cycle.
Now with the PS4 I've been very unlucky. I bought two extra controllers at launch..My main controller started fall apart in October 2014. It's left analog stick had drifting/acceleration issue. I sent that into Sony, who then sent me back a controller with charging issues. I didn't notice the problem until a month later. By that time my second controller had it's R2 button break. I decided to swap the R2 button from the dud Sony sent me and stick it in my older controller. I then opened the second controller I had purchased at launch... Fast forward to Jan 23rd. The brand new controller I opened just under a month and a half ago, has it's left analog stick cover start to peal off.. I've since ordered some analog covers from Amazon... So yeah, very unlucky. Three bad controllers already.
The Dutch Slayer
Member
My nes and snes controllers are colored but 100% functional 
So mostly forever, battery is mostly the problem on these new controllers.
So mostly forever, battery is mostly the problem on these new controllers.
riskVSreward
Member
For every console before the PS4? At least the life of the system and most to this day.
For PS4? I already ruined 2. :-(
For PS4? I already ruined 2. :-(
CyanideFuse
Member
I've had several 360 controllers suffer the same sort of problems: the left analogue stick would drift and others would have a dead spot.
I recently replaced a controller because diagonally down/right was completely dead on the left stick.
I recently replaced a controller because diagonally down/right was completely dead on the left stick.
SinCityAssassin
Member
Had to replace my Gamecube controller after my dog chewed it, my nunchuck after my dog chewed THAT (he got taught a real nice lesson), and I gave away all my old wiimotes and replaced them with shiny new Wiimote Pluses. That's basically it.
Fallout-NL
Member
True. I wonder where it is right now... I remember selling the SNES to a middle school near Voorhout back in '99 I think, to buy this thing:
Which didn't even work with our motherboard :'(
Alcoholikaust
Member
I recently replaced my launch dual shock4 for the newer model with the superior rubber grips very much needed other than that I plan on using my Xbox one controller until I put the system away in 2017.
I still have a Wingman Pro Gamepad for PC which I bought 16 years ago and it works perfectly (it lost a bit of tact in the A button but can be used perfectly). Apart from one Wii Remote which doesn´t always register movement correctly I have never broken a controller.
Not counting the old PC joysticks I used with my brother´s MSX more than 20 years ago...there was a track and field game that asked you to constantly and furiosuly move the joystick from right to left to run faster. That destroyed every joystick we bought in a few days.
Not counting the old PC joysticks I used with my brother´s MSX more than 20 years ago...there was a track and field game that asked you to constantly and furiosuly move the joystick from right to left to run faster. That destroyed every joystick we bought in a few days.
The only time I've had to replace a controller due to wear or anything is my first xbox 360 pad which had sticking a and b buttons........ probably my fault though, as my other one which is almost as old works great to this day as my pc pad. My launch day n64 controller is nearing it's end though........those analog stick flakes.
nintendo and sega controller last forever, most of my sony controllers died. especially the ps2 ones.
i dont know why, but after not using them for 2 years they simply refuse to work.
i have a limited edition sakura ps2, virtually never used the controller and i tried to play a japanese game last christmas... fucking controller didnt work. i was in awe.
a pretty much new controller (bought the console in 2004) didnt work.
fuck sony
i dont know why, but after not using them for 2 years they simply refuse to work.
i have a limited edition sakura ps2, virtually never used the controller and i tried to play a japanese game last christmas... fucking controller didnt work. i was in awe.
a pretty much new controller (bought the console in 2004) didnt work.
fuck sony
The only damaged controller I've ever had is my 360 controller I used to use with my PC, still works but the B button sticks a lot..that's about it.
I remember playing Tekken 4 with friends back in highschool and 1 was chasing my dog around the house (idk why...), ran through the cords, ripping it out of the console and flew across the room into a brick wall..worked perfectly for another 6 years before I lost it in a move.
I remember playing Tekken 4 with friends back in highschool and 1 was chasing my dog around the house (idk why...), ran through the cords, ripping it out of the console and flew across the room into a brick wall..worked perfectly for another 6 years before I lost it in a move.
Android18a
Member
Kudos to you, sir.
shiherlis21
Member
I only ever use 1st party controllers and to date I've never had a single one die on me. My only worry for the future would be the battery in the ps4 which is already a pile of shit
MAX PAYMENT
Member
A lot longer than the ps4 controllers.
NoblesseOblige
Banned
I've had my PS3 since 2006 and the controller that came with it works just fine to this day. Pretty sure my PS2 controller survived from 2000 to when I go rid of it around 2007. Not sure about the other consoles I've had. I was either too young to remember well enough or they didn't get much attention.
Edit: Should mention that once a warranty expires I actually take apart my devices to give them a good thorough cleaning and repeat so every so often. Also if a button ever sticks I'll take it apart to fix it.
Edit: Should mention that once a warranty expires I actually take apart my devices to give them a good thorough cleaning and repeat so every so often. Also if a button ever sticks I'll take it apart to fix it.
ChosenPredator
Banned
forever pretty much
Red Liquorice
Member
PS3 - 1-2 years.
Everything else - never had one break.
Everything else - never had one break.
Alisha Airscape
Neo Member
Forever, apparently. Everything from my SNES onward still has fully functional controllers. I guess I don't game that "intensely", and I do take good care of them, clean them regularly, etc.. I've always done so, even when I was a kid.
The only slightly wonky controller I have is a Wiimote one of my nephews banged on the wall or something.
(Oh, and there's one DS3 that, while fully functional, has a startling jangling sound if you shake it, courtesy of boyfriend + Dark Souls.)
Otherwise, everything is still perfect. I just love going back to my Saturn controllers every once in a while.
One of my nephews, however, managed to break the d-pad on his DS in 2 months. Kids these days.
The only slightly wonky controller I have is a Wiimote one of my nephews banged on the wall or something.
(Oh, and there's one DS3 that, while fully functional, has a startling jangling sound if you shake it, courtesy of boyfriend + Dark Souls.)
Otherwise, everything is still perfect. I just love going back to my Saturn controllers every once in a while.
One of my nephews, however, managed to break the d-pad on his DS in 2 months. Kids these days.
Leafhopper
Banned
Only ones to ever break on my were third party controllers. And even then I can only think of one of those that actually broke.
A gamecube Madcatz controller that had a fan in it.
From my understanding all those controllers that had fans in the grips were time bombs.
A gamecube Madcatz controller that had a fan in it.
From my understanding all those controllers that had fans in the grips were time bombs.
Woffls
Member
In general, it seems like my controllers have lasted about 4 years each based on reasonable use before I give up on them. The exception seems to be the Gamecube controllers which will probably last forever.
That said, absolutely every controller I have bought is still functional. Every button works as it should, and the analogue sticks are generally the only thing that I get problems with.
Mega Drive - Dpads might be a bit sticky on some of them. Not sure.
N64 - Three analogue sticks worn out by myself in probably 6 years.
Gamecube - Had three controllers since 2003 and all work perfectly.
Dreamcast - Bought in like 2001, loads of controllers, all good!
PS2 - Bought in 2006 and barely played, so both controllers fine.
PS3 - One controller since 2009, used a fair amount, still good.
Wii - Three lots of WiiMote + Nunchuck. Still great.
360 - Two controllers from launch, all stick grips decimated after 8 years of PGR, Halo, CoD, Mass Effect, Gears and the rest...
Bonus Round!
Guitar Hero 2 Xplorer - Good as the day I got it in 2006, and it was hammered for about 200 hours.
Guitar Hero 3 Les Paul - Probably nearing 300 hours of use on Expert. Neck contacts degraded enough to cause frequent note misses, so had to hard-wire it. Fret and strum buttons still feel good, though lacking some of the tactility they used to have. Oh, and I ripped the whammy bar off one day because I got annoyed with it. :\
That said, absolutely every controller I have bought is still functional. Every button works as it should, and the analogue sticks are generally the only thing that I get problems with.
Mega Drive - Dpads might be a bit sticky on some of them. Not sure.
N64 - Three analogue sticks worn out by myself in probably 6 years.
Gamecube - Had three controllers since 2003 and all work perfectly.
Dreamcast - Bought in like 2001, loads of controllers, all good!
PS2 - Bought in 2006 and barely played, so both controllers fine.
PS3 - One controller since 2009, used a fair amount, still good.
Wii - Three lots of WiiMote + Nunchuck. Still great.
360 - Two controllers from launch, all stick grips decimated after 8 years of PGR, Halo, CoD, Mass Effect, Gears and the rest...
Bonus Round!
Guitar Hero 2 Xplorer - Good as the day I got it in 2006, and it was hammered for about 200 hours.
Guitar Hero 3 Les Paul - Probably nearing 300 hours of use on Expert. Neck contacts degraded enough to cause frequent note misses, so had to hard-wire it. Fret and strum buttons still feel good, though lacking some of the tactility they used to have. Oh, and I ripped the whammy bar off one day because I got annoyed with it. :\
The only controller I've ever had to replace was a 360 one which my baby son found and chewed all the rubber off one of the sticks. Perhaps explains why he has super powers now.
I've never had to replace a controller from something I've done. Even my DS4 still has intact rubber.
I've never had to replace a controller from something I've done. Even my DS4 still has intact rubber.
I think the only controller I ever had to get rid of was one of my PS2 ones where the cable was losing connection where it entered the controller. Everything else has lasted all the years I've had them.
Hell, my controllers aren't even really worn or showing signs of where I've played with them. It's hard as hell for me to differentiate between my newer, barely used DS3 and the launch one.
Hell, my controllers aren't even really worn or showing signs of where I've played with them. It's hard as hell for me to differentiate between my newer, barely used DS3 and the launch one.
TheHighFlyingBirds
Member
Came in expecting to see the DS4 mentioned in the first post, but it wasn't surprisingly.
My PS3 controllers took a beating and started to creak and perform as if buttons had been pressed, when handled. I think this was due to the hours put in COD4 and times of frustration in some games. I also seemed to eat crisps a lot, but I did need the snackos to go with the beers when playing, so that degraded the look of the controllers.
Now though, both of my DS4s are mint (day 1 purchase), but I don't play as much (the other half and little girl made sure of that lol), and I don't eat whilst playing anymore, so I would expect them to last the full generation. I did get stick covers for the thumbsticks though after reading the horror stories on here about peeling, (they also didn't feel that comfy, nice idea for concave design, but poorly executed).
My PS3 controllers took a beating and started to creak and perform as if buttons had been pressed, when handled. I think this was due to the hours put in COD4 and times of frustration in some games. I also seemed to eat crisps a lot, but I did need the snackos to go with the beers
when playing, so that degraded the look of the controllers. Now though, both of my DS4s are mint (day 1 purchase), but I don't play as much (the other half and little girl made sure of that lol), and I don't eat whilst playing anymore, so I would expect them to last the full generation. I did get stick covers for the thumbsticks though after reading the horror stories on here about peeling, (they also didn't feel that comfy, nice idea for concave design, but poorly executed).
Vincent Grayson
Member
I don't think I've ever had to replace a controller, but the vast majority of my console games are RPGs or others without serious button mashing.
I do think Dragon Age: Inquisition fucked up one my PS4 analog sticks though, after having to do that fucking "ping" thing over and over while playing.
I do think Dragon Age: Inquisition fucked up one my PS4 analog sticks though, after having to do that fucking "ping" thing over and over while playing.
bobone
Member
Years.
My launch 360 controller finally wore down to the point where I stopped using it. Its still completely functional, but the sticks are just to slick.
My old controllers (NES, SNES, GEN, PS1, PS2, GC, etc.) all still work fine. With the exception of my N64 controllers. Man those sticks get loose.
O and any 3rd party controllers I've tried over the years, cuz I was being cheap, died way to fast. NEVER worth getting in my opinion.
My launch 360 controller finally wore down to the point where I stopped using it. Its still completely functional, but the sticks are just to slick.
My old controllers (NES, SNES, GEN, PS1, PS2, GC, etc.) all still work fine. With the exception of my N64 controllers. Man those sticks get loose.
O and any 3rd party controllers I've tried over the years, cuz I was being cheap, died way to fast. NEVER worth getting in my opinion.