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

Is there any reason Xbox still insists on batteries in the controllers?

I really like the batteries. I always have a fresh set of eneloops on hand, just swap it out when the current ones die.
 
Is there any reason Xbox still insists on batteries in the controllers?

Because it's the superior approach. I hate being tethered while playing and draping cords across the living room floor so I have multiple packs ready to swap into my controllers as needed. I wish Sony had the same approach, TBH.
 
I love my wired controller. It plugs in the back and I feed it under the back of my TV stand and pull it out the front when I need it. Then I just tuck it under nicely when I'm done.

No batteries or charging. Rumble all the time.
 
I despise battery controllers. The integrated rechargeables lasted me through the generation. The Xbox branded rechargeable batteries sometime don't even last a single gaming session.
 
No, I like to use rechargeables because batteries die. That is an actual thing that happens.

Rechargable AA batteries can lose their charge, too, after a while you know. I'd rather have a controller that I just set on a charging dock when I'm done with it, and it just stays charged all the time. And, like I said, you can replace internal batteries. They're dirt cheap and it's damn easy.
 
How else are they going to get you to see the value of their system when they can expect you to need a rechargeable battery kit, a wifi dongle, you name it...PS3 was incredibly cheap once people understood it was all packed in for free. Xbox is like a money sink and don't even get me started on Live. PS3, PS4 and Wii U get it right. Japanese make such superior hardware. Microsoft proves to me over and over again that they should just stick to software.
 
Rechargable AA batteries can lose their charge, too, after a while you know. I'd rather have a controller that I just set on a charging dock when I'm done with it, and it just stays charged all the time. And, like I said, you can replace internal batteries. They're dirt cheap and it's damn easy.

Great. So is replacing a battery, which doesn't require me to open up my controller. It should really be noted that this thread started under the pretense that external batteries are inferior. At worst, the difference here is marginal and is a matter of preference.
 
How else are they going to get you to see the value of their system when they can expect you to need a rechargeable battery kit, a wifi dongle, you name it...PS3 was incredibly cheap once people understood it was all packed in for free. Xbox is like a money sink and don't even get me started on Live. PS3, PS4 and Wii U get it right. Japanese make such superior hardware. Microsoft proves to me over and over again that they should just stick to software.

People make fun of Sony's hardware all the time. Hell Samsung is destroying their ass.
But that's just in general overall.
 
Great. So is replacing a battery, which doesn't require me to open up my controller. It should really be noted that this thread started under the pretense that external batteries are inferior. At worst, the difference here is marginal and is a matter of preference.

Agreed. It's more a matter of preference. I just prefer internal because it's A) Included (and doesn't cost me any more) and B) easier.
 
None of my DS3s or 6xs have died and Ive had the machine since launch. I cant believe the new controller has batteries.

Oh wow.
 
So they can save on manufacturing costs, but still sell the controller for the same price as controllers that come with rechargeable batteries.
 
Gotta admit requiring AA's seems a bit archaic in 2013 but it would be my preference. Besides eneloops are just soo damn good; they'll hold their charge for years in storage whereas a Li-ion will be flat (which is actually detrimental to its lifespan).

Internal Li-ion is convenient if you use your device often and keep it charged but for an infrequent user such as myself, the DS3's internal battery is usually dead, or has one bar when I pick it up after a few months of inactivity.
 
Great. So is replacing a battery, which doesn't require me to open up my controller. It should really be noted that this thread started under the pretense that external batteries are inferior. At worst, the difference here is marginal and is a matter of preference.

Er, at best the controller will MSRP for the same amount with or without it, you need to provide it and enloops do not compare to lith-ion in terms of life. So even under these expectations it's still a net loss.
 
I'm happy with this.

When my 360 controller's batteries die, I take the charged pair of AAs I have set aside, pop them in, and keep going at full charge. Dead ones go back in the charger.

When my Dual Shock 3's battery dies, I either have to play tethered (defeating the point of a wireless controller), stop playing and let it charge, or keep two controllers for a charge rotation.
 
I'm in the pro-battery camp. I use AA batteries for everything I can in my house. Got an array of Eneloops that I keep charged with a Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus solar charger. I also dig the spacers you can get that turn AA's into C and D cells.
 
do you have AA batteries in your cellphone?

Do you play your cell phone's games for 4-10 hours at a time?


LOL, wow

With nice rechargeable batteries you NEVER have to worry about your controller dying, having to tether it, or having to dock it...EVER.

Accidentally forget to plug it in/dock it? No big deal, grab a charged set out of your charger and play.
 
Internal Li-ion is convenient if you use your device often and keep it charged but for an infrequent user such as myself, the DS3's internal battery is usually dead, or has one bar when I pick it up after a few months of inactivity.

Not charging your controller for months and expecting to pick it up and play is your own fault.

I was out of the console loop for years when I was PC only. When I visited my brother a few years ago and saw the Xbox controller took batteries I was astounded. So funny that people talk themselves into thinking this is acceptable in 2013.
 
Allowing non-proprietary AA batteries gives you the best of both worlds. If you're a fan of rechargeable packs you can go that way or if you have a great source of cheap AA single-use batteries (my preference; Thanks IKEA!) then you're sorted that way as well.

My only hope is that a) the low battery flashing on the guide button doesn't occur a bajillion hours in advance of when they actually run out or b) you can turn off the low battery flashing on the controller completely.

The flashing became so annoying (especially in a dark room) that I'd end up switching batteries out long before I knew they'd die on me.
 
You know what I hate more than batteries? Having to buy a new controller because the built-in battery won't hold a charge anymore.

this.

even worse when you open the controller to try and replace a battery or fix a sticky button and the whole thing explodes in your hands.
 
Not charging your controller for months and expecting to pick it up and play is your own fault.

I was out of the console loop for years when I was PC only. When I visited my brother a few years ago and saw the Xbox controller took batteries I was astounded. So funny that people talk themselves into thinking this is acceptable in 2013.

Some people even prefer cables because they hate recharging stuff, the lunacy!
 
It looks like there's space for 4 AA batteries in there, so it will probably be heavier than the 360 pad.

You know what I hate more than batteries? Having to buy a new controller because the built-in battery won't hold a charge anymore.
The game authentication servers will most likely die before that happens.
 
To be honest I prefer batteries. I hate any form of wires. I thought that's why we did away with wired controllers? There's nothing worse than playing a PS3 or Wii U game and having your controller run out of batteries and then having to connect a cord to your controller.

Sure, it's much more expensive, but I have a pretty large stash of batteries so that's a moot point to me.
 
Batteries are better. I only use regular ole batteries and my controllers keep their charge for a damn long time. Its easy enough to swap in new ones when the old ones run out of juice.
 
I really like the batteries. I always have a fresh set of eneloops on hand, just swap it out when the current ones die.

^This. Eneloops changed my opinion on having controller batteries. They're incredible. This bit of info was one of the few bright spots of MS' reveal yesterday.
 
I just re-read this thread and I'm really not clear on why people are upset about using AA batteries. Could someone explain if I'm missing something? All I've seen is "batteries are archaic/Gameboy/not 2013" and a "convenience" argument that seems like a wash to me (finding a cable, tethering until charged vs. swapping batteries).
 
I really like the batteries. I always have a fresh set of eneloops on hand, just swap it out when the current ones die.

winner! I have probably 24 eneloops spread throughout every damn device in my household, with maybe 6 extra charged on hand at all times. When those batteries die, whenever the hell that is depending on the device, could be years for some of my TV remotes, I just merely switch them with charged eneloops and then charge the dead ones, repeat cycle forever.
 
More options are nice, and this way they get to sell play and charge kits again.

Hopefully those things last longer. Mine stopped holding a charge completely after a year or two and the cable had to be held in a certain way for it to remain on. The cord itself randomly caught on fire during a play session at a friend's place and I was forced to buy a new one. Kind of a scary experience, almost burned my hand.
 
As long as they offer a play & charge kit I'll be fine

You know what I hate more than batteries? Having to buy a new controller because the built-in battery won't hold a charge anymore.
That actually barely happens to Lithium-ion batteries
 
That actually barely happens to Lithium-ion batteries
What crazy world do you live in where LiIon batteries barely die?

Replaceable batteries are the way to go, imo. I am extremely happy to see Microsoft going with batteries. As others have said, eneloops and the ability to quickly swap in/out rechargeable batteries is a feature that can't be beat.
 
I've never had a DS3 battery go bad on me. I had my longest lasting controller for 4 years before replacing it due to wear and tear. Still works fine today though.
 
I think it's the better option overall. With a sealed, internal battery, you have to worry about consumers complaining about dead controllers and crap because all batteries go bad eventually.

With this method, you can have a group of batteries and swap at will. They should allow you to play via usb tether if possible, but i like being able to simply put in a different set a batteries. i just buy rechargeable batteries and i can use them on anything that needs AA
 
Because some people actually like it?

I know I would be pretty angry if PS4 had some batteries though because I despise AA batteries and hated charging them on my wii.
 
Better that it can use rechargeable AA batteries than built-in battery. If that thing dies, i'd have to buy a new controller, or send it to somewhere to get the battery changed, don't like that at all.

This was the initial reaction to the PS3 controller. People were pissed (me included) But i never had one die on me

Now people are mad they are using batteries still? I cant keep up gaf!
 
so in 20 years when you still have your ps3 and want to get all nostalgic for some Uncharted 2... but your DS3 is dead... whatcha gonna do? Sony wont support or be manufacturing controllers anymore

so good luck!
ps3 is compatible with most usb controllers, even ones made before ps3 ever existed. can't say the same about xbox. if you absolutely need wireless, usb dongle is an acceptable alternative imo.
 
What crazy world do you live in where LiIon batteries barely die?

Replaceable batteries are the way to go, imo. I am extremely happy to see Microsoft going with batteries. As others have said, eneloops and the ability to quickly swap in/out rechargeable batteries is a feature that can't be beat.
Obviously just my personal experience but I never had a cellphone battery die on me. Same goes for the PS3 controller and iPods.
 
i replaced my dualshock 3 battery for 6 bucks
the controller was 5 years old. i got it for mgs4


sorry but, internal rechargable battery > AA's
 
You just buy one of these.

0003980008810_A


Then you don't have to worry about replacing your controller or buying batteries.
 
Not charging your controller for months and expecting to pick it up and play is your own fault.

Well no kidding, point is needing to keep the DS3 charged is something that needs to be considered and since I rarely touch the PS3, it's not. Now you charge a set of eneloops and they'll happily sit that way for years. I installed a set of them in a (rarely used) wireless keyboard in 2009 and they're still charged.
 
You know what I hate more than batteries? Having to buy a new controller because the built-in battery won't hold a charge anymore.
My bigger issue with the PS3 controllers' physiology is that it has to be plugged in with a cable to charge it, and the cable that came with my PS3 for its controller is really damn short.
 
so in 20 years when you still have your ps3 and want to get all nostalgic for some Uncharted 2... but your DS3 is dead... whatcha gonna do? Sony wont support or be manufacturing controllers anymore

so good luck!

Well the lithium batteries in a DS3 are standard sony ones, you can replace it yourself easily. I did it once for a friend who had a malfunctioning battery that didn't charge properly, all you have to do is unplug it and plug in the new one and screw the controller back together takes like 3 minutes. Also you can always play with the controller wired. The only functionality you lose with a no battery wired controller is that you cant turn the PS3 on remotely, you actually have to walk up to it and turn it on manually like in the good old days.

My bigger issue with the PS3 controllers' physiology is that it has to be plugged in with a cable to charge it, and the cable that came with my PS3 for its controller is really damn short.

DS3's work with any USB to USB mini cable, I bought an energizer one that's like 5 feet long for 4 dollars a while ago
 
Top Bottom