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[SEGAvangelist]

I've been fortunate enough to have controllers without the analog issues, but I agree with the OP on the build quality being suspect. The controller materials feel cheap to me. I also agree with others that the controller is extremely comfortable, though

Hopefully Sony gets the build issues worked out soon.

I ended up using grip-it analog stick covers on both of my Ps4 controllers. Shame that it's come to that.

But they work perfectly and now the controller is also more comfortable because my thumbs no longer slip around.

I got those too, recently. My thumbs were slipping off a lot in Killzone before I started using them. I wish Sony included a tire grip style analog like XB1's.

 

[fuzzyreactor]

I don't understand how people are "disagreeing" with the fact that OP is experiencing issues with his DS4s. He's not saying the controller is bad, he clearly states he really likes the feel and comfort of the controller. He's clearly talking about the build quality of it and the fact that the rubber on both of his DS4s have started wearing of.

Read the OP, guys. Seriously.

The design is great, they just need to use better materials.

Many people, like myself, aren't having issues with the build quality though.

 

[Certinty]

It's a joke. I got the mega bundle and one of my controllers has a rattling motor and the other has a slanted square button with the analogue stick wearing out.

Then I went to my friend's house who got the same bundle and his analogue stick is wearing out on one of his controllers while the other has all 4 face buttons slanted which is an absolute pain to play with.

I think i'll be ringing Sony soon.

 

[BumblebeeCody]

Meh. It's OK.

 

[Shahed]

Sony would never do that, they didn't with the PS2's issues.

This is a problem, probably limited to one big batch but a problem nonetheless. I can't think of any reason why people would dismiss someone having an issue with line like "things break".

Well, I can think of one.

If it isone big batch, then it covers multiple regions. The first controller that went wrong is the one that came with the console I bought at Tesco UK. The other is one I imported from Canada before launch since I was eager to get my hands on it and maybe try a PS3 game or two

The hyperbole is strong with this one.

How can it be hyperbole? I'm not saying it's an awful pad. I pretty clearly state I like it. When I'm saying it's the worst I have used, it's a statement of fact. Since no other controller has had these issues before, and the DS4 has had it more than once, it's the worst built by default

 

[SAMZ]

Hello I am the OP's younger brother. I play on the PS4 the most. For me the DS4 is the best pad ever made, probably because I am too young to have used older systems from a decade ago. Having said that... i must say the build quality on these pads are shocking. Must be a bad batch as some people say. Shahed bought some orb controller grips which has really good build quality.

Thanks

 

[Kokonoe]

I saw at Game Stop these pads had the same exact analog tearing and not the typical kind. Like chunks coming off the controller kind.

 

[TheGamer]

Zero issues with DS4, and we have 2 PS4s in the house. I really had no issues wih DS3, but the DS4 makes it feel terrible by comparison.

I agree with this. Playing a game with the DS4 on the PS4 feels amazing, but then when you go back and play with the DS3 on the PS3, you really notice the difference between the two.

 

[Timeaisis]

Many people, like myself, aren't having issues with the build quality though.

Well, it looks like the majority of the people are not affected, like you. However, I think there's enough complaints to conclude that there is a defect/build quality issue with some of the controllers. And for people who get those, they most likely are in agreement with OP.

 

[fuzzyreactor]

Hello I am the OP's younger brother. I play on the PS4 the most. For me the DS4 is the best pad ever made, probably because I am too young to have used older systems from a decade ago. Having said that... i must say the build quality on these pads are shocking. Must be a bad batch as some people say. Shahed bought some orb controller grips which has really good build quality.

Thanks

this is cute

 

[iuuk]

It's not a problem of bad light ..

If someone post "i have a problem" 2 answers are possible .

1- Me too i have the same problem
2- i don't have this problem , didn't you something special to be in this situation.

Both answer are equally acceptable. It actually helps to see if a problem is mainstream or localised

I have been using mine and i have no problems, telling this as an answer is perfectly fine behavior.

No it's not. People saying they don't have these problems often dismiss them outright, saying since they don't have the problem, it's not a problem. Saying it's a user problem is either a 'bad light' problem, or an 'I'm the only one that matters' problem.

Spoiler

I now hate the word problem

 

[Endo Punk]

I really hope it was a bad batch because despite how good it feels the shoddy sticks are scaring me off purchasing the PS4 in March. Ive seen 2 demo kiosks that both show tear on the sticks and with so many people complaining online it seems too convenient to put it off as "bad use", clearly there is something wrong. I know people don't want to hear bad PS4 news for some reason but the controller is a huge point of concern.

 

[DC R1D3R]

I don't understand how people are "disagreeing" with the fact that OP is experiencing issues with his DS4s. He's not saying the controller is bad, he clearly states he really likes the feel and comfort of the controller. He's clearly talking about the build quality of it and the fact that the rubber on both of his DS4s have started wearing of.

Read the OP, guys. Seriously.

The design is great, they just need to use better materials.

It's easy when you know how.

 

[breakfuss]

lol, half the people in here failed to read the OP.

 

[-NeoTB1-]

It sucks for those people who have experienced issues with the DS4. Both of mine have been great so far. I hope it stays that way.

 

[eznark]

Four controllers, they all work great! Maybe the secret is being an idiot like me and rotating through a fleet of them.

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

Love the controller, but the R1 on one of mine sticks as well (the one that came in the PS4 box). The other seems fine, and the more I've used the problem controller, the less it sticks, so I think there's a little too much plastic or something grabbing the R1 button when I push it down and it's coming back up, and it's wearing away over time. I keep thinking about taking it apart and trying to sand around that edge, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

I also bought caps for my analog sticks because I don't like how they feel, and yeah, they feel kind of cheap if I'm going to be honest.

 

[Brashnir]

lol, half the people in here failed to read the OP.

 

[CraZed]

I have kids. One of whom is autistic (so you know he loves to play video games) who I have a hard time getting to wash his hands before using a controller etc. and the others who leave them lying around are rough on them etc. Then there is me who plays 20+ hours on my PS4 and the ONLY problem I have had so far is a sticky face button which I attest to my kids' sticky ass fingers.

Oh and as far as the OPs claims on the "build quality" I have to disagree. The controllers feel very solidly built and seems to have used quality materials. Even with the best products there will be failed units and while we are seeing some complaints around the web about the thumb sticks (some of which I question the veracity of the claims) they should in no way it should reflect on the overall quality of the DS4 line of controllers as it is a minority amongst a large base of owners.

 

[ghst]

if (OP == "PS4 negativity")
{
refuteOP();
}

 

[SAMZ]

We have 3 DS4's

1. Rubber peeled off and it got replaced by sony which they said was accidental damage initially. I immediately put orb grips on them as soon as it got replaced.

2. Same problem as #1 but I put orb grips over the damage because dealing with sony is a hassle. Only played with this for 1 day. Also L1 incredibly sticky.

3. Still sealed in box as I am too scared to open it...

I was going to tell my brother to buy a 4th so we can play 4 player local fifa. But the paranoia... I'll wait till the problem is solved. I would have loved wave blue and magma red, so nice.

 

[HawksWinStanley]

I kind of agree. It's a great controller but the build quality seems to be ass. It just feels kind of cheap when holding it and obviously people are having issues with quality.

 

[Marmac]

PS4 controllers and X1 controllers both feel cheap in my opinion. So do the consoles.

 

[Dion Blaster]

"It's not happening to me, therefor it can't be happening to you unless you're doing something stupid."

 

[KillerDark]

I have played constantly with the DS4 and have no problems whatsoever.
Maybe you had a bad batch or you're being too rough.

Same here, got a PS4 at launch and my controller is still perfect. No issues whatsoever

 

[DC R1D3R]

We have 3 DS4's

1. Rubber peeled off and it got replaced by sony which they said was accidental damage initially. I immediately put orb grips on them as soon as it got replaced.

2. Same problem as #1 but I put orb grips over the damage because dealing with sony is a hassle. Only played with this for 1 day. Also L1 incredibly sticky.

3. Still sealed in box as I am too scared to open it...

I was going to tell my brother to buy a 4th so we can play 4 player local fifa. But the paranoia... I'll wait till the problem is solved. I would have loved wave blue and magma red, so nice.

Right, if I get my PS4 and my controller bails quicktime, I'm gonna throw a fit! I'm expecting big things only. Did you hear that homie?

 

[Maxrunner]

The best built controller is the Gamecube one, that thing was a tank. quality wise....

 

[thewhitehawk]

Can the OP confirm if he or she is American? From what I've seen most of the complaints regarding construction quality seem to be for american users.

I think Europe received units built by a different company.

 

[Slixshot]

Sorry you had a bad experience.

 

[Maxrunner]

Same here, got a PS4 at launch and my controller is still perfect. No issues whatsoever

every single display ps4 constrollers ive seen here are all peeled off...

 

[Shahed]

Can the OP confirm if he or she is American? From what I've seen most of the complaints regarding construction quality seem to be for american users.

I think Europe received units built by a different company.

UK. But one of my pads that had a fault was from Canada.

 

[swcpig]

"It's not happening to me, therefor it can't be happening to you unless you're doing something stupid."

.

 

[RoadHazard]

Nothing has happened to my sticks yet (been playing it regularly since I got it on Nov 29th), and I have no sticky shoulder buttons, but there are a few other small issues. Firstly, the right analog stick feels ever so slightly "sticky" in one direction, like it takes a bit more effort to move it out of the center position in that direction. Nothing that affects the controller's usability, but still something that bothers me a bit. OCD, I guess. Secondly, the touch pad feels a bit... I don't know, low quality? It's a bit loose and rattly if you place your finger on it and move it around, and pressing it down doesn't feel very defined. The "clickyness" varies quite a lot depending on where you press it. In the center it's fine, but toward the corners it doesn't feel clicky at all, but rather very mushy. Again nothing that affects its usability, it just doesn't feel great. But maybe that's just how that part of it is.

So yeah, even though the rubber on my sticks is fine thus far, the controller as a whole has some small issues which make it feel lower quality than it should be. Other than that I love it though. Extremely comfortable (the best since the GCN controller in that area, IMO) and nice to use.

 

[- J - D -]

To my dismay, the L1 and R1 buttons on my DS4 started sticking this week. It actually got me killed while playing Dark Souls, which was infuriating. I managed to fix the buttons by following some steps laid out in a thread here on gaf, but just having to do so has instilled in mea sense that this controller may prone to other problems as well. Now I'm actually taking the possibility of deteriorating sticks seriously. :/

It's too bad because it's a really great controller, q&a issues aside.

edit: an addendum: despite my problems with it, I can't say it's the worst controller quality-wise I've ever used.

 

[140.85]

Quality seems better than DS3 to me so far.

 

[Dunlop]

UK. But one of my pads that had a fault was from Canada.

 

[quaide]

I disagree. I don't believe it is the worst built. It is far far better than the DS3. I still prefer the Xbox 360 controller though. However, I believe the DS4 is the most improved controller this gen.

With that said I did have minor issues with my DS4. I had the R1 button sticking issue. That was remedied with popping the button out and cleaning up the post. Also, I did notice that when my heavy thumbed friend used one of my DS4, some of the left analog stick material had rubbed off. It looked like rubber shavings. He is know for destroying DS3 analog sticks. When I use the controller I can't get it to produce the shavings.

Personally, I would prefer to have asymmetrical sticks on the DS4 and it would be perfect. That being said, with all the bullshit MS pulled with the xbone, I can get use to the new Sony controller. I was die hard MS and Xbox. Not any more. Xbox Go Home!

And by the way, the GameCube controller was terrible. The C stick was a horrible design.

 

[140.85]

if (OP == "PS4 negativity")
{
refuteOP();
}

Experiences are more arrays than booleans.

 

[ironcreed]

Including some of the members of GAF, how many people have you heard having problems with their PS4 and/or DS4? 100? 200? 500? Whatever it is, it's a tiny fraction. 4.2 million units sold and counting. People with faulty DS4s aren't numerous, they're just statistically unlucky.

I have not kept count, lol. But it is enough for me to question the build quality. I prefer to play it safe and wait for the dust to settle before I shell out $400+. I'm sure it will be fine in the long run.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

lol, half the people in here failed to read the OP.

it's extraordinarily frustrating. jesus christ.

In any case, still no problems here. I'd guess about 100 put on the DS4 since launch. Looks brand new. My sticks have no chance of developing a peeling problem of any kind because I put grips on them day 1 to head off this problem when reports before launch started coming in. As such, I'm a happy camper.

I reserve the right to change this opinion if I wake up one day and the shit is sticking or something.

 

[pswii60]

It's almost on a par with the God-tier 360 controller for me. Still prefer the 360 controller overall, but the d-pad lets it down.

 

[Ippo]

if (OP == "PS4 negativity")
{
refuteOP();
}

Holy shit went into refute mode so fast they didn't know what they were refuting lol.

Probably a bad batch because it seems to be a reoccurring problem hope Sony steps up and does some quality control.

 

[OriginalThinking]

"The particular DS4s I've bought are the worst built controllers I've ever used" would be a more accurate reflection and title of the OP's issues.

As opposed to the title which suggests that my experience must be everyone's experience.

Because, clearly OP is in the minority for actual DS4 issues.

 

[RoadHazard]

And by the way, the GameCube controller was terrible. The C stick was a horrible design.

That would have been better as a full-sized stick, yes. Also, the Z button sucks. Other than that, the GCN controller is heavenly. The DS4 comes close in comfort, but it doesn't beat it.

 

[CalebW]

In terms of design and ergonomics, the DS4 is pretty bad imo. I haven't had any build issues though. The worst built controller for me has been the 360. Triggers that squeak, dpads that break easily, and analog sticks that drift. Now those are the worst built controllers I've ever used. Also the best in design and ergonomics.

 

[JLeack]

I see these threads often.
I disagree wholeheartedly.
God tier controller, beaten only by keyboard & mouse.

And I'll counter that by saying the Xbox One. Xbox 360, and K&M are all better.

8 hours of battery life, weak trigger shape, and non grippy sticks make it far from a god tier controller.

 

[Sheroking]

That would have been better as a full-sized stick, yes. Also, the Z button sucks. Other than that, the GCN controller is heavenly. The DS4 comes close in comfort, but it doesn't beat it.

I've come to dislike the triggers since the Xbox 360 controller. It didn't bug me then, but it bugs me now.

Form factor of the Wavebird is amazing, though.

And I'll counter that by saying the Xbox One. Xbox 360, and K&M are all better.

8 hours of battery life, weak trigger shape, and non grippy sticks make it far from a god tier controller.

Ya'll must be some greasy mofos, because DS4 seems a lot more "grippy" than any DualShock previously.

 

[Remf]

Zero issues with the 2 ds4 controllers I got at launch except for the short battery life.

 

[CalebW]

And I'll counter that by saying the Xbox One. Xbox 360, and K&M are all better.

8 hours of battery life, weak trigger shape, and non grippy sticks make it far from a god tier controller.

I can't argue with any of that. The other night I watched 5 episodes of The Killing on Netflix and it dropped my controller's battery life from full bars to 1. What the hell?

 

[uncleslappy]

I know you love the DS4 but stop making the controller sticky. Oh and we already have a thread on the DS4 thumbsticks edit beaten thanks DJ Lushious.

Ha. Cum joke.