Controller life expectancy

[octafish]

I have a still functional TAC-2 for my Commodore 64 from 1987. Even with heavy abuse you cannot kill a TAC-2, they are beasts. Every now and then you may need to clean the contacts but nothing short of running over it in a car would kill it. I have a Sidewinder Joystick from 2001 that doesn't return to centre properly any more, but otherwise works fine. I have gotten a replacement for that one that includes rudder controls so I am more than happy with that one "breaking".

 

[Evil Top Hat]

Oh do I have a treat for you good sir...

Judging by the comments about "jumping" at "screaming" at the ending, I don't think I'll be giving that video a watch.

 

[aba1]

All mine still work however they are heavily worn alot of the control sticks are worn to the point I can no longer run in games esspecially my n64 motes.

 

[JamesWebber]

my controllers last as long as my console is still on the current generation and has new for it.

 

[Tohuvabohu]

The only controllers I had to replace were those awful xbox original controllers.

Spoiler: Picture of the awfulness

[/spoiler]

I had about 3 of these controllers, and each one of them consistently and magically failed on their own. I don't throw my controllers around, I don't smash them, I don't pour liquid all over them. I take quite good care of them, and each of them just fucked up and died for no reason.

By the time my 2nd one failed, I had gotten one of the newer controller models after Microsoft discontinued the old piece of shit ones. Yet I didn't use it because I knew my 3rd one would fail as well. So I stuck to the third one and, big surprise, it failed. Good fucking riddance. After that, I started using my newer model 360 controller and it never failed ever. Used it for years, and it still works.

Beyond that, all my other controllers have worked perfectly fine. The only controller I ever spiked to the ground in frustration was my dual shock PS1 controller. Spiked it so hard I actually stripped a nail from it, and it still worked! I kept it and used it until the PS2 came out, and I finally retired it.

 

[RuralGamer]

I've had my Xbox 360 for 3 years and its controller has been used a lot, yet its still going strong, albeit that the sticks get a bit sticky at times.

 

[GonzoGamer]

First of all,
First Party Controllers - a few years
Third Party controllers - a few months
Gamestop Brand Controller - a couple of weeks

Between the ps3 & 360 1st party controllers I would say the ps3's probably lasts a bit longer but that's mostly based on the fact that the console itself is more sturdy. Well functioning hardware doesn't seem to be MS's top priority...how long did it take them to fix that rrod issue?

 

[TehCookie]

I don't know how this could happen but I think I use the left button on the d-pad wrong that causes it to break. One of my Sega controllers works fine except for that button so I thought it was just age but then my PS2 controller did the same thing. Not that you need that button in most PS2 games but when I play PS1 games it's annoying (since it will sometimes work, so you just have to keep pressing until it does, of course I bought a new controller after that).

 

[Bloedhoest]

Wireless controllers are a must in my opinion. I now remember my old Megadrive controller with a snapped wire because someone tripped over the chord.
X-box has a nifty plug to prevent damage or flying consoles.

 

[Zantos]

One of my PS3 controllers has a dodgy analogue stick that spins in it's socket, but I'd imagine if you're gentle with it and don't drop it off your bed then you don't have to worry about that. All controllers will last for years and years providing you treat them right.

 

[Princess Rose]

I actually know somebody who had a similar problem with a 360 controller. The cause was that his cat pissed on it.

A) EEeeeeewwwww!

B) No one and nothing (so far as I'm aware) has ever pissed on my controller. ^^;; Nor spilled soda on it, nor thrown it across the room, nor any of the other common controller damage causes.

At most... maybe some sweat? I like to play Saints Row 2 and/or Just Cause 2 while on the exercise bike. Neither game requires precision, and both are distracting time-sinks (just the thing to make a workout fly by). I don't get that sweaty... but that's the only thing I could think of.

 

[TPiddy]

I bought 3 other 360 controllers upon release of my system, had to sell one when I upgraded to the Elite, but now, only the Elite controller and one other will work without the plug in charger.... then again, I suppose that's just the charging unit and not the controllers themselves. A lot of that has to do with rarely ever plugging them in to be charged.

 

[Randomeaninglessword]

Every controller I've ever had still works great(except the control sticks on my N64 controllers are a little loose).

 

[ImperialSunlight]

The only controllers that I've ever had broke were the gamecube controllers after a couple of years. My ps3 controllers are in worse condition than my 360 one but that's probably because I play more games for ps3 (and because Demon Souls is exclusive ). Also, I personally find the 360 controller too bulky and that it's control pad is the most disgusting thing I've ever seen.
In terms of life expectancy, I've had my ps3 controllers since the system came out (2006).

 

[Princess Rose]

I actually know somebody who had a similar problem with a 360 controller. The cause was that his cat pissed on it.

A) EEeeeeewwwww!

That is pretty much what I said when I found out. What is even worse is that he believes it is his fault for leaving it on the floor and not the cats.

I am not really sure what the problem could be if that was not it. Since it doesnt work anyways I would try opening it up and cleaning it to see if that helps.

Well, it SORT of works. I can play some games fine. Just... games that require finesse or quick menu control (like, say, Assassins Creed 2/Bro, or any Bioware game) give me problems. For a game like, say, Just Cause 2, I should be able to go about hook-shotting without issue.

Except for the part where the controller sometimes decides to turn itself off without warning.

Also... um... I have no idea how to open up a controller. Do I just unscrew those five screws? And if so, how do I get it back together again without breaking it?

Is there a website with instructions? Preferably with pictures?

 

[chaosyoshimage]

If it's 3rd party garbage or an N64 controller (Mario Party being the only real problem), it won't last long, anything else should be good. I did have a GCN controller that's analog stick's rubber came off, though.

Also, handheld shoulder buttons seem to always junk out. Even the DSi I bought at launch two years ago's L Button no longer works right. If this happens again with the 3DS I'll be pretty angry. The used GBA Sp and PSP, seem to have no problems though.