Employee states Sony recalled original PlayStation 4 controllers from stores

Tanya Valdez writes: This was not reported in the news that Sony was doing their part to correct the issue to leave the customer assured that there will be no further complications in this department.

[XiSasukeUchiha]

Good now PS4 controllers can get better! no more sticks of death!

[UltimateMaster]

Yeah, it had to be done.
It's kinda like the fragile Sixaxis last gen on the PS3. They got replaced by more durable DualShock3 controllers.

Now bring them with colors.

[cleft5]

Indeed my PS4 controller already has an insane amount of wear and tear on it from, relatively limited use.

[gaabrielz]

I always thought replacing Sixaxis by DualShock3 was a gimmick to get me to buy a controller that vibrates vs one that does not...
Nevertheless I still have the Sixaxis controller that came with my PS3 in 2006 and it still works, analogs kinda sticks but playable.

[neoMAXMLC]

Thats ironic considering I went through like 4 dualshock 3s while the Sixaxis I got with my 40GB fat PS3 still looks and functions like new.

[IceKoldKilla]

Sixaxis wasn't DualShock 3 because legal issues accuree between Sony and the company that made the rumble things. After it was sorted out they made DualShock 3. No gimmick to buy controllers but it did not work out. BTW I hope my DS4 doesn't wear out like people show. Got my PS4 a month ago. I live in Spain so maybe the issue doesn't exist especially after months of release?

[Raziology]

I've seen red and blue ones in a local store in Lebanon (Middle East).

[Gamer Muzz]

The DS3 wasn't designed to be more durable and it wasn't.
It was the same design and made with the same materials as the sixaxis, with the addition of Vibration.
This happened because when the PS3 launched, Sony was in the middle of dealing with a lawsuuit filed against them by Immersion Corp. over the patient for the technology they used in the dual shock controllers. (though Sony used the excuse that it was because vibration interfered with the sixaxis control)
After Sony finally paid their dues on the tech, they added it back to their controller.
Other than that, the DS3 is the exact same controller as the sixaxis

[erathaol]

Hope they also increase the battery size, give them more life and some weight.

[mcstorm]

Good to know sony are doing this as can be frustrating when new hardware goes wrong.

Random question though has anyone on here had to return there xbox one controller? I had to return my day one controller as it became faulty but the replacement one feels more sold. I got 2 controllers with mine and the original day one and 2nd controller plastics feel different to the replaced day one controller Microsoft sent me which I though was strange.

[Braid]

Have you guys been biting the sticks of your controllers? Mine's just fine- but all the sticks of the controllers that were connected to the demo units on media markets I have seen so far were broken, especially the rubber that covers the stickers were torn apart. I thought it was due to the kids, but how are you grown ups achieving that?

That's some aggressive gaming, I guess.

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

Funny thing is I got a ps4 controller before ps4 launched and it was fantastic but the one that came with the systm was noticeably less sturdy.

[madpuppy]

I had 4 360's and the fourth one I never took out of the return box from Microsoft, I just traded it, all its accessories and games toward a PS3 for my bedroom.

MS can have their junk consoles and crappy Operating systems, Bill Gates is a snake oil salesman and monopolists, The U.S. Federal government should have carved Ms up into little pieces.

[PudgeySan]

Bill Gates doesn't work for Microsoft any more, He's only a consultant at best. He's actually saving lives over in poor country's now.

[madpuppy]

Yeah, He is trying to absolve himself from all the lives he has destroyed in his life by becoming a humanitarian. It is a pretty common thing, He is very much like those turn of the century monopolists that try later in life to do good deeds to "wash away" all the lives they destroyed while creating their empire.

[DARK WITNESS]

@ madpuppy

And what have you done to improve the lives of those less fortunate?

Whether he is making up for past sins or just doing it because he has more money then he knows what to do with it... I am sure the poor people in Africa and other nations he is working in actually don't give a SH2"%^t! They are prob just happy that he is doing more for them then most of their governments.

Back to the subject at hand, it's good that sony are acting on this so quickly. They are really doing everything the right way this gen.

[sgtGanGreen]

Bunch of lies. You can trow x360 off the wall and still works, unless you buy copy from china for 19,99$ or get scamed to buy that controler for 59,99$

[Ashby_JC]

So what does your issues with the 360 have to do with the article regarding the PS4 controllers??

Ill answer for you. NOTHING!!!

[AndrewLB]

Man... you socialists are a bunch of idiots. The premise of your argument against Microsoft and corporations in general is fallacious specifically because you assume that there is a finite amount of wealth in the world. You assume that when corporations and/or the rich increase the amount of money they have, the inverse would then apply to the poor.
Nothing could be further from the truth since private sector economy actually has the ability to create wealth through entrepreneurship. Governments DO NOT create wealth and can only acquire it through taking it from those who earned it (taxes). Socialists don't believe in the free market system which is why they continually act as if there is only one pie, and it's governments role to make sure everyone gets a slice. Their failed system doesn't understand that people can bake additional pies so everyone gets a larger piece.

[madpuppy]

I know that I haven't broken Federal law by running an illegal monopoly that has crushed competition and ruined lives with illegal back door deals, and I have never been accused of breaking RICO laws.
That's like saying because the Mafia donates money to the church and orphanages that all the bad they have done is washed away.

It amazes me how starry eyed people become with Bill Gates, the Man gives from his vast surplus that he could never spend in his lifetime, and it's a great way to write off millions.

As for the average person, If they donate 5 dollars to the united way (or some other charity) every year percentage-wise They have done more than Bill Gates.

Or is that not good enough in your eyes.

@AndrewLB

Don't hand me that Horse crap, There is nothing wrong with business making an honest buck.

The funny thing is that I agree with most of what you said.

But, it doesn't pertain to companies that break the law and put all their competition out of business not with better products and prices but,with illegal tactics, Monopolies create an unhealthy economy that chokes innovation and strangles the consumer with no choice, low quality and high prices.

I agree that the Government should be helping businesses thrive and grow rather than taxing the hell out of them. but, on that same note the Government needs to put in place and enforce rules to keep companies from doing whatever it takes to grow including crushing any competition any way possible.

Capitalism works best in a an environment of fair competition. for businesses and consumers.

[Gekko36]

@madpuppy

Hate to point it out to you but all large corporations have broken some federal or European law at some point. Sony is not innocent here.

That aside, Bill Gates' company (when it was his company) did a lot of good and changed the pc landscape forever.

It can be argued that gates ripped off Mac "Lisa", however Jobs stole the concept from Xerox in the first place regarding windows systems.

No one is innocent, just look at the tobacco industry or the oil and gas company, Christ look at the banking pooch-screw in 2008.

If you're going to throw stones, get a few piles and throw them evenly.

Bill Gate's has more money that a lot of small countries so it it good to know he has his focus on those who need help and can be arsed doing something about it.

You are not him and have not lived his life. How about you get off your arse and do something useful with your own life instead of boring everyone with you righteous arse-holery

On Topic: It's nice to see Sony on the ball, they may be in deep Sh!t financially but they are doing their best for the consumer.

It's also nice to see Microsoft on the right path and doing the right thing too.

[madpuppy]

@Gekko36,

I'm not so foolish to think that Ms is the only business to break the law. I get tired of hearing how wonderful Bill gates is, He has clay feet just like everybody else, and tobe honest he has followed right into the footsteps of every Monopolists in history, Carnegie, Rockefeller etc..
they run rampant destroying competition putting people out of work and when the chairman gets older they start "foundations" and "charities" even openly lamenting the wrongs they have done. (with the exception of Bill G.)

[Lou Ferrigno]

Can one of the mods get rid of these ridiculous comments that are COMPLETELY off topic..
This is not the place for government crap, take it else were fellas.

[nukeitall]

What about the controller already sold?

Sony isn't taking those back....

[Shadowsteal]

Unfortunately mine is starting to wear :/

Anyone know what company I should use to ship the controller to them? They said I had to ship it to them and pay for shipping. I'm not used to shipping things, so I'm not sure how much it would cost to ship it to Sony.

[Matt666]

I never had a problem with them

[Jazz4108]

The problem I have with the controller is it only lasts about 1 hour before it needs recharged. My guess is the light on is constantly draining it. For instance with the one I can game 2 or three days with the chatpad conncected between charges. What gives Sony? I have my sony controller pluged in when its off and I thought it was supposed to charge it unlike the ps3. Can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong in regards to the sony controller not holding a charge?

[xtremeimport]

Mine is wearing on the right stick. lol
But, I do wish they removed the convex part of the stick and just made it completely concave. Love my Ps4 and dualshock, but still wish for this 1 improvement in the controller design.

[feraldrgn]

Good news for those worried about issues.

[Conzul]

Figures I bought two at launch. Ugh....

[BoriboyShoGUN]

Same here! but I purchased the "Grip Its" and they help a ton!!! My L1 and R1 seem a little beaten up from Battlefield but I still haven't even used the 2nd controller yet saving it for when things get really bad.

[-Alpha]

Sucks for early buyers. My controller isnt as bad as some, but the sticks got worn out real fast. I wonder if I can contact Sony and exchange it with a newer model

[yarbie1000]

I remember when issues were being reported about the controllers and articles kept on being flagged as fake

[PurpHerbison]

Fanboys are annoying huh?

[MajorGecko]

more like fanboys letting gamers get the shetty end of the stick at least sony did the right thing and fixxed it..but the right thing would to be to replace everyones cheaply made controller.

[805Junior805]

I prefer the PS3 thumbsticks. Gives me better grip, and raises the sticks higher than the short DS4 sticks.

[Kivespussi]

I love DS4 but I think that the holes where the analog sticks are too small in DS4. I feel like I can't rotate them as accurately

[805Junior805]

The DS3 Sticks help with that, since theyre longer, they give you a larger range of motion.

[feraldrgn]

I'd like to try a combination of the two, I prefer the smaller nubs of the DS4, because I can manipulate the direction easier, but I prefer the convex design of the DS3 because I can feel the DS4's analogue ridges with my thumbs, so I can't swivel the sticks as well.
That or just lessen the ridges on the nubs.

[Orbilator]

Controller or console it don't matter, things like this should be fixed and sony has done.

[WeAreLegion]

Oh, thank God! My controllers are still under warranty. I might trade them out. :) I'm so glad they fixed it!

[N8]

What's wrong with the controller?

[MasterCornholio]

The rubber coating on the sticks wore off quickly.

[Nekroo91]

the rubber in the sticks...but if you have a problem you can send a pic of the receipt and get a new controller for free

[Alexander1Nevermind]

Rubber on the sticks can wear easy

[AceBlazer13]

The rubber on the sticks begin to wear and tear.For me at least.

[Beatboxtaun]

...It's noted in the article.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Some people were having problems with the rubber on the sticks coming off.

[PudgeySan]

So what everyone is saying is, The rubber from the sticks comes off?

[dodgefate]

Boom!

- http://www.amazon.com/Grip-...

Hmm.. think I got cheaper ones from gamestop an they never wear out lol problem solved.

[FITgamer]

I have those too, they are the best stick grips i've used. They were only $3.79 when i bought them.

[Soldierone]

During launch it's obviously a fragile environment. If Sony were to "recall" the controllers, then media would have blown it way out of proportion. So they do the proper thing in a PR way and just replace them when people have it happen.

If the controllers were exploding or causing harm, that would warrant a recall. Rubber coming off, not so much.

[Kiwi66]

But as they're "for the gamer" maybe it just would've been better if they had come clean about it instead of keeping quiet and putting out a product that had a small fault as you have to wonder why they did that

[Soldierone]

They are "coming clean" if the top of your controller stick happens to come off, they replace it.

The only difference is they didn't issue a full blown recall, which isn't needed.

[cyber_daemonx]

Both my original PS4 pad & the extra one I bought have been fine, even with extensive use. Some people must really hammer them lol.

Anyhow good that Sony aknowledged there was a problem and took action to sort it.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

I take it the ones packed in with the console are okay? I've never had any problems and they seem to be holding up good.

[GarrusVakarian]

Nah, my left stick started to wear away and mine was the controller that comes with the console, so it must be completely random.

I bought rubber grips off Amazon though for cheap and they are perfect. I also got a £70 partial refund on my entire PS4 because of it. Nice.

[heisenberguk]

I heard amazon were replacing them no questions asked so I thought I'd try swap the one that came with my ps4 for a newer one(even though it was fine) and they gave me a £50 partial refund from the £350 I'd paid for my ps4 PLUS they didn't even ask me to return the other pad!!

[Beatboxtaun]

You lucked out with that! Now just buy some grips for the old one and you got two!

[heisenberguk]

Already had grips on it, just bought some more for the new one

[crazymonk]

just glad they fixed it

[ramiuk1]

my launch console pad(uk/china model) has just started to do it,rang Sony a few hours before i read this and straight away he explained it was a fault with the compound mix or something.

ALL LAUNCH CONSOLE PADS WILL HAVE THIS ISSUE HE TOLD ME

that if i send it to them ,they will replace it for me.

[ramiuk1]

how can my comment get any disagrees.
mentality of this site is crazy

[DawnOfDon]

I think they are a little late on thid tbh, but nonetheless good to hear they are doing this

[DanielGearSolid]

This is a very serious point that needs to be brought up:

Tanya Valdez is smoking hot

[GraveLord]

I guess that explains the lack of colored controllers here in the US?

[Minute Man 721]

That is the reason I have only one controller. Waiting on the color ones

[Relientk77]

They should fix the R1 buttons, mine stick on both DualShock 4s

[Majin-vegeta]

Here you go man.I did to my L1 today and havent had any problems since then. http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Minute Man 721]

What is this PS4 controller problem I keep reading about online? People need to take care of their controllers, I've put 90 hrs in BF4 and my controller is rock solid

[BitbyDeath]

It was probably a bad batch since not everyone is having the issue.

[bigtrucknd]

My sticks are fine but R1 is sticking bad. I was using it for Dark Souls 2 but the button sticking caused me one too many deaths.

[Majin-vegeta]

Here you go man. http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[bigtrucknd]

Thanks for the link. I'll give that a shot. I really prefer DS4 over the DS3.

[Duke19]

...so I guess that means my launch controller is doomed

[DafunkyRebel]

I bought these thumb grips at Gamestop for 7 bucks for the PS4 and they have been doing a great job of protecting the analog sticks. Also they are great for BF4, really adds better sensitivity and aiming to the game

[Jac5al]

Got 2 controllers. First one there was a little shrerdding on the left stick, 2nd one has the same issue. Nothing major though, stick performs/looks fine. The left analog stick on my first one broke although, it wouldn't allow me to sprint.

[Ra3030]

Here let me solve this issue for your rubber thingy. Remove old rubber thingy then take a hot glue gun and a glue stick and heat glue gun then coat the controller stick head with hot glue and form a new rubber like thingy. Takes 2 mins and Problem solved and your welcome. Be careful not to burn yourself.

[1nsomniac]

I've had to send 2 DS4's back for replacement already my PS4 Blu-ray drive makes some horrendous noises while playing discs as well & sometimes I have to insert my games 2-3 times before it actually reads them.

I've already spoke with ShopTo about it though, where I bought it from & explained that as long as I can live with it I'll hold onto it until my warranty is about to expire before replacing it & they're happy with that.

[Jsoc]

So far I got 3 DS4 which I play with all of them and nock on wood I have not had anything wrong with my 3 DS4, my two sons also have no problems with there's and we all got ours Day one 11/15. So not all of the DS4 are affected .... I hope that for all the PS4 gamers out there that have this problem get there new ones..... Well back to my download of Infamous seconded son .....

[Toadsanime]

In the very least, I can assure you that Sony haven't recalled the stock of controllers we have in the GAME store that I work in.

My thoughts are they'll probably allow stores to sell off current stock before sending stock of modified controllers.

[tigertron]

I might have to buy a new controller sometime this year as my analogue sticks are wearing away. Every time I seem to play bits of rubber come off. :(

[stormfire78412]

Guess its true about the junk status of Sony products

[clouds5]

Disclaimer: This is just my personal subjective view, this is NOT the truth or fact, this is an opinion.

A week ago I played around for a while with the new controllers for the first time (DS4/XB1pad) I have to say I really prefer the XB1 pad. The "cheap" feeling that was already present with the DS3 somehow ported over to the DS4. What really surprised me on both pads are the relativly small analog sticks^^ I'm used to the 360 pad which I use on PC and the WiiU gamepad (which has the best analog sticks for my taste, kinda like a fusion of the 360 and DS3 sticks) so it felt kinda weird :)

That being said, the DS4 is very interesting for me as a PC gamer because it has a touchpad and once we get full trackpad and multitouch support and Xinput working, it will be a very good PC controller.
It's the weirdest thing that Sony makes a controller that is designed perfectly for gaming on Windows :D

Just imagine how the gaming world would look like if MS invested in Windows PC gaming^^
In retrospect it all looks soo stupid :D "Digital games distribution and Indy devs on PC? Let's give those to Valve. Gamepads that are designed for gaming on PC? Let's also leave that to our biggest competitor in gaming Sony and Valve. Instead lets focus on this Kinect thing which forces people to wave and shout at your TV."

[Team_Litt]

I thought people were eating their controllers...at least that's what n4g agreed was happening.

[ARESWARLORD]

Man these controllers suck. PS3 had way way way better battery life. and Sony get a clue a night of Netflix will kill the POS controller. How bout a option to turn off after 3 Min or something. Cheeping out on the battery was stupid SONY. Makes me wonder what else was cheeped out on.

[Tanner874]

Based on my experience, I would say all the launch controllers have this issue at least. People that haven't had an issue with thumbstick wear don't use their controller as much as those that do have issues. Also, some people are rougher on the sticks than others. Everyone I know with a ps4 has some kind of noticeable wear on the thumbsticks depending on how much they have played. Yes, all thumbsticks wear overtime but these are wearing much quicker than any other console thumbstick I have used. It doesn't stop the DS4 from being my favorite though.

[NeoTribe]

Well f@ck me runnin, ofcourse i have 3 remotes and one has a r1 button that sticks.... i knew i should have just bought 2 :(

[Huck24]

Here in Germany, a 'Saturn' store branch had a PS4 unit display for people to play around with, and the two accompanying controllers have had their left stick skin already completely torn off of them.
I like Sony a lot, but I wish they put more time and thought on design and build quality for their products.

[Tzuno]

ps4 controller quality is shady, i played at a friend house and the R1 button was stuck inside once i pressed it

[koolaid251]

I had the GameStop extended warranty on my ds4 and they replaced it with a brand new one. My right and left analog sticks wear completely bare down to the plastic on both analog sticks.

[Inferno30]

My Dualshock 4 controller's analog sticks have the rubber peeling off them as well, does not bother me at all in terms of using the controller however. Also noticed the back sticker on the dualshock 4 is almost completely faded out, you cant see all the electronic warnings on the sticker and its just faded out.

Overall the controller build quality is questionable, but I still think the PS4 is a great machine.