Keith writes: Since the start of the current-generation of console gaming, there's been a debate brewing. However it's not exactly one that you would think it would be about however. No, it's not able which system has the better games or who's got the best graphics or online abilities. No, instead this is one that is perhaps more evenly split and that is should wireless gaming controllers include batteries or not. It's not an age old dilemma mind you but it is one that begs to ask the question is it simply better for overall enjoyment when playing games or is it user preference.
And while several consoles have been able to utilize wireless controllers, such as Nintendo's Wavebird (still easily one of my favorite controllers) for the Gamecube, I'll only focus on the two players here, mainly the Sony SIXAXIS / Dual Shock 3 & 4 and Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Xbox One controllers. In the Sony camp we have the Dual Shock series that features a built in battery, where the Xbox controllers utilize replaceable batteries, mainly double AA batteries that can also be substituted with both 1st and 3rd party battery packs. So in that respect, one would imagine that one would be better than the other, one trump card to rule them all. Right?
Amended class-action adds additional plaintiffs and specific mention of Elite Series 2
I was wondering if something was up with these controllers. I have a friend that had multiple Xbox controllers with drift issues ... Seemed like more than just bad luck
Thats weird, me and my friends have over 20+ controllers and none of them have drift. Not saying it can't happen but maybe it IS bad luck. I think it's mostly isolated to the Elite Series 2 being the newest controller.
20+ controllers? You ever wonder why you guys need so many controllers? Maybe it's because their build quality sucks.
This is a problem that occour in all controllers from all brands due to users making a lot on stress on analogue, some controllers are less resistance them other like the Switch, but that the way it is.
I never had this problem on any controller of any brand in my 32 years of gaming, on the other hand I know people that have this problem in every controller after 6 months.
I have close to 40 xbo/ps4 controllers and none of them have drift issues. I bought them all 2nd hand and you would think they should (with the way some wrench on the sticks) but thankfully they do not. My son's xbo has developed stick drift as well as one of his ds4 so I let him use a couple of my spares. Not the fancy ones though... just regular ones.
@seal, maybe this person collects controllers? I know I do.
Yeah, it seems to be more of an issue recently. It's like they deteriorate over time rather than being dodgy from the get-go.
Only had one out of my 5 drift this gen on Xbox. Annoyingly it is the custom controller I ordered.
I have 4 controllers one of them is an original from back in 2013 when the console was released which did eventually get some drift on the left stick after about 3 years all the others haven't including my Elite V2 and I do tend to put my controllers through the wringer. I have no idea why you have so many friends who seem to get this issue as none of my friends with Xboxes have reported it. Maybe anecdotal evidence from people you know is not used in law courts for a reason? However I do think that all console manufacturers should extend their warrantee for this, 90 days is pretty stingy for something like stick drift.
@ crazy
You must be crazy Xbox elite controllers are perfect and only lying fanboys find imaginary defects on them. My works perfect without any issues and I have 2 on each room. Said you know who here
I mean, there's a lawsuit against the Elite 2 controllers drifting. So its clearly something that happens. Did you ever think that you were lucky that the ones you have just don't have that issue?
@darkwingsoul I need to have issues to buy controllers? 😂 Yall are definitely some lonely virgins. Look at the agrees lmfao
I have extra controllers for when my friends come over to play videogames. Plus elite controller 2 and a design lab controller. Easily could have been more if I bought a few special edition ones.
I have this on two of my controllers. It seems like it happens over time tho, as mine worked fine for about 6 months.
I also had a drifter. I was pissed that they wouldn't do anything about it. I lived in Denmark then, which is notoriously know for absolute sh!t customer service.
Drift happens, no really. It is caused by a combination of ware and dirt. Every single one of my controllers develop drift. Without fail. To be fair, i am not kind to my controllers. They get used on the daily for 3-5 hours and 10-15 hour sessions are not too infrequent. Hands covered in chip residue, spills on and around them. TBH, I always get the 2 year add on warranty from Best Buy. Then trade them in when it starts happening. Trade for a new one.Then get a new warranty (40$ for Elite Controller, 20$ for normal) on that one, Rinse and repeat. I did this 5 time with the original Elite, with the last time paying the additional 30 bucks for the upgrade to V2. Still going strong.
I had one analogue stick brake, had no drift issues but went though quite a few, 3 with broken usbs, rubber came off first one.
Strangely third party ones dispite being crap were never broke
That's good, but an analog stick is a moving part and after a period of use they wear down no matter what gaming system the controller goes to.
Xbox: 1 out of 5
PS4: 1 out of 7 including 3 with shredded analog tops-my second release PS4 controllers have been good
Switch: 2 sets out of 2, can only play with a pro controller
Every single one of my DS4 controller's drift , I've accepted that this is just what happens.
I have. I've had a couple with stick drift. Only difference is, I didn't pay 100+ for them.
@ JAckBNimble you are so full of it. You don't even own Ps4 controllers. I mean just on one page of your commetn history.....
"Those days are long gone bro... these sonybois are much worse now"
"I have a feeling that over confident sonyboys are going to be blindsided next gen with all their expectations of ps5 and down playing of xsx."
I don't pretend to Xbox controllers. You shouldn't pretend to have all these DS4 controllers and they all have drift. You're full of it
that's because on PS4 you often won't notice it. I've had controllers that work perfectly fine then while playing some game I put the controller down and notice L3 is drifting. Sometimes simply clicking the analog in and rotating clears it up for good or for a while. But imo, from what I've experienced, it's pretty minimal and something that can be easily overlooked or go unnoticed.
As for the mention of triggers below. Sony has made changes to the triggers over the course of each DS4 generation. There's at least 3 generations of DS4s. The latest bolstering the trigger somewhat.
Two of my DS4 controllers got it - one I'm still using because it's too close to the release of the PS5 to invest in a new one.
Replies(2)I haven’t had any drift issues. My elite 1 controller grips did fall off-but it’s still playable.
Even my Switch is fine.
Can it be one of the assemblies that they contract out that makes them be the issue?
At this point I feel lucky.
Have a elite 1 and don’t have any issues whatsoever or any of my controllers. So far I’ve been lucky but I’ve had my switch have stick drift
Never had stick drift using 7 different Xbone controllers over the course of 5 years. Unless I screwed them up myself which I did once by leaving one upside down with some clothes on top of it.
Lucky you, I had drift on 2 out of my 4 ps4 controllers. Luckily is wasn’t on my scuf.
I been gaming for 25 years now and never even seen drift on any of my joypads, maybe some of us just ain't hashy gits with our controllers.
I get drift eventually every gen, its the racing games man, I love em, but the twitchy way I use the sticks must mess with em lol
I put at least 800 hours between those 7 xbone controllers and I bought several of them used off craigslist.
I have used 9 over the course of 4 years and all 9 have drift and I keep them all in plastic safety cases.
I now have over 40,000 controllers and I have them individually sealed in titanium cases now! Unfortunately they all have drift...
Why would you need to use 7 controllers? I've still got my launch PS4 pro controller and it's fine still now. 7 controllers? I am guessing a couple don't work which is why you have so many and use them all. I don't know, but 7? That seems crazy to me.
A lot goes into controller design. For some people, it helps with choosing a console. Which is best?
Personally, the 360 controller had the most comfortable design and its button/stick layout was easy to reach everything.
Ive never been so comfortable with a controller. I was absurdly good at multiplayer on 360 just because i was so good with the controller. The xbone one controller would be better if the bumpers werent so weird on my fingers.
Ps4 and gamecube controller are tied for me personally, with ps4 given a slight edge given its D-Pad. Oddly enough at first i hated the GC controller, wasnt till i started collecting GC games and runing through games i missed that i fell in love with it
My fav controllers are the Gamecube, PS4 and 360 controllers. All of them feel perfect in my hands
GC controller for the amazing control stick and triggers.
SNES for the unsurpassed D-Pad.
Switch pro controller for PC gaming. Great battery life and very low input lag in wired mode. Also very comfy.
The best controller ever mad for my hand is gamecube controller. But overall best controller ever made is the X360
Pick up the gorgeous Elite and Dawn Shadow controllers for cheap, as well as some great games in this week's best Xbox One deals.
Nope
It's all about choice
Want normal batteries, use them
Want rechargeable batteries, use them
want a play and charge kit, use them
Take your pick, and the batteries wear out, like all batteries do normal or rechargeable, you don't have to replace the entire controller. And at $150, MS made the right choice.
It doesn't even come with rechargeable batteries?
Um, hell yeah it should. At that price it should be a given.
Yes