Wired vs Wireless Controllers; is it Time for Wired to Make a Comeback?

EDIT:
A few decades ago you couldn't buy a first-party wireless controller, and the ones that were available were clunky, inaccurate, and ate batteries faster than me using Stimpacks on Fallout 4 on hard mode. This changed when Nintendo created the Wavebird wireless controller 13.5 years ago, the controller had an unbelievably long life span with over 100 hours of use on one set of batteries. For PS2 gamers, the wired world was the only way to play for years from the PS2 first-party perspective all the way up to right around the time of the PS3. Before then you had one first-party option and that was a wired controller. We had to sit close to our tube TV's and risk needing glasses for the rest of our lives. Fortunately, those times have changed these past few years.

Thank you to Ifinitygamer for providing factual information for this opinion piece.

[DarkOcelet]

I love using wired controller when i am close to my TV. But from far, there is no competition there, Wireless is much more comfortable and you don't have to worry about wires and accidentally pulling it too hard and take the console with you and break it.

[Jason_Plays_PC]

I just buy a 9ft charging cable to play wired off ebay.. Im used to wired anyway from Pc gaming. If the cable is long enough its kinda feels wireless anyways.

[KTF26]

Not a good idea in a living room
especially if there is a kid in your house

[Peace_Love_and_FPS]

KTF26

Try an easy unplug one, or "trip proof" microUSB, I use them all the time in class when connecting equipment sensors to the PC. They're a bit more pricey, but well worth the 25ish extra dollars

[badz149]

wireless all day everyday!

seriously, how the hell does anyone still prefers wired over wireless? the PS2 is a long time ago and wireless is definitely the way to go! I guess you guys prefer you phones to be wired too ha?

comeback my ass!

[xjustice1920]

Well, if your a fps or fighting gamer. You want to go wired. Until, bluesabertooth 3.infinite is released. Ha.

[Volkama]

Article doesn't touch on the primary reason to consider wires. Input latency.

I was hoping to see detailed measurements, rather than stuff about batteries and LEDs.

[XxNxWxOxX]

Good point, input latency used to be a huge thing with wireless controllers, but since Xbox One uses Wi-Fi direct and PS4 uses Bluetooth (not sure which version, I think 4.1) it's much more of a non-issue moving on since input latency is barely there with these new-gen systems. Good point though!

[Volkama]

It isn't a non-issue at all. It was something like 120ms for both consoles last gen, which is not an insignificant delay.

Microsoft said their new WiFi direct for the one controller reduced wireless input latency by 20%, but you still won't see wireless controllers on the competitive esports circuit.

[PhoenixUp]

Well the DualShock 3 & 4 can alternate between wired and wireless play, so there's that hybrid option if you're into that sort of thing.

I for one do not miss being solely restricting to a cord in the slightest. Anytime I charge my DualShock controllers while playing, I remember all the horrible times I had when controllers had to be tethered at all times before the 7th gen fixed the issue.

[ifinitygamer]

Xbox 360 launched with wireless controllers (10 years ago).

Nintendo made the Wavebird wireless controller in June 2002 (13.5 years ago).

As for battery life, the Wavebird lasted for almost 100 hours on a single charge, added barely any weight to the original controller, and was accurate to about 90 feet. http://ca.ign.com/articles/...

The original Xbox cord has a three-meter (9 ft.) cable so you could sit far away from your TV on purpose.

Facts in this article used to support this opinion are blatantly incorrect.

[XxNxWxOxX]

I have edited this piece to include more factual information. Thank you for the information, I was going from what I remembered growing up while gaming so sorry it wasn't fully factual.

[Doodleburger]

And to show how terrible nintendo is now, they made a gamepad with a two hour battery life and a 10 foot range.

[Roccetarius]

Wired over Wireless any day, but then again, my PC is pretty close if playing with a controller should be a thing.

[_LarZen_]

For most a wireless controller i more then enough. Even with limited batteries and a slight delay.

For hardcore/professional gamers a wired controller is preferred.

So..no. But it's always nice with options ofc.

[xjustice1920]

thank you for answering my question without me asking. I was wondering if their was a delay between wired/wireless. I need every nano sec. lol

[MasterofMagnetism]

Wireless FTW.

[TWB]

Wireless obviously doesnt have to go anywhere but sadly it does seem that wires are "coming back" in a way.

My DS4 is pretty much integrated to the PS4 ATM. Its just much more convenient to keep the cable connected than having to plug it in every 4-6 hours.

I still find it slightly saddening that my old DS3 can hold maybe 20-30 hour charge and even when it starts to complain that battery is almost empty. I can still slay some bosses, forget to plug the cable, play a couple of hours only to realize the next day that "I should probably charge this thing"

[nix]

I dunno.. I have two DS4 controllers so i keep switching. And good thing about these is that i can charge it with any usb port so i don't have to sit chained next to PS4.

[ocelot07]

Wired is still around and kicking. When I had a XB1 and forgot to buy batteries I simply connected the USB cable from console to controller and used it as a wired controller.

Same with my DS4 if I forget to put it on charge I simply plug in the cable and used it wired.

However I see no point in a actual wired controller with no wireless option at all.

[Doodleburger]

If the wireless controller in question has a garbage battery life (DS4) then yea, i keep it wired.

[RosweeSon]

No because the cable dangles and clips everything on my floor like glasses, drinks I just want my dual shock 4 to last more than 8 hours and my Wii u game pad to actually last more than 2?! Haha.