PS3 Game Controller Durability - Your experience?

wannabedamned · 15 Jan 2011 at 10:41

It could very well be down to your kids. My friends little ones ALWAYS throw their pads down when they have done playing. And they have been through quite a few pads since launch.

Last Kronin · 15 Jan 2011 at 15:05

My original ds3 pad has a dodgy L2 button even the slightiest pressure activates it in game, a bit of a pain on something like Black ops, kept loosing my tactical nades right at the start of a game, but im guessing thats from rage quits when the controller has almost been throwing across the room.

1 issue i do find is that the batteries dont last that long espically if playing games that use a lot of vibration.

This Side Up · 15 Jan 2011 at 18:48

wozza2k said:
Ordered the DS3 from Japan on launch and they are perfectly fine, even the sixaxis from my 60GB console is fine. Just need to look after them a little.

+1 Sound advice.

james.miller · 15 Jan 2011 at 18:51

my japan ds3 is going strong as well, like new. my six axis is still fine, but then that hardly gets used.

Xelene · 15 Jan 2011 at 21:38

The X buttons on both of mine have a slight catch / clickiness. They've had a LOT of use.

Gashman · 15 Jan 2011 at 22:00

as far as i have experienced, the word indestructable would be appropriate, since they are virtually unbreakable!

Begbie · 15 Jan 2011 at 22:05

My dad had to replace one, but my 5 year old nephew plays with it a lot. So thats the answer to that one!

ak22 · 15 Jan 2011 at 22:35

jaybee said:
Hmm...i forgot to mention I have kids. Perhaps this is the problem. In fact...it's usually why most things in the house break.

Lol Just like my little brother breaks everything

FrankJH · 15 Jan 2011 at 23:01

Ive lost several controllers (during moves etc) but never had one break for any reason

jaybee · 16 Jan 2011 at 20:55

I decided I couldn't be bothered paying £35 for a new one and despite posts on the net stating if you take one apart it will take you a year to get it back together, I decided to go for it. Didn't have much to lose. I found it....well....yeah it's a fiddle but no worse than taking other things apart. In fact I had it all apart and back together fixed within 30 minutes including soldering.
Problem was the X button was shorting out something when you pressed it in hard. I cleaned all that out and also noticed that the cable going from the PCB to the battery inside, had worn and some of the wire was coming out of the shileding like it had been rubbing - god knows how as it's never been apart before. I soldered that back up and screwed it all back together. Stays on permanently now and it just needs the analogue stick pad gluing back on and I'm good to go. Saved me some cash atleast.

RookieClocker · 17 Jan 2011 at 01:11

So i was playing some hollywood bowl the motion sensor one from psn shop and all of a sudden the controler hit the side of the bed, whent flying into the window 3 meters away rebounded of the window and bounced 5 m away

i little casing came off from the L button but that was easily put on

the controler was brought in jan 2008 or w/e the 30gb existed (or 40?)

they say if u want a strike u gotta give some might

thedoc46 · 17 Jan 2011 at 04:33

I always try and make sure my kids wash their hands before playing on their consoles.. Unfortunately kids being kids, tend not to care about hygene as much as us grownups. But in my possesion a PS controller will last for yrs upon yrs.. In the hands of skids who will go from a jam sandwich, straight to a controller...... not so much !

oh and yes if you take it apart, good luck with getting it back together again.. Curosity got the better of me once, I took apart a sixaxis and the analogue trigger game apart, and after an hr or trying, i sold it as parts on the bay. Never again shall I make that mistake again.

byteagig · 17 Jan 2011 at 08:57

I have probably spent more money on controllers than what the ps3 originally cost me! The poor controllers get some severe punishment from my son who has Autism. The xbox controllers on the other hand are far more durable and can take a severe beating without falling to bits. The playstation controllers casing cracks and the shoulder buttons fly off. the screw mountings break off easily too. The xbox controllers have a much higher survival rate from being submerged in water too. He has tried to wash a few

. I wish that playstation made their controllers more like the xbox ones

Dyson · 17 Jan 2011 at 09:25

byteagig said:
I have probably spent more money on controllers than what the ps3 originally cost me! The poor controllers get some severe punishment from my son who has Autism. The xbox controllers on the other hand are far more durable and can take a severe beating without falling to bits. The playstation controllers casing cracks and the shoulder buttons fly off. the screw mountings break off easily too. The xbox controllers have a much higher survival rate from being submerged in water too. He has tried to wash a few . I wish that playstation made their controllers more like the xbox ones

Would a silicone cover for your DS3s help? Like this:

Don't know if it would offer much more protection, but they can be had for just a couple of pounds, and may help you out. Just google for "PS3 DS3 silicone case". Can also be found in the pound shop, where I guess they'd be £1