@Neopolitian: LMAO.

I'm not a thrower. I'm more of a "grip and twist" but I've never actually followed through and broken one.

Billkwando

@Gam3r: It's supposed to be funny....

Warik

My fave part was that they "remained seated and released the SIXAXIS in a shallow downward motion", while they "leapt up" and forcefully propelled the other two "with a sharp downward motion". And STILL the overpriced Sony crap was blown to bits.

doc10house

@Balance_In_Life (PSN): Perfect excuse to get a dualshock 3.

cactaur

I do remember hurling a lot of NES controllers, particularly during heated bouts of Bases Loaded; I'm convinced those controllers could survive nuclear winter. Plus, sharp corners.

tk.

I have a long well established history of hucking controllers in disgust whenever I get really annoyed by something that happened in games. They haven't been broken I believe. I tend to aim them at cushions but the floor is a handy target also.

WasabiJoe

I must have gone through 6 Sega controllers, those buttons sucked, they always got stuck. My mom hated that I'm sure.

As others have stated the N64 controller was pretty weak, I always had to deal with the messed up Analog stick.

I wouldn't dare throw my 360 gamepad, I'm afraid it'll end up killing someone. The SIXAXIS on the other hand, it feels really cheap but its so light it just looks like it'll last if I threw it out my 3rd story window. I won't try though

Xer0Ph0kus

I went through too many PS2 controllers without ever throwing a single one. Usually analog sticks would become unreliable or the shoulder buttons would stick or become generally unusable. Sad stuff.

Sony equipment used to be incredibly reliable: my first Sony Walkman was only $20 and survived something like 7 years of heavy use and abuse before I finally dropped it one too many times and physically fucked it up.

Its successor died after only maybe three years with much less use. After a couple of months without using it, I picked it up off of my dresser and it mysteriously just failed to power on, fresh batteries or no.

Stupid planned obsolesence electronics.

tk.

@joelface: I'll say this... I've never thrown my PS3... nor will I. A 30 buck controller on the other hand... well yeah.

Balance_In_Life (PSN)

@Onizuka-GTO: Wait, are you suggesting (or is anybody for that matter) that this test WAS fair?

I'm no scientist or anything but this "test" doesn't seem all that rigorous or controlled.

Ess

@twoautomatic: Mine did the same thing. Weird.

@JoelR: Evil...

Balance_In_Life (PSN)

ive never thrown or broken a controller before.

i respect my electronics, especially expensive ones.

joelface

I'm not gonna lie, I broke my PS2 controller during, of all games, Def Jam Fight for NY. I kept getting blocked on every single move and i sheer frustration ?(I was only 16, come on) smashed it on the floor repeatedly. After it was over, I thought "What did I do?" I learned my lesson from the piece's of s $9 PS2 controllers I got afterwards that broke themselves.

Ever since though, I just do not get mad at any electrical equipment. With the cost of these things, I can't afford to replace them.

kylo4

i dont really condone throwing a $50 console controller at the ground. but hey thats just me

patsfan07

This test is flawed. They used 1 single controller to represent their findings for each console. Depending on how the controllers landed when they hit the floor is a HUGE factor in the damage caused. If they really care about anything other than sensationalism they will redo the tests with at least 5 controllers for each console.

Gam3r

I sort of remember seeing nearly the same thing in Gamepro (maybe?) a long time ago. They tested everything available at the time. I believe the original NES controller was the only thing to live through the complete test, after going through the washing machine, run over by a truck etc...

zephyrum

My buddy messed up his Sixaxis by tossing it at the wall. The R2 button flew off forever.

Then after that he stomped his PS2 Remote over and over until it was shards.

He really needs to either get better at Tekken or Control his temper.

twoautomatic

I had to open up my ps2 controller once and put the R1 button back in. It was a bitch. I love the simulating disgust and frustration bit, but, did they have to use it for each one? D:

Dudemeister

I did my own "rage" tests.

Conclusion:

Xbox 360 Controller (wireless) took the most stress.
PS3 controller twisted in half then smashed. Failed stress test.
Wii mote took a good beating but failed the "smash" test.

Though the 360 controller is solid, the battery will fly out on a hard enough concussion.

The PS3's too-light controller (due to a lightweight lithium battery) just can't take stress.

SigmundTheSeaMonster

@guy_jin: yeah, I'll give you that. lol

in retrospect I think that was one of the worst controller designs ever made...possibly rivaling the nearly-existent PS3 boomerang controller

Sandbox_Emperor

Nice find, Kotaku.

tehblacksheep234

I have a Turbo-pad with teeth marks in it...

Eltigro

I wan to see a test of for portable controllers. PSP, DS, GBA, Game Gear, etc..

I know I for one am thankful for the wrist strap on the PSP. Nearly tossed it a couple times playing Need for Speed.

MacBandit

I dont think I've ever broken a controller. I've broken a Sega Genesis by throwing the controller at a sharp downward angle but the controller still worked fine. There should be further study as to how the controllers can cause stress, triggering the urge to throw them at objects.

Warik

I do believe that you could destroy all of these controllers using the original NES controller as a hammer, and then still use the NES controller afterwards; only Chuck Norris is its equal.

Chef

@Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB: boo-hoooo the test ain't fair! waaaah! Waaah!

Well tough luck mate, all fair in games and war.

Sure the 360 & PS3 might fair better if they had a strap.

but they DIDN'T.

Cry all you will about how "stupid" for anyone to throw a wii-mote with the strap on. but the reality is that gamers actually do.

All this means, is that the wii-mote gives a frustrated gamer better protection to the construction of the product compared to the competition.

If they don't have it, well, their lose.

:3

Onizuka-GTO

How are people breaking their PSTRIPLE controllers when all they do is watch Blu-ray movies?

j/j =P

Seriously though, if any of my friends throw my controllers around I have them stop playing and tell them to buy/bring their own next time. When I get angry or frustrated the most I've ever done was smack the ground hard.

I refuse to use 3rd party controllers BTW.

def PD

I got frustrated losing against my brother constantly at Mortal Kombat Ultimate on the SNES and I almost snapped the controller in half.

A friend got so mad at Hexen 64 he threw his third party controller and the middle handle broke off.

Another friend of mine got pissed after I tried giving him some advice when he kept losing in Halo 2 (I wasn't playing) so he threw *my* 360 controller... it worked fine. Of course he then went and flipped the breaker cause he's a whiney bitch but that's another story.

Absent Blue

lolz.
While playing DBZ Budokai 2 one day, there was one move that required you to rotate both analog sticks rapidly to imput it right. So I discovered that I could rub the controller facedown on a chair to make it work... unfortunately that _very_ quickly began to rip the rubber tips off the sticks, so I had to go back to using a hand.

ZinkO: The Game (the kind you just lost)

I need to point out, since nobody else noticed, that the Wiimote test is completely fucking useless. The guy in question threw the Wiimote with the strap on. Nobody is stupid enough to throw their controller in frustration, while they're wearing it. It'd be like if you had a tie around your neck, and you got angry, so you threw your tie on the ground, without taking it off. All that would happen is that you'd hurt the back of your neck(or hand, for the Wiimote) and look like a total dumbass.

Put a strap on your Sixaxis and 360 Controller, and then see how well they hold up when thrown. I bet you they do as well as the Wiimote.

Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB

I was never a big console gamer. Actually other than the Gamecube we bought a year or two ago and the Wii we bought at release date (by "we" I mean "my brother who was nice enough to leave the GC for me"), we have only ever had an Atari 2600 (this one actually is mine now).

But yeah. My GBA has some scars on it. In particular, there's a bit of the plastic missing around the contacts from that time I stuck Mario&Luigi in sideways, there's a spot on the screen from when I pressed my thumb with excessive pressure while being pissed at Megaman Zero, and (this one's my favorite) tooth marks. Yes, I bit my GBA. I don't even remember the game but I remember the moment and it still shocks me.

Now I treat my DS like a holy relic or something. I figured if I get mad I'll hit my leg instead because that heals whereas electronics do not. If I remember correctly, I actually made myself bleed with Touch the Dead. I have anger problems...

rubiximus

I think the main reason people think the SIXAXIS is more flimsy is because of the sheer lightness of it.I doubt people would say the same about the DualShock3 as it's very much like the PS2 DS2 which is a pretty durable controller

LittleBigPlaneteer

when i get frustrated with a game (this rarely happens) i just turn of my console and do something else. consoles/controllers and the like are fucking expensive, why would i break them like that.... i was also good at anger management though...

pandafresh

@Sandbox_Emperor: everything about the n64 controller was ridiculous.

guy_jin

I already conducted my own test, haha. the 360 controller is pretty durable, but i throw my controllers at walls no the floor, so I've broke one controller (R button stopped working) and broke the rechargeable battery in another.

N0Skillz

I've dropped my wiimote from my top bunk in my dorm when I forgot I left it up there and pulled the sheets off. It first bounced off the ceiling and then hit the floor. It works perfectly fine and just has a tiny scratch on the back. No biggie, My mouse however... it's pretty hard to doubleclick after accidently knocking it off my desk about 1 or 200 times.

incazteca

@JoelR: I know what you mean. I guess it depends on the way you're brought up. I've always been taught to value and take care of my stuff, largely because my parents had pretty much nothing when they grew up.

Anyways, I would never chuck my expensive electronics against a wall. I have been known to punch walls though. >_<

Nowadays I don't really get that angry playing games anymore. It's only a game, right? I do wallow in self disgust every now and then at my massive capacity for suckage though.

Lancehead

@JoelR: I know what you mean. I guess it depends on the way you're brought up. I've always been taught to value and take care of my stuff, largely because my parents had pretty much nothing when they grew up.

Anyways, I would never chuck my expensive electronics against a wall. I have been known to punch walls though. >_<

Nowadays I don't really get that angry playing games anymore. It's only a game, right? I do wallow in self disgust every now and then at my massive capacity for suckage.

Lancehead

You know how you had to wiggle the left thumbstick back and forth to escape from zombies on Dead Rising? Yeah... that action totally destroyed the stick on one of my 360 controllers. Did anyone else have that happen?

HonusWScruggs

@kuzuboshii: Training in Tekken? Do you mean playing the game? What we're you training for?

Jericho114

Stupid test...
I mean if your so immature as to throw your electronics around I really don't feel sad for you when you break something.

If my kids broke a controller - they would just be down a controller and not allowed to buy a new one.
(does this make me evil? or just a person who want's to instill a sense of value for property into his kids?)

JoelR

"Analog stick functions seem to work fine, as does patented SIXAXIS tilt control, insofar as patented SIXAXIS tilt control works at all."

That shit right there made me LOL.

-EDGE-

Well always a good thing to know handy info

stromasdragon

I didn't expected there was so many anger management problems on Kotaku. I thought only a few gamers had the habit of throwing their controllers but I think I'll have to change my opinion !

Personnally I've never thrown a controller, If I get angry about a game and I'm alone in the house I throw a punch on a desk/table than I realise how dumb I am and continue playing ... The only gamepad I've broken is a bad quality PC gamepad and it's because of overuse.

Shteve

Results make sense I guess, but I've never thrown a controller so it's never been an issue for me. Desks on the other hand ...

Quark

The only time I've damaged a controller is my 360 wireless one after months of Fight Night Round 3.
I was throwing combos so fast with the right analog stick that it began to shave away the white plastic surrounding it!

meleeblub

ive broken only one controller from throwing it.

JackTretton

Good idea but the tests don't sound very scientific. How do they accurately reproduce a player throwing / dropping the controller in disgust?

Still, it seems quite obvious to me that having used 360 and SIXAXIS pads, the SIXAXIS feels flimsy.

Obli

Back when I was training at Tekken for 5 hours a day, my PSX/PS2 controllers took more abuse than I ever though possible. I threw them around, hit them, stepped on them, cursed at them, swung them around by the cords then smacked them into a wall, ect, ect, and not once did I have one break on me. Kinda sad to hear that the quality has gone down since then.

Of course, I am a much calmer gamer now that I no longer have to maintain my dominance in fighting games. Unless I am playing Guilty Gear drunk. Then, even though I win every time (I am literally the best GG player in the world after 3 or more shots, seriously)I am still going to throw my controller into the wall. Then I rip my shirt off and shout Miyo! koko bodi!!!!

...no wonder no one will play me in Guilty Gear anymore.

kuzuboshii

The Xbox 360 is made like crap but the controller is made to last. The PS3 is made very well but the controller feels like junk. Odd.

Muisee

No doubt if they put the new rubber sleeve on there wouldn't be thing one (assuming a normal frustration throw) that would break it. Nintendo craftsmanship FTW! Even when it did seem to break, it just took opening it up and putting the parts back in place to fix it.

The Maginomicon

not surprised the wii-mote performed the best.

dammn thing is built like a rock, coupled with in-built anti-stupidity wrist-strap and air-bag suit, who can doubt it?

say what you will about nintendo, they surely build quality equipment.

Onizuka-GTO

I have broken 5 360 controllers in 2 years with normal playing, and I still have the same six axis since 1 year ago, and my six axis suffered my rage with the frustration of Lair, the dragon didn't fly but my six axis does, and I been playing my ps3 a lot lately.

Gambare

About x360 controllers, I've had no troubles with them, but my brother whacked one around while playing Rainbow Six: Vegas and now the battery compartment is very loose.

Its pretty annoying to be playing and suddenly have your controller die because the batteries moved a fraction of an inch.

brent_w

@Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name.:

Tell that to N64 controllers.

NeoAkira

@Anicode: I've dropped mine or accidentally knocked them off tables dozens of times. No troubles.

A hint if a fall messes up your motion sensor Nintendo's customer service says just to give it a good whack and the motion sensor will re-center itself.

And it actually worked for everyone I know who had that problem.
(Oddly, I've never had a stuck motion sensor.)

brent_w

Their Wii-mote held up a lot better then mine. Mine fell of a night stand and the power button and internal motion sensor stopped working. I had to open it up re-center everything, and then it worked fine. It kind of sucks that a fall off a table or something could disable the Wii-motes internal motion sensor, without that how could you do a spin attack in Mario galaxy are attack in Zelda. But I guess these things really aren't meant to be dropped.

Anicode

@PlayerX: I had a similar experience with an SNES.

It was on a shelf about 6 feet off the ground, and I tripped over the cord while walking by. (The SNES was on and paused)

The console flew off the shelf, nosedived into a wooden bedpost bounced into the air and landed hard on the cement floor.

Plugged it back in in a hurry, praying that my precious SNES was ok ... and sure enough. It worked perfectly, and still does to this very day.

The only noticeable damage was a small chip of plastic that broke off of the front right corner.

brent_w

It would have been nice if they'd included pictures of the damaged controllers. I'm quite surprised the SIXAXIS came out the worst, it's by far the lightest of the controllers thanks to its lack of rumble so I'd have expected less damage from a throw.

Also, I wouldn't use that SIXAXIS after that test (or the rechargeable battery of either of the others if they had Lithium Ion packs) as they can catch fire/explode from hard impacts (caused by the rolled up cores in the battery making contact and shorting).

photoboy

I don't particularly care for the way the sixaxis controller feels. It feels like I'm going to break it just playing. That said though, I have been known to fling it and it has survived thus far. Can't wait for the Dual Shock 3, though.

MykalBloom

What?? I've never had an issue with a PS controller ever. Four controllers for the PSX, and four for the PS2, an they've all worked fine till the days I've traded them in. And my two Sixaxis controllers are working fine as well..

On the other hand, I've had one Xbox controller out of 4 die on me, and two of my 360 controllers broke in one day... I'll admit I threw one of them in a fit of rage, but the other one just started jamming it's right stick :/.

And for the record, one of my gamecube controllers went kaput, but that's probably from whoring itself out among so many of my friends.

StevenRafael

@Guizzy: There's only one way to break a Guitar Hero controller.

Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name.

You want to see damage you should see the 4 ps2 controllers I've smashed because of the cheating scumbag AI in PES6.

dsmx

Nintendo hardware is friggin' indestructible.

Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name.

I knocked my Halo 360 controller off my high chair yesterday and almost screamed. Seems fine though, and I hope it stays that way.
Interesting tests, but I wonder if the Dual Shock 3 would fair better?

Zeouterlimits

My Wii mote has endured ungodly amounts of punishment and come out unscathed.

Like the last stage in Zak and Wiki...dear lord the sword fighting.

Thorax

Well, personally, I would rather my controller explode when I throw it in a fit of disgust.

If I went as far to do something that might break my controller, I'd want it to break it in a satisfying way.

They ought to test Guitar Hero / Rock Band controllers for the same. I'd bet on the Rock Band guitar breaking before the throw.

Guizzy

@ KenogaBrave: * hasn't

KenogaBrave

Sometimes I get pissed and calmly try twist my sixaxis into two pieces. It cracks, but has ceased function in any way I notice.

KenogaBrave

I love ps controller best, 360 is too bulky and heavy that you can smack thieves with this and send them to the nearest graveyard.

Playstation

They should have thrown the wiimote at the wall to simulate that whole loose wriststrap thing

Spoit

@ Spiffyness: yeah, 360 controller is a rock

Ahsayuni

My 360 control (wireless) coped with getting chucked along my bed and banging into the wall when a XBL problem made Blue Dragon restart (grrrrr)

IanC

I fucked up whatever kept the R1 and R2 buttons held together. I was able to snap it back together but the R2 button has never worked the same since.

Digitalguardian VI: Dry Prinny; Shaken, Not Stirred

I almost threw a SIXAXIS controller down on the floor because this fellow in Warhawk kept killing me, switched teams to ours, and took my warhawk vehicle which left me stranded on an island for a while.

Almost.

I hate you, though, whoever you are.

DrakeLake

I've tossed my PS3 controller plenty of times. Its just so frustrating when you lose an online match (cough*tekken*cough)to a noob because of lag.

Until DuelShock 3 comes out I'll probably keep tossing my controller. As for now the sixaxis feels like a piece of cheap plastic that is worthy of throwing.

Bisu

@NeoAkira: the N64 controller was ridiculously fragile, especially the analog stick.

Ther is NOTHING I hate more on this earth than a loose analog stick. That's why I am extra careful with the nunchuck xD

Sandbox_Emperor

@Neopolitian: yeah... sorry bout that.

@Balance_In_Life (PSN): threw, not through... i'm dumb.

Balance_In_Life (PSN)

@7th_Ronin: I'll agree on the Dualshock, but the Sixaxis is cheep. When you hold the two in each of your hands you can FEEL the differences. I would say the DS3 is at least 2/3 heavier and feels more sturdy. The Sixaxis feels cheep and rushed IMHO.

Balance_In_Life (PSN)

Luckily for me I don't have misplaced anger issues.

notakujustraku

damn, so far two people have spelled 'threw' as 'through'. Or should I say too people...haha

Neopolitian

Well, good for Microsoft! If I had a 360, I'd be chuffed.

I'm not at all surprised by the Wii remote surviving that impact. I had a SNES that fell 4 feet onto some bricks once while it was turned on, and neither the console or Mario World were injured, functionally. The only thing that happened was the corner of the SNES was a bit (and I mean a couple of milimeters) scuffed.

They make them out of bullet-proof ABS, they do!

PlayerX

I have never broken any controller.
I am rather screaming and shouting than spending 25-50 Euro for a new one.

Garo

once in a while I get pissed at work and try to break a 360 controller in my hands by twisting it violently. So far no luck...those sobs are strong.

Neopolitian

@hamandcheeseUK: I actually think i broke my hand the other night. Got really pissed off and instead of throwing my brand new dualshock 3 baby, i desided to punch my coffee table. My hand still hurts and this was 3 days ago. Still though, have noticed it saves a lot of money.

Also i miss the old days of CRT TVs... you could throw your controller up against one of those bad boys and nothing would happen. I'm afraid that if i through a donut at my DLP it would ruin it...

Balance_In_Life (PSN)

I dont know whats the problem with them but the dual shock and the sixaxis are some really fine controller.. problably the best in the history along with the snes dpad

7th_Ronin

I tend to hurt myself more than I hurt my controllers..

Usually by hitting the nearest hard surface with my controller, which is usually my knee

hamandcheeseUK

360 controller is highly durable, play DOA4 and you will understand

MonkeyBiz

usually when I get mad, it's when I'm playing online, and I've been known to fling a few controllers. The controllers are usually fine, but when I thrown them, I forget I'm still wearing my headset, so my headset gets ripped off my head... usually breaking it into several pieces.... :(

KingDavid73

How about the "A" button?. I keep my controller in a perfect condition and the "A" button is getting messy on me :/

Some kind of spring mod is needed

Fyren

I could have told you that. I have a sixaxis where the R2 shot off. I managed to reattach it, but the spring was gone and the trigger is all limp now.

Rurik

Sony controllers have a history of this sort of design deficiency. I once had a DualShock splinter into dozens of pieces simply because I repeatedly smashed it with a hammer. It was entirely unusable from that point on...although the cheating whore bastard Winning Eleven A.I. learned a devastating lesson that afternoon.

LOL! That cracked me up.

Candlejack

Funny stuff.

When we control games with our brains, will people smack themselves upside the head?

Evil Tortie's Mom

If you read the 360 controller review, almost the exact same thing happened to me (except I wasn't playing Lost Planet thankfully). The crack in the side is very noticable, but doesn't do anything to the actual controler itself. Pretty accurate I would say.

nukednova

The last time I threw a controller in frustration, I just went all out. I was playing Street Fighter Alpha 3 on PS2 and my first opponent, Sodom, was kicking my ass for some reason. Eventually, I just got pissed to the point I threw my controller on the floor. I then got up off my seat and stomped the hell out of it. No joke. I completely smashed the controller to the point that one of the shoulder buttons actually shot out of the controller body.

It was actually pretty refreshing since I had been going through a lot of stress outside of gaming at the time, but it's not something I plan to repeat any time soon.

Lezard

I haven't thrown a controller in years... but then again i did just get out of the slammer for manslaughter. The last time i threw a controller...... yeah the whole manslaughter thing, the judge told me i couldn't touch another console for years. Really rooting for the whole mind controller to work.

DanteODiabo

I'm on my 4th xbox 360 controller mostly do to Winning Eleven 07. I've been better about it now though, since those things are costing me $50 :P

Pornosaur

I've broken three controllers in my whole life. They WERE shattered to pieces, though.

Ashurahori

Yeah, the Sony controllers always did FEEL a bit cheaper, IMHO, so it's not too surprising that it's not durable. I never damage my controllers anyway, but it's still an interesting read.

Spiffyness

All i know is that when i through one of my Sixaxis again the wall after a match in COD4... it exploded into about 50 different pieces. Yeah i sometimes throw a fit.

Balance_In_Life (PSN)

pic's or it didn't happen!

logicaldefense

Hah, good find, Maggie :).

When I was younger I used to always get mad and throw my controller. Like when Mario died in 8-3 or some such. In recent years I've almost never had the RAGE come back, although when I was playing CoD4 on Veteran and trying to get the "Mile High Club" achievement, I did get mad and throw my controller on the floor. It survived just fine.

darthmole12

I think it's a useful test, but it would also e interesting if they tested out third-party controllers once there's more of those on the market. I remember the N64 controller broke very easily and that was upsetting.

NeoAkira

Best test ever.

BlackDove