Sony to replace Sixaxis batteries

  • By Staff, GameSpot
  • Posted Oct 20, 2006 5:03 pm PT

The PlayStation 3's wireless controllers may eventually fail to hold a charge, but Sony will reportedly provide a replacement service.

UK trade site GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that Sony has a solution to concerns about the PlayStation 3 controller's rechargeable batteries. There is no way for users to access the controller's battery compartment to replace them if they eventually fail to hold a charge, so there was some concern about what would happen to such controllers.

According to GamesIndustry.biz, a Sony representative told the site that the electronics giant "will provide a service to replace wireless PS3 controllers 'when and if' their lithium batteries degrade." The representative added that it would be many years before the batteries degraded. There was no indication as to how much--if anything--Sony would charge for the service.

Attempts to confirm the replacement policy with American Sony reps were unsuccessful as of press time. However, any such service would presumably be similar to the company's replacement of PlayStation 2s suffering from the dreaded "Disc Read Error." That requires a call to SCEA Consumer Service at 1-800-345-SONY (7669) or a visit to its Online customer service center.

434 Comments

  • Mechakucha

    Posted May 9, 2007 2:26 am PT

    newest comment ever!

  • kunia_ninja

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 10:37 pm PT

    if it costs me a lot than they can go f*** themselves

  • el3fitness

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 8:34 am PT

    can i use my ps2 wireless controls on the new ps3

  • _Sam_

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 6:20 pm PT

    I hope it's free

  • kamicolo

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 2:20 pm PT

    since the price for controller cost $50, the replacement has to be cheaper right?? I'm guessing the company will charge you for shipping and handling

  • parchisi

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 10:59 pm PT

    codepunk:
    "parchisi:
    "I find it a much better system that the 360 has where i have to replace the batteries all the time and/or take them out to recharge them"

    Ummm....no....wrong. Go look at the play and charge kit. Love is blind." I didn't know there was such a kit, I'll have to go buy it now. I humbly stand corrected on that point. I still stand by my others though.

  • dogwood41_basic

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 3:55 pm PT

    "any such service would presumably be similar to the company's replacement of PlayStation 2s suffering from the dreaded 'Disc Read Error.' "

    ...or to the company's replacement of the "OMG!!! MY LAPTOP JUST SEARED MY NUTSACK!!!" batteries.

  • HDUnplugged

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 1:42 pm PT

    You know that the PSP batteries are lithium and they never burn anything. So I don't see how the SIXAXIS batteries could burn.

  • HXCDEW

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 8:09 am PT

    Built-in batteries tend to last longer in terms of charges and durability so hopefully there won't be any need to replace them anytime soon. 1-2 years sounds about right.. I think people will still find a way to replace the battery themselves presumably with 3rd party products, though that might void the guarantee or something.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 4:41 am PT

    neurotic_nerd (lol) The ps3 is not compatible with anything previously made by sony. And this means ps2 pads (etc).

    It IS compatible with memorycards, but only with a seperate converter, and this device doesnt WRITE to the card, it just moves the files onto the hard drive.

  • neurotic_nerd

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 12:53 am PT

    Anyone knows whether the PS2 DualShock will be compatible with the PS3? That way at least if the Sixaxis dies on me I still have a back-up.

  • The_Fat_Zebra

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 12:33 am PT

    Which is why it's better not to go for the 1gen hardware.

  • WarGameJunkie

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 7:11 pm PT

    Gee...Sony's also the company that manufactured the lithium batteries for Dell PC's that catch on fire and now they want us to trust them that it will be "many years" before their controller batteries don't work. Um. yeah. sure.

  • Chainblast

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 6:43 pm PT

    Why do you think MS and Nintendo decided decided against perma-batteries.

  • syxpack

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 3:11 pm PT

    All these people are talking about finding out before they find out the hard way.

    Us on a site like this are a minority of consumers.

    There will be major problems and complaints if this becomes an issue.

  • PiMacleod_basic

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 2:04 pm PT

    wow. before it even came out!

    Well, at least this time, they caught it first. That means they're learning from past experiences, at least. Let's see how much this holds up.

  • senjutsu

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 1:10 pm PT

    @dru26: lol, you are unlucky dyde, I cry for you lol

    Mine is the 1st gen of america, and it stopped reading disc 2 weeks ago, I opened it, cleaned the eye with a q-tips, put compressed air into the ps2 and he's like new nothing more

  • Elite_Jounin

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 12:26 pm PT

    At lease they are making it known before we find out the hard way, also providing service

  • WllDan7

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 11:58 am PT

    Sony should done what handhelds do and provided a way to take out the battery so when it can not hold a charge you can just replace the batteries not the whole controller.

  • dru26

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 11:27 am PT

    I've actually owned 3 ps2s myself. 3 of my friends , the same, in fact one is on his 4th. Yet my brother, still has his first ... go figure.

  • Formula_50

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 11:26 am PT

    Pwned!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 10:47 am PT

    --over 100 million people have "a crappy Fony system" --

    Actually that is not true. Over 100 million systems have been sold...

    3-4 systems to the same individual in some cases.

  • hotdork70minus1

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 10:46 am PT

    incredibilistic

    How is browsing from a PS3 exciting ? What makes it different ? If anything you should be worried about how Sony handles the security for that. I want a game machine for games, I can browse on my pc...and look at pictures in HD quality. How is the battery issue not a big deal ? Didn't Sony just go through one of the largest battery recalls ever ? Sure you can get 3rd party controllers but think of the publicity. They pretty much just said that this thing can go Gonzo, who says it won't start on fire ? lol

    PS2 sold because of PS1, GTA and the the Japan market. 360 looks like is has alot more interesting exclusives coming out then sony. I dont' need to pay 7 or 800 bucks to play Tekken 43. MGS4 looks pretty sweet but not enough to justify the price tag.

  • Ivoryblaze

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 10:40 am PT

    Okay Incredibilistic you made a great point on the controller, and your right it's not going to be a issue, but plz enough of the Sony fanboy mentality!

  • Thanos_of_MW

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 10:25 am PT

    incredibilistic, you are right about Logitech. Also Pelikan and Madkatz can also make a controller with user replaceable batteries, cheaper and with all the features. Personally, I'll wait for them to release their versions before I buy a 2nd (and 3d and 4th...) controller for my PS3. I'm looking forward to getting my PS3, but I won't be getting Sony controllers, except the one included this time. I got too many for PS1 and PS2, from Sony (4 each) and I always ended up playing with a 3d party made one.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 10:12 am PT

    the downfall of the rechargable battery........

  • incredibilistic

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 10:11 am PT

    Thank you parchisi!!!

    You put it best. Everyone on this board is just looking for more excuses to piss on Sony's parade. It's petty when you consider the possiblity that Sony could pull out of this one a big winner. I would feel pretty stupid if I spent hours bashing Sony only to find myself knee-deep in Heavenly Sword, browsing the web Firefox style, and viewing HD pictures on my PS3 -- that doesn't require a remote connection to Windows XP Media Center Edition (which not everyone has or is willing to upgrade for this simple yet effective feature).

    Again, not worthy getting your collective panties in a bunch. If anything Sony should be more concerned about Logitech releasing a controller that has both rumble and motion sensing in it that will force Sony to rethink their position on "reactive" versus "interactive" contollers. And if Logitech can pull it off for less than $60 they'll convince me to get one.

    The battery issue won't even be an issue after that. As for the fee (if possible) they'll charge to replace the controller; it's possible that it could be so much that you'd be better off buying a new one anyway ($40). And honestly for anyone out there that has a PS2, I'm sure you've replaced your controller at least once in six years.

    What? You don't have a PS2? That's strange, because over 100 million people have "a crappy Fony system" that had as much if not more bad press before its release. And it won't end there. I can still remember the makers of Abe's Odyssey making a big stink about how hard the PS2 was to develop for and yet it outsold its competitors by a disgusting ratio and was the resting place for most "exclusive" titles for other systems (can you say Resident Evil and Splinter Cell?).

    This is one piece of history that only MS and Nintendo fans are doomed to repeat.

  • imbacon

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 10:04 am PT

    "Is Sony actually *trying* to kill itself?"
    Yes, because they need to make way for "Project Buttlord"!

  • daveg1

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 10:00 am PT

    and what will they do with all the consoles they will no doubt have stock piled with the faulty packs?

  • Thanos_of_MW

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 9:59 am PT

    "codepunk
    parchisi:
    "I find it a much better system that the 360 has where i have to replace the batteries all the time and/or take them out to recharge them"

    Ummm....no....wrong. Go look at the play and charge kit. Love is blind. "

    Indeed. You can play with the controller plugged in while it charges

  • Jo-El_Kung

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 9:58 am PT

    Is Sony actually *trying* to kill itself?

  • Hoppe_c80

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 9:53 am PT

    i have heard from a secret source that the ps3 controllers may start on fire while playing.

  • Neo_Kelyn

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 9:51 am PT

    You know?
    I sense something like the iPod battery fiasco looming.

    Hell, Sony are loaded. I'm sure they can afford be sued a few million.

  • codepunk

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 9:49 am PT

    parchisi:
    "I find it a much better system that the 360 has where i have to replace the batteries all the time and/or take them out to recharge them"

    Ummm....no....wrong. Go look at the play and charge kit. Love is blind.

  • Blazer88

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 9:47 am PT

    Lame., thing will probably catch fire too.

  • rohver

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 9:18 am PT

    well before the bateries run out, most controllers will be broken so sony, dont worry

  • SemiMaster

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 9:17 am PT

    Sixaxis, battery

  • swirskytheman

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 9:13 am PT

    about this "disk read error" my PS2 does that for a while now, does anybody else have that problem and what hell do you do?

  • GTAPsychoFan

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 8:40 am PT

    that sucks, anyway how much time does the battery resists with a full charge? i hope at least a day, hope much more.

  • BlueBarad

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 8:29 am PT

    Suxaxis

  • TintedChimes

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 8:27 am PT

    HHahahaaha, I would want my controller replaced too once it burns up in my hands...stupid laptop batteries.

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 8:27 am PT

    If they charge (which they more than likely will), I just hope they don't charge a "arm-and-a-leg" for the service.

  • MrPuzzlez

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 8:04 am PT

    Geez! Fony just can't get it right when it comes to batteries!!! There was the PSP issue, the Purgatory laptop issue, and now this! Why the heck even bother, Fony?

  • walterj187

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 7:28 am PT

    I'm sure they will replace the controller batteries*

    *while still under warranty

  • Apoc112

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 7:06 am PT

    i'm laughing out loud in my office at imbacon's punchbowl comment...

    i am still puzzled since the early days of PS2 why sony does what they do.... i do suppose that their choices make sense to a Japanese business, as their economy is much different from our own, but i see them getting further away from what fits my lifestyle.

    i'm not one to miss out on a truely "next gen" console (i own a 360, but even i'll admit that it's only as next-gen as the latest computer systems out there), but the PS3 is shaping up to be a system that i see no reason to own.

  • paradyme777

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 6:21 am PT

    Cool. I'll be curious to see if they have problems just like the laptop batteries.

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 5:54 am PT

    Hope they wont need to replace batteries like teh laptops...........

  • Autolycus

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 5:28 am PT

    do you have any idea how many times in my life i've had to tell people the last line of this news? i work for gamestop, let me tell you its over 200 times

  • shizwill03

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 5:14 am PT

    Great.....now I am waiting for the price.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 3:18 am PT

    "Bathyj
    1SleepyGit
    "You do realise how little motion the PS3 controller senses right? It is in essence a tilt sensor,"

    That is incorrect. Everyone has been (wrongly) calling it simply a tilt controller but read this. Its from an interview on IGN with Factor 5 President Julian Eggebrecht who'se opinion (I'm sorry) I trust more than yours.

    Eggebrecht: The motion controller is not only about tilt and Lair will open your eyes about it. It detects tilt, yaw, and roll with extreme precision. But it also detects accelerations in space, and in the combination of the two it's a full-blown and very complex motion control system. All of Lair is built around the controller.

    Anyone into the PS3 at all should read the whole article. Its very interesting to hear a developers side of things instead of just flaming fanboys all the time with their own agenda. (I'm not refering to you 1SleepyGit. Just these boards in general.)

    http://ps3.ign.com/articles/733/733921p1.html "

    BATHYJ!! Awesome, finally someone with a brain!

    The sony zealots are either "i like the ps3 because its got a load of stuff which i like, and im not bothered either way about batteries etc, i can afford a ps3 and high def tv so its no big deal" ( i appreciate those people)

    And then you have the "ps3 is the best, its the best... its not out yet, but its the best CANT YOU SEE IT?!" (hate those people)

    And AGAINST sony, you have the "ps3 sucks" and also "xbox sucks" idiots, who just say that and run away.

    THEN you have the "woah, now that i know the japanese people are getting it lower in price, im never ever going to get a ps3.."

    Yeah, like they were in the first place!

    I can support the ps3 in the premise that it will have metal gear solid 4. But apart from the power, and the greatness kojima usually gets out of the games. Nothing else interests me about the ps3. At all. Im getting mine at christmas 07, wait for some concrete news, wait for sonys strategy to iron out a bit so i can see where my investment is going.

    And for those who say "the ps3 is only minimal motion sensoring"...lol

    The wii is of course the king of motion sensoring because not only do you have TWO sensors to play with, but the wii knows where they are in 3d space. The ps3 pads require the use of gyroscopes and movement around a "deadzone". Its not terribly accurate, BUT, it will provide a fun experience for quick jerky movements, and some interactive actions.

    I think the majority of people on here should watch the ps3-centric episode of ON THE SPOT right here on gamespot, it actually HAS a ps3 on there, they demo nba2k7 on it, they make the shots like i said, and they also said its not really ideal to have the cable in whilst doing motions (i can agree with that)

    WATCH ON THE SPOT, and then come back on here.

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