Hit 200 controller repairs last week and it got me thinking about the whole 'replace vs repair' debate

I counted up my logs and I've restored 200 gamepads from dead or broken to fully working, but a buddy swears buying new is cheaper after factoring in time and parts, so which side do you land on when the sticks drift or the shoulder button dies?

2 comments

2 Comments

wendy_garcia1612d agoMost Upvoted

My 200th fix was a 360 controller from 2008.

smith.blair11d ago

Man, your buddy's missing the whole point of why we do this! It's not just about money, it's about reducing e-waste and keeping stuff out of landfills. When you fix a 360 controller from 2008, you're saving a piece of gaming history that still works great. Plus, modern controllers are built like crap, they break way faster than the old ones did. Your time and parts might cost more than a cheap new one, but that new one will be junk in a year anyway while your fixes last forever. I'd take a repaired classic over a flimsy new pad any day, it's better for your wallet in the long run too.