PlayStation Gamer Gets Rare Astro Bot Controller, But There’s a Problem

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PlayStation Gamer Gets Rare Astro Bot Controller, But There's a Problem

Key Takeaways

  • The rare Astro Bot controller arrived broken for one fan.
  • The Astro Bot controller has been hard for fans to get their hands on due to limited supply.
  • Sony has been criticized for its handling of the release of limited-edition hardware.

As a long-time PlayStation gamer, I’ve seen my fair share of exclusives and limited editions that left me feeling like I missed out on something special. The Astro Bot controller was no exception; after missing the initial pre-order, I thought my chances were slim to none. But when it seemed like I had finally secured one, fate had other plans. My controller arrived not only late but also broken!

A fortunate owner of a PlayStation 5, who was eagerly anticipating the unique Astro Bot-themed controller, unfortunately received a damaged piece instead. Sony, in an effort to generate excitement for its innovative 3D platformer game Astro Bot, produced a limited edition DualSense controller styled after the game. Given its popularity, this limited-edition Astro Bot controller was snatched up rapidly, leaving many enthusiasts struggling to obtain it without having to pay inflated prices from scalpers.

From a personal perspective, I unfortunately didn’t manage to secure a pre-order for the Astro Bot PS5 controller when it was first available. Later, there seemed to be a restock at Walmart, and I thought I had successfully placed my pre-order. The controller was scheduled to arrive on September 6, in line with the release date of Astro Bot. However, as we reached the end of September, the controller still hadn’t been delivered. At this point, I’ve resigned myself and canceled my pre-order, but it appears that others have successfully obtained the much-desired device.

One such individual was Reddit user SnowFloke, who managed to get the Astro Bot controller. Unfortunately, the controller has a defect where the left trigger doesn’t function as it should. They noted that this was really only a problem in Astro Bot and Astro’s Playroom, as those games make great use of the DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers. Unfortunately, they are unable to send the controller back to the store they bought it from to get a new one, as the controller is sold out. However, they suggested that they were going to send it in to PlayStation for repair.

Astro Bot Controller Arrives Broken

Users cautioned against sending the controller for repair because historical instances have occurred where special PlayStation 5 controllers were sent in, and users received standard controllers instead. However, one user reported positive experiences with their God of War-themed PS5 controller during repairs, suggesting that outcomes might differ. As a precaution, it’s probably safer to refrain from sending the controller for repair.

Independent of any circumstances, it’s truly disheartening when hardware arrives faulty, particularly when it’s a rare collector’s item such as the Astro Bot PS5 controller. The issue with the Astro Bot controller pre-orders has sparked some negative feedback towards Sony and their approach to releasing limited-edition items. This backlash has been further fueled by the unveiling of the PlayStation 5 Pro 30th Anniversary Edition console, which was snapped up in just seconds and quickly appeared on eBay, where scalpers are trying to sell it for thousands of dollars.

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2024-09-28 21:53