The other day, I got into one of those unexpected yet passionate conversations with several of my fellow gamers, and this time, the current state of gaming controllers was the topic. You know, the kind that starts with someone saying they hate a certain controller and suddenly turns into a full-blown tech breakdown. We were swapping stories about gamepads from past consoles, like my Sega Genesis controller that got run over by a car and worked fine afterwards, to the newer stuff that breaks if you look at it. It was during that time someone stated, “Man, they don’t make controllers like they used to.”
And yeah, I couldn’t agree more.
Today’s controllers might look slick and feel premium, but they’ve got one major flaw that’s somehow still an issue in 2025: joystick drift. It’s the bane of modern gaming. You’re in the middle of a game, and suddenly your character starts moonwalking to the left, or the camera starts spinning like it’s had one too many drinks, even though your hands aren’t touching the sticks. That’s joystick drift.
During the chat, someone asked the million-dollar question: “Why haven’t Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo just used Hall Effect joysticks?”
Well, that’s a really good question.
What’s a Hall Effect Sensor Joystick, Anyway?
If you’ve never heard of them, Hall Effect Sensor joysticks are a different breed. Instead of relying on parts grinding against each other, they use magnets to detect movement. Less friction, less wear, more precision. It’s not new tech either; it’s been around for decades and is used in various industries, from aerospace to automotive. It’s basically the joystick version of “set it and forget it.”
Meanwhile, potentiometers that are currently used in controllers are like cheap tires. They’ll work fine for a while, but eventually, you’re going to have to deal with the fallout and probably pay for a replacement. But as we’re seeing, we are playing gamers longer, so instead of it taking years before this phenomenon takes effect, it can occur in months, weeks, or, as some have found out, in days. So then they have to try to get their controllers replaced under warranty, or fork over more money for a new one to continue gaming.
So again, why not just make the switch?
The Real Answer? Cost.
Just like most things in the gaming industry, it always comes back to money, doesn’t it? Look, in 2025, you’re already paying between $60 and $80 for a standard controller. If you want a “pro” version, like the Xbox Elite or PlayStation DualSense Edge, you’re easily looking at $200 or more. Tossing in Hall Effect tech sounds great until you realize it would bump the price up even further, and for the big three, that’s a problem. Higher prices mean fewer people buy them.
But here’s the real kicker: if they did use Hall Effect sticks, you probably wouldn’t need to replace your controller every year or two. And that’s exactly why they don’t. They make more money when your controller eventually breaks and you’re forced to buy a new one. It’s the sad truth.
I’ll give a little (very little) credit to Sony here. The DualSense Edge at least lets you swap out the analog stick modules. If one goes bad, you don’t have to tear the whole thing apart or send it in. Just slide in a new module and you’re good. That’s smart.
But for the $200+ asking price? They should’ve just used Hall Effect joysticks from the jump. Still, at least Sony made some effort to save consumers money, unlike Microsoft, which didn’t bother at all.
Thankfully, There Are Alternatives
Here we are, decades into modern gaming, and controller drift is still a thing. Meanwhile, several third-party companies have stepped up as the real heroes of the controller world by releasing gamepads equipped with Hall Effect sensors. Brands like Gulikit, 8BitDo, FLYDIGI, GameSir, Razer, and NYXI have been leading the charge, offering controllers that not only resist joystick drift but often cost the same, or even less, than official first-party options. With longer-lasting components and growing fan support, these companies are quickly becoming the go-to choice for players tired of replacing worn-out sticks.
Gulikit has even gone the extra mile by releasing parts that can be used to modify first-party controllers, including Xbox Series controllers, PlayStation DualSense controllers, and even Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons, effectively eliminating joystick drift, assuming you’re comfortable with a soldering iron.
Hell, the 8Bitdo controllers even include a dongle and a charging dock, where official Xbox controllers require you to use batteries or buy a separate charging station. Is that not a total win or not?
Sony, Xbox, and Nintendo May Never Do What We Want
The truth is, the big dogs, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, haven’t made the move yet. Maybe they will eventually. Maybe they never will. If any of them did, that’s a considerable amount of money they’d be leaving on the table. After all, the only new controllers they seem to push are those special and limited-edition variants. Until then, it’s up to the aftermarket, modders, and smaller brands to do what the industry giants won’t: give us the controller tech we deserve.
