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

A PlayStation 5 gamer managed to get their hands on the rare Astro Bot-themed controller, but it arrived broken. To help promote its new 3D platformer Astro Bot, Sony created a special limited edition DualSense controller themed after the game. Like other limited-edition hardware, the Astro Bot controller sold out quickly, and it has been next to impossible for many fans to get their hands on it without resorting to paying ridiculous scalper prices.

Speaking from my own experience, I missed out on the initial batch of Astro Bot PS5 controller pre-orders. Then Walmart had a supposed restock, and I thought I secured my pre-order. The controller was supposed to arrive on September 6, coinciding with Astro Bot‘s release date. Fast-forward to the end of September, and it still hasn’t arrived. I’ve since given up hope and canceled my pre-order, but others managed to get their hands on the highly sought-after 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

Other users advised against sending the controller in for repair, as there have been times in the past where special PS5 controllers have been sent in, only for users to get a regular controller back. Another user said that they had good luck sending their God of War-themed PS5 controller in for repairs, so mileage may vary, but it may be better to play it safe.

Regardless, it’s extremely disappointing when hardware arrives defective, especially when it’s a limited-edition collector’s item like the Astro Bot PS5 controller. The debacle with the Astro Bot controller pre-orders has led to some criticism of Sony and how it handles the release of limited-edition items. These criticisms have been exacerbated by the recently revealed PlayStation 5 Pro 30th Anniversary Edition console, which sold out in mere seconds and has since been posted on eBay by scalpers hoping to get thousands of dollars for the device.