Reliable controller similar to DualShock 4?
I got my DualShock 4 back in 2020 and used it very rarely as I usually prefer M&KB. But after 50 hours of use ovee the years, it started having occasional stick drift where it starts registering a jittery 70% left input when let go (so deadzone recalibration is impossible) and now at only around 100 total hours the sticks are basically unusable. The canned air trick didn't work either so it's dead without replacing the sensor, which isn't cheap as a full soldering kit, practice kit (it's been 20 years) and one DS4 HE sensor is £35 total, plus time.
So I had a look around but I see people mention build complaints about even newer controllers: 8BitDo Pro 2 apparently has a stiff d-pad and bad diagonals and might be sold an older potentiometer version, the Pro 3 has more dpad complaints, and the Ultimate is an XBox layout. While the GameSir G7 Pro also has a bad d-pad and I even saw mention of stick drift despite using hall effect sensors.
Surely there's got to be a controller that isn't bad?
Budget: Any/BIFL-level quality; considering the DS4 cost 50p per hour of use, practically anything would be an upgrade in value. But if no such controller exists then £150 max.
Country: UK
Platform: PC
Features: Good d-pad and sticks. PS-style layout and ergonomics. No stick drift, or extremely easy/cheap sensor repair. Capable of being used wired.
Games: Primarily sidescrollers and metroidvanias (Astlibra Revision uses both d-pad and sticks, so both are required), but the occasional 3D game as well such as Nier and 1000XResist.
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