Lifespan of Gaming Consoles

Well, my PS3 died. I was just using the web browser the other day to check something online when everything suddenly shut off and the system wouldn't boot anymore. That's pretty surprising considering the console was hardly used over the last 5 years. I really treated that thing like a princess, a $600 princess.

I have a Super Nintendo that still starts and plays perfectly. And I have dropped that thing many times, spilled stuff on it, and even accidentally stepped on it once. I know there aren't as many parts in the SNES, but does that excuse newer consoles from upholding the same durability standards upheld by the old ones? I have never had problems with the Sega Master System, NES or Genesis. They all still work today as if they were new. But my PS3 only lived for 5 years?? And my XBOX for 11 months??

Does anyone else have a gaming system that died and how long did it last?

Fun times. The only brand I've had problems with is Sony. My PS2, which lasted about 3 years developed lens problems. It only reads blue backed discs, and it refuses to read the white backed DVD discs that MOST of the PS2 games are made on. It's now basically a very expensive PS1, except I already have a PS1...so now it's an expensive Sega Saturn stand. It's since been replaced by the "slim" PS2, which still works. 5 years for Sony's launch iteration of their console seems right in my experience as well.

Similarly, my PS1 decided to stop displaying the color yellow. It has since been relegated to paperweight status. I personally had it for about 6 months, but the system, of course, is much older.

Actually, I know how you feel. Nothing like knowing your Atari 2600 and NES are more reliable than your newer systems. However, you have to remember that up until the PS1, no systems really had moving parts. No lenses, no disc drives, no hard drives, and no fans. These are what usually fail most often on any given "newer" console. Basically, you can't really expect any more of them than you can a computer with a hard drive, and my oldest computer died on me after 8 years of service.

Usually, it's been in my best interest to buy Nintendo's systems first. They historically have very low failure rates. "Slim" seems to be Sony's magic word, and "Jasper Chip" is the solution to most of the 360's woes. My original Xbox still runs fine though.

I guess my final thought is that sometimes it happens. I'm much more surprised at your PS3 dying than your 360. I've known gamers that have literally gone through a dozen 360s. If you got 11 months out of a first through third generation 360, which have about a 60%, 56%, and 35% failure rate respectively...you're doing better than most. It's not good news, but at least the Jasper 360s and the Slim PS3s out now are much more reliable (I'm hoping).

My ps3 died after a year (maybe less I can't remember). It was perfect until we tried hooking it up to Netflix using that disk they send, and then the thing displayed pink and blue screens, and then nothing, and then the lights stopped turning on when we hit the power button. Our ps2 still works fine, I dunno where our ps1 is but it never died, we just stopped using it.

I want to buy a new ps3 but I'm wary of quality and I am short on moneys.

I had 3 PS2 for like 4 or 5 years, being the last 2 slim. I've had my PS3 for little over than a year and I don't user it much. I have always had the most care with my consoles (one of my PS2 fell 2 or 3 times, short distance) except with my PS1 which always worked and it was dropped down like I don't know how many times and was at the mercy of my friends at some parties at home back in the days. I eventually gave it to a cousin and to my knowledge it never broke.

Anyway, if my PS3 ever breaks down, that's the end of consoles for me.

I never remember having that much of a problem storing data on my Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, but I say I've had more problems with GBA battery saving than any other system ever. The DS cartridges are completely free of this annoying attribute, thankfully.

Hey, it's relevant!

My PS3 actually just died on me tonight. I've had it since November 2006, so it's lasted a good chunk of time. This is the first system that's ever died on me, ending my lucky streak. Luckily, from what I read online, the problem seems to be with the circuit board (the CPU likely needs to be reflowed back onto the pads -- that and it's probably LOADED with dust in there), and I work in the circuit board industry....So, I think I'm gonna try to fix it myself, rather than send Sony $150 and not get my same system back. If it fails, I have a friend that works at a used media store that can get me a discount on a used one (preferably one that's still backwards compatible with PS2 games), and I'll still have my current hard drive with all my saves and the like on them. So, here's hoping that I can get it back up soon...I was really getting into Skyrim, gosh darn it.

My launch PS2 and launch XBox died on the same day a few years ago, well I may be able to take them apart, I never got round to it as I no longer have a tv. They both power on, but the PS2 does not seem to be sending video and the Xbox does not read discs.

My Dreamcast, SNES, Atari 2600, Sega Genesis and Sga CD all work last I checked as does my Neo Geo Pocket Color.

My Panasonic Q GameCube does not open but does play what is trapped inside.

Ny NES works but you have to try loading games at least 2 dozen times.

I just remembered that when I was a kid, my brother threw my Sega Genesis across the room, he broke it. I was given another broken one and made them into one functioning one. Still works. He did this with my Atari 2600 too much earlier in our childhood. I later purchased an older Atari 2600 used with 30 games and this was still the 80s. IT still works last I tried.

I forgot I have a GBA with special King of Fighters packaging and case but I never play it. IT still works and my Tiger Electronics Castlevania II: Simon's Quest and a handful of other games like this still work.

FUCK THAT! ;)


i really love my xbox 360, but as my classic 360 freezes more and more during New Vegas i bought a new slim 360 just some days before Skyrim came out ;) Just to be save!

well I'm rather fond of my pq it still lights up, it is so cute. I think I need to get a new belt for the sliding door.

I have been advised to clean the laser of my xbox and ps2 but I am kind of sidelined of the urgency of these repairs due to no tv.

I've cleaned the lasers of DVD players and PS1s and Dreamcasts before. Older systems are easier top repair, I repaired my NES recognize games but I actually had to take plyers to the slot as it had been spread too far apart by people jamming games into it too hard. I forgot to mention my NES is used and has as is for 5.00 written on the top in permanent marker. My older NES was sold by my brother, it was a shared device and he made me so mad.

My PS3 actually just died on me tonight. I've had it since November 2006, so it's lasted a good chunk of time. This is the first system that's ever died on me, ending my lucky streak. Luckily, from what I read online, the problem seems to be with the circuit board (the CPU likely needs to be reflowed back onto the pads -- that and it's probably LOADED with dust in there), and I work in the circuit board industry....So, I think I'm gonna try to fix it myself, rather than send Sony $150

Sorry to hear the bad news. Actually, I just wanted to give an update on the console. Around the time it broke, I did reflux it using a hair dryer. I managed to get it to boot and eject my DVD and work long enough to delete my PSN account. But it died a few days later again, this time for good.

Does anyone know of the lifespan for the Wii? I was wondering b/c I have it since 2006.

Sorry to hear the bad news. Actually, I just wanted to give an update on the console. Around the time it broke, I did reflux it using a hair dryer. I managed to get it to boot and eject my DVD and work long enough to delete my PSN account. But it died a few days later again, this time for good.

I fixed mine up as good as I could...Unfortunately, my console overheated so badly that the solder under the CPU started bursting out, covering other parts with solder. It was extremely dusty inside, including all over the fan. Since I've played the system for years without an issue, I'm guessing that the eventual piles of dust gathering around the components caused the overheating, rather than an actual problem with the console itself. The only issue I blame Sony with is that the only way to clean the dust build-up off that would lead to the demise of a system is to void the warranty, crack open the system, and then spend 20 minutes pulling the console apart to get to the circuit board and another 20 minutes putting everything back together again.

Let me know when it dies again. Lol, just kidding...sorta.

I still have my "paper-weight" but it's more like a shoe stand at the moment. I actually bought two launch consoles back in 2005 or 2006 or whenever the hell it came out, and kept one NIB until PS3 # 1 lost its brave struggle for life. Now it will serve as parts for PS3 # 2 if ever needed.

my first generation 360 died about 6 months ago, my boyfriend bought me the new 360 slim which I luv but noticed that it got really hot so I went out and bought a intercooler fan that snaps onto the side my 360 is now cool as a cucumber. I still have my original xbox I have had no problems with it except the connector on the back came loose and had to be re soldered. Recently I had to replace my gamecube because I let my cousin barrow it and found out they had bed bugs so I let them keep it, but I found a damn near brand new one in box at a local thrift store for $8 couldn't believe it.

I feel bad for the people that bought the green doorstops. The first Xbox was horrible about that.


My dreamcast started flaking out after abusing it for 8 years or so. I got a good run out of it. None of my other systems died that I can think of.

My launch Xbox died in 09, my DC is still kicking

Yeah, the Super Nintendo, Megadrive (Genesis) and old systems are like indestructible and still work after 20 years of abuse whereas the new systems starting up with the PS1 can die between 3 years up to 8 years (if you are lucky...). My first PS1 (bought when it was just launched) lasted about 2 or 3 years (after playing like a mad guy everyday). The first WII was stolen (! ok no relevant, but still....) and the 2nd one broke down after 2 years of weekly use.... Screw the new systems!

Yeah, the newer the system the more things that can flat out go wrong.

Still, I've never had a system die on me... yet. I have a launch PS3 but I didn't buy it at launch; I purchased it second hand and the person who had it barely touched it. Thing is I play the thing sparingly cause I want the thing the last so I play PS1 and PS2 on PS2 since I don't have an HD TV anyway.

The only thing I've had break on a system is my Super Nintendo's AC adapter and that was a quick fix. Also, I had to replace the battery in my Advance SP as it wasn't holding much of a charge... but that's a $7 fix.

i remember "blade runner " now
they make things these day with short life spin in purposed