The short version
- Typical range: £15 – £50
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Gaming
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used game controller is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for game controllers, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £50 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £42 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £32 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £22 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £12 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a game controller
- No stick drift on either analogue stick
- Responsive triggers and bumpers
- Official controllers over third-party
- Original cables and any dongles
What lowers it
- Stick drift, the standard failure
- Worn trigger springs and sticky buttons
- Missing wireless dongles
- Third-party controllers, worth very little
How to work out what yours is worth
- Test both sticks for drift in a calibration screen
- Press every button and trigger
- Confirm any dongle or cable is included
Once you have those three answers you can place your own game controller on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
What is stick drift?
The analogue stick registering movement when untouched. It is the standard controller failure and the first thing buyers test.
Are third-party controllers worth selling?
For very little. Official controllers hold value considerably better.
Does a missing dongle matter?
On wireless controllers that need one, yes — it is paired and proprietary, and without it the controller may be unusable.
More value guides: gaming guides · all value guides · browse live gaming listings.