User replaceable batteries are... fine? Expected; preferred even? 40 hours on a single charge is more than adequate, imo, and if the controllers were too light that might actually bother some players.
Nothing against user-replaceable batteries, just that they use AA batteries. I was expecting something a bit more long lasting and rechargeable via USB.
I'm not trying to sell you on these in particular, it's just that I am struggling to find "non-German" results. Go search for them on ebay or a local store.
Those are cool but it does seem like they are forced to have that form factor to fit in most existing devices.
While a brand new device could employ something more apt? Even say something larger which can store more energy, dunno. It just feel off to still have AA batteries (which are generally not rechargeable) in a new product in 2025 which is not targeted to elderlies.
Maybe I'm just old but I bought some Eneloop rechargable batteries in 2008 and then some more Amazon branded rechargable batteries in like 2015 and a single charger and they've been powering devices consistently for over a decade. Half of my toddler's toys run on AA or AAA batteries. Calling them old fashioned feels like complaining the form factor of a 12 oz/330ml soda can is old; technically you're right but it's been around for 50 years because it works exceptionally well.
>AA batteries (which are generally not rechargeable)
I can't recall the last time I saw single use batteries in use, except maybe in a brand new remote control bundled with a TV, which was quickly swapped for rechargable. I don't even think of this most months, from where I'm siting I can see my battery chager and there's two sets of AA and a set of AAA sitting on there fully charged, ready to go. I think I paid $12 for the charger in 2008, very low barrier to entry.
