Hey Napster, You are very right. I bought this controller preowned and there are slice marks in the rubber where the person tried to open it and failed. I was able to open with out a terrible amount of difficulty by using the thin metal wedger tool thingy from the ifixit kit while simultaneously holding portions open with the blue triangle. Try pushing the tip of whatever your using to the bottom half of the controller then in a little more and then pry up. (near the b button). If it pops the top half out a little then wedge a placeholder in there then try the other side. Once you get both sides try a little lower near the vibrator then same for the other side and by then it should be easy enough to open with your hands. I struggled heavily the first time but found this was the easiest way. Good luck!