New 360 controller

[Lance]

CNet Article (http://www.cnet.com.au/new-360-controller-on-the-horizon-339305696.htm?feed=rss)

All I can say is woot! It really can be an annoyance, even for games that don't extensively use the D-Pad. But since I have.... 5 controllers floating around I think, I don't know if I'll fork out on it until they start to fail (knowing Microsoft the way won't be too long though.)

[Steph]

Oh yeah I totally agree that the precision on the d-pad is pretty annoying. So many times when I try to pull out a pipe bomb and I've turned my torch off or something ...

But yeah I dunno if I would buy this ...

[Serio]

I have three controllers, two of them a bit worn but still functional, and a new one that works like a charm in comparison to somewhat abused buttons on the other two. But none of them have ever failed. That being said, this is definitely good news to all those that have problems with the D-Pad, including myself. I pray they won't pull a "This is new, so we price it at 50% more than the old controllers" stunt on these though.

[Jason]

I've never had this problem actually, although I'm yet to think of a game where I've used it for anything other than a quick press once every couple of minutes to select an item quickly, but I've heard a few people mentioning this as an irritation.

I don't mind this, even if I think it's a little on the pricey side - the Xbox controller is, in my eyes, the best of the current generation of controllers, even though Microsoft didn't manage to reproduce those beautifully responsive thumbsticks from the original Xbox controller.

[Steph]

I don't mind this, even if I think it's a little on the pricey side - the Xbox controller is, in my eyes, the best of the current generation of controllers, even though Microsoft didn't manage to reproduce those beautifully responsive thumbsticks from the original Xbox controller.

Really? This is the first I've heard of anyone preferring the xbox controller. I usually hear people say 'You need four thumbs to use it!' etc.

[Jason]

Ah yeah, design-wise it was a complete dog unless you had hands the size of dustbin lids (I have long-ish fingers, so I got on with it fine, but I can see why many would hate it), but the actual thumbsticks themselves were damn-near perfect. They were responsive, they gripped your thumb nicely, and they weren't too loose or tight. It's the one gripe I have with the PS3 pads - the thumbsticks always feel a little too loose.

[CemeteryGates]

^Agreed.
I also prefer the triggers to R2 and L2, at least for shooters.


I just had my two controllers repaired last night. The left bumper on one didn't work, and the plastic on top of the left stick on the other broke. I've had them since 2006, though, so it's not surprising.
I was thinking of buying a new controller, so I'll probably pick this up, but I find it annoying that it's only available with the Play 'n' Charge kit, which I bought just a few weeks ago.

[Diachron]

I'd say the 360 controller has been my second-favorite controller of all time. The first would have to be the dual-shock. Both require different pressure, so switching back and forth can require a bit of adaption.

But the D-pad has always been my biggest complaint on the 360 controller. This is a much needed fix.

[MotherGraham~]

Same story here. I am used to the D-Pad especially with games such as Fable 2 where I'd have to choose expressions. There I noticed the precision was awful to the maximum. While I am fond of the X360's controller in overall, I must say I'm happy to see this change.

The only thing that is a bit down is that we'd just have to buy another controller.

[Lance]

Now, this May seem like a stupid idea.

But wouldn't it be nice if Microsoft offered a discount - say 25%-50% off the price of a new controller if you trade your old one in.

Then they could.. you know... pop the D-Pad's out of the old ones, pop the new ones in and resell them at a discount (since they're 2nd hand)

[MotherGraham~]

That's not a stupid idea at all, Lance. However, you know what Microsoft is like if it comes to selling.

[Lance]

I know -.-

The funny thing is, they could probably make more money doing it that way - or at least break even, since the money they loose on offering the discount would be more than made up for by reselling the 2nd hand controller at a discount price.

But yeah, this is Microsoft we're talking about - they don't think any other way than first point profits.

[MyNameDidntFit]

Also, they mentioned that there are other improvements being made so it wouldn't quite be so simple as 'popping out the Dpad'... which means it would cost money and effort which, even in my view, wouldn't be worth it for them.



Also, I'm in the camp of "never noticed the Dpad issues on Xbox controllers"... but maybe that's 'cause I only ever seem to play Halo on Xboxes...


PS: I like Sony controllers better. They feel nicer to hold, IMO. Though when the PS3 first came out the controllers didn't have the plastic at the bottom of R2/L2 which meant that when I was playing lying in bed on my front I would repeatedly press R2 or L2 with the bed by accident... often causing self-grenading -_- I can't remember whether that changed or whether I got used to it, though >.>

[Lance]

You self-grenaded while laying in bed all the time? I think we'll leave that one alone :p

[dimples]

Never had any trouble with d-pad. So keep your controller :D

[CemeteryGates]

Also, they mentioned that there are other improvements being made so it wouldn't quite be so simple as 'popping out the Dpad'... which means it would cost money and effort which, even in my view, wouldn't be worth it for them.



Also, I'm in the camp of "never noticed the Dpad issues on Xbox controllers"... but maybe that's 'cause I only ever seem to play Halo on Xboxes...


PS: I like Sony controllers better. They feel nicer to hold, IMO. Though when the PS3 first came out the controllers didn't have the plastic at the bottom of R2/L2 which meant that when I was playing lying in bed on my front I would repeatedly press R2 or L2 with the bed by accident... often causing self-grenading -_- I can't remember whether that changed or whether I got used to it, though >.>


The PS3 controller is just very well made. The feel of the quality in your hands is like no other.
I still find the sticks awkward, though.
You probably just got used to it, because I have the same problem with my DualShock 3 controllers.

[pigarmy]

this is the one I am waiting fer. http://www.razerzone.com/thenextchapter/

[MyNameDidntFit]

this is the one I am waiting fer. http://www.razerzone.com/thenextchapter/

Eh. Razor have always seemed over-priced and gimmicky to me. Sure, you get a 3 or 4ms shorter reaction time and a pretty green logo on your hardware but... is that really worth paying essentially double the price?

To me they're like brand-name clothes -- negligible quality difference, but you pay an extra $X to say "I have <brand> jeans!"... and I'm not one for that sort of thing.


(plus I think most of their stuff looks horrid >.>)

[pigarmy]

Eh. Razor have always seemed over-priced and gimmicky to me. Sure, you get a 3 or 4ms shorter reaction time and a pretty green logo on your hardware but... is that really worth paying essentially double the price?

To me they're like brand-name clothes -- negligible quality difference, but you pay an extra $X to say "I have <brand> jeans!"... and I'm not one for that sort of thing.


(plus I think most of their stuff looks horrid >.>)

Thanks I have never used or bought a Razor product. But I like the idea of adjusting the tension on the stix.

[Jason]

Yeah, that's an interesting feature. I'll keep an eye out for reviews on that pad. Of course, the real catch will likely be the price. Razer make good stuff, but boy do they charge for it.

[MyNameDidntFit]

Thanks I have never used or bought a Razor product. But I like the idea of adjusting the tension on the stix.

It's an interesting one, sure, but I honestly can't see it being particularly useful... but I guess I'm just a crotchety old cynic who doesn't like all these new newfangled gimmicks that cost money :p

[Archangel]

Yeah, being able to adjust the tension will, more often that not I'd say, result in your realising that you're used to the default tension, and therefore you won't change a thing.

That said though, the nice sleek blackness of that controller is nice, but the razor logo is less so. And furthermore, I don't have a 360, so that's all I have to say.