New 360 controller (with major d-pad change).

[darkswordsman17]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/31/new-xbox-360-controller-with-improved-d-pad-confirmed-by-major-n/

Hey, what's this? We just started hearing rumors this morning that Microsoft was planning a new Xbox 360 controller with an improved D-pad, and bang -- Major Nelson just went live with a YouTube video detailing the new piece. The new D-pad is a trick new patented design that's just as we heard from Joystiq: it's a disc in the normal configuration, but a quick twist raises the crossbars about a quarter-inch, making it eminently more usable. (That sound you hear is joyous weeping.) The analog sticks have also been slightly tweaked to be concave, and -- wonder of wonders -- the ABXY buttons are now translucent monochrome instead of colored. Wild. The new matte silver controller will only come bundled with the Play and Charge kit for $64.99 when it launches on November 9 in the States and replaces the existing wireless controller -- it'll hit Europe around February. Yep, it definitely seems like a major upgrade, but we've got a couple questions: when will it replace the packed-in controller? What about all the people who just bought new Stealthboxes and got the older controller? And, most importantly, when can we have one to try out? We're pressing for answers and we'll let you know -- check the video after the break in the meantime.

Meh. The D-pad might be good, but it seems kinda gimmicky. I don't think it was the shape, it was the feel and responsiveness, and I'm not sure that this will really resolve this. I can't believe they bothered with changing the button colors, and I don't think the new ones are any better. Can't say I really like the new color scheme either. Should make a gun-metal grey one that matches the plastic used on the original system and controller.

Also, $65? Even with the play n charge kit, that's just ridiculous.

The new sticks might be better, although the old ones weren't really a problem. I wanted more though (switch the position of the right stick and the face buttons, do something about the RB/LB buttons, they're just placed horribly in my opinion, and maybe trim the "legs" to make it a bit leaner).

 

[JoPh]

eh. i guess people use the dpad a lot? i know its awful but its hardly used.

only time i used it was in a 2d fighter.

 

[BoberFett]

It's frequently used a weapon or ability switcher. It'd be nice to get a little better control over the 8 way so you don't spend time rocking the pad back and forth between two directions trying to find the diagonal.

Edit: Are they really changing the color of the buttons? If so that's stupid and a terrible UI mistake. Hopefully it's just a tarted up marketing piece and not the production model.

 

[herkulease]

interesting design of the d pad.

 

[Kabob]

I saw this a few mins ago. Not enough change to make me wanna switch although if the D pad works better I'd be happy. I like the old colorful buttons though.

That said I do need a new controller, I'll go with whatever's cheapest.

 

[Queasy]

Yeah, I've already got four controllers so I don't have a really compelling reason to upgrade.

I hope they are updating the sensors beneath the d-pad on top of the twist change. That was the biggest problem.

Also disappointed that the only way to get this is with the play and charge kit. That's just unnecessary.

 

[SunnyD]

Yeah... um... even in the games that use the D-pad for certain things, I'm usually standing around trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do until the game hints at me that I have to use the D-pad.

 

[fbrdphreak]

That said I do need a new controller, I'll go with whatever's cheapest.

If the reviews don't call out a noticeable improvement, I'll be picking up the "original" controller when it inevitably goes on clearance.

 

[Drako]

Why the hell did they gray out the A,B,X,Y buttons?

And play and charge only? WTF

 

[fbrdphreak]

Why the hell did they gray out the A,B,X,Y buttons?

And play and charge only? WTF

AFAIK they didn't say play and charge only, it's going to be released that way at first. I wouldn't be surprised to see a "regular" version released a bit later.

 

[Staples]

Too expensive. I won't be buying it. Play and charge kits are ridiculous also, standard alkaline batteries work for so long in the controller to begin with. Also, I use NiMH and just use a charger I have had for 10 years.

Nice changes to the D pad but I do not like the color of the bumper buttons.

 

[KaOTiK]

They still don't understand the main reason their Dpad sucks balls. It is because of it just being a disk on the metal rod in the center that connects it to the controller. Sure having defined directions molded on the disc in nice but doesn't do anything for the real problem.

I really don't get why they would get rid of the colors on the buttons either unless they are trying to make it appear less like a childs toy with lots of colors on it

 

[ubercaffeinated]

i think i'll pick it up if i have enough amazon credit built up. i like having special versions of the controller for when friends come over to play - the nice ones are off limits to anyone but me.

 

[ivan2]

They still don't understand the main reason their Dpad sucks balls. It is because of it just being a disk on the metal rod in the center that connects it to the controller. Sure having defined directions molded on the disc in nice but doesn't do anything for the real problem.

I really don't get why they would get rid of the colors on the buttons either unless they are trying to make it appear less like a childs toy with lots of colors on it

the reason the d pad suck ball is because the small amount of travel and how stiff it is, you don't get to feel which direction it went. the madcatz street fighter pad is also a disc on a stick type and it doesn't suck. in the picture, it does seem bigger, which is a welcome change. however greying out the button is going to make it very confusing for many.

 

[gorcorps]

I'm all for changing the d-pad, but why the FUCK would they get rid of the colored buttons? I mean I know where they are, but there are a ton of games out there that use the button names and colors in quicktime evens, or tutorials and such. I mean the buttons are above the receivers' heads in Madden FFS, which is one of the more widely played games out there.

There was no reason to it.

 

[Drako]

I'm all for changing the d-pad, but why the FUCK would they get rid of the colored buttons? I mean I know where they are, but there are a ton of games out there that use the button names and colors in quicktime evens, or tutorials and such. I mean the buttons are above the receivers' heads in Madden FFS, which is one of the more widely played games out there.

There was no reason to it.

Hear, hear.

I don't understand this move at all. My wife is confused enough using the controller - with this she would be completely lost.

 

[Aikouka]

The removal of the colored buttons was my first comment on it as well... given the UIs for the Dashboard and a lot of games use the colored icons, it won't actually represent what people see anymore. It's not like Microsoft can necessary make some silly patch that changes the colors (upon detection or permanently) either... because what happens if you use both types of controller on one system?

 

[KentState]

Removing the colored buttons makes this a major downgrade IMO. Why to fuck up a pretty decent design.

 

[zerocool84]

My biggest complaint still is the lack of built-in battery which makes the controller much heavier but it's just so they can get away with charging people more to be able to charge it.

 

[American Gunner]

My biggest complaint still is the lack of built-in battery which makes the controller much heavier but it's just so they can get away with charging people more to be able to charge it.

I like it, it's better than trying to charge your controller like on the PS3. I just buy rechargable batteries for other things around my house and use a few for my Xbox.

 

[KentState]

I like it, it's better than trying to charge your controller like on the PS3. I just buy rechargable batteries for other things around my house and use a few for my Xbox.

I like it because I can have a spare battery on the charger ready to swap out when necessary. With the PS3, I have to plug it in unless I want to unwind a 20 ft usb cable.

 

[Pheran]

I'm usually pretty lenient on Microsoft, but this just has FAIL written all over it.

1. The timing is utterly stupid, if they were going to upgrade the controller, it should have been released with the new 360-S.

2. The removal of the colors on the buttons is utterly stupid.

3. The mandatory play-n-charge is utterly stupid.

They seem bound and determined to foster some ill-will by announcing this right after the Live price increase.

 

[foghorn67]

I'm due for another controller. The analog sticks on my current one are getting creaky and wonky. Wouldn't hurt to get the whole package since I always wanted another play and charge kit anyway.
Count me in for one.

 

[smackababy]

Any game I would use the directional pad in, it use an arcade stick. Still, if my current controller breaks I might pick one up if it is on sale.

 

[bucwylde23]

Major Nelson tweeted that the grayed out buttons were only for the special edition controller. He said the standard controllers would still have colors.

@MajorNelson: FYI the grey ABXY buttons are just for this one new controller. It's not the de facto standard from now on.