IGN: Xbox 360 Transforming D-Pad Controller Review

At the end of the day, the new Xbox 360 controller with a transforming d-pad is largely the same as preceding models, just slightly better. The new d-pad alleviates some of its previous issues, but isn't quite perfect, and smaller tweaks to the thumbsticks and finish make the design a little more ergonomically friendly. But more than anything else, Microsoft isn't charging players for these improvements – the controller is still $64.99 with the bundled play-and-charge system.

[The Matrix]

I would never buy a controller for small alterations like this but it would certainly help the awful gun switching in Gears 2.

[seinfan]

The people who disagree with you must have some weird finger spasms that allow them to have no problems in switching stuff with the D-pad in that game. They should probably get treatment for that.

[PRHB HYBRiiD]

o.o i can switch guns in gears with no problems....u must have only 3 fingers then.

[seinfan]

No, I have 5 digits on each of my hands. Sorry, you have Parkinson's disease or something.

[AAACE5]

I like the controller, it look really good, but i'm not sold on the d-pad thing. The d-pad isn't that much of a factor due to the way I play games, so I don't care.

[A Cupcake for Gabe]

They partially fixed the d-pad and charge you more for it.

[edgeofblade]

Actually, I can settle this...

Many 360 controllers suffer from a design variation where the d pad doesn't sit correctly in the well. This allows it to have less responsive control, but only in the pads that exhibit this flaw.

Thus, some pads will have no problem, and others will take additional pressure in one direction.

[outlawlife]

they aren't charging you any more for it

it is exactly the same price as 360 controllers + charge kits always have been since 360 launched

[SmokexFFx]

Did they run out of green,red,yellow and blue ink or something, what other reason is there for the horrible button colours.

[niceguywii60]

OK... Humans need to associate their regional or cultural alphabets with color to grasp them :p

[Elven6]

Certain games only use color to differentiate choices and not anything else.

Recent example: Fable III mini games. If you've never used a "colored" controller before you might not know which buttons correspond to which color.

Stupid move on Microsoft's side IMO and perhaps the only draw back to the new controller.

[blumatt]

It was pretty dumb of them to change the colors of the buttons. Some people know the buttons moreso by their colors than the assigned letters.

[kaveti6616]

I know them by their positions on the controller. If you still look down at your controller to see what buttons to press by color then I consider you casual gamer.

Edit: Obviously I agree that MS prices their shit too high and that the DS3 is superior in some ways to the 360 controller.

I think this new monochrome color scheme might be a precursor to the design of the next Xbox console. Or maybe Microsoft just wants to differentiate this controller from the shittier one without actually saying, "New and Improved" on the packaging because then that would hurt the sales of the other controller and the bundles that have the other controller.

[blumatt]

I know the controllers without looking obviously, but it still seems kind of dumb to change the colors. What purpose could that serve? And not only that, but $65 is ALOT of money for a controller. Hell the Dualshock is only $50 and it has a built-in rechargeable battery too. MS prices their shit too high.
Edit: @ Blaine Thank you. It's true that MS likes to charge too much for their peripherals. The fact is, MS should have had a built-in rechargeable battery from launch and it should cost about $50 or less, NOT $65.

[Blaine]

DS3 has built-in battery, sixaxis, and bluetooth--for 50$.

[NnT3291]

@ kaveti :I have both ps3 and 360, and the X button still confuses me sometimes. I guess because both controller have the X button

[Bigpappy]

But the 360 controller layout and feel is prefered by most.

[skrug]

@Bigpappy

by most?
speak for yourself.

MS is trying to save as much money as possible xD

[sak500]

I agree i dont like the change of colors even though i know the layout but what about the prompts in game on QTEs? They will start changing those as well? How stupid of MS. I already have 5 controllers and dont need anymore.

[thebudgetgamer]

the 360 has an awesome cotroller, but this does very little to fix the horrid d-pad.

[kaveti6616]

What do you mean? Doesn't this controller redesign directly address the crappy D-pad?

Edit: If you're right, then that's really stupid of Microsoft. How hard is it to make a proper directional pad. Sony's been doing it for a long time.

[thebudgetgamer]

i mean the 360 has what might be the worst d-pad ever created, and this doen't do much to fix it.

[Nathaniel_Drake]

I don't have a 360, but I thought this did replace the crappy d-pad

[thebudgetgamer]

game informer did a review overall it was positive except for the d-pad

Andy Mac and I also took Super Street Fighter IV out for a fight or two using d-pads only and swapping between the original controller and the new one to compare. Once again, the changes felt only minor and didn’t make our special moves any easier to execute.

http://gameinformer.com/b/n...

[Sarcasm]

Wait, the whole point of this controller was to address the d-pad! If it still sucks, then what's the point?

But I have to get my hands on one though and be the judge for myself. I use a the 360 pad for my PC games a lot.

[jarrod1981]

luckily i dont play any games that require constant use of the d-pad. its definately isnt great but ive never had any serious problems. just like i dont like the triggers on ds3 but it has never ruined a game for me and i like the ds3 alot.

[xskipperx82]

Wow.....
Even a 360 controller gets bashed on this horrible site. I really can't stand this. How old is everybody here?

[Cevapi88]

u mad?

go somewhere else then...this happens for each platform...why are you surprised

[xskipperx82]

Each platform??? YOU mad?

[GoldPS3]

Can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

[lowcarb]

But honestly who cares about there bashing? Let them hate all day they don't change anything in the real world.

[DeathMetal]

if this will work on the PC?

[thebudgetgamer]

i dont think internally its any different from the origanal 360 controller.

[Letros]

Yea, you just need this overpriced doohicky

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-...

I just used the wired controller, wonder if this new one will come in wired format.

[JacobIsHollywood]

Looks good.

Here's my thing...

Why can't we have a perfect controller? seriously? How hard is that to do?

Give the 360 pad the PS3's d-pad, R1/L1 buttons, lithium-ion battery, and home button.

Or...

Give the DS3 the 360 pad's ergonomic joysticks w/concave tops, triggers, and shape.

Why do we have to settle for "it'll do"?!?

I honestly don't understand why someone like me or you doesn't work at Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo. What is so hard about giving people what they want?

[kaveti6616]

Those exist. There are plenty of hybrid controllers on the net that are just like the one you want. I can't link it to you because, well, I'm just lazy. But you can google it yourself.

[JacobIsHollywood]

Every single one of them sucks. Trust me. I've tried them all.

[jarrod1981]

yeah if the ds3 just had 360 triggers it would be perfect. thats all it needs. otherwise its great although i do prefer the 360 overall regardless of the d-pad as its the least used part of the controller for most games i play.

[OhReginald]

9gn at it aGAIN

[Thoreau]

buttons, not a directional pad plate.

[Darrius Cole]

But is it accurate? They didn't say anything about its accuracy. The default 360 d-pad is horribly inaccurate. I like to play 3-D fighting games and for that I need a perfectly accurate d-pad. Hence I use my PS3 for them. Still, if I had an accurate D-pad I might get more use out of my 360.

[Paradise Lost]

Looks good, have to try out the analog sticks because i despise the ones right now.

[hot4play]

Awesome! It's looking more and more like the Dual Shock 3!