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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.

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gear.ign.com
The Matrix5661d ago

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

seinfan5661d ago

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 HYBRiiD5661d ago

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

seinfan5661d ago

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

AAACE55661d ago

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 Gabe5660d ago

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

edgeofblade5660d ago

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.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5660d ago
outlawlife5660d ago (Edited 5660d ago )

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

SmokexFFx5661d ago

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

niceguywii605661d ago

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

Elven65661d ago

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.

blumatt5661d ago

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.

kaveti66165661d ago (Edited 5661d ago )

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.

blumatt5661d ago (Edited 5661d ago )

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.

Blaine5661d ago

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

NnT32915661d ago

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

Bigpappy5661d ago

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

skrug5661d ago (Edited 5661d ago )

@Bigpappy

by most?
speak for yourself.

MS is trying to save as much money as possible xD

sak5005661d ago

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.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 5661d ago
thebudgetgamer5661d ago

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

kaveti66165661d ago (Edited 5661d ago )

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.

thebudgetgamer5661d ago

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

Nathaniel_Drake5661d ago

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

thebudgetgamer5661d ago

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...

Sarcasm5661d ago

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.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5661d ago
jarrod19815661d ago

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.

xskipperx825661d ago

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

Cevapi885661d ago

u mad?

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

xskipperx825661d ago

Each platform??? YOU mad?

GoldPS35661d ago

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

lowcarb5661d ago

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

DeathMetal5661d ago

if this will work on the PC?

thebudgetgamer5661d ago (Edited 5661d ago )

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

Letros5661d ago

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.

Show all comments (43)
40°

15 Years Ago, Mortal Kombat (2011) Saved Gaming’s Biggest Fighting Franchise

A brutal reset, a smarter story, and a return to what made it great—Mortal Kombat (2011) revived the series.

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fortressofsolitude.co.za
italiangamer23d ago

"Gaming’s Biggest Fighting Franchise"

Press X to (seriously) doubt.

DarXyde21d ago

Underrated comment. I used to hate that game so much that any time my siblings asked me to play it, I just picked Hom and shut myself down mid-match.

Soy22d ago

And then MK1 killed it again.

DivineHand12521d ago (Edited 21d ago )

15 years went by so fast. I remember playing through the story mode at launch.

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