Yesterday we posted a rumour about an update to the 360 controller – quite possibly the most comfortable controller I’ve used, albeit with one of the worst d-pad’s I’ve ever experienced. According to the rumour, the updated design was primarily to rework the d-pad, and appease fighting game fans.
Thanks to Major Nelson, we have confirmation that a new 360 pad is indeed on its way. Curiously, it features an unnecessary “transforming†d-pad. Users can change the new Xbox 360 controller’s directional pad from a flat surface to an actual raised d-pad with a twist of the base. One moment it’s flat, the next it’s raised, making hadoukens and dash cancels all the easier. It also might mean that when I press “up†to select grenades in Gears of War, it might actually f*cking select grenades, instead of accidently switching to to the lancer at the most inopportune of times.
It also apparently has a few ergonomic updates – as well as sleek and sexy grey face buttons, sure to confuse anybody who associates the buttons with their specific colours.
The controller will only be available as part of a “play and charge†bundle that’ll retail for $69.99 from November – R515 in direct conversion, although more likely to hover around R699 should it ever hit local stores.
Hit the jump for a demonstration of the controllers magical transforming d-pad.
Last Updated: September 1, 2010
Uncle
September 1, 2010 at 12:45
Very nice, I like the new colour scheme too!
Sir James of Kotick
September 1, 2010 at 13:00
It’s almost as if someone at Microsoft has decided that this week, they’d rather piss of gamers, than deal with legitimate concerns with the box, live and other assorted piles of chicken scratch.
Years ago, I trolled the official xbox live boards, complaining with others about how the d-pad just didn’t cut it, although granted the analog sticks on the xbox controller works perfectly.
5 years later, M$ has seemingly heard our complaints and done something about it. Does this mean, we’ll see cheaper xbox 360 harddrives or the ability to just plug in a laptop HDD in another 10? :getlost: Will xbox live ever see a price drop or features that I actually want to pay for? :getlost:
Sir James of Kotick
September 1, 2010 at 13:01
Ugh! The new button colour scheme sucks!
Gavin Mannion
September 1, 2010 at 13:02
Personally I don’t care about the D-Pad and prefer coloured buttons so I may be the only person on the planet who isn’t excited about this.
Now an easy swap HDD would be something awesome.
Sir James of Kotick
September 1, 2010 at 13:32
D-pad is awesome for platformers, and oddly enough fighting games (like Street Fighter 4), although I have a friend who swears by his analogs.
Goose
September 1, 2010 at 13:36
That is retarded. Yay for the d-pad upgrade. But removing the colours on the buttons was just stupid. The colours make it really easy to remember the button position and also what they are bound to in-game.
Nick de Bruyne
September 1, 2010 at 14:01
No what do you mean???!?!?? ITs SO H4RDCORE !!! NOt 4 n00bs that needs stupid kiddy colors LULZ!!!111!! :pirate: :pirate: :ninja: :ninja: :w00t: :w00t: