Xbox 360 controller with enhanced d-pad confirmed

360 News | Limited edition promotional release.

Speaking to Eurogamer at the Leipzig Games Convention, Microsoft have confirmed reports of a new green wireless Xbox 360 controller that features an enhanced directional pad.

While at first glance appearing to look identical to the current controller (apart from colour), this revised version features a d-pad capable of registering 32 different directional positions, as opposed to the current one which relies on four-way input.

Based on "feedback from gamers", Microsoft says the changes will "add to the experience of playing games where the d-Pad is the primary control mechanism", and is a "limited edition promotional item that is only available in Europe, Asia and Latin America while supplies last".

The controller was first spotted at the Konami stand, and while it is 'optimised' for use as a tie-in promotion with the upcoming Pro Evolution Soccer 2009, it is highly likely that games relying on responsive and precise d-pad input such as Street Fighter IV will benefit from such improvements.

Kotaku reports that the controller will be available on October 24.

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17 Comments

darklord

4 years ago

Don't people hate the design of it though? If you make a new d-pad at least change the design...

Eggy

4 years ago

I've read other articles that say that the new pad is 8 way directional and not 32. *confused*

http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/900/900487p1.html

defstar

4 years ago

Ah this is great news! The current d-pad is just plain awful.

mike00

4 years ago

darklord wrote

Don't people hate the design of it though? If you make a new d-pad at least change the design...

I think the design is par with PS3

Rabscallion

4 years ago

I reckon the green controller looks fine. Would be better if it was green all over though :/

shiraj

4 years ago

I love the 360 controller design - far better than the Dual shock 3 - sits better in the hand and feels solid.
Can't say I like the green colour of the new contoller though.....

heatseeker

4 years ago

Thank god, i can play oblivion properly now =P

inigel

4 years ago

darklord wrote

Don't people hate the design of it though? If you make a new d-pad at least change the design...

It is called ergonomics. The controller rests in the average person's hand a lot more comfortable and reduces injury (carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injuries).

Although Microsoft has a pretty lacklustre approach to almost everything they do (software, music players, game consoles and general business ethics), they are very good with ergonomics.

ObsoletE

4 years ago

personally i get less cramping of the hands using the Playstation controllers. i find the symmetrical sticks far more ergonomic than the staggered approach.

but i have large hands.

RXWAG

4 years ago

ObsoletE wrote

personally i get less cramping of the hands using the Playstation controllers. i find the symmetrical sticks far more ergonomic than the staggered approach.

but i have large hands

you know what they say about large hands

Appel

4 years ago

Yeah, small ears.

Eggy

4 years ago

Something that I just realised. I've noticed that the latest revisions of the 360 pad have been cheap feeling compared to the 1st and 2nd gen 360 pads. The analog triggers and sticks just aren't as solid feeling.

The improved Dpad is awesome news, but is it worth it for the lesser quality in the analog controls? Let's hope the overall build quality is improved over the current pads that are out in the stores right now.

notsofat

4 years ago

inigel wrote

Although Microsoft has a pretty lacklustre approach to almost everything they do (software, music players, game consoles and general business ethics), they are very good with ergonomics.

ARE YOU SMOKING CRACK. HAVE YOU NEVER PLAYED AN XBOX 1?

seriously joint + you = this comment.

Skiller

4 years ago

WTF!? The whole point of a dpad is that it only detects 4 directions making it ideal for menu navigation, having it detect 32 is insane, that's what the analogue sticks are for. I already have enough trouble navigating menus and such without accidently triggering a diagnal, at least the PS3 controller knows what the dpad is for.

Passa

4 years ago

Skiller wrote

See I'm a bit torn here too - the dpad is fine for stuff like switching weapons in Gears and whatnot. While I think the dpad is garbage, most games make such little use of it that it doesn't matter IMO.

But honestly.. it doesn't need to detect more directions, all they need to do is make it 'feel' right. Compared to something like the NDS's 4 way pad, it just sucks.

Also, PlayStation vs Xbox controllers, I've always preferred the latter by far. I hate the symmetrical shape of the PlayStation controllers and positioning of the analog sticks (I also hate the sticks themselves, too large). This was one of the many reasons I chose to get an Xbox 1 over a PS2 last gen, I just really hate the PS controllers. Sony have shown no chance of reinventing it either, the general shape has remained since the PS1, so theres no hope there.. whereas there have been three very different iterations of Xbox controllers already, admittedly the first being terrible in every sense of the word.

/rant

Rabscallion

4 years ago

I hardly ever use the dpad, so i dont know what the damn problem is!! i am in exactly the same boat as passa so no rant needed from me.

ObsoletE

4 years ago

i think i saw these advertised in a Harvey Norman catalogue on the weekend, or at least they were advertising a Limited Edition controller for $99.95, and i can't see why a simple colour change would warrant an extra $20 on the cost of a standard 360 controller.

personally, i'd prefer they just changed it from the 50-cent coin shaped thing, to a simple + design, like the PS and Nintendo controllers. sure, i rarely use the d-pad, infact i think i only do for Mortal Kombat on XBLA, but both the stick and the d-pad suck for that game. (not sure how Street-fighter, or other 2D fighters stack up)

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