Improved 360 Controller - Sorry Gamer's of the Northern New World

KernelKush | August 21, 2008 | News | XBOX 360

Finally an improved d-pad for use while playing your favorite Xbox 360 games. Really though, does the d-pad need to function in the same way your dual analog sticks do? Why not. Eurogamer reported that a redesigned Xbox 360 controller recently made it's way onto the Games Convention floor. Other than an improved d-pad this redesigned controller doesn't seem to be sporting any other changes as of now, if you exclude the pastel green coating. What does this mean for North American gamers who are hoping to improve their d-pad usage? Create a PayPal account if you don't already have one. Apparently North America's general lack of enthusiasm of this "beautiful game" is going to make this controller a "limited edition promotional item that is only available in Europe, Asia and Latin America while supplies last." If in fact it is being published by a third party there's a chance it may turn up in a bundle with a future Capcom fighting game; don't get your hopes up Street Fighter fans.

"The Xbox 360 controller d-pad has long been cited as the number one reason to buy Bionic Commando: Rearmed on the PlayStation 3. Now, 360 owners are finally getting the remedy they've been waiting for. It's a bitter one though."

"Eurogamer reports that a new controller that can register 32 directions of input through the d-pad made it onto the Games Convention show floor via a Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 kiosk, the game for which it is being specifically developed. Microsoft confirmed that the new controller will indeed be released on October 24, but the news gets sour for North Americans after that. "

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Xbox 360 [XBOX360]

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Comments

0 thumbs!
Galacticdramon | August 21, 2008

Makes a nice change from the way things usually are.
0 thumbs!
Seproth | August 21, 2008

It's good for fighting games. It's better than thumb sticks. Plus Oblivion's inventory system would work better.
1 thumbs!
Koloth | August 22, 2008

The D-pad isn't the only reason the PS3 version of BC: rearmed is better. It is just the most glaring reason. The sound is better, the graphics are better (minor touches really but noticable) and the physics are slightly better. I bought the game for both consoles because I love the game and figured I might play it on both. But the PS3 version trumps the 360 in so many ways that I completely forgot about the 360 version after a while. One of the rare occasions the PS3 really wins over the 360 in my opinion. And there is just no logical reason for it since the 360 should be able to do everything the PS3 can with a game this old.

Still it would be nice at least to have some decent control for the 360. Using the analogue stick has become somewhat natural on this controller. But it is to slow for BC. To bad I live in the US.
0 thumbs!
BANDITO ATTACK | August 22, 2008

"Eurogamer reports that a new controller that can register 32 directions of input through the d-pad made it onto the Games Convention show floor via a Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 kiosk, the game for which it is being specifically developed."

there you go. america doesn't give two shits about soccer.

i never played bionic commando, but the damn d-pad is a hassle while switching between hotkeys on oblivion. switching to a 'diagonal' button hotkey was damn near impossible @__@
1 thumbs!
Sonic Flash | August 22, 2008

An advanced new controller to play a game that originally ran on a NES. :/

I never used the 360 D pad all that much to know if it was a real problem, but the PS3 controller has always had the lovely "D pad".
0 thumbs!
KernelKush | August 22, 2008

An improved d-pad doesn't influence me to buy a new Xbox 360 controller; only because there are few games I play that require me to use the d-pad, much less opt to use it instead of the analog sticks.

It might be nicer for side scrolling fighting games, but it's not a necessary improvement in my opinion.
0 thumbs!
Final Blade | August 23, 2008

_{I don't personally see any real difference in the picture. However I like the PS3 controller over 360's cause I've been used to the PS brand since the PS1 came to be. However I have to admit though the 360's controller is a shit load better than the original Xbox. But this doesn't scream buy me. So I'll stick to the regular 360 controller.}
- 0 thumbs!
  Koloth | August 24, 2008
  
  There isn't anything different about it. Except that it is green and the D-pad has better imputs. But sometimes there doesn't have to be a major external improvement for something to be vastly improved.
  
  Such as the new 360s with the falcon chips. Nothing externally has changed much but they have a much lower percentage of defective systems. When you drop your defect percentage from 33% to less than 10% that is a major improvement worth noting.
  - 0 thumbs!
    Final Blade | August 24, 2008
    
    _{Thats true, im just saying that I don't see any real change in this version to make me buy it over the original 360 controller. But thats just me and my tastes I suppose.}