Product Features
- Genre
- Accessories
- Publisher
- Microsoft
- Release Date
- August 27, 2010
- Available Platforms
- XBox 360
Related Items
Wireless Controller Black
Xb360 Wireless Controller Black
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Matthew Harris April 25, 2012 360
The (official) Xbox 360 wireless controller has always had exactly the same style from the very beginning, and it's easy to see why! While it may not hold as much status as the legendary Dual Shock 2 PS2 controller, this one has a certain charm and effortless style that makes it a joy to use. Purely from an aesthetic point of view, this controller receives top marks. The button placement is simple and effective, the curved handles at the bottom look and feel smooth and the lights around the 'home' button give it a sense of simplicity.
Handling the Xbox 360 Wireless controller is, most importantly, an easy and comfortable experience. The design of the plastic shell means it rests effortlessly in your hands in a very natural position. The buttons are easy to press and are positioned so they are easy to remember which one is which. Moreover, the buttons are colour-coded, which is regularly put to use in games so you don't even have to look down and figure out which one to press. The on-screen action responds quickly and effectively to any button presses or movement of the two sticks. There is no input lag at all from this controller. The only potential issue is when you are using the d-pad, as it can rarely misunderstand the diagonal inputs. However, most games do not use the diagonal options on the d-pad so it is never really a big issue. Use of the battery at the back of the controller is also very simple and easy, so changing batteries is never a chore. Furthermore, there is a strong rumble capability in the controller, which is a big positive in comparison to the standard PS3 counterpart. Syncing of the controller to the console is also very simple and involves a brief press of a button on each. You will also only ever have to do this once, unless you use the controller on another console.
The battery life of the Xbox 360 Wireless controller is generally very good. With average play, standard AA batteries will last about 6 weeks, depending on usage and rumble capabilities in games. The controllers are also very durable and come with a 6 month warranty on average. I have used the same controller that I had since the launch of the console in 2006, and it has no signs of wear and tear yet.
Aside from the official wireless controller shown here, there are many 3rd party alternatives that can be used with the Xbox 360 console. However, having used a few of these in the past at friends' houses, they are never really worth the slightly cheaper price point. Many of them have significant controller lag and an uncomfortable design so you are better off going for the slightly more expensive official option in most cases.
As with any console system and its controller, there are a few accessories that are worth buying to make your game-playing experience that more enjoyable. You may want to think about getting a play and charge kit, for instance, as this gives you a rechargeable battery pack for the controller, as well as a cable to connect to the console to charge while you are playing if you need to. This accessory is very useful as it negates the need to keep buying AA batteries all the time for your controller. The battery pack also lasts a little bit longer in my experience. You may also want to think about getting a headset microphone if you haven't got one already, as this allows you speak to your friends on Xbox Live, which is an overall fun experience.
The bottom line is that this is the controller to buy for your Xbox 360 console. The imitations that are out there may be cheaper, but they do not stand up in quality next to this excellently designed one.