Coming this fall, Microsoft will release a new, re-designed Xbox 360 wireless controller that features a transforming d-pad and different colored buttons. Acknowledging the trouble many players have had with the current d-pad, Microsoft's engineers have upgraded the controller's d-pad to go "from a plus to a disc with the twist of the wrist," according toLarry "Major Nelson" Hryb, director of programming for Xbox Live. The new d-pad provides "ultimate accuracy and control for both directional as well as sweeping movements."
The new, matte silver controller also features concave analog sticks and gray A,B,X,Y buttons for "added style." The controller will only be available with the Play & Charge Kit on November 9 in the U.S. for $64.99. Hryb speculated the controller will be available in Europe next year.
From IGN: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/111/1117085p1.html
Article by: Jim Reilly
edit:
added pick of new d-pad.
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$65? GTFO, ill stick with my craptacular Dpad
wow what a gimmick. here plop down 20 extra bucks for this dpad. what games use the dpad? one or two you say? awesome.
But the D-Pad transforms! No word yet if it comes with:
(I have no audio at work, so I assume that is the correct sound effect. If it's wrong blame Dargo.)
Hey, lets just chrome out our controller, charge more for it and say it's upgraded. The dpad is differenT!. No, it looks like the same circular platform with a raised area. Weee. Kinda sounds like my crappy plastic dpad...hmmm
There are definitely cheaper solutions to improve the D-pad.
just came on to post this update lol
Here's the vid from Major Nelson's blog
I liek the new analog sticks.
It's the same price as the current controllers that come with play&charge kits. But why do they only have the bundle? Why can't they sell the controller separately? D:
ShadowRaptor: wow what a gimmick. here plop down 20 extra bucks for this dpad. what games use the dpad? one or two you say? awesome.
Actually plenty of games use the D-Pad. Mostly as hot keys for equiping spells and weapons. I can't tell you how many times I've died because I hit a direction on the D-Pad and it registers a different direction. Also for the numerous 2D games on the Live Arcade, and the ones I play on my computer, I'd rather play with the DPad than the analog stick.
Still $64.99 is way too steep, I'll pick it up when it drops in price or goes on sale. The D-Pad has been my only complaint about the 360 controller.
As many people whined and cried about how the D pad sucked for fighting games, I'm surprised people are now whining and crying about a new D pad. There is plenty of a market for this, as people were retarded enough to buy Madcatz SFIV controllers just for a better one.
TenTonHammer23: As many people whined and cried about how the D pad sucked for fighting games, I'm surprised people are now whining and crying about a new D pad. There is plenty of a market for this, as people were retarded enough to buy Madcatz SFIV controllers just for a better one.
I think its more the price, As i can go to amazon and get one for $30
Plaag: Hey, lets just chrome out our controller, charge more for it and say it's upgraded. The dpad is differenT!. No, it looks like the same circular platform with a raised area. Weee. Kinda sounds like my crappy plastic dpad...hmmm
lol, that's what I thought when I saw it. I'm not seeing the difference short of a change in elevation.
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I-Weapon-X: TenTonHammer23: As many people whined and cried about how the D pad sucked for fighting games, I'm surprised people are now whining and crying about a new D pad. There is plenty of a market for this, as people were retarded enough to buy Madcatz SFIV controllers just for a better one. I think its more the price, As i can go to amazon and get one for $30
I was replying in terms of the whole "Who plays games with D-pad" comments.
I bought the SFiV Fightpad more because of the whole configuration not just the D-Pad. Yes it's bigger and easier to play SFIV with imo but the principle idea for me was using for retro games (like Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Coll.) and since it looks a lot like the old genesis controller it works great.
TenTonHammer23: I-Weapon-X: TenTonHammer23: As many people whined and cried about how the D pad sucked for fighting games, I'm surprised people are now whining and crying about a new D pad. There is plenty of a market for this, as people were retarded enough to buy Madcatz SFIV controllers just for a better one. I think its more the price, As i can go to amazon and get one for $30 I was replying in terms of the whole "Who plays games with D-pad" comments.
I'd love a proper D-Pad to navigate the menus, but as I was informed it sucked, only confirmed as it was the first method of input I tried when I finally booted it up, I quickly grew used to using the sticks instead. A proper D-pad would be nice, but not $65 nice.
