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[The Headliner]

A new version of the Xbox 360 controller is due to be released next February, which will at last fix the joypad's one Achilles heel: it's almost useless D-pad.



Easily the best default controller of the current generation, and arguably the best of all time, the Xbox 360 controller has only ever had one major problem and now it looks like it's finally going to get it fixed.

It'll be doing it in style too, with a transforming D-pad that rises up from its usual position if you're playing anything, such as fighting game, that requires purely digital inputs.

Other than that, and a new matte silver colour scheme, the only other major (well, minor) difference is that the tops of the analogue sticks are entirely concave, with the four little nodules having being removed. (We've no idea what they were for either.)

The controller will be released on 9th November in the U.S. but will only be available with a new Play & Charge Kit. The total price is therefore $64.99 - exactly the same as the current black one in the U.S. In the UK the same kit costs £44.99.

There's no specific release date for the new controller in Europe, but Xbox Live's Major Nelson suggested it was probably not going to be out until February next year. He did provide a video to show how it worked in the meantime though.

It's about damn time! Sign me up.

[Fan]

Easily the best default controller of the current generation, and arguably the best of all time, the Xbox 360 controller[...]

[Kraul]

Laughter? But it is the best controller of this current generation and arguably the best of all time.

But the price is ridiculous. It's a good idea, but one I won't benefit from until the next version of the Xbox possibly. It's crazy that controllers are more expensive than the price of a brand new game.

[The Headliner]

What would get your vote, Fan? The only one that rivals it for me is the N64 controller. I loved the Genesis/Mega Drive joypad too, but obviously that was designed for simpler games.

[Fan]

The PlayStation 3 controller is the best. Why unnecessarily ruin the symmetry of the controller by swapping the left knob with the d-Pad?

[Kraul]

The placement of the analog sticks on a Playstation controller aren't really designed for longterm analog stick usage. They were put there during a period of time when analog sticks were kind of a fad for Playstation games and the d-pad was still king. Now games have pushed the d-pad to a mere support function while the analog is king for movement. The design is outdated. It's the controller equivalent of a human with a tail.

Mine used to be the general Playstation controller but damn it if that thing isn't just the most uncomfortable controller to use when you stop using it all the time. I can't even play old PS2 games because the controller is just so uncomfortable to me now.

Before that, I like the SNES. My only problem with that controller nowadays is that it's way too small. But in my hands back in the day, it was perfect.

[gungrave17]

The PlayStation 3 controller is the best. Why unnecessarily ruin the symmetry of the controller by swapping the left knob with the d-Pad?

damn right

[The Headliner]

Most games require your thumbs to rest on the face buttons and left analog stick for the majority of play, so having them opposite each other makes perfect ergonomic sense.

[Ethan]

The best controller of all time is the Snes controller, which the original Playstation borrowed and has been borrowing for a long time. XBoX360 controller even with the dpad fails.

[Kraul]

You people have terrible taste.