New Xbox controller with updated D-Pad

[Pyrochaos]

http://majornelson.com/archive/2010/...ing-d-pad.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz6aT...ayer_embedded#!

We've just made the Xbox 360 Wireless controller even better with a brand new version that includes a transforming D-pad. The engineers have come up with an ingenious solution with a d-pad that can go from a plus to a disc with the twist of the wrist.

In addition to the new d-pad, the 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 new Play & Charge Kit that will launch on November 9th for US $64.99.

[hdinred]

The black and white buttons are an interesting choice, but the thing looks slick.. The analog sticks look a bit different.

If the d-pad truly works much better, this is the game controller perfected..

[IceNine]

FINALLY!

The Xbox controller has had the shittiest D-pad in the industry forever!

[Pyrochaos]

The only thing that sucks is that it only comes with the Play & charge. But hopefully they release it seperate in the near future. I might buy one just to see how much better it is.

[IceNine]

The only thing that sucks is that it only comes with the Play & charge. But hopefully they release it seperate in the near future. I might buy one just to see how much better it is.

I just paid attention to that... yeah, it sucks really bad. They are putting out a controller that they KNOW people will want, so they bundle it with shit that people DON'T want in order to make additional money.

Pricks.

[Pyrochaos]

I mean if they charged $55-60 and included a rechargeable battery pack , it would almost have been acceptable. But the play & charge just sucks.

[BBE]

this is somewhat unrelated, but also UK is getting a black chat pad. thats pretty sweet IMO.

[hdinred]

The only thing that sucks is that it only comes with the Play & charge. But hopefully they release it seperate in the near future. I might buy one just to see how much better it is.

I need new battery packs anyway. I have the charge station and always have 2 on deck to be swapped in. Some of my older, launch era, batteries are ready to be retired.

My guess is that the new d-pad is standard by this time next year.. until then, Microsoft never misses a chance to make an extra buck or two!

[D_Strasse]

Obviously the look is different and the ability to change but disc and plus sounds cool but I guess I can't see how that changes the underlying functionality.

Maybe someone could explain how this makes the whole thing better or post test from a link that does. Thanks.

[Godstar]

Well I'm sure if we wait, it will come out by itself in a while. Just like the 250GB HD did.

[Pyrochaos]

Obviously the look is different and the ability to change but disc and plus sounds cool but I guess I can't see how that changes the underlying functionality.

Maybe someone could explain how this makes the whole thing better or post test from a link that does. Thanks.

The reason the D-pad sucks so bad is because it's one solid plastic piece. So it can easily get confused when you are trying a >, V, > combo. It can hit the Right/down button instead. I assume lowing the section disables the Right/down, Right/Up, ect buttons and thus making it more like the NES d-pad or similar to the PS3 D-pad.

[IceNine]

The reason the D-pad sucks so bad is because it's one solid plastic piece. So it can easily get confused when you are trying a >, V, > combo. It can hit the Right/down button instead. I assume lowing the section disables the Right/down, Right/Up, ect buttons and thus making it more like the NES d-pad or similar to the PS3 D-pad.

One can only hope that you are right... what I want is total independence of the up/down/left/right buttons. The solid plastic D-pad on the current Xbox controller does exactly as you say... it presses two directions at once when you don't want to do so.

[IceNine]

I have an idea for a modification of the Xbox controller that would solve the problems with the D-pad. It wouldn't be a quick or easy fix, but it would work.

The D-pad uses a standard, springy contact pad to register button presses, so you could remove the shitty D-pad, cut a template that matches the contacts on the controller board, construct individual buttons that would depress the springy contact pad to the contacts, etc. This would also require making a cylindrical apparatus that would hold the buttons in place and keep them from coming out of the controller and securing it inside the controller.

This is doable, but far too tedious for me to do right away.

[Master X]

I think it looks ugly :/

[IceNine]

I think it looks ugly :/

Indeed... it isn't great looking, but I can look past the color and buttons if the D-pad works right.