August 20th, 2008
New 360 controller coming, will have better d-pad
IGN report that at Leipzig they have found a redesigned Xbox 360 controller on the showroom floor. They comment that the controller itself looks no different, but once you pick it up it is highly noticeable that the unresponsive and spongy feel of the old d-pad is now gone, and the reengineered one offers “instant control, with an eight way input taking place of the previous four.”
They go on to say that “[a] brief hands-on with the controller playing Pro Evolution 2009 proved that the redesign has been effective, with the d-pad sitting in a larger rocker and proving more tactile.”
IGN also remark that games that will benfit from the new d-pad will be the upcoming Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and Street Fighter IV.
It is likely Microsoft will not make too big of a deal about the release of the new controller, and will just phase out the old one over time when the new one hits stores in mid / late October
Funkymunky
August 21st, 2008
About time Microsoft sorted this out, the 360 D-pad is easily the WORST controller I’ve ever used, its got less tactility than the old master system joypad.
Ben
August 21st, 2008
Now they just need to follow Sony in not using dreaded AA batteries.
Vivek
August 22nd, 2008
I also read that this is to do with Bionic Comando Rearmed. The 360 controller finds it difficult to sense exact angles causing a pain in the butt. I got Rearmed for my PS3 and it works a hell of alot better. I got worried when I played it on the 360 and struggled heavily to grapple diaganolly.
As for Pro Evo, that game should only ever be played with a Playstation Controller. X360 controllers were made for one thing and that is shooters, Halo and Gears work gorgeous on the 360 controllers. After playing Halo, I always feel that the PS controller feels feeble, though ordered my dual shock 3’s yesterday.