Xbox 360 controller
This file may be deleted after Sunday, 21 October 2007.
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The Xbox 360 Controller is the primary controller for Microsoft's Xbox 360 console and was introduced at E3 2005. The Xbox 360 controller comes in both a wired and wireless gamepads. The original Xbox's controllers are not compatible with the Xbox 360.
The wireless controllers run on either AA batteries (Alkaline or rechargeable) or a rechargeable battery pack. The wired controllers may be connected to any of the three (one at the rear, two at the front) USB ports located on the console, or to a USB hub.
Design
The Xbox 360 controller has the same basic familiar button layout as the Controller S except that a few of the auxiliary buttons have been moved. The "back" and "start" buttons have been moved to a more central position on the face of the controller, and the "white" and "black" buttons have been removed and replaced with two new shoulder buttons that are positioned over the analog triggers on the back of the controller. The controller has a standard headphone jack on the back so that the user can plug in a headset for voice communication during game play.[1]
Colors
Wired controllers are only available in white. However wireless controllers are available in numerous different colors including:
Standard Controller Colors
- White controllers are bundled with the Arcade and Pro packs, also sold separately.
- Black controllers come with the Elite to match the case, also sold separately.
- Dark Blue controllers were released in October 2007 (USA only)
- Light Blue controllers were released in October 2007 (Europe and Japan only)
- Pink controllers were also released in October 2007.
Limited or Special Edition Controller Colors
- Red "Limited Edition" controllers were released in September 2008. The controller features 'black accents' with the D-Pad, analog sticks, triggers and parts of the casing all changed to black instead to the usual grey. It comes bundled with a Play & Charge Kit and a red rechargeable battery pack. The red controller is also included with the Limited Edition Resident Evil Xbox 360 Elite console released in March 2009. As of June 2009, this controller is still available to buy, so it is unknown how limited it will be.
- Green "Limited Edition" controllers were released in mid October 2008 in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The green controller has a direction pad with 16-way functionality, instead of the 8-way direction pad used on all previous controllers. This controller was released alongside Pro Evolution Soccer 2009.
- Dragon Design "Limited Edition" White and Black controllers were released in October 2008 and are available only through Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. The controller features a black dragon (and other symbols) on a white background, along with a white D-pad and black analog sticks. It comes bundled with a black wired headset.
- Yellow controllers were included with the 100 Special Edition The Simpsons Xbox 360 systems.
- Halo 3 'Spartan Green' controllers were included with the Special Edition Halo 3 Xbox 360 systems.
- Halo 3 Spartan "Limited Edition" controllers were released in September 2007 and feature Halo 3 themed artwork from artist Todd McFarlane. The Spartan controller also included a Master Chief Figurine.
- Halo 3 Covenant "Limited Edition" controllers were released in September 2007 and feature Halo 3 themed artwork from artist Todd McFarlane. The Covenant controller also included a different Master Chief figurine..
- Halo 3: ODST "Special Edition" controllers will be released in September 2009 in a "Collector's Pack" including the Halo 3: ODST game. The pack is exclusive to GameStop[2] and will retail for $99.99.
A limited edition red and black controller has been listed on EBGAMES.com
Pictures
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Xbox 360 Wired Controller -
Xbox 360 Wireless Black Controller -
Xbox 360 Wireless Green Controller -
Xbox 360 Wireless Red Controller -
Xbox 360 Wireless Pink Controller -
Special Edition Halo 3 Controller (Spartan) -
Special Edition Halo 3 ODST Controller (Orbital Drop Shock Troopers)
Some third party companies sell replacement shells and silicone covers for Xbox controllers, which are available in a wider range of colors.
Guide button
The Xbox 360 controller has a Guide button in the center of its face that provides a new functionality. This button is surrounded by a ring of lights divided into four quadrants that provide gamers with different types of information during game play. (Incidentally, the "ring of light" power button on the console also provides this function.) For instance, during a split screen multiplayer match, a particular quadrant will light up to indicate to a player which part of the screen he or she is playing on at that time. The Guide button can also light up to let a player know he has received a message from another gamer. In this case, when the user pushes the button, he or she visits the Xbox dashboard (the equivalent of a PC's desktop). The dashboard provides access to features like messaging friends, downloading content, voice chat and customizing soundtracks, all while staying in the game. The Guide button also allows users to turn off the controller or the console by holding the Guide button longer.
Accessories
Battery packs
The battery pack for the Xbox 360 controller is nickel metal hydride. The pack provides up to 25 hours of continuous gaming for the wireless controller. It is recommended in place of disposable AA batteries (which differ slightly in voltage). It also ships as part of the Play & Charge Kit and as part of the Quick Charge Kit. Third party rechargeable battery pack kits are also available. Although the official rechargeable battery pack is nickel metal hydride, on the normal (AA) battery casing states "use only Alkaline battery" whereas it's common to find nickel metal hydride AA rechargeable battery.
Wireless Gaming Receiver
While PS3/Wii wireless controllers use bluetooth (and can be used with any PC), Xbox 360 communicates over a closed 2.4GHz protocol and requires a specific adapter. At E3 2006, Microsoft announced the Wireless Gaming Receiver (sold as Crossfire Wireless Gaming Receiver in the UK), which allows all wireless Xbox 360 accessories to be used on a Windows-based PC.[3] This allows PC and Xbox 360 owners to use their wireless gamepads, racing wheels, and headset on their computer. The device acts in a similar manner to an Xbox 360 as it allows up to 4 controllers and 4 headsets at a time to be connected to the receiver. The device has a 30 foot (10 meters) range and a six foot '2 meters) USB cable.[4] It is specifically designed to work with games bearing the "Games for Windows" logo, but will function with most games that permit a standard PC gamepad. The wireless device was released on February 16, 2007. It is notable that the official Xbox website says that the adapter will work with 'all future wireless devices'. However, it is also worth noting that the racing wheel still does not have force feedback support as of now. It is yet to be confirmed if the receiver supports the Lips microphones and the Rock Band and Guitar Hero instruments. Also an issue that has arisen from this product is the amount of power in which the receiver draws. There have been many reports[citation needed] that the receiver will work for days, weeks, or couple of months then fail to "receive" the signal from the Xbox 360 controller. This problem has been solved by users rather than Microsoft by either purchasing a new PCI USB hub or a self-powered USB hub. However other users report that some USB devices still won't work while the receiver plugged in, even after using a powered USB hub. Example: SOME USB headphones & microphones, bluetooth controllers, USB wireless network cards & some mass storage devices.
Play and charge kit
The Play and Charge kit allows the controller to be recharged while playing a game by plugging the wireless controller into a USB port. The kit also includes the rechargeable battery pack. It should also be noted that the Play and Charge kit allows use of a wireless controller without a battery pack, however Microsoft recommends using a AA pack (empty) to avoid damage to the exposed battery compartment. [5]. Microsoft currently does not support it to be used as a wired controller, however it does transmit data letting the host know that it is a wireless controller via a Play and Charge kit.[6]; wireless is still used for data communication and the Play and Charge kit therefore need not be plugged into the console itself to function. Any USB port may be used for the player's convenience. The Play and Charge cable also allows automatic pairing of the Wireless controller with the host (i.e. an Xbox 360 or a Windows PC with the wireless receiver).
The Play and Charge Kit batteries are generic 1300mah AA(LR6) nimh cells. Such cells are readily available in 4 packs up to 3,000mah. With 2,000-2,600mah batteries being common.
There have been notable issues regarding this item. Reportedly, after more than six hours, the charge light will sometimes stay red, meaning that the controller is not fully charged. Some have also noted that the wireless controller may become dependant of the charger, causing the need for it to be plugged in at all times, therefore negating its purpose.
Xbox 360 Messenger Kit
Microsoft released a small keyboard suitable for messaging in September 2007, coinciding with the launch of Xbox Live Windows Live Messenger on Xbox 360.[7]
Released on September 4, 2007, the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit includes a wired headset. (Older Xbox 360 wired headsets cannot connect to the Chatpad due to the lack of the side pins). Although the Chatpad can be used to communicate with people that are on Xbox Live and Windows-based PCs[8], Microsoft does not currently provide drivers to make the Chatpad itself work with a PC. There has been no official word when, if ever, a driver will be released. However, there have been some attempts at a workaround. [9]
USB HID-compliant keyboards can be plugged directly into the console and will work in the same way.
References
- ^ http://www.xbox.com:80/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360wirelesscontroller/
- ^ "Halo 3 ODST Wireless Controller is GameStop Exclusive". Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "May 2006: Microsoft Press Release regarding coming year". Retrieved 2006-12-01.
- ^ "Official Xbox.com Accessory Page". Retrieved 2006-12-01.
- ^ Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit - xbox.com
- ^ Scenyx Entertainment Community > Play And Charge Kit Pc Support Anytime Soon?
- ^ Xbox.com product profile for the Chatpad: [1]
- ^ Xbox.com product profile for the Chatpad: [2]
- ^ Chatpad use via XNA hack: [3]