Xbox 360 Controller
Encyclopedia
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 wired and wireless versions. Original Xbox
controllers are not compatible with the Xbox 360. The controller is also compatible with PCs; the wireless version requires a Wireless Gaming Receiver in order to connect to the PC.
The wireless controllers run on either AA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack. The wired controllers may be connected to any of the USB
ports on the console, or to an attached USB hub
.
on the front, allowing users to connect a headset for voice communication. It also features a proprietary USB connector (which is split into 2 parts on either side of the headset connector) for use with additional accessories, such as the chatpad.
On August 31, 2010, Microsoft's Larry Hryb
(a.k.a. Major Nelson) revealed a new design of the Xbox 360 controller which is set to replace the Wireless controller bundled with the Play & Charge Kit. Among small changes such as the shape of the analogue stick tops and grey-colored face buttons, the new controller features an adjustable directional pad which can be changed between a disc type D-pad or a plus shaped D-pad. The control pad was released in North America exclusively with Play & Charge Kits on November 9, 2010 and is expected to be released in Europe during February 2011.
s and a digital D-pad
. The right face of the controller features four digital actions buttons; a green "A" button, red "B" button, blue "X" button and amber "Y" button. The lower right houses the right analog stick, in lower left is a digital D-pad and on the left face is the left analog stick. Both analog sticks can also be "clicked in" to activate a digital button beneath. In the center of the controller face are digital "Start", "Back" and "Guide" buttons. The "Guide" button is labelled with the Xbox logo, and is used to turn on the console and/or controller and to access the guide menu. It is also surrounded by the "ring of light", which indicates the controller number, as well as flashing when connecting and to provide notifications. The left and right "shoulders" each feature a digital shoulder button, or "bumper", and an analog trigger.
* Wireless controllers also feature an additional "connect" button located between the "bumpers" to facilitate syncing with the console.
The Rechargeable Battery Pack is a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack, which 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 and have higher disposal costs (financial and environmental). It ships as part of, and can be charged by, the Play & Charge Kit and the Quick Charge Kit. To fully charge the battery pack takes approximately 2 hours with the Quick Charge Kit; the Play & Charge Kit takes longer (and depends on whether the controller is being used). An upgraded, 35-hour version is included with "transforming d-pad" controllers.
" logo, but will function with most games that permit a standard PC gamepad. The official Xbox website noted that the adapter will work with "all future wireless devices".
Game controller
A game controller is a device used with games or entertainment systems used to control a playable character or object, or otherwise provide input in a computer game. A controller is typically connected to a game console or computer by means of a wire, cord or nowadays, by means of wireless connection...
for Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
's Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
console and was introduced at E3 2005. The Xbox 360 controller comes in both wired and wireless versions. Original Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
controllers are not compatible with the Xbox 360. The controller is also compatible with PCs; the wireless version requires a Wireless Gaming Receiver in order to connect to the PC.
The wireless controllers run on either AA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack. The wired controllers may be connected to any of the USB
Universal Serial Bus
USB is an industry standard developed in the mid-1990s that defines the cables, connectors and protocols used in a bus for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices....
ports on the console, or to an attached USB hub
USB hub
A USB hub is a device that expands a single USB port into several so that there are more ports available to connect devices to a host system.USB hubs are often built into equipment such as computers, keyboards, monitors, or printers...
.
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 bumpers that are positioned over the analog triggers on the back of the controller. The controller has a 2.5 mm TRS connectorTRS connector
A TRS connector is a common family of connector typically used for analog signals including audio. It is cylindrical in shape, typically with three contacts, although sometimes with two or four . It is also called an audio jack, phone jack, phone plug, and jack plug...
on the front, allowing users to connect a headset for voice communication. It also features a proprietary USB connector (which is split into 2 parts on either side of the headset connector) for use with additional accessories, such as the chatpad.
On August 31, 2010, Microsoft's Larry Hryb
Larry Hryb
Lawrence "Larry" Hryb , also known by his Xbox Live gamertag Major Nelson, is the Director of Programming for the Microsoft gaming network Xbox Live. His blog "Xbox Live's Major Nelson" provides an "inside" look at operations at Microsoft's Xbox division. He picked the gamertag Major Nelson after a...
(a.k.a. Major Nelson) revealed a new design of the Xbox 360 controller which is set to replace the Wireless controller bundled with the Play & Charge Kit. Among small changes such as the shape of the analogue stick tops and grey-colored face buttons, the new controller features an adjustable directional pad which can be changed between a disc type D-pad or a plus shaped D-pad. The control pad was released in North America exclusively with Play & Charge Kits on November 9, 2010 and is expected to be released in Europe during February 2011.
Layout
A standard Xbox 360 controller features eleven* digital buttons, two analog triggers, two analog stickAnalog stick
An analog stick, sometimes called a control stick or thumbstick, is an input device for a controller that is used for two-dimensional input. An analog stick is a variation of a joystick, consisting of a protrusion from the controller; input is based on the position of this protrusion in relation...
s and a digital D-pad
D-pad
A D-pad is a flat, usually thumb-operated directional control with one button on each point, found on nearly all modern video game console gamepads, game controllers, on the remote control units of some television and DVD players, and smart phones...
. The right face of the controller features four digital actions buttons; a green "A" button, red "B" button, blue "X" button and amber "Y" button. The lower right houses the right analog stick, in lower left is a digital D-pad and on the left face is the left analog stick. Both analog sticks can also be "clicked in" to activate a digital button beneath. In the center of the controller face are digital "Start", "Back" and "Guide" buttons. The "Guide" button is labelled with the Xbox logo, and is used to turn on the console and/or controller and to access the guide menu. It is also surrounded by the "ring of light", which indicates the controller number, as well as flashing when connecting and to provide notifications. The left and right "shoulders" each feature a digital shoulder button, or "bumper", and an analog trigger.
Colors and special editions
Wired controllers are only available in white and black (Xbox 360 S color scheme). However, wireless controllers are available in numerous different colors including:Standard colors
- White controllers were bundled with the Arcade and Pro consoles; also sold separately.
- Black controllers came 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.
- Black S controllers are bundled with Xbox 360 S consoles. These differ from previous controllers (and the original black version specifically) in that they are completely black, rather than two-tone black and grey. The guide button has a mirror like finish, and the analog sticks and D-pad are black. The bottom edge of this controller also features a gloss black finish to match the Xbox 360 S 250 GB case design. "S" controllers also replace the Microsoft branding above the charging port with an Xbox 360 logo.
Limited and special edition colors
- Halo 3
- "Spartan Green" controllers were included with the Halo 3Halo 3Halo 3 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie for the Xbox 360 console. The third installment in the Halo franchise, the game concludes the story arc begun in Halo: Combat Evolved and continued in Halo 2...
Special Edition Xbox 360 systems released in September 2007. - "Limited Edition" "Spartan" and "Brute" controllers were released in September 2007. Two versions were available, each of which feature Halo 3 themed artwork (with either a "Spartan" or "Brute" design) from artist Todd McFarlane. Each version of the controller also included a Master Chief Figurine (a different figure was included with each version).
- "Spartan Green" controllers were included with the Halo 3
- 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 gray. It comes bundled with a Play & Charge Kit with 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 May 2010, 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 2009Pro Evolution Soccer 2009Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is a football video game in the Pro Evolution Soccer series, which was made by Konami...
. - Dragon Design "Limited Edition" White and Black controllers were released in October 2008 and are available only through Wal-MartWal-MartWal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
and Sam's ClubSam's ClubSam's Club is a chain of membership-only retail warehouse clubs owned and operated by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., founded in 1983 and named after Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. , the Sam's Club chain serves more than 47 million U.S. members...
. 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.
- Halo 3: ODST "Special Edition" controllers were released in September 2009 in a "Collector's Pack" including the Halo 3: ODST game. The pack was originally exclusive to GameStopGameStopGameStop Corporation is an American video game and entertainment software retailer. The company, whose headquarters is in Grapevine, Texas, United States, operates 6,500 retail stores throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New...
and retailed for US$99.99 in North America. - Radioactive Design "Exclusive" controllers were released in October 2009 and are available exclusively at GameStop, or (in Australia) at EB Games. The design features a carbon black pad with a red radiation symbol emanating from the right analog stick. The left analog stick is black and the right analog stick and D-pad are red. This controller was announced at Major Nelson's website and is said to be limited edition although the packaging makes no reference to this. It comes bundled with a Play & Charge Kit with a black rechargeable battery pack.
- Halo: Reach "Special Edition" controllers are to be released on September 14, 2010, coinciding with the game's release. The controller is based around the Black S design (black analog sticks, d-pad, battery pack, etc.; glossy black front; shiny guide button) with the matte black shell replaced with a satin silver shell, which also features a custom design based on the game. It will be available separately and with the Halo: Reach Special Edition console bundle, which will come bundled with two of the controllers.
- Fable III "Special Edition" controllers were released on October 5, 2010, 3 weeks before the release of Fable IIIFable IIIFable III is the third video game in the Fable series of action role-playing games . The game was developed by Lionhead Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360. The story focuses on the player character's struggle to overthrow the King of Albion by...
itself. The controller is based around the Black S design (black analog sticks, d-pad etc.; glossy black front; shiny guide button) and features a custom gold-colored shell and artwork. It also comes bundled with an exclusive downloadable tattoo set for use within the game.
Transforming d-pad controllers
- Transforming d-Pad "special edition" controllers were released in the US on November 9, 2010 and in Europe during February 2011. The main feature of this controller is a d-padD-padA D-pad is a flat, usually thumb-operated directional control with one button on each point, found on nearly all modern video game console gamepads, game controllers, on the remote control units of some television and DVD players, and smart phones...
that can be rotated to adapt to the user's gameplay, becoming either a "plus" (4-way) or a "disk" (8-way) d-pad. The controller also features new concave analog stick tops and grey tone face buttons (A, B, X and Y). The main shell of the controller is matte silver, with gloss black accents (triggers, bumpers and both front and rear panels) like the "Black S" design and a matte black battery pack. This controller comes bundled with a (matte) black improved Play & Charge Kit, offering up to 35 hours of play; it is not available sans the play and charge kit. The codename for the controller during development was "Aberdeen". - Gears of War 3 "Limited Collector's Edition" controllers were released on September 20, 2011 to coincide with the launch of Gears of War 3Gears of War 3Gears of War 3 is a third-person shooter video game developed by Epic Games and published by Microsoft Studios exclusively for the Xbox 360. Originally due for release in April 2011, the game was delayed and eventually released on September 20, 2011....
. The controllers are metallic red with a black "Infected Omen" symbol and feature a transforming d-pad. Unlike the "Transforming D-Pad" Special Edition controller, the Gears of War 3 LCE controller features the standard colored face buttons and analog stick tops found on other controllers. - C-3POC-3POC-3PO is a robot character from the Star Wars universe who appears in both the original Star Wars films and the prequel trilogy. He is also a major character in the television show Droids, and appears frequently in the series' "Expanded Universe" of novels, comic books, and video games...
limited edition controllers are due to be released in "Holiday" 2011 as part of a limited edition Star WarsStar WarsStar Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
console bundle. The controller is mirrored gold and black, and features a transforming d-pad. The black panel at the front of the controller also features "wiring" artwork, resembling the parts of C-3PO that are not covered in gold plating in the original Star Wars movies. - The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is a first-person shooter video game, developed by Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games, with Raven Software having assisted in development...
Wireless Controller was released on November 8, 2011 in North America, Australasia and the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region. It features custom Modern Warfare 3 artwork (predominantly matte grey), a transforming d-pad and the same analog stick tops found on the original transforming d-pad controller. All (non-face) buttons, as well as the analog sticks, are black.
Non-retail colors
- Launch Team Edition controllers were bundled with the "Xbox 360 - Launch Team Edition", given exclusively to members of the Xbox launch team by MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
in November 2005. These white wireless controllers feature green accents at the front in place of the standard grey. - Yellow controllers were included with the 100 Limited Edition The Simpsons MovieThe Simpsons MovieThe Simpsons Movie is a 2007 American animated comedy film based on the animated television series The Simpsons. The film was directed by David Silverman, and stars the regular television cast of Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Tress...
Xbox 360 systems announced in May 2007, and given away as prizes in special events and promotions. - Orange LIVE TURNS FIVE controllers were released in November 2007, and were given away to selected members of the media.
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. 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. In this case, when the user pushes the button, he or she accesses the Xbox guide; a menu which provides access to features like messaging friends, downloading content, voice chat and customizing soundtracks, while staying in the game. The Guide button also allows users to turn off the controller or the console by holding the button for a few seconds (rather than simply pressing it).Rechargeable Battery Pack
The Rechargeable Battery Pack is a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack, which provides up to 25 hours of continuous gaming for the wireless controller. It is recommended in place of disposable AA batteries
AA battery
An AA battery is a standard size of battery. Batteries of this size are the most commonly used type of in portable electronic devices. An AA battery is composed of a single electrochemical cell...
, which differ slightly in voltage and have higher disposal costs (financial and environmental). It ships as part of, and can be charged by, the Play & Charge Kit and the Quick Charge Kit. To fully charge the battery pack takes approximately 2 hours with the Quick Charge Kit; the Play & Charge Kit takes longer (and depends on whether the controller is being used). An upgraded, 35-hour version is included with "transforming d-pad" controllers.
Wireless Gaming Receiver
The Wireless Gaming Receiver (sold as "Crossfire Wireless Gaming Receiver" in the UK) allows wireless Xbox 360 accessories, such as wireless gamepads, racing wheels and headsets, to be used on a Windows-based PC. The device acts in a similar manner to an Xbox 360, allowing up to 4 controllers and 4 headsets at a time to be connected to the receiver. The device has a 30 foot (10 meter) range and a six foot (2 meter) USB cable. It is specifically designed to work with games bearing the "Games for WindowsGames for Windows
Games for Windows is a brand owned by Microsoft and introduced in 2006 to coincide with the release of Windows Vista. The brand represents a standardized technical certification program and online service for Windows games, bringing a measure of regulation to the PC game market in much the same way...
" logo, but will function with most games that permit a standard PC gamepad. The official Xbox website noted that the adapter will work with "all future wireless devices".
Messenger Kit
The Messenger Kit consists of a wired Xbox 360 headset and a small keyboard known as the "Chatpad". The Chatpad connects to the front of the controller and may be used for any standard text input on the console. It is not currently compatible with the wireless gaming receiver.See also
- Kinect
- SixaxisSixaxisThe Sixaxis Wireless Controller was the official gamepad for the Sony PlayStation 3 from launch until 2008 when it was succeeded by the DualShock 3....
- DualShockDualShockThe DualShock is a line of vibration-feedback gamepads by Sony for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 video game consoles. The DualShock was introduced in Japan in late 1997, and launched in the North American market in May 1998...
- DualShock 3
- PlayStation Move
- Wii RemoteWii RemoteThe , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...