Xbox 360 gets a better D-Pad... everywhere but America
The Xbox 360 has a great controller, but the D-pad has always been problematic. In an attempt to avoid patent fees, Microsoft opted for their own solution. Most of the time this isn't a problem, but for games that are D-Pad heavy, the 360 controller just sucks.
Microsoft has just announced they'll be remedying that mistake for some markets. The tweaked 360 controller will feature a better D-Pad with more precise control. The only problem: it's only scheduled to be released in Europe, Asia and Latin America... probably because of the very same US Patent issues that prevented Microsoft from putting a better D-Pad in to begin with.
Microsoft tweaks Xbox 360 controller [Games Industry]
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Good that Microsoft is addressing the one flaw in their controller, but it really needs to come here! =Z
I'm actually over how crappy the D-Pad is, I just won't play (or buy!) Street Fighter, or anything else like that because the D-Pad is so imprecise.
What really kills me about the 360 controller is how the analog sticks get uncentered after a few months. If you take a well used controller and try and play a game like GTA4 or UT3, unless you constantly keep your thumb on the stick and centered, your character will run in a direction on it's own accord. It would be so easy to add in a "dead zone" adjustment (the XP drivers when you use a controller on a PC have this option), but there is none. The design of the controller is good, but MS's hardware is cheap crap.
Also, if you're really concerned about using the D-pad on the controller, you can open it up and do a little sanding for a more responsive D-Pad. The instructions are here .
I've been using the same 360 controllers for almost 3 years now and my analog sticks aren't off centered at all. How are you storing yours?!
I suspect that the many game export websites will be happy to ship these controllers to people in America - if its significantly better I might try to order one whenever it is finally released.
I'd buy it but I'm more interested in an arcade stick from Street Fighter 4.
What I don't understand is why Microsoft can't just R&D a new d-pad technology that doesn't infringe on any patents, and is at least as good as the competitions'
I personally rarely have a problem with my 360 controllers' d-pads, but I have to admit that casting spells in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was likely harder than it had to be.
Isn't everyone buying their X-Box controllers imported from Japan anyway, because the ones sold in the N. American market are made for humans with giant freak hands?
I imagine it's alot like trying to R&D a new way make lemonade. How many different ways can you come up with that don't use lemon juice, sugar, and water?#3: SEPPTB: I store them face up on a table next to the console. I don't throw them in a showbox with cords, game boxes or anything like that to push on the analog sticks if that's what your thinking. I've been through 3 controllers now that all end up with out of whack analog sticks.
Now, I do play a lot of FPSs and usually you're pressing up to go forward almost constantly, and when I'm juking and dodging I subconciously move to the left. Lo and behold, that's the two ways the left stick wears out first. I put more hours playing SOCOM I and II on the PS2 and never had this problem with those analog sticks. I have absolutely no faith in any of MS's 360 hardware anymore, and would look at buying Madcatz controllers *GASP* before I buy another official controller.