Xbox 360 Wireless Controller – Glossy Black

If you’ve got an XBox 360, you really need to get your hand on one or two wireless controllers. These controllers are GREAT for keeping your gaming area free of clutter. To start with, the controller is much smaller than the standard XBox controller was.

For control items, you start with the standard blue X, yellow Y, red B and green A buttons. There are two thumbsticks, one on the upper left and one in the center right. There is also a directional (d-pad) in the lower left.

Next, you have a pair of shoulder buttons at the “top” of the unit, up above the other buttons. You also have a pair of triggers below those shoulder buttons.

Finally, you have a center X button that can be used to turn the console on and off, plus a “start” and “back” tiny white buttons on either side of it.

The unit has a rechargeable battery unit inside it, the size of two AA batteries. You have to buy a recharger set SEPARATELY that lets you charge up while you play. In essence you plug the charger into the back of the controller – and the other end into the USB port in the front of the XBox 360 unit. So you play with the controller “wired” as it charges up. When it’s fully charged again, you just pop off the wire and keep playing.

The range of the wireless unit is 30′, which is probably much further than anybody is really going to even try playing a game at. The wireless is much easier on your hand – no cable holding you down – plus it’s a great help in keeping your gaming area organized. You can easily pass the controller from person to person, and visitors can come and go without tripping over wires.

The documentation says you can get 40 hours of gameplay between charges, but if you have features such as vibration on, that sucks the time down to maybe 8-10 hours. It’s up to you of course – I personally like having vibration on because it is often important for gameplay to get those warning signals.

Still, even if I have to plug the cables in every 10 hours or so to give it a juice boost, I still love wireless!! Highly recommended.
My Score: 5 / 5 stars

I really feel Microsoft has done a great job with this pad. After the original XBox controller that felt like it was made backwards this one feels great. The buttons are placed right and it fits well in your hands. Generally I would say it’s a toss up between the PS3 and 360 control. They both do the job right. The trigger buttons feel placed well and even the analog sticks are in a good place. This paddle also gets excellent range without loosing it’s signal. My only qualm is personal. My experience after playing long hours is that right hand gets a little tight from gripping the control pad. I am sure most people feel just fine gripping this pad. Make sure you get a rechargable batterey pack so you don’t spend a fortune on batteries. This pad is obviously a must have for anyone with a 360.
My Score: 4 / 5 stars

I know I’m not the only one who remembers Nintendo’s first attempts at wireless controllers. Since then I’ve always had that in mind, and was reluctant to try these wireless controllers for the 360.

But these are amazing.

They feel just as responsive and reliable as any wired controller, and if you really want to, you have the option of hooking them up to your 360 with another accessory (not included) later, if you really prefer wired.

Misc.:

The “X” button in the middle of the controller is used to access the 360 dashboard, not just to turn on/off the console.

If you turn the console off through the dashboard, these controllers will automatically turn off, to save battery power.

NOTE: This item does NOT come with a rechargeable battery pack. (-1 Star)
My Score: 4 / 5 stars