New 360 controller design....

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:49 pm

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/901/901990p1.html

Looks like this should solve some D-pad woes, although I don't know when we'll get it.

Necronopticous · Post by **Necronopticous** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:08 pm

I'm skeptical about how much better this D-pad will actually feel. It's still a fucking circle, for crying out loud.

Endymion · Post by **Endymion** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:21 pm

This pad was made for Konami Pro Evolution Soccer. It is not coming to the USA.

Microsoft has confirmed to Shacknews that there are indeed no plans to bring the "optimized" D-Pad to North America in any form.

"Basically, the controller will only be available for a limited time in Europe, Asia and Latin America, and has been optimized for certain games that are D-pad intensive," explained a Microsoft representative.

"There are no plans to make those changes to the existing wireless controllers at this time. However, the Xbox 360 wireless controller is one of the most popular controllers of all time and we're confident that it will continue to provide the complete gaming experience."

What you should do instead. I've done this to about three dozen 360 pads now and it works wonders. It's made the 360 one of my favourite pads of all time. Including its D-Pad. Honestly, I don't see how adding switches to a special edition pad is going to help. From all the photos of this new pad that I have seen it has the same problem, virtually no space between the pad and the rim that retains it.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:28 pm

Endymion wrote:This pad was made for Konami Pro Evolution Soccer. It is not coming to the USA.

Microsoft has confirmed to Shacknews that there are indeed no plans to bring the "optimized" D-Pad to North America in any form.

"Basically, the controller will only be available for a limited time in Europe, Asia and Latin America, and has been optimized for certain games that are D-pad intensive," explained a Microsoft representative.

"There are no plans to make those changes to the existing wireless controllers at this time. However, the Xbox 360 wireless controller is one of the most popular controllers of all time and we're confident that it will continue to provide the complete gaming experience."
What you should do instead. I've done this to about three dozen 360 pads now and it works wonders. It's made the 360 one of my favourite pads of all time. Including its D-Pad. Honestly, I don't see how adding switches to a special edition pad is going to help. From all the photos of this new pad that I have seen it has the same problem, virtually no space between the pad and the rim that retains it.

Well, that stinks. If someone was to import one over here, would it work with their American 360? Great video-so, if MS just removed that outer edge, the D-pad would work better? I don't think that would cost them that much to do! I wonder if you couldn't sand down that outer edge without taking the controller apart.

What about 3rd party 360 controllers, are there any that solve that problem?

Endymion · Post by **Endymion** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:49 pm

Probably, but would you really do that before spending maybe an hour of your time sanding? And that's if you need to use sandpaper. I can make short work of them now, 10 minutes tops with a dremel. What's wrong with instant satisfaction and zero cost?

dmauro · Post by **dmauro** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:44 pm

Endymion wrote:Probably, but would you really do that before spending maybe an hour of your time sanding? And that's if you need to use sandpaper. I can make short work of them now, 10 minutes tops with a dremel. What's wrong with instant satisfaction and zero cost?

qft

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:00 am

Endymion wrote:Probably, but would you really do that before spending maybe an hour of your time sanding? And that's if you need to use sandpaper. I can make short work of them now, 10 minutes tops with a dremel. What's wrong with instant satisfaction and zero cost?

Can't argue with that. But honestly, I don't understand all of the complaints about the 360's D-pad to begin with. To me, it's a HUGE improvement over the XBOX's D-pad-not nearly as stiff, IMO. But then, I haven't played any shmups on one.

Jockel · Post by **Jockel** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:42 am

Are you serious?
The Xbox 360 D-pad is just so effing bad...
I am playing Ikaruga with the freaking analog stick, because it sucks so much.
And THAT is saying something

But right now i am doing the mod (just use a sharp knife, you won't even have to open the controller for that)

Endymion · Post by **Endymion** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:10 pm

The XBox 360 pad is WONDERFUL, yes the D-Pad, it's great! It just has to be unleashed.

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:54 pm

I suppose I need to get around to this mod...as I've already cracked open the controller once for cleaning. ...yes...I'm a spaz. Considering that I only use the wired pad for online gaming I suppose I don't have to do it twice.

dmauro · Post by **dmauro** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:58 am

Endymion wrote:The XBox 360 pad is WONDERFUL, yes the D-Pad, it's great! It just has to be unleashed.

This got a laugh out of me, partly because it's completely true.

Kiken · Post by **Kiken** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:28 pm

Jockel wrote:Are you serious?
The Xbox 360 D-pad is just so effing bad...
I am playing Ikaruga with the freaking analog stick, because it sucks so much.
And THAT is saying something

This is why the 360 has joysticks. I have one of those 6-button Horii sticks and it works quite well with SNR, Ikaruga and Shiki 3.

dave4shmups wrote:But honestly, I don't understand all of the complaints about the 360's D-pad to begin with.

It's not the Saturn d-pad.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:21 am

Kiken wrote:
Jockel wrote:Are you serious?
The Xbox 360 D-pad is just so effing bad...
I am playing Ikaruga with the freaking analog stick, because it sucks so much.
And THAT is saying something
This is why the 360 has joysticks. I have one of those 6-button Horii sticks and it works quite well with SNR, Ikaruga and Shiki 3.

dave4shmups wrote:But honestly, I don't understand all of the complaints about the 360's D-pad to begin with.
It's not the Saturn d-pad.

True, but what else is? Not the PS3's D-Pad.

Endymion · Post by **Endymion** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 3:24 am

Just so we are clear, everybody in here dissing the 360 D-pad hasn't done the mod, correct? Just dmauro and I?