Microsoft Announces New 360 Controller

Improved Xbox 360 controller will feature a transformable D-pad with improved precision.

Xbox 360 owners have long complained about the controller's D-pad, saying that the inputs are imprecise. This creates some difficulty when playing games such as Dead or Alive 4 and various other fighting games. In response to these complaints, Microsoft is working on a new controller with a better D-pad. Xbox Live director of programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb explained in a YouTube video:

"We've heard from the community that you're not big fans of the D-pad, so the engineers went back into the laboratory and came up with this ingenious solution."

The solution is a twisting D-pad that raises the plus sign from the normal, flatter disc to make it easier to use. The color scheme of the buttons has also been altered to shades of grey, and the analog sticks have been revised a bit.

The new controller will only be available as part of a "play-and-charge" controller kit bundle which will cost players $64.99 USD. Those who are willing to pay can pick it up on Novemer 9 in the U.S. and sometime in February in Europe. Anyone attending PAX this weekend can try out the new D-pad early.