No sooner had we ecstatically
bid the old d-pad adieu than Microsoft advised that its tweaked Xbox 360 controller is not yet destined for mass distribution. While confirming an October 24 release date with
Eurogamer, the publisher noted that the new controller, sporting an "optimized" and not-entirely-awful d-pad, will be released as a
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 tie-in product. As such, it will be "a limited edition promotional item that is only available in Europe, Asia and Latin America while supplies last."
It's also a revolting green.
We've contacted Microsoft in the hopes of ascertaining its US plans for the improved controller, if any.
{ Aug 20th 2008 at 12:15PM } 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MC Double Def DP @ Aug 20th 2008 11:08AM
you better bring this stateside microsoft in non-puke green. Otherwise, Street Fighter 4 will be purchased for PS3.
FOXHOUND @ Aug 20th 2008 12:27PM
I second that.
Although a big LOLz goes out to this comment text box that seems to be the same puke green colour as the controller.
Vegnagun bwf @ Aug 20th 2008 1:47PM
I'm surprised Microsoft isn't bringing it stateside in the first place. Last I heard Microsoft was a company in America, and it's doing best in America. Why keep a new product away from the largest consumer market they have?
Vcize @ Aug 20th 2008 2:59PM
Because apparently it's made specifically for a soccer game and in case you haven't noticed, America isn't exactly the #1 market for soccer.
Fullmetal Salchemist @ Aug 20th 2008 4:31PM
It's not only the soccer game; fighting games are also bigger in Latin America than they are in the states.
The Beta Max @ Aug 20th 2008 11:09AM
Darn this to heck. Release this everywhere, MS! Make it the new official controller!
rv @ Aug 20th 2008 11:16AM
WTF >:O
Why fix something if you are not going to use it.
MV @ Aug 20th 2008 11:27AM
I'm willing to bet the green color is what's ends up being "limited-edition" and the d-pad ends up in all controllers.
Duke @ Aug 20th 2008 1:11PM
That makes the most sense to me. They have recognized and fixed controller issues in the past (Duke!) So, I doubt they would shy away from introducing the fixed pad in the future.
John @ Aug 21st 2008 3:32AM
That's right, and they released them overseas first, remember the controlles S was a japan release first?
LOKIOLR @ Aug 20th 2008 11:37AM
That's the new color coming out in October. Red will be along for the ride as well. I do agree that all of the controllers after that point will probably get the revision as well.
Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Aug 20th 2008 12:19PM
Don't be retarded Microsoft, many of us are clamoring for an improved D-Pad! Soul Calibur 4 is so much better on the PS3 controller than 360 but why not change that MS?
Moptimus Slime @ Aug 20th 2008 12:24PM
How would you know? Yours is broken, remember?
Moptimus Slime @ Aug 20th 2008 12:29PM
woops, just read your other response. New 360, good for you
animeman_59 @ Aug 20th 2008 1:23PM
All d-pads suck. The only one that was ever really worth a damn was the SEGA Saturn d-pad. You could play Xmen vs SF on that thing forever. Perfect for fighting games.
Diagonals are a problem with the PS controller and the X360 pad just blows.
Oh well. Long live the arcade stick!
*hugs Hori fighting stick EX*
Hyams @ Aug 20th 2008 12:22PM
Why did they make it snot green?
Highcharity @ Aug 20th 2008 12:31PM
The Real question is why didn't they in the first place?? ;) J/k But this is really a poor addition to the Xbox 360 accessories. They could have it least made it a more pleasable color but instead they did the exact other way around and made it limited edition. EPIC FAIL MS!!!!
sinai @ Aug 20th 2008 12:22PM
this is how it's going to go down.
Microsoft: this is limited edition ONLY. (We are NOT admitting that there is something wrong with the D-pad design of the original x360 controller. NOT AT ALL.)
Four Months Later: Due to popular demand, we are releasing the limited edition controller as standard. (This way, we are not able to sell you a bunch of new controllers without (a) having to admit that the D-pads were faulty and (b) because we didn't have to admit they're faulty, we can make you buy a new pair without having to recall the old ones and replace them ourselves.)
tl;dr
Zeus.:God @ Aug 20th 2008 1:14PM
...
The old ones weren't faulty... Maybe if you guys had some coordination, you wouldn't be having any problems. I've never really had problems with the D-pad on the 360 controller, though I can see how those who have either tiny hands or just can't aim their thumb would have problems.
arrrgh @ Aug 20th 2008 1:14PM
ahhh the old sony dual shock 3 trick ;) gotcha
ComicShaman @ Aug 20th 2008 2:11PM
Your prediction seems accurate, especially since that is pretty much exactly how it went down with the first Xbox controller. "No, it's not oversized! It's just a vocal minority that complains." Then the "S" controller came out, and later it became the standard.
So, yeah. History repeats itself.
ZenGaijin @ Aug 20th 2008 12:22PM
The D-pad looks mostly the same hopefully it is trully fixed and hopefully they will get this thing stateside.
As someone said before if not Ps3 SFIV for me.
arrrgh @ Aug 20th 2008 1:15PM
seriously though, MS had better get their shit together on this one.
ZenGaijin @ Aug 20th 2008 12:24PM
Hopefully this D-pad is actually better because besides the god awful D-pad the 360 controller is pretty much perfect.
They better bring this stateside or as someone else said PS3 SFIV for me.
ZenGaijin @ Aug 20th 2008 12:24PM
Damn you post eating comment system you win this round.
Supino @ Aug 20th 2008 12:24PM
yeah - fix the d-pad, MS. It's the worst part of the 360 controller...
Jack of No Trades 85 @ Aug 20th 2008 12:25PM
You guys are smarter than than lol
They only say "limited edition" so people will gobble up these newly colored controllers. The revision will be on all controllers sooner or later.
Moptimus Slime @ Aug 20th 2008 12:28PM
Are Europeans really so thick they need an image to tell them how to turn it off?
Also, the hands of the person in the picture (Ludwig?) look enormous compared to that controller, another possible issue
MC Double Def DP @ Aug 20th 2008 12:31PM
Bravo! great troll comment! Hats off to you!
Moptimus Slime @ Aug 20th 2008 12:36PM
Wait, what?
Machrc @ Aug 20th 2008 12:46PM
no you just forgot that it came with those stickers out of the box.
i have one with the sticker ..still on..
Duke @ Aug 20th 2008 1:13PM
Maybe they could release a version with a sticker telling you how to remove the other sticker.
Creciente @ Aug 20th 2008 12:30PM
Hideous green, you mean?
Boffo the Sock @ Aug 20th 2008 12:33PM
GC 2008: Revised 360 controller is 'not going to be available for the region with the largest installed base'
Fenix @ Aug 20th 2008 12:38PM
o_O
...
:(
Phillip @ Aug 20th 2008 12:44PM
Looks the same to me.
Phillip @ Aug 20th 2008 12:45PM
Clarification: The D-Pad. Not the green color.
juju187 @ Aug 20th 2008 1:01PM
im surprised nobody has said this but, The d-pad looks the same.
the trouble with the d-pad is that its a fucking circle.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Aug 20th 2008 1:06PM
Agreed. Seeing pics now, I expect the d-pad still is the worst in the biz, even if it is a little improved.
lol @ Aug 21st 2008 12:50AM
You know, I almost agree with you. Almost.
The Saturn's D-pad on the type-2 controller was gorgeous, and it was a circle too. The difference was that the directions still stood out from the rest of the "disc"...that, and it was on a central pivot that made it extra awesome.
Similar design is used on ASCII D-pads. Seriously, someone call up Sega and ask for the design! Not like they're gonna use it...
I just use a Hori stick for my fighting game pleasure...I suppose that, with most games having analogs as the primary control, they thought they could skimp on the d-pad...sadness.
Saturn's D-pad, and the Genesis 6-button pad of yore are the only d-pads to never ever hurt my thumbs.
ryan @ Sep 20th 2008 10:40AM
The problem is not the circle. The problem is the pad stands on an inch long stalk. Pressure can quickly shift from one contact to another at the base, ruining your high scores. The best fix would be to add a separate PCB platform inside the controller just for the Dpad, raised so the contacts sit just under your thumb, with a spring under the pad so it feels more tactile. To be blunt this is an exceedingly stupid oversight when Dpads should be perfect by now.
creid @ Aug 20th 2008 1:02PM
I have a controller with an awful d-pad, and any demo units I've tried in-store have an awful d-pad, but my friend bought a new 360 a few months ago and his d-pad is much better. I wonder if there has already been some revision since the original. This could explain why the d-pad doesn't bother some people.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Aug 20th 2008 1:12PM
I have one of the pink ones, which is definitely the new style (as least until this green one), and the D-pad is no better.
It also has the changed internal electronics so you can't charge it except from a powered-on 360, which is BS, since I could charge it from any USB port (including an iPod charger) before. The jerks are trying to force me into buying their expensive charging tower. Instead, I've switched to rechargeable AAs. I despise Microsoft's accessory strategy.
I'm chalking this down to just something that a rep said on the show floor. Q: "What else is different besides the color?" A: "Er, I think the d-pad was changed somewhat."
bizarrorollins @ Aug 20th 2008 1:06PM
Well i bought my 360 a little over a month ago and I seem to have the exact same problems as most people. Fast change of directions seem to be completely impossible on the d-pad and its frustrating playing any games that require fast movement such as SOTN or Bionic Commando
zero2dash @ Aug 20th 2008 1:19PM
I've done the d-pad mod on 2 of my 360 controllers.
http://www.ufighterx.com/guides/videogame/360dpadfix/360dpadfix.htm
...and they still suck.
Playing Contra or Super Contra on the 360 is an exercise in futility. Try crouching + shooting from one direction to another, WITHOUT standing up, aiming at the floor and getting shot and killed. It's IMPOSSIBLE.
I'm going to pick up Bionic Commando: Rearmed on the Ps3; much much better d-pad "over there".
Vcize @ Aug 20th 2008 3:00PM
Isn't BC totally playable with the analog stick? That's what I used in the demo anyway, never even thought about using the d-pad in it.
zero2dash @ Aug 20th 2008 3:12PM
Yeah, you can use the analog stick if you want; I just prefer the d-pad in games where you usually move in 1 constant direction with little to no variable (ie left to right in a side scroller like Sonic or Braid).
Burritoclock @ Aug 20th 2008 1:29PM
There's no way they will not release it in the US after the Internets massive collective orgasm.
todd @ Aug 20th 2008 1:41PM
Those Europeans get everything.
Vegnagun bwf @ Aug 20th 2008 1:43PM
What a slap in the face to people who were excited to hear about the new d-pad. Way to leave out important details, Microsoft.