Ben Heck refines his one-handed Xbox 360 controller

Though Ben's still hard at work at the modular "Access" one-handed controller to be sold by eDimensional, he's certainly not frittering away that free time of his. The latest and greatest mod by Ben Heckendorn is a refined version of his right-handed Xbox 360 controller. As opposed to the one-size-fits-all modularity of the Access, his one-handed controllers puts all the buttons easily within reach and places the right analog stick at the base of the controller -- you play the game by moving the analog stick against your leg. The new version has slimmed down the design considerably and spruced up the aesthetics -- thought the inclusion of a PS3 d-pad could be seen as sacrilege to some.

[Via Cool Mods]

[Raheem @ Mar 17th 2008 9:34AM]

The addition of any other D-Pad improves the 360s version. I love everything else about the 360 pad and this is a great conception and surely will benefit loads of people. Bit concerned about the sensitivity when it comes to moving the analog stick against your leg, though? Would love to give this a try.

[nxtiak @ Mar 17th 2008 12:13PM]

Agreed, the 360's d-pad is the worse ever made.
Try playing Tetris on it, it's impossible.

[computer.dude.28 @ Mar 17th 2008 5:11PM]

I hope that IS the left stick that's on the bottom and not the right. Aiming with your leg, anyone?

[Chebwa @ Mar 17th 2008 9:34AM]

"...you play the game by moving the analog stick against your leg."

Sounds GOD AWFUL.

[Greg @ Mar 17th 2008 10:29AM]

Well, if you only have one hand, I'm sure using a leg is better than a toe.

[lars @ Mar 17th 2008 10:50AM]

@Greg, You weren't intrigued by the "Whooshing" noise right above your head? Hint: He meant a different stick. Of course, that may only be me and my dirty mind.

[Alan Strangis @ Mar 17th 2008 11:36AM]

@ lars: Knowing Chewba's post history, I'm guessing it's just your dirty mind. :D

[JohnTitor @ Mar 17th 2008 12:44PM]

dang, these 1 handed people should get into PC gaming, grab a MX510 Mouse (8-buttons) and a OCZ mind controlled controller and they're set

[CraigJ @ Mar 17th 2008 2:25PM]

I can drive with my leg while drinking coffee and talking on my cell phone, so why not play xbox that way?

[nxtiak @ Mar 17th 2008 4:20PM]

Think of it like a flight stick.
You hold this controller, and set it down on your knee, or table or whatever. then you move it by tilting forward/backward/side to side, just like a flight stick.

[Flashpoint @ Mar 17th 2008 9:36AM]

This sounds awful if you've really got to move the analog stick with your leg. it doesn't look comfortable either.

maybe its time XBOX360 got a POWERGLOVE.

[Mike @ Mar 17th 2008 10:58AM]

LOL i bought one a long time ago hahaha what a pos
but I'm sure if someone actually designed a better one it might actually work >.>

but seriously, i'd love to see someone bring back a cheap replica of the SNES Super Advantage

[Alan Strangis @ Mar 17th 2008 1:24PM]

I believe the article said "move the analog stick against your leg" not "with". I'm guessing could also be placed on a table (like in the photo) or arm rest, effectively making behave like an old school joystick.

I actually like that idea.

[Jared @ Mar 17th 2008 9:38AM]

I'm sure it wouldn't be god-awful if you only had one hand...which I'm assuming is the target user of such a device.

[nh @ Mar 17th 2008 10:16AM]

I thought it was more aimed at ace players, who like to use two machines at once.

Now if only I could find a link to that Red Dwarf clip...

[Bufsabre @ Mar 17th 2008 9:46AM]

im i the only one who is inspired enough to use both hands?

[FTY @ Mar 17th 2008 9:58AM]

How about those without two hands/arms, due to accidents or other circumstances?

[Bufsabre @ Mar 17th 2008 1:56PM]

they have bigger worries that playing the new halo

[Wolfticket @ Mar 17th 2008 2:58PM]

What, you mean like growing their arm back?
If you lost an arm I'm sure you'd suddenly hate playing Halo.

[Fenway Beer Man @ Mar 17th 2008 3:21PM]

I went to a party and there was this one-handed dude schooling everyone at PS2 games - he had one hand and a stump, and I don't know how he did it but he was the best fucking gamer.

People don't just stop trying to have fun once they lose a limb.

[G_White @ Mar 17th 2008 5:11PM]

If my memory serves me, he designed the original one for a soldier who lost his left hand or arm.

[m @ Mar 17th 2008 6:43PM]

@Fenway Beer Man: you just reminded me of Pete Townsend, describing his "Pinball Wizard."

http://www.lyrics007.com/The%20Who%20Lyrics/Pinball%20Wizard%20Lyrics.html

[Jeff @ Mar 17th 2008 9:58AM]

I'm sure this is intended for use with Dead or Alive Xtreme...

[Matt @ Mar 17th 2008 10:00AM]

pure win.

[rav97 @ Mar 17th 2008 10:00AM]

Ideal for Dead or Alive Xtreme 2. Just think of all the stuff you could do with the other hand while playing the game. Like, solving a crossword puzzle.

[rav97 @ Mar 17th 2008 10:08AM]

Doh! Jeff preceded me.

[Brent @ Mar 17th 2008 10:10AM]

I think an accelerometer for the right analog stick might work better than playing with your knee. Otherwise it looks pretty usable.

[Jimmijam @ Mar 17th 2008 10:21AM]

Who cares about sacrilege when you consider why he's designing such devices. :)

[kris @ Mar 17th 2008 10:27AM]

(people questioning it above) This is clearly for people who are only able to use one hand - it's way better than using a traditional controller .

ON an different note - can someone mod up a 360 controller with a good D-pad?! I'm a controller player when it comes to SF, so I don't want to get owned by arcade stick players just because there's not a decent d-pad for the 360.

[nh @ Mar 17th 2008 10:33AM]

That knee control has a precedent: It's how you steer your car when you have a coffee in one hand and your mobile phone rings.

But seriously, isn't this just like one of those flight joysticks with the hat control on the top, but with a ridiculously small base?

[Rig @ Mar 17th 2008 10:41AM]

Now he just needs to make a left hand one as well. That way I could play split-screen coop with myself! Ah geez I need a friend.

[fistpittingnork @ Mar 17th 2008 10:59AM]

Reminds me of one of those TalkBoy voice recorders.

"Guests of the new Celebrity Ding-Dang-Dong..."

[Bamboo @ Mar 17th 2008 2:33PM]

Like the one on Home Alone 2: Lost in New York?

[Seoultrain @ Mar 17th 2008 12:21PM]

Hmm, i'd think it'd be better to have the ABXY buttons on the index and middle fingers, with the triggers and shoulders for the ring and pinky. Or maybe move R trigger to the lower palm, so you would squeeze the controller to fire weapon in FPS, or to accelerate for racing.

i guess the optimal layout will vary depending on what type of game is played.

[Boynamedsue @ Mar 17th 2008 12:25PM]

"thought the inclusion of a PS3 d-pad could be seen as sacrilege to some."

yes, some, some sad lonely bastards. If you can't cope with this sort of mix and match variety, you'll never be prepared to play with a vagina.

[BigTeebo @ Mar 17th 2008 1:01PM]

I have an old PS1 controller that's a lot like that. Pre-dualshock, it utilizes your wrist movement to use the D-Pad(plus an additional one). Buttons are all along the fingers. Bought it moreso for nostalgic value than anything.

[RikF @ Mar 17th 2008 4:24PM]

I used to have a one-handed PS1 controller (back in the days before analog sticks). I used to because I didn't want to have to stop playing FFVII to drink a cup of tea or dunk my biscuits!

[ReggieXuk @ Mar 17th 2008 1:04PM]

the buttons would be better in a straight line.

[Carl M @ Mar 17th 2008 2:15PM]

I think the best arrangement would be to put the triggers along with A & B in a straight line for pressing with the finger tips, while putting the shoulder buttons along with X & Y in another straight line at a different angle for pressing with the middle of the fingers.

Combine that with using a motion sensor for the right stick, and I think you're set.

[Kahlil Sapp @ Mar 17th 2008 2:13PM]

Thats sounds great if you have lost a hand but why would you want this if you have both hands? I hope he didnt put too much money in this.

[Jinky Williams @ Mar 17th 2008 2:14PM]

Sign me up for one o' thems. You have my order, already.

[Ian @ Mar 17th 2008 2:41PM]

wow nobody even gives props to the guy for doing what the company wont do. make it so more people can use their product. i give this guy props for what he does even if he gives 1 person the enjoyment of playing a 360. i hope MS pays attention and picks this up and sells for him (at his predetermined price) so people with only 1 hand can play.

[Ian @ Mar 17th 2008 2:42PM]

hey stop trying to get some shitty videos viewed that have nothing to do with the topic on hand ok.

[BowserUSC @ Mar 17th 2008 4:02PM]

It's interesting that he did all that work and didn't make a battery cover. Maybe it's easier to remove the batteries with one hand that way.

[sinai @ Mar 17th 2008 4:07PM]

FINALLY! An input method for the pornographically inclined!

[sinai @ Mar 17th 2008 4:19PM]

also: being a pirate, i would like to know when the hook attachment will be available.

[ChrisG @ Mar 17th 2008 4:18PM]

WHY?!

[Boynamedsue @ Mar 17th 2008 4:35PM]

its amazing that someone with at least enough base knowledge to change their own icon would have to ask such an obvious question.

[sinai @ Mar 17th 2008 5:42PM]

BEER, YOU FOOL! BEER!

[ChrisG @ Mar 17th 2008 7:23PM]

excuse me boynamedsue (also known as ignorant jerk), i wrote "Why?!" because there is no real sense in taking apart a 360 controller just to make it work for one hand. Also if your as smart as your trying to imply with your rude comment, you would have known that my "question" is a statement and not meant for answering, so go be a dbag somewhere else.