Microsoft fesses up to a new, tweaked Xbox 360 controller

According to gamesindustry.biz, Microsoft is confirming a slight revision to its Xbox 360 controller design. Apparently, the new iteration of the gamepad includes enhancements to its d-pad, which admittedly has always been somewhat lacking. In Microsoft's words: "The new limited edition green wireless controller offers enhancements to d-pad functionality, which will add to the experience of playing games where the d-pad is the primary control mechanism." We'd like to think that this d-pad tweak will finally give us an opportunity to level up in COD4 from Corporal to Lieutenant General in no time.

[Kris @ Aug 20th 2008 11:11AM]

That image scares me. IT'S NOT NATURAL!

[Blaine Oliver @ Aug 20th 2008 11:21AM]

Im sad to say that picture took me a good 10 seconds to realise what the problem was.

[ChuChu @ Aug 20th 2008 1:11PM]

What's scarier than the image is the number of people commenting who don't get it.

[Miggity @ Aug 20th 2008 1:44PM]

Jesus that photo makes me sick a little. Its like nails on a chalkboard.

[Alex @ Aug 20th 2008 3:57PM]

It's like these:http://www.moillusions.com/2008/02/upside-down-optical-illusion-again.html

[Rich @ Aug 20th 2008 11:11AM]

This is great news (even if it does mean buyer a new controller). Street Fighter 2 is unplayable to any degree of skill using the current controller's D-pad.

[stillen @ Aug 20th 2008 11:12AM]

Why even have the extra analog stick if it remains on the right side with the other...looks goofy.

[thewunderbar @ Aug 20th 2008 11:18AM]

um.......ever considered that that picture isn't real?

[J. Baker @ Aug 20th 2008 12:06PM]

Future darwin award contender here.

[icepop4who @ Aug 20th 2008 12:07PM]

you didn't know some people have 2 thumbs on the right hand?

[Flit @ Aug 20th 2008 12:12PM]

BREAKING! Most engadget commentors are dumb as bricks, Read comments below for examples...

Being one controller short, I can't wait to buy one. Hopefully it's just normal price, and not "FER Raels $80 limited edition with free Lithograph!"

Do want.

[bradebner @ Aug 20th 2008 12:39PM]

yeah, and use your fucking head man.. look at the analog sticks... notice how the top one is slightly off center to the left? can you guess why that is? and how the "B" button looks like it is sloping around on the right? hmmm.... moron

[stillen @ Aug 21st 2008 4:21PM]

THIS JUST IN:
Commenters on well known tech blog "Engadget," make themselves feel better and counteract a plummeting sense self-esteem by posting super rediculously funny replies to other subscribers' comments. Said commenters are rumored to be really smart and full of useful knowledge, but have absolutely no ability to apply it to anything useful. These commenters continue to ravage this tech blog's commenting system with their "funnies," supposedly eating Doritos and drinking sugar-free Rockstar while their Firefox browsers have multiple tabs open, continually updating several the sites pages every 30 seconds.

Former full-time editor-in-chief Ryan Block, and now contributing editor-at-large comments: "For most of us here, at some point the sensation of breaking the news takes hold and turns into something else, something much more like an addiction. It really gets into you, keeps you up at night, makes you stay in on weekends. It's in Engadget's DNA, and it's what's kept me glued to the site most waking hours of most days for over four years now."

This former full-time Engadget editor's comment describes the harsh reality that this group of commenters has to deal with. We can only hope that this group can find useful ways to apply their knowledge and deal with their addiction...

[Jason @ Aug 20th 2008 11:13AM]

Looks like a photoshop to me. Look at the B button...

[thewunderbar @ Aug 20th 2008 11:19AM]

The B button was the only thing that stuck out?

[Matthew @ Aug 20th 2008 11:16AM]

Something about that picture just makes me uneasy. Like there is some large disturbance in the force.

[computer.dude.28 @ Aug 20th 2008 11:18AM]

Great! I always hit night vision while trying to call a chopper, then I get owned.

[rv @ Aug 20th 2008 11:22AM]

You never use the dpad in cod, besides calling in uav/heli/etc. So basically it won't helpyou.

[austin @ Aug 20th 2008 11:58AM]

except when your screen turns green when calling in a UAV and you get sniped in the face cuz you dont know whats going on and then you dont get your two more kills to get an air strike. so its a big deal.

[Jon @ Aug 20th 2008 12:11PM]

Heroes. ahh i cant wait

[Beaver Of Love @ Aug 20th 2008 7:55PM]

are you saying you've never run around with a pistol and night vision goggles?

[mattklump @ Aug 22nd 2008 12:26AM]

I guess if you don't get enough kills to call in a UAV, airstrike, or heli...

[Michael Witt @ Aug 20th 2008 11:22AM]

This looks like bad news for Too Human (It uses both joysticks, one for combat one for movement).

[rv @ Aug 20th 2008 12:04PM]

People play too human???

[Zeus.:God @ Aug 20th 2008 11:22AM]

Duh, of course it's PhotoShopped, they don't have any release pictures of it, yet.

[Play @ Aug 20th 2008 11:23AM]

In case you have any doubt, the picture is here to liven up the article about a revised gamepad. It's not exactly the revised controller.
I feel sad to explain this . If you believe this picture is real you need vacation immediatly..^^

[Tony @ Aug 20th 2008 11:52AM]

Why would you reward stupidity with a vacation?

A good slap or two across the face will do.

[EricLMcCormick @ Aug 20th 2008 11:23AM]

What is up with the A, B, X and Y buttons? Is this suppose to be a controller for people who are left handed?

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 20th 2008 12:17PM]

Its for people who are 4-handed.

[EdgeOne @ Aug 20th 2008 2:57PM]

It’s a controller for people with low IQ and no sense of humor. In other words, most liberals.

[TheIcemanCometh @ Aug 20th 2008 4:18PM]

@EdgeOne

Score! Right on, brother!

[daddycool @ Aug 20th 2008 11:24AM]

THANK THE LAUWD!!!!!

I was hoping they would do this. They probably only did it for Street Fighter 4. I used to hope that someone would license the Sega Six Button fort the new gen systems. This will do though.

I am the only one who has never really liked the Xbox OR Sony D-pad? I mean the Sony is at least usable, but it's still not 8-way. And that hole in the middle....

[Jaeson DeLeon @ Aug 20th 2008 11:28AM]

Oh man, the Sega 6-button. The floating D-Pad is just so much win on that controller.

I think that's what Microsoft was trying to do, but ultimately failed.

[thedudeabides @ Aug 20th 2008 11:28AM]

That's becuase Nintendo patented the "Cross" D-Pad design on the NES, SNES, etc etc controller, so everyone else has to make theirs slightly different. Look at all the Gravis pads and the like.

[Rich @ Aug 20th 2008 11:39AM]

Agreed on the Sega 6 button pad. As close to Street Fighter perfection as was possible with a pad.

[Ashwin Jadhav @ Aug 20th 2008 11:26AM]

The slight revision is a better D-pad (which would hopefully mean I can play MK or SF like a sega gamepad).

I dont think they're changing the layout; 'shopped for sure.

[Beaver Of Love @ Aug 20th 2008 7:55PM]

duh.

[theCardinal @ Aug 20th 2008 11:27AM]

The picture is fake. They are making changes but only to the d-pad. They're not relocating anything. Stupid picture to pick of the story TBH.

[Keith @ Aug 20th 2008 11:28AM]

If it ever looks like that im getting rid of my xbox has anyone played turok on the N64 yeah you had to use your joystick with the right hand and the left controled the 4 buttons. I HATE YOU MICROSOFT

[shamowfski @ Aug 20th 2008 11:32AM]

That picture is like a moron bait. Isn't baiting morons illegal?

[primetime4 @ Aug 20th 2008 11:40AM]

I never would have guessed that a pic would blow so many minds. Shows how narrow the geek mind is.

[ZackDaJew @ Aug 20th 2008 8:09PM]

I've spent the last 10 minutes laughing my head off at these comments!

[fieldcar @ Aug 20th 2008 11:34AM]

Debunked... Only Limited edition, sadly.
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/gc-2008-revised-360-controller-is-limited-edition-promotional/

[marky-b @ Aug 20th 2008 11:40AM]

Why not make the layout like the ps1/2/3 controllers?

Moving the buttons to the left side of the controller is going to confuse a lot of (all) players...

[Abuzar Baloach @ Aug 20th 2008 6:16PM]

First, that's a fake.

Second, the PS3 controller should be like the Xbox 360 controller, not the other way around.

[Beaver Of Love @ Sep 9th 2008 2:21AM]

straight up.

[The 3rd Hot Dog @ Aug 20th 2008 11:41AM]

lol tat controller would never work b/c ummm idk im not left handed & i could never get used to those buttons on the left, thats y M$ sux lol

[J.D @ Aug 20th 2008 2:27PM]

Imagine what would happen if this guy saw something that was actually confusing....

[Beaver Of Love @ Aug 20th 2008 7:59PM]

he'd be on america's funniest home videos.

[maveric101 @ Aug 20th 2008 8:01PM]

i imagine his brain would 'splode.

uh, here's a hint... IT'S 'SHOPPED