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Xbox One Wireless Controller, Play and Charge Kit and Chat Headset available for pre-order
Already locked down your Xbox One Day One Edition order? Now's your chance to also reserve its initial batch of accessories (including that mono Chat Headset, which isn't included with the console). The Wireless Controller ($60), Play and Charge Kit ($25) and Chat Headset ($25) for the Xbox One have all popped up for pre-order at the Microsoft Store. The One's gamepad rings up at five bones more than the 360 variant, but it's also available as a $75 bundle with the Play and Charge Kit (roughly 10 dollars in savings). Joystiq notes that Gamestop and Amazon are also options, albeit only for the controller itself. If you plan to reserve any of the accessories, we'd suggest taking Microsoft's Dec 31st arrival date as a loose estimate -- the One releases in November and Amazon is pegging the controller for November 27th.
New Xbox 360 controller with improved D-pad confirmed, $65 on November 9
Hey, what's this? We just started hearing rumors this morning that Microsoft was planning a new Xbox 360 controller with an improved D-pad, and bang -- Major Nelson just went live with a YouTube video detailing the new piece. The new D-pad is a trick new patented design that's just as we heard from Joystiq: it's a disc in the normal configuration, but a quick twist raises the crossbars about a quarter-inch, making it eminently more usable. (That sound you hear is joyous weeping.) The analog sticks have also been tweaked to be slightly more concave, and -- wonder of wonders -- the ABXY buttons are now translucent monochrome instead of colored. Wild. The new matte silver controller will only come bundled with the Play and Charge kit for $64.99 when it launches on November 9 in the States and replaces the existing wireless controller -- it'll hit Europe around February. Yep, it definitely seems like a major upgrade, but we've got a couple questions: when will it replace the packed-in controller? What about all the people who just bought new Stealthboxes and got the older controller? And, most importantly, when can we have one to try out? We're pressing for answers and we'll let you know -- check the video after the break in the meantime. %Gallery-100796% [Thanks, Bill]
Exclusive two-tone Xbox 360 Play and Charge kit coming to GameStop
We still think those crazy Mad Catz Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 controllers are the coolest around at the moment, but if you're committed to staying first-party this new GameStop-exclusive Play and Charge bundle is right up there -- black carbon fiber with red inserts never did anyone wrong, you know? Pre-orders are up now in all kinds of countries for $70. %Gallery-75740%
Black accessories already available
Feeling a little black today? EB Games has come to the rescue by offering a few black Xbox 360 accessories before the Elite makes its grand arrival next week. Right now, you can order a black Xbox 360 wireless controller, play and charge pack, or extra play and charge battery. The black versions all cost the same as their white counterparts and are ready to ship within 24 hours. As we always say, black is the new off white ... or something like that.
Nyko's new options for wireless pad users
Nyko has shipped two new battery charging options for users of the 360's wireless controls. The first product is the Nyko Charge Station 360. You can imagine what that does. That's right, it charges your batteries. It charges two simultaneously to be exact. The unit plugs directly into a wall socket and is capable of charging two batteries in approximately four hours. The big difference between the Nyko charger and Microsoft's is that it comes with two batteries instead of one. Both units share the same suggested retail price of $29.99, giving the edge to the Nyko charger. The second product is the Power Kit 360, Nyko's version of the Play and Charge Kit from Microsoft. The Power Kit allows players to charge controls -- and continue playing -- by plugging them directly into the 360. The Nyko Power Kit retails for $14.99 compared to the Play and Charge Kit's price of $19.99. Not bad for those of us who haven't taken the wireless plunge yet. Please note, you might want to avoid picking these up at Best Buy, where both products have been marked up. Anyone plan on getting these? For that matter, has anyone tried the Intelligent Remote from Nyko?[Via digg]
Datel's knock-off Play and Charge kit
If someone doesn't stop them, and their practice of releasing myriad Xbox 360 add-ons continues unabated, it's only a matter of time before Datel releases a knock-off Xbox 360 console (presumably titled the Xmaxx 720) that looks and works just like the 360. You can now add this $15 (that's $5 below Microsoft's) Play and Charge kit that promises 30 hours of wireless gaming (that's five more than Microsoft's...cause you know battery runtimes is an exact science) to the list. What was that list again? $10 headset adapter Bluetooth headset 4GB HDD Serial ATA HDD adapter Memory Unit transfer kit
