Xbox-360-controller
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Ben Heck's Xbox 360 Controller Monitor lights up your latency
Ben Heck's latest device isn't gonna help you take your next-gen gaming on the go, nor will it let you play with one hand. Instead, the Xbox 360 Controller Monitor is designed to test gamepad latency using a data cable hooked up directly to each button and fed into a 8 x 8 inch display board. Each action lights up the corresponding indicator, and it includes three levels of sensitivity for each cardinal direction of the joysticks and shoulder triggers. At $600 (controller and AA batteries included), it's not exactly something for the hobbyists out there, but already this thing's got some major gaming street cred: it's currently being used for playtesting on Mass Effect 2, the new Wolfenstein, and the just announced Modern Warfare 2.
Modder removes buttons from Xbox 360 controller, still finds a way to play
At first glance, this Xbox 360 controller mod doesn't look as hardcore as some others we've seen, but its minimalism disguises its epicness. The modder took the controller apart and rebuilt it without the four face buttons or the direction pad, then placed a couple extra switches on the back that perform the same functions. The elaborate and not-at-all-easy process detailed beyond the read link results in a practical layout for hardcore types -- with the buttons on the lower back, leet first-person-shooter players don't have to take their hands off the sticks to perform actions like jumping and reloading, and the controller is less likely to rock due to alternating activity on the top and bottom. This isn't the first mod to employ this idea, but the complete removal of the dead face buttons for better aesthetics sets it apart. Video after the break.
Walmart exclusive Xbox 360 controller has dragon, lady
There's nothing super special about this exclusive-to-Walmart Xbox 360 controller, other than the fact that it's adorned with a ferociously awesome dragon, a beautiful lady, and an old-timey telephone, and it comes bundled with a terrifyingly hideous headset -- but we bet your new Xbox Experience avatar will appreciate the effort you put into sprucing the place up before his / her arrival. It's on sale now and can be yours for $49.74. [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Play Warhammer Online with an Xbox 360 controller
We're not entirely certain you'll actually want to control Warhammer Online with an Xbox 360 controller, but if you'd like to, Blue Orb has a free piece of software called SwitchBlade you'll want to check out. This doesn't really seem like the kind of game that would work well to a console controller, because by rank 9 in Warhammer Online you've got around ten abilities to map to your keyboard. Just try mapping all of that to a controller, let alone the myriad of others abilities you'll gain by the time you hit 40, the max rank. Call us skeptical, but we don't think there will be too many people interested in this thing, which is probably why it's free. Maybe Blue Orb should consider adding support for the keyboard attachment. If they did that, we'd seriously consider trying WAR with a controller.
GC 2008: Xbox 360 controller's d-pad d-leted
Finally. After molesting countless thumbs and ruining everybody's Pac-Man CE scores, the Xbox 360 controller's dismal d-pad looks to be replaced by, well, a functional d-pad. IGN's Martin Robinson claims to have played with a redesigned controller at Leipzig's Games Convention, describing it as "aesthetically identical" to the original (it's actually a sickly green), with "the d-pad sitting in a larger rocker and proving more tactile." The new controller is expected to debut alongside Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and is thought to have been prompted by the upcoming release of Street Fighter IV.Good riddance, you worthless, clacking agent of spongy misdirection. Oh, and tell The Duke we said "Hi." Update: Curses! The pad is a "limited edition, promotional item" for now.[Thanks, Fenix]
Todd McFarlane designs wireless Halo 3 controllers
Microsoft's Xbox 360 controller is no stranger to hacks 'n mods, but unless your drawing skills are on par with Mr. Todd McFarlane, you won't soon be duplicating these on your own. Both the Spartan and Covenant wireless controllers are splashed in artwork by none other than the Spawn man himself on "high-quality, scratch and wear resistant plastic," and include a limited edition Halo 3 figurine to boot. Moreover, those who aren't down with wrapping their palms around a third-party controller shouldn't fret, as these special devices are first-party through and through. Lastly, an equally rare headset looks to also be available, but it skips the McFarlane makeover in favor of a simple Halo 3 logo. All three units are tentatively set to ship the first week in September for a stiff $59.99 apiece, but after waiting this long to finally have Halo 3 spinnin' in your console, you might as well complete the experience.[Via Joystiq, thanks Mark]
The 360 controller is the best of the best
CNET UK decided to rank the top five video game controllers of all time and you'll be happy to know that the Xbox 360 controller did us very proud. Actually, according to CNET the 360's controller is the best gaming controller of all time! They thought that the controller is comfy, practical, and gets extra points for being the first to the gate in being a wireless standard. We agree. Going further down the list the 360's controller beat out favorites like the PS2, N64, SNES and Atari 2600 controllers. But we do have one issue with CNET's controller description. The Xbox 360 and its controller are not "beige" in color. They are a light kinda whitish ... greyish. So, please get it right.[Via Xbox-Scene]
PS3's Sixaxis wants to be a 360 controller
That Ben Heck has used his evil genius to do it again, gutting an Xbox 360 controller and replacing its innards with ::shutter:: PS3 Sixaxis technology. Being commissioned to do so, Ben used his technology knowledge to put a functioning Sixaxis controller into a 360 controller shell. We definitely know there is some Xbox 360 controller envy coming from the PS3 fanboys, but why did you have to do this Ben? What have you done with our colorful buttons and you even replaced our spherical guide button with a ... Playstation logo. And is that a USB cable going to the back of it? Please, say it ain't so! It's a sad sight to see, but we know how hard it is for Playstation fans to use that dreadful Sixaxis controller. With heavy hearts, we'll share our controller ... but just this once.[Via Digg]
Today's worldliest game video: Xbox 360 Controller + Virtual Earth
Video: Using Xbox Controller for Live Search Maps We'll be starting to think about abandoning our mice altogether if things get as simple as this video makes them seem. Using the Xbox 360 Controller and optionally the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows (good grief that's a mouthful), you can whiz in and out of Virtual Earth just like Hiro Protagonist in 'Snow Crash'.It's like using the controller and turning the whole planet into one giant version of Flight Simulator. We knew that game would come back in a big way sooner or later. Next stop, Virtual Solar System.
Xbox 360 controller gets motion-sensitive
Sure the Xbox 360 has awesome games like Gears of War, but what good is all that bloody carnage when all the other next-gen systems have motion sensors? We were just ready to throw in the towel waiting for that extra level of game play, when modder Adam Thole answered our calls. Investing about two-and-a-half weeks worth of time, he was able to put together a fully-functioning wired 360 controller with a 2-axis accelerometer -- and he makes the hack seem pretty straightforward. There are a lot of details on his site for those looking to emulate this mod, and Adam claims that he may even hack a wireless controller for version two. So keep on clicking for a vid of this hack-tastic mod in action, and then hit the Read link for the full deets...
The next generation of controllers in Lego
Nathan Sawaya, a professional Lego builder (yeah, they have those) has put his Lego mind to the next-generation of games consoles. Like he says "with E3 coming up, I built some video game controllers! Yay!" He must have started these models a while ago, because he hasn't made a Revolution controller model. Once you're over at his site, make sure to check out his mad-lib from a general video game fanboy:"The greatest video game ever would be called Super Invading Combat [insert plural noun] from Mars Championship 2006! It would be fun to control the [insert noun] as it fights all of the [insert adjective] bad guys. My favorite level would let you [insert verb] a car all over [insert place]. You could also earn [insert plural noun] if you didn't [insert verb] [insert plural noun] [insert conjunction] [insert prepositional phrase]! Wouldn't that have [insert past participle]!"Sounds like a cool game.
Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit rocks and shocks [update 1]
Here's the 30-second review on the just-released Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit. FAST: It charges batteries fast (two hours per battery) SEXY: It's sleek, small, and well-designed. It can be placed in an out-of-the-way spot. BETTER: The wired Play and Charge Kit that's been available since launch is inferior and annoying compared to the Quick Charge Kit because the play-and-charge cables muck up the clean look of the beautiful Xbox 360 controller with a mess of tangled, ugly cords. This kit solves one of our chief annoyances with the Xbox 360 wireless controllers. EASY: Like any good charger, the LEDs indicate when the battery is charging. Each of the two LEDs (shown above) glows a steady red or green depending on the state of the battery that's charging. Batteries snick-snap into place easily and are simple to remove as well. The unit is smart enough to automatically power down after batteries have been topped off. BOTTOM LINE: Free yourself from the tyranny and mess of cables and pick up a Quick Charge Kit. VALUE: This is worth at least as much as two of the now-antiquated Play and Charge Kits. It's priced at $29.99 in the United States and is worth the cash, though we wish it had been bundled with the Xbox 360 from the get-go. RELEASE DATE: Available in the US as of April 21, 2006, with worldwide launch in other countries "soon," according to Microsoft. [Update 1: added price and release date information to last two bullets.]
Play WoW with the Xbox 360 controller
David Nikdel (a.k.a. Violent Playground's Ogapo, a Level 60 Gnome Warlock) has developed a World of Warcraft UI mod that makes it possible to use the PC-compatible (wired) Xbox 360 controller. The mod utilizes a combo editor, so that users can store and execute spells using 1 to 4 button combinations. So does Nikdel's mod suggest WoW is possible on the Xbox 360? Perhaps. But don't count on Blizzard changing its no port policy.
