The Xbox is the SUV of video games.
Before the Xbox came out in the US I had really high hopes for it's controller based on my almost sex toy enjoyment of the Microsoft Sidewinder Game Pad Pro and my Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro on my PC. It was a harsh surprise and a real let down with the US default controller code name "Duke". The controller was huge and unergonomical and my hands hurt a bit after using it on the Xbox Kiosks. But there was hope from Japan. Microsoft of Japan released a controller for the Xbox code named "Akibono" that was a lot smaller and actually fit the human hand. Import shops started selling it to US gamers so it wasn't too long before MS started offering the Japanese style controller over here called the "S Controller".
I know Microsoft did a lot of testing for the Xbox controller so why the Duke design sucked is a bit of a shock.
It is only fitting considering they changed the US Playstation 1 controller for the US making it 25% larger than the Japanese version when test markets complained. Also Nintendo made the Super Nes controllers have some concave buttons and they ditched the color of the Super Famicom buttons. Also the controllers of the original Famicom (The 8bit Nintendo in Japan)were not removable and they had no start and select on controller 2 and there was a microphone on controller 2.
I don't own a Duke Xbox Controller because this is what came with my Xbox.
The overall size is good and it feel pretty good to hold. The top analog triggers really remind me of the Sega Dreamcast pad and that is a good thing. It makes playing Crazy Taxi and other racing games a blast but it doesn't have the same snap when 100% depressed that the Gamecube pads do.
Now a weird thing about the Xbox controllers is that they have a break away part in the cord if you pull on it by mistake you can't pull over the system. It is good I guess but a bit weird.
There is no external vibration device needed and it feel good when used subtly like on Sega GT 2002.
The dual analog sticks are placed like the Gamecube and they work a lot better now that they are both concave and have little ridges to let you know the orientation of the sticks. First person shooters like Halo and Max Payne work better than expected.
The Back and start were moved from the center to over buy the Digital pad. This works out well because they are inset and do not disturb the sleekness of the unit.
The Digital pad is a joy to use and fighting games like Dead or Alive 3 work great with it.
The AB and XY buttons are totally round as compared to the oval buttons of the Duke Pad. These work well.
It also has two expansion ports on the top for memory cards and the Xbox Live connector. Woo hoo! That is the reason I want a cable modem for Xbox Live.
OK here is the part that I don't like about it. the Black and White buttons are placed in a weird place below the AB and XY buttons and are inset into the controller like the Start and Back buttons. To press them you have to take you thumb off the AB and XY buttons thus making combos that use all three button in Capcom VS SNK 2 impossible on this controller. if they kept them in a better place and didn't make them inset it would have been perfect.
To summarize the Xbox controller is the controller that Microsoft should have shipped in the first place. I recommend that you get it over the standard Duke Xbox controller but it is not perfect but pretty good.
I also read that Halo is dope and the controler really feels like you are holding something yo?
I know I've been complaining about the XBOX a bit on this site, but I do have a few gripes about the XBOX controller. (These should apply to both controllers, but I've never used the S.) For me, at least, DOA3 is really hard with the XBOX contoller for two reasons. 1st: The D-pad is just a circle, not a cross, and even though it has smooth ridges for each direction, you have to practically look at it sometimes to figure which direction you're pressing. This Makes DOA3 hard because you press up-right and it just does up or right. This may also be a problem with the sensors in the controllers, duke controllers, or even "bought-first-day" duke controllers... who knows? 2nd: On DOA3 you can do different moves by pressing the ABXY buttons either hard or soft. Just like the PSX/PS1/PS2 controllers, there's no click of any kind and very litttle travel and therfore you end up pressing it soft when you want hard; or hard or not at all when you want soft. I know it sounds like I'm mhining a lot here, but there has to be someone out there that agrees with me!!!! I just wish the buttons were like GC's R & L buttons and GC/PS's D-pad...
ok ok Kyle! I agree with you even though I dont have a damn idea what you are talking about because I have no XBOX and my **bling** is just a little weak because of it. Word?
But Kyle....I hope to get a dope ass XBOX soon maybe. I just cant afford it right now because PCs rule my life currently. Just imagine all the poor underpriveledged children who would love to have that XBOX of yours. Nothing like a little guilt to make you realize that your controller cant be THAT BAD. Does an XBOX come with 2 controllers or 1?
Dont you just hate it when the only person who posts a reply to answer you is someone who doesnt know a damn thing about what you are talking about? JAKE! HELP THIS MAN IN HIS QUEST FOR ANSWERS! what the hell am i doing up so late? SHEESH!
No he is on topic it us just a really really bad controller. The Xbox comes with one pad but so has every system since the SNES.
no jake i meant ME. I am the one who is not on topic. I am the one who doesnt know anything about this.
LOL, you guys are a riot... unfortunately neiter can I afford an XBOX, and if I could, I'd buy a new computer, a GC, and a PS2 first. I did have the privedge of playing my roommate's XBOX extensively last year in college, so I guess that's where I get my experience and abilitfy to grip and complain about such matters ;P
HAHA the xbox controller is the best ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and also it is way better!!!!!!!!!because its smaller and the buttons are well placed