Xbox 360 Wired Controller - Black

Until now I've played console games with a controller and PC games with a keyboard and mouse. Recently we've picked up a bunch of games on sale from Amazon/Steam which are Steam activated that are console ports. We decided to try playing them with this Xbox controller. So my review is based mainly on using this Xbox 360 Wired Controller with Steam games played on Windows Vista & Windows 7 PC systems. (I do not own an Xbox console.) What's Good About It? ------------------------ #1 - The Xbox 360 Wired Controller - Black is really well made and feels very comfortable and natural in my hands. Because it has a cord you don't have to worry about batteries, recharging it, or interference with other 2.4GHz wireless devices in your home. I know everyone wants everything wireless these days but it does come with tradeoffs. Also, with the wired controller you don't need to get a $20 receiver to use it with a PC. #2 - You don't need to install any special drivers or software to use the Xbox controller with your PC. Just plug the USB connector in and most games automatically recognize it. (Don't be fooled into loading drivers and software until you've tried it without first). #3 - You don't have to remap the buttons if you're using an Xbox controller. All the functionality of the buttons is automatically recognized including vibration feedback. #4 - You don't need the "special" Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller for Windows . It's just a gimick and will cost you more. #5 - The controller works especially well in racing games, heavy platformers and flight simulation games. #6 - The cord is about 10 feet long so it's easy to sit back in a recliner or on the bed and play games. Yeah! #7 - I spend enough time in front of a computer screen with my job. It's a relief just to be able to sit back comfortably with the controller in hand and play as though I were playing a regular console game. What's Not So Good? ------------------------ #1 - Some older games do not recognize the Xbox button setup and you do need to use a software program like Xpadder to map the buttons to the keys, but even then some buttons may not map (in certain games). Not really a problem for me. It's pretty easy to do and if I don't feel like messing with the mapping or I don't like how it turned out, I can always just use my keyboard and mouse. #2 - I've been using a PS3 controller for many, many years so there is a little bit of a transition to this one. It's heavier for one thing. But the Xbox controller is pretty much a perfect fit to human hands and it really only took me about an hour to be right at home with it. In fact, I like the feel of the right and left controller knobs better than those of the PS3 which are kind of sticky. #3 - I can't believe that I'm just now trying this and liking it. I feel I've been missing out on a good thing. I'm not trying to say I'm replacing my keyboard and mouse for PC gaming with an Xbox controller. But some games which are console ports will just play more easily with a controller. Other games like RPG's and MMO's need you to use a lot more buttons than a controller has to play the game effectively. So I'm not tossing my keyboard and mouse in favor of an Xbox controller; far from it. I'm just expanding my options to give myself more flexibility in what I feel like doing when I pick up a game I want to play.

I have been playing Xbox 360 for almost 4 years now and I absolutely love the controllers that they have more than any other controller I have used. They are a perfect size and they have well placed buttons and joysticks. I recently purchased a nice gaming laptop, but I realized that playing certain games like racing and shooters just aren't the same as they were on the Xbox. I definitely enjoyed using the controller more than the gaming mouse that came with the laptop (an excellent quality free mouse by the way, goes from 800 to 3200 dpi and has a button to change speeds quickly, so its not a problem with my mouse). I bought this Xbox controller because I heard that it works well with the PC, and I have to admit that it works great. I can sit back in my chair and play shooters on my PC with this controller instead of hunching over a keyboard, and its so much easier playing racing games with a controller than it is with mouse and keyboard. Many people complain about the lack of rumble with this controller, but that's not true at all. This controller has rumble, its just up to the game to tell the controller when to rumble. Older games may not have the capability to make the controller rumble, but almost all of the newer games have it, especially ones built for the both Xbox 360 and PC (which are most games now). The driver installed quickly by itself, and after that first install it is now simply a plug-and-play controller. I plug it in when I want to use the controller and start playing a couple seconds later. You can also plug this into your Xbox 360 and use it as a controller. The response times are slightly quicker than the wireless controller because there is a wire, so that's a good thing (only slightly quicker, barely recognizable difference though, but still might make all the difference in fast paced games). It feels so much different without the battery pack that the wireless controller had, I can barely tell that there is a controller in my hands now because it is so much lighter than the wireless controllers. The wire rarely gets in my way and is almost never a nuisance for me, I don't know why I still use wireless controllers for my Xbox 360 when I can just use this. I love this controller for the PC and I use it with every game I play now.

Bought this as a replacement to a controller that got water damage. Works well, well-made, good size. This is a good versatile controller because it works for both PC and Xbox (if you have one). Because this is made by Microsoft, you don't need any special drivers to play on Windows7/Vista. The games I played this with are either Games for Windows or were made specifically to work with this controller so I had no issues with a game not reading it correctly. I have not tried to use this controller with any emulators/non-official game titles so I have no experience in that area. If you've used an Xbox360 controller before this feels the same, just without the battery pack. The ergonomic shape makes this comfortable to use even after several hours of game-play. (unlike some smaller controllers *cough*ps3*cough*) My only gripe about this is that the cord is a bit long for my use, since I'm on a PC at a desk and am literally only a foot away from the computer where this is plugged in. However, if you sit further away from wherever you have this plugged in it has a good length cord and that nifty breakaway feature should the cord get snagged (not sure how well it works, since as I said, I don't sit far enough away for the cord to be stretched out/caught). Overall it works just like any other Xbox controller and is extremely compatible with Windows.

I bought two of these for my last-generation 360 (the one before the new black one). When I plugged either one of the controllers in by itself, it worked fine. When I tried to use both of them at the same time, the console couldn't recognize them as different controllers and assigned both the same player number, and the console would only take input from one controller. I don't know if this is a problem with the black wired controllers in general, or if I just got a bad set. I found that some other people had the same issue with these controllers, but it might also be that the older consoles don't recognize these correctly. On a side note, I have had no problems using one of these wired controllers with 3 wireless controllers. I use the other one for my computer, and it works great.

The Need Approximately 6 weeks ago I had the urge to relive my childhood rather through console emulation. The primary reason I chose such a course was because this economy is bollocks-- the 9.2% unemployment rate is misleading, it's so difficult to be employable. So having said that, I needed a controller to reliably emulate my previous experience, which convinced me to buy this delightful controller. The Experience It almost works like a dream. The tactile feedback and all that technical stuff lives up to the standard that I expected when I dropped 30 dollars on this first party hardware. I'm sure it operates like a dream on the Xbox 360, but I can't really comment fully on that experience. Looking at the experience on a computer for emulators, I'd have to say that it works quite well. I originally bought this device to play Dungeon Siege III. The controller did not disappoint in this capacity, although the game did. I wasted my bandwidth downloading it. Moving on to emulation, the controller does have a key flaw: the triggers act as one button even if you have bound the left and right triggers to separate functions. Believe me when I say that I learned how such a flaw can detract one star from a potential five star review. If you don't, then allow me to illustrate with my experience playing Final Fantasy VIII through the ePSXe emulator with Playstation controls mapped one-to-one with the equivalent buttons on my purchase. At first it was a pleasant experience, like breaking a girl for the first time, but then I ran to into the big bad mechanical crab, X-ATM-a-bunch-of-numbers. The encounter requires for you to escape the fight a few times by holding R2 and L2, which are the Playstation 1's left and right triggers. Imagine my surprise when the game was unresponsive because this controller maps those triggers as one button. As a result of this flaw, I had to lose all my progress and reboot the emulator with newly mapped keybindings. My seamless integration into my nostalgia was no longer seamless. The Verdict Four stars. Technically, in a legitimate capacity, this controller is the Eminem or Kanye West of the console controller game. Yeah, it completely dominates in all aspects except for personal taste. Some people like chocolate, some like vanilla, some like butterscotch, but there are some flavors that are superior on a quantifiable aspect, like this controller. While it works like a dream, be warned that the controller dominates mindlessly like most Microsoft products. As a result, as a consumer this controller does not provide a robust console emulation experience. Considering that at 30 dollars, this controller is more expensive than the Playstation 1 controller Given the higher price point tand the 5+ years that Microsoft had to innovate in the controller game, this device should be absolutely superior to its predecessors. But Microsoft had to drop the ball on one front. When it comes to product innovation, the iPod and even the Zune are absolutely superior to Sony's dated Walkman and Discmans. But the same cannot be said about this controller to Sony's Dualshock 1 or even their original 1995ish digital controller. For exclusive Xbox 360 usage, you've reached the pinnacle of innovation on a quantifiable basis, as far as I can see. But if you're looking for the total package, there's still room for improvement. I guess it's like Jay-Z says in his collaboration with Lil' Wayne in "Mr Carter", "go harder, go further, if not, then why bother?" I eagerly look forward to Microsoft's next iteration of their console success story, where they may design the ultimate controller. I'll grudgingly bite the bullet and write this 30 dollar purchase off as a sunk cost for the a potential new hotness.

I first received an Xbox 360 way back in January of 2006. It was the Core edition that came with no hard drive and a wireless controller. Long story short, that one broke, along with three other 360 consoles. But during the times they worked, I ran through three controllers, and they all had the same problem. THE D-PAD WAS HORRIBLE! Simply put, it was very inaccurate, especially when typing messages. However, the new controller designs feature a new d-pad, which I have grown to love. Granted, it still isn't on the high level as the PS3's d-pad, but it still is pretty high up there. I'm VERY glad they improved the d-pad. I can't fully test it yet since I bought it for gaming on my laptop, but I'll update this review once I start using the controller on my PS3. Anyway, on with the rest of the controller.... I'm the type of person that can adapt very well when it comes to gaming. I can go from a PS3 controller, to an Xbox 360 controller, and even to keyboard/mouse on the PC, with little problems. So I really have no clear, "I only prefer this, period" preference. I WILL say that I like the PS3's controller for its d-pad and responsiveness, along with the convex analog sticks, which feel a bit more accurate to me than the 360's concave analog sticks. However, the 360 wins when it comes to the triggers (obviously), and the size. If you have fairly big hands, the 360 controller is superior. My pinky fingers will hang off the PS3 controller, but that isn't a problem with this one. Simply put, it works, it feels great, the buttons are very responsive, they don't hurt to push down, and the D-Pad is FINALLY useable. Great job, Microsoft. You did something right this time.

This isn't necessarily the best controller for PC gaming. The best one is the one that fits your hands the best. You may find this one too large. In which case, you can use smaller PlayStation controllers, although the installation process there is tricky. If you've been using the wireless version of the Xbox controller a lot, this one is lighter because it doesn't have a battery pack (but it does have rumble). Also, if you shop around, you can find the white version if that's your thing, but it comes at a premium because Microsoft apparently stopped making them. You can also use a wireless controller if you get an adapter (also sold on Amazon). I chose the wired one because I hate hassling with batteries. I'd also recommend checking out the Logitech Rumble Gamepad F510 . That one has programmable buttons and rumble that you can toggle. As far as physical engineering goes, this controller is pretty good. It's arguably the best one you'll find for the PC. It feels sturdy and it fits perfectly into medium-sized hands. There are two common drawbacks, however. First, one of the triggers will usually squeak. It's almost inevitable. The problem appears to be the spring inside the trigger, so it's pretty much impossible to fix without disassembling the unit. But some people don't notice the squeak at all, or only intermittently. The other problem is the mushy D-pad. However, this latter issue can be addressed with third-party accessories. On the bright side, the average 360 controller is extremely durable. I still have a pair of first-generation wireless controllers (late 2005) that work flawlessly despite frequent use. Lastly, some games may "lock out" your mouse and keyboard if they recognize and prioritize the controller. Skyrim does this. It even changes all the menus from KB ("Press E to open") to Xbox buttons ("Press A to open"). Other games convert too. Any title that uses Microsoft's "Games for Windows" branding will recognize the controller right away, as far as I know. (Games for Windows *Live* is a different service -- basically like Steam. Such titles may or may not have the same degree of compatibility.) Some games allow you to switch on-the-fly between mouse-and-keyboard and the controller. So you can do an FPS section with KB+M, then pick up the controller if you need to do some racing or flying. The controller has a few flaws, but they can be addressed cheaply, or simply ignored. Its sheer durability counts for a lot, as does its broad compatibility with Windows games.

I use this exclusively on a PC with everything from modern adventure RPGs to 80s arcade games. It works particularly well with video games that have been ported to the PC from console systems, in which case a joystick feels more natural than a keyboard-mouse setup. This controller takes a lot of abuse and keeps coming back for more. It is comfortable to hold for extended periods of time and feels solid. The sticks and buttons are designed for heavy use. Its nine-foot cord means there are no batteries to change, but more importantly it lets you pass the joystick around without anyone moving closer to the computer or console. This is arguably the definitive game controller, certainly one of the best, but some other good ones similar in quality and function with different button layouts are: Saitek P2500 Rumble Force PC Game Pad and Saitek P990 Dual Analog Pad - Game pad - 7 button(s) - PC , or the simpler Saitek P220 Digital Pad .

Fue una compra para mi chico. Lo usa para jugar a los emuladores en el pc. Parece que funciona bien. Lo quería con cable, así que... No sé. está bien XD

I love this controller simply for the fact that it's wired. so if my battery packs die for my wireless controller I still have a backup that doesn't require batteries and a second controller for multiplayer games. The biggest perk of this controller is that you can use it as a pc controller for your pc games. just go to the microsoft website and look for the wired drivers and you're good to go. I would recommend this controller to anyone!

El control de 360 es la base de todos los controles modernos, los sticks, gatillos y botones son copiados una y otra vez y con justa razón , son muy excelentes y responsivos. El desgaste de estos controles es mínimo a pesar de los años de uso que les he dado. Esta versión alambrica solo tiene dos diferencias con una de 360 normal, el cable obviamente y que no cuenta con espacio para baterías, por lo que la parte trasera es lisa y es mas fácil acomodar las manos en ella. El cable es de una longitud considerable, el cual ademas cuenta con una porción para que en caso de que se atraviese alguien ys e jale el cordón, este se safe fácilmente y no tengamos ningún accidente mayor. El único inconveniente viene justamente del cable, ya que al ser bastante largo, este ocupa espacio cuando se desea guardar en una mochila, pero es una molestia menor. En resumen es un control que me ha acompañado durante mucho tiempo, y seguramente lo seguiré usando mucho tiempo mas.

Muy buen precio de amazon, y el pedido llego muy rápido, un control muy cómodo, y pues compatible con la pc, recomendado sin duda

With Amazon Prime trial I got free 2 day shipping. The actual package came after 3 days, which is still great considering it was free shipping. For the actual controller it came in the original box and works 100% I have no complaints about anything with this order!