[Source Destructoid]

	Microsoft FINALLY fixing its sh*tty D-Pad? Yes it is ... uhm ... sort of by Jim Sterling on 08.20.2008 19 comments

Microsoft has today confirmed that a revised Xbox 360 controller with an improved D-Pad is going to be released in the future. Here's the catch though -- it's a limited edition item, and it's only going to be available in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Out there, somewhere, a thousand American shmup and fighting game fans just put their heads through windows.


"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," stated an MS rep. "We're always looking to improve products and we made these changes based on feedback from gamers."


Quite why this improvement, which MS just admitted is something it knows gamers want, is so restricted, is beyond my grasp. The original D-Pad absolutely stinks, even if you only use it sparingly, so for Microsoft to limit it so thoroughly just doesn't make sense. Is Microsoft testing the water before a permanant replacement? It's the only logical assumption I could make.

Talk about a giant slap in the face. Even though I already have two controllers, and rarely have to ever even have to use two at a time, I would totally buy one with a fixed D-Pad.

meh...fixed Xbox D-pad is going to be MUCH worse than a Sega Saturn pad. Which what I'm currently using for fighting and shmups. So this is not a big deal...

Wait till we see the MAd Katz Street Fighter 4 controllers... those will be the worst pads in history I predict. Madkadz makes controllers like nasa makes space stations...the lowest bidder gets the contract.

Well that's awfully stupid...why not release it in America? they could make a great profit.

F**K you, Microsoft.


I read in OXM a while back (maybe early last year) about an improved D-Pad Xbox 360 controller. They even showed a picture. It was grey, I think (maybe it was gray). I wonder what happened.

Oh crap. I just read something about this and was kind of psyched for it, but it didn't mention anything about it being limited edition and unavailable in the US.

May be because people in the US only play FPS and have no need for silly d-pad!

Seriously I am sure they will release it in the US. Last year was blue and pink so this year it's going to be Christmas color ! When does Microsoft shy away from selling more accessories to Xbox crowd...

You'd wonder how they allowed the controllers to ship in the first place with such a shoddy D-pad design.

Then you look at the RROD problems, and things become a little clearer.

It doesn't bother me overly much when playing my 360. It's only when some games require you to use the D-pad to access your inventory or something along those lines, it can become infuriating trying to operate the unwieldy D-pad in a hurry.

That d-pad almost broke Dead Rising for me. I was dropping crap at the wrong time, all the time!

I have yet to play a game on the 360 where I had any problems with the Dpad. Anyone have examples of games that actually use the dpad?