Nobody thinks of the controllers first when considering what makes a good gaming system. Hardware worth and legacy are typically measured in terms of frame rates, storage and memory requirements, and exclusive titles and bonuses. However, when recalling formative experiences with a PlayStation 3, Nintendo GameCube, or even an Xbox 360, the physical console is rarely the first thing that comes to mind.
But controllers have such a profound impact on our gaming experiences that they have evolved into cultural icons in their own right, with characteristic designs that are as indicative of a console’s identity as its form factor or the kind of games that may be played on it. Hyperkin, a specialist in Xbox 360 accessories, recently unveiled the Xenon, a faithful recreation of the original Xbox 360 controller, in honour of the console’s 17th anniversary. The company has, if the early responses are any indication, reminded players of the significance of these gadgets in creating gaming memories.
Hyperkin is now hard at work recreating the classic Xbox 360 controller design with a few modern upgrades, such as Menu, Share, and View buttons compatible with the current gen. The demand for this highly sought after accessory, which is compatible with the Series X/S and PCs, is a testament to the success of the original Xbox 360 controller when it was released in 2005.
Of course, the controller’s iconic status and fond recollections among Xbox gamers are contributing factors. For gamers whose gaming identities were shaped by the legendary competitor to the PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360 will always retain a particular place. The original Xbox machine from Microsoft was no match for Sony’s powerful PS2, but the successor, which was released in a sleek, gleaming white colour scheme, indicated that Sony’s dominance could be overcome. As strong as it may seem now, nostalgia remains a potent motivator.
Why Did the Xbox 360 Controller Become So Well-Liked?
Putting away sentimental attachment, the Xbox 360 controller has undeniable design merits that make it an instant classic. When compared to the more compact designs of PlayStation controllers, the accessory was deemed big and cumbersome by several users. The 360’s controller, on the other hand, was a big selling feature. It’s been a longtime fan favourite among gamers everywhere thanks to its chunky, sturdy, and incredibly durable construction. However, the Xbox 360 controller’s bold, striking design, helped in no small part by the enormous X adorning the controller’s shining central orb, makes the PS3 controller’s matte black finish with only a hint of colour lining the iconic Circle, Square, Triangle, and Cross buttons seem uninspired in comparison.
A surprising turn of events, given PlayStation’s established reputation for well-made, well-thought-out products, was that the 360 controller was widely regarded by gamers as functionally equivalent to the PS3’s sometimes derided DualShock. The 360 controller was an undeniable success because of its superior design, responsive triggers, user-friendly interface, and overall sense of reliability. It’s no surprise that Microsoft has relied on this design for every console controller afterwards.
The Xenon is a wired controller that will come in white, black, red, and pink. As of yet, neither Microsoft nor Hyperkin have confirmed the official release date or the retail price. The Hyperkin Xenon, however, will be tethered via a USB-C port, rather than wireless like the original Xbox 360 controller.
Xbox 360 Controller Design
The Xbox 360 controller is quite similar to the Controller S in terms of button arrangement, with the exception of a few of the auxiliary buttons. The “back” and “start” buttons have been relocated to the centre of the controller’s face, and the “white” and “black” buttons have been removed and replaced with two new bumpers located above the controller’s analogue triggers. The controller features a front-facing 2.5 mm TRS connector for usage with a headset. It has a proprietary serial port (actually two separate connectors, one on either side of the headset connector) for connecting extra hardware like the chatpad.
Microsoft’s Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson) announced on August 31 that a new Xbox 360 controller design would be supplanting the Wireless controller included in the Play & Charge Kit. The new controller has a few minor updates, such as redesigned tops for the analogue sticks and grey face buttons, as well as an interchangeable directional pad that can be set to either a disc-type D-pad or a plus-shaped D-pad. The control pad was first made available in North America on November 9, 2010 with the Play & Charge Kits, and in Europe in February 2011.
An industry-standard USB Human interface device software interface is provided by the Xbox 360 controller, although the device was developed specifically for use with the Microsoft XInput interface library. Some PC games may not be compatible with this controller even if the XInput library is widely supported.
Our coverage of the Xbox 360 Controller includes all you need to know. Please leave a comment below to share your opinions. Visit us again here on gameinnovative to see more of this type of material.