The Xbox 360 controller is the primary game controller for the Xbox 360 video game console that was introduced at E3 2005. It comes in both wired and wireless versions. The Xbox controller is not compatible with the Xbox 360. The wired and wireless versions are also compatible with Microsoft's Windows operating systems.

The wireless controllers run on either AA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack. The wired controllers may be connected to any of the USB ports on the console or to an attached USB hub.

Design

The Xbox 360 controller has the same basic, familiar button layout as the Controller S, except that a few of the auxiliary buttons have been moved. The "back" and "start" have been moved to a more central position on the face of the controller, and the "white" and "black" buttons have been removed and replaced with two new bumpers that are positioned over the analog triggers on the back of the controller. The controller has a 2.5 mm TRS connector on the front, allowing users to connect a headset for voice communication. It also features a proprietary serial connector (which is split into 2 parts on either side of the headset connector) for use with additional accessories, such as the chatpad.

On August 31, 2010, Microsoft's Larry Hryb ("Major Nelson") revealed a new design of the Xbox 360 controller set to replace the Wireless controller bundled with the Play & Charge Kit. Among small changes such as the shape of the analog stick tops and grey-colored face buttons, the new controller features an adjustable directional pad that can be changed between a disc-type D-pad or a plus-shaped D-pad. The control pad was released in North America exclusively with Play & Charge Kits on November 9, 2010, and was released in Europe in February 2011.

The Xbox 360 controller provides a standard USB human interface device software interface, but is designed for the Microsoft XInput interface library. Although many PC video games support the XInput library, some games might not work with this controller.

Layout

A standard Xbox 360 controller features eleven digital buttons, two analog triggers, two analog sticks, and a digital D-pad. The right face of the controller features four digital action buttons: a green "A" button, red "B" button, blue "X" button, and amber "Y" button. The lower right houses the right analog stick, in the lower left is a digital D-pad, and on the left face is the left analog stick. Both analog sticks can also be "clicked in" to activate a digital button beneath. In the center of the controller face are digital "Start", "Back", and "Guide" buttons. The "Guide" button is labelled with the Xbox logo, and is used to turn on the console/controller and to access the guide menu. It is also surrounded by the "ring of light", which indicates the controller number, as well as flashing when connecting, and provides notifications. The left and right "shoulders" each feature a digital shoulder button, or "bumper", and an analog trigger.

Wireless controllers also feature an additional "connect" button located between the "bumpers" to facilitate syncing with the console.

Standard colors

Wired controllers are available in white (sold separately and bundled with the Core consoles) and black (Xbox 360 S color scheme), along with limited edition TRON controllers. However, wireless controllers are available in several different colors, including:

• White controllers were bundled with the Arcade, Pro, and Limited Final Fantasy XIII Elite consoles, also sold separately.
• Black controllers were bundled with the Elite consoles to match the casing, also sold separately.
• Dark Blue controllers were released in October 2007 only in the United States.
• Light Blue controllers were released in October 2007 only in Europe and Japan.
• Pink controllers were released in October 2007.
• Black S and White S controllers were bundled with the Xbox 360 S consoles. These differ from their original counterparts in that they are completely one color, rather than with grey accents. The guide button has a mirror-like finish, and the analog sticks and D-pad are color-matched. The bottom edge of this controller also features a glossy finish matching the Xbox 360 S 250 GB case design. "S" controllers also replace the Microsoft branding above the charging port with an Xbox 360 wordmark.

Limited and special edition colors

Main article: List of Xbox 360 controller variants

• Halo 3:
  • "Spartan Green" controllers were included with the Halo 3 Special Edition Xbox 360 Pro consoles released in September 2007. The controller features "black accents" with the D-pad, analog sticks, triggers, and parts of the casing all changed to black instead of the usual gray.
  • "Limited Edition" "Spartan" and "Brute" controllers were released in September 2007. Two versions were available, each of which feature Halo 3-themed artwork (with either a "Spartan" or "Brute" design) from artist Todd McFarlane. Each version of the controller also included a Master Chief figurine (a different figure was included with each version).
• Red "Limited Edition" controllers were released in September 2008. The controller features 'black accents' with the D-pad, analog sticks, triggers, and parts of the casing all changed to black instead of the usual gray. It comes bundled with a Play & Charge Kit with a red rechargeable battery pack. The red controller is also included with the Limited Edition Resident Evil 5 Xbox 360 Elite console released in March 2009.
• Green "Limited Edition" controllers were released in mid-October 2008 in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The green controller features a 16-way D-pad, as opposed to the 8-way D-pad used on all previous controllers. This controller was released alongside Pro Evolution Soccer 2009.
• Dragon Design "Limited Edition" White and Black controllers were released in October 2008 and are available only through Walmart and Sam's Club. The controller features a black dragon (and other symbols) on a white background, along with a white D-pad and black analog sticks. It comes bundled with a black wired headset.
• Halo 3: ODST "Special Edition" controllers were released in September 2009 in a "Collector's Pack" including the Halo 3: ODST game. The pack was originally exclusive to GameStop and retailed for US$99.99 in North America.
• Radioactive Design "Exclusive" controllers were released in October 2009 and were available exclusively at GameStop and EB Games Australia. The controller features a carbon black shell with a red radiation symbol emanating from the right analog stick. The left analog stick is black, and the right analog stick and D-pad are red. This controller was announced on Major Nelson's website and is said to be a limited edition, although the packaging does not explicitly mention this. It comes bundled with a Play & Charge Kit with a black rechargeable battery pack.
• Halo: Reach "Special Edition" controllers were released on September 14, 2010, coinciding with the release of Halo: Reach. The controller is based around the Black S design (black analog sticks, D-pad, etc.; glossy black front; shiny guide button) with the matte black shell replaced with a satin silver shell, which also features a custom design based on the game. It was available separately and with the Halo: Reach Special Edition console bundle, which came bundled with two of the controllers.
• Fable III "Special Edition" controllers were released on October 5, 2010, 3 weeks before the release of Fable III itself. The controller is based around the Black S design (black analog sticks, D-pad, etc.; glossy black front; shiny guide button) and features a custom gold-colored shell and artwork. It also comes bundled with an exclusive downloadable tattoo set for use within the game.
• TRON controllers were created by PDP and released in December 2010 to coincide with the film TRON: Legacy. The controllers were offered in two limited edition variations—one with blue LED illumination (20,000 units made) and the other with orange LED illumination (250 units made). Both versions are wired and feature textured grips and a raised, 4-way D-pad.
• Blue "Limited Edition" controllers were released with Limited Edition Blue Xbox 360 consoles, and both the console and the controller had turquoise accents and were released on October 7, 2014, exclusively at Walmart for a limited time.

Transforming D-pad controllers

• Transforming D-pad "Special Edition" controllers were released in the US on November 9, 2010, and in Europe during February 2011. The main feature of this controller is a D-pad that can be rotated to adapt to the user's gameplay, becoming either a "plus" (4-way) or a "disc" (8-way) D-pad. The controller also features new concave analog stick tops and grey tone face buttons (A, B, X, and Y). The main shell of the controller is matte silver, with glossy black accents (triggers, bumpers, and both front and rear panels) like the "Black S" design. This controller comes bundled with a matte black improved Play & Charge Kit with a matte black rechargeable battery pack, offering up to 35 hours of play. The codename for the controller during development was "Aberdeen".
• Gears of War 3 "Limited Collector's Edition" controllers were released on September 20, 2011, to coincide with the launch of Gears of War 3. The controllers are metallic red with a black "Infected Omen" symbol and feature a transforming D-pad. Unlike the "Transforming D-pad" Special Edition controller, the Gears of War 3 LCE controller features the standard colored face buttons and analog stick tops found on other controllers. It was sold with the Gears of War 3 LCE console bundle, which came bundled with two of the controllers.
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 "Limited Edition" controllers were released on November 8, 2011, in North America, Australasia, and the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region to coincide with the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. It features custom Modern Warfare 3 artwork (predominantly matte grey), a transforming D-pad, and the same concave analog stick tops found on the original transforming D-pad controller. All (non-face) buttons, as well as the analog sticks, are black. It was sold with the Modern Warfare 3 Limited Edition console bundle, which came bundled with two controllers.
• Star Wars C-3PO "Limited Edition" controllers were released in April 2012 to coincide with the release of Kinect Star Wars. The controller is mirrored gold and black, and features a transforming D-pad, concave analog stick tops, and standard colored face buttons. The black panel at the front of the controller also features "wiring" artwork, resembling the parts of C-3PO that are not covered in gold plating in the original Star Wars films. It was bundled with the Kinect Star Wars Limited Edition console bundle.
• Chrome Series "Special Edition" controllers were released in May 2012. They were available in Blue, Red, Silver, Gold, Black, and Purple. These controllers featured a transforming D-pad, concave analog stick tops, and standard colored face buttons.
• Black S controllers with a transforming D-pad, concave analog stick tops, and standard colored face buttons, and bundled with a black improved Play & Charge Kit with a black rechargeable battery pack, were released in October 2012.
• Halo 4 "Limited Edition" controllers were released in November 2012. Two different variants were available:
  • Halo 4 branded "Limited Edition" exclusive controllers inspired by the game were sold with the Halo 4 Limited Edition console bundle; two were included. These feature a transforming D-pad, concave analog stick tops, standard colored face buttons, and a glowing blue Xbox guide button instead of the traditional glowing green Xbox guide button.
  • UNSC Halo 4 "Limited Edition" controllers feature the United Nations Space Command (UNSC) emblem on a dark grey translucent case, and also feature a transforming D-pad, concave analog stick tops, standard colored face buttons, and a glowing blue Xbox guide button.
• Tomb Raider "Limited Edition" controllers were released in early March 2013 to complement the launch of Tomb Raider. They are red and feature a two-layer color finish with laser etching to create a realistic and tactile worn appearance inspired by Lara's climbing axe from the game. These feature a transforming D-pad, concave analog stick tops and standard colored face buttons. The controllers also come bundled with a downloadable token for an Xbox 360-exclusive playable Tomb Raider character.

Non-retail colors

• Launch Team Edition controllers were bundled with the "Xbox 360 Launch Team Edition", given exclusively to members of the Xbox launch team by Microsoft in November 2005. These white wireless controllers feature green accents at the front in place of the standard grey.
• Yellow controllers were included with the 100 Limited Edition The Simpsons Movie Xbox 360 Pro consoles announced in May 2007, and given away as prizes in special events and promotions.
• Orange LIVE TURNS FIVE controllers were released in November 2007, and were given away to selected members of the media.

Accessories

There are various first- and third-party accessories for the Xbox 360, including:

• Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery Pack – a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack that provides up to 24 hours of continuous gaming for the wireless controller.
• Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver – a receiver that allows wireless Xbox 360 accessories to be used on a Windows-based PC.
• Xbox 360 Messenger Kit – an accessory that consists of a wired Xbox 360 headset and a small keyboard known as the "Chatpad".

Non-gaming uses

The United States Navy announced that it plans to use Xbox 360 controllers to control periscopes on new Virginia-class submarines, for both cost and familiarity reasons.

Reception

The Xbox 360 controller was received positively when it was released. Before then, as IGN stated, the original Xbox controller was "huge, ugly, cheap, and uncomfortable" and concluded to be an "abomination". Many of these problems were corrected with Microsoft's releases of the Xbox controller S and then the Xbox 360 controller. IGN credited the Xbox 360 controller for being one of "the most ergonomically comfortable console controllers around". It was also praised for its improved button placement, its functioning logo as a button, and Microsoft's choice of bottom-mounting headset ports as opposed to top-mounting them so as to minimize snagged wire problems.

Gallery

Main article: Xbox 360 controller/gallery

A white Xbox 360 controller.

A blue Xbox 360 controller.

A limited edition Halo 4 Xbox 360 controller.