So why has Microsoft not improved 360 controllers with better d-pads?

why hasn't sony improved the horrible ergonomics, analog stick placement, trigger feel of its controllers?

WilliamRLBaker

For the same reason why Nintendo won't overhaul Wii online services.

Not enoug demand for it. For their demographics, the 360 and Wii don't need to fix those flaws.

Fighters benefit from better Dpads, and while there are a lot of good fighters on 360, fighters aren't a huge selling point of it and losing the core fighting game fan isn't important, not as much as getting casuals into Netflix renting, Natal, NXE, and getting shooter fans into MW2, Halo 3 ODST, Gears 2, etc.

Wii doesn't need better online, coz people are willing to buy games for it and consoles with its current set up

You don't spend money fixing things that aren't hurting your business until they start hurting it

I don't get the whole d-pad thing. Maybe I don't play enough game where the d-pad is crucial to gameplay but I think it's fine the way it is.

Hey, there, everyone. I agree with you about Microsoft's bad D-Pad. it needs a lot of work, especially when it comes to fighting games.

But fixing the D-Pad on the 360 controller is very easy. All you'll need is a Torx-9" screwdriver (or higher) to unscrew the screws from the controller much easier, & get either a flat 5/16", 1/4", or a 1/2" washer. Try whatever you can find as the thickness is likely to be a more important factor than the diameter.

1.) Disassemble the X-Box 360 controller using the 9" Torx screwdriver or higher. But don't get a screwdriver with detachable ends since the tips are the only part thin enough to fit in the screw holes and they're never long enough to reach all the way down.

2.) Make sure that you open the controller face-down so the buttons don't fall out of the shell.

3.) Once you do that, lift the D-Pad rubber underneath the disc. You can go to the link that I posted & look at those three photos of his to see what I'm talking about.

4.) Put the washer on the peg. Notice that it doesn't fit all the way around the peg but rather rests on top of it. If a flat washer doesn't work, perhaps you could try bending it a bit to see if that does the trick.

5.) Put the D-Pad rubber back on top & make sure it's on there tight or something so that the washer doesn't move somewhat.

6.) Reassemble the controller.

7.) Done.

I learned it from a person named Eric Vinyard, who has the article about it:

Death To The D-Pad.

Hope that helps.

[QUOTE="treedoor"]

Maybe they just decided they didn't want to admit the d-pad is bad?

Sollet

Makes no sense seeing as how Controller S came out last gen

Because no self-respecting individual uses a D-PAD for fighters. It's meant for navigating menus, and that's it!

farrell2k

[QUOTE="Sollet"][QUOTE="treedoor"]

Maybe they just decided they didn't want to admit the d-pad is bad?

The__Havoc

Makes no sense seeing as how Controller S came out last gen

I was just thinking this.

What I don't understand is why they made those special edition models with better d-pads and didn't even release them in North America. I have to imagine that manufacturing them on a large scale to put into console SKUs was too expensive.

Of course, any expense on Microsoft's part would be oddly altruistic, since the d-pad issue is not deterring anyone from buying an Xbox.

I just think people who are bad at fighting games blame the 360 d-pad. you know the old saying "a poor workman always blames his tools".

[QUOTE="Nidget"]Because theres no point. Most use the d pad gets these days is to change view or select weapon or something silly like that, and for actions like that the d pad is fine. Thye already have pads out for fighters, and theres arcade sticks too.AndyAlfredo

While D-pads don't get a lot of use in-game (except fighters), while crusing around the menu or XMB it's nice to have a good d-pad, especially when typing. But not too neccesary.

I barely care about the d-pad because I barely use them. So they don't hinder my gaming experience at all.

As for the PS3's triggers...ugh.

I'm wondering after around 4 years that the 360 has been out why MS has not made any improvements and released the standard 360 controller, but with a better d-pad? Sure you can buy those 3rd party controllers that have good d-pads, but those look uncomfortable and I'm not a fan of any 3rd party accessories. :P

Doolz2024

Yes this is such a small issue but it can really hamper your expereince so I really dont understand why MS doesnt bother to fix it.

I mean I always like to browse menus through the d-pad and not the stick. It's so bad that you dont even wanna touch it.

2D and sports games are always best played with the d-pad and the 360 controller really is a disgrace.

Maybe because it's used for minimal amounts of tasks within games and they don't see the point of spending all that money just to satisfy the 5 people that want to play Street Fighter 4 using the d-pad.bobbetybob

I'm wondering after around 4 years that the 360 has been out why MS has not made any improvements and released the standard 360 controller, but with a better d-pad? Sure you can buy those 3rd party controllers that have good d-pads, but those look uncomfortable and I'm not a fan of any 3rd party accessories. :P

360 d-pad is horrible, but i hardly use it. Not a major part toward you playing games imo.OPuniverse

Why hasn't Sony fixed the DS3's triggers?

Both dont feel the need too.

They havent fixed the 360 hardware why mess with the controller? Theres always nextgen right??

[QUOTE="Doolz2024"]

I'm wondering after around 4 years that the 360 has been out why MS has not made any improvements and released the standard 360 controller, but with a better d-pad? Sure you can buy those 3rd party controllers that have good d-pads, but those look uncomfortable and I'm not a fan of any 3rd party accessories. :P

mayceV

Even if I'd love to see a 360 control with a DS3-like D-Pad, I can see why MS has not improved it: there's no reason to. The D-Pad is used like, what, 1% of the time in most games. IronBass

why hasn't sony improved the horrible ergonomics, analog stick placement, trigger feel of its controllers?

WilliamRLBaker

Wow, I always thought I was a fanboy, because I only owned Sony systems, but I now realize being a fanboy is even more than using and protecting your system. It's also posting baseless comments on threads where that kind of comment wasn't even needed.

Maybe you're too young to remember the Dualshock, 10 years ago it was THE controller, it had dual analogs and built-in rumble. Sony kept with the formula, added triggers and motion sensing. When you've been playing with it all your life, it grows on you.

While I prefer the d-pad on the Dualshock, I do not mind the one on the 360 controller. Never had any real problems with it, myself.

you think gamestop woulda fixed it with that new over priced red controller they are selling.

but i really havent used the d pad much since ps1 days. so it really dont matter to me

do games use d-pads now apart from weapon or select or something similar... Its all about the analogue sticktoxicmog

I just think people who are bad at fighting games blame the 360 d-pad. you know the old saying "a poor workman always blames his tools".

wayne_kar

the d-pad is horrible. but if you want to fix it sand around the edges of the housing around the d-pad. my d-pad works like a charm, the problem is the d-pad hits the housing before the d-pad registers. not gonna lie, it's time consuming and annoying, but it's a one time thing and VERY well worth it.