Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows & Xbox 360 Console

I love this controller the only major complaint is the dpad isnt great but it is usable. After all these years it is still my favorite controller design. unfortunately, after so many years of use one of the bumpers is starting to go out and I will probably have to use a different one.

Compared to the Playstation controller, the 360 controller is much better because of a few simple improvements. The best and main reason I prefer it is the location of the left analog stick. The left stick is on top where the d-pad is on the Playstation controller. This makes for a much more comfortable grip since the analog stick is the main input. I like it even though the right analog stick is still on the bottom. I also prefer the 360 controllers triggers. They feel like real triggers and have a longer push which is pressure sensitive. I have taken apart and repaired several 360 controllers and the triggers are not buttons instead they are circular potentiometer sensors which are also found in pairs on the analog sticks. While this makes these components much more sensitive and provides a much better gaming experience, these are the most fragile parts of the controller and are prone to wear as they eventually become sticky or break. I have broken either the left or right analog stick on half a dozen 360 controllers. By the 3rd one I figured out how to replace them by desoldering the whole assembly and replacing it with a new one from ebay. Each sensor costs $3 which is far cheaper than buying a new controller. The only issue is that if you do not get a genuine Microsoft potentiometer, it will have a massive dead zone. The wireless Windows controller and receiver was on sale so I bought it. At $35 it was almost half off the original price. The sensor alone usually goes for about $15. Since I have 2 other wireless controllers, this package was a good deal. The first thing I noticed after opening the package was that it included 2 AA Duracell coppertop batteries. This was a surprise and I did not notice it in the product description although after reading it again it does say batteries included. Because of this, everything you need to make it work is in the box; including the software on a CD so you can use it even if you are offline. If you are online, the drivers will download for the sensor as soon as you plug it in to the USB port. After that, power the controller on with the big middle Xbox button and then press the button on the top of the controller to the left of the recharge port. When the green lights start blinking in a circular pattern, press the button on the USB receiver and it is ready to use. Response in game is identical to playing on the 360 - there is zero lag.The controller itself is identical to the 360 one and there is no distinguishable features. The only thing that could have made it even better would have been a play and charge kit, but that probably would have jacked the price up.