Xbox 360 controller for PC

Peter G. 19 May, 2008 at 10:51pm ET Article published in Tech

Comments

1. 
   20 May 2008 ~ 1:31pm pigflipper Ummm....I've been using a 360 controller on my computer for nearly 3 months now...
2. 
   20 May 2008 ~ 2:00pm BuddyJ Aren't you special.
3. 
   20 May 2008 ~ 2:02pm Your-Amish-Daddy More like since the console came out for the cabled one.
4. 
   20 May 2008 ~ 2:13pm Harudath In other news, Bungie and Microsoft have teamed up and have just released MS word 2008 for the Xbox 360.
5. 
   20 May 2008 ~ 2:14pm RatBurger08 lol i use the 360 controller on here, it makes halo 2 and gears of war ALOT easier to play, since i'm used to the console version.
6. 
   20 May 2008 ~ 2:29pm primesuspect Psychonauts was way easier once I started using my 360 controller.
7. 
   20 May 2008 ~ 2:36pm Jengo good to know, but very old news indeed, since the xbox 360 launch it was known that you could use the controller on your PC hence the standard USB 2.0 ports on the xbox 360.
   
   EDIT: on a side note that article also states that you need the driver cd for windows xp, that is false. All you need to do is run the "windows found new hardware" installer and make sure you click on "find drivers automatically" ive done this hundreds of times, it installs the controller every single time. internet connection may or may not be required, i cant say for sure because ive never tried it without an internet connection so it may be downloading it.
8. 
   20 May 2008 ~ 4:10pm UPSWeezer It's a good idea if you want to play a good FPS like gears. Or something like Assassin's Creed. I heard its the only way to play it. Too hard for the keyboard.
9. 
   20 May 2008 ~ 4:16pm FormFactor me thinks whats new is the fact that M$ is marketing the controller for use with a PC specifically with that packaging. May be I'm wrong, but I haven't seen that packaging up until now.
   
   As far as gaming controllers on PCs go though, that 360 controller is the best I have used. I played Tomb Raider Anniversary (with nude patch of course:)) most recently. I didnt have to go through the tediuous process of callibrating/binding all the button functions, they were already set up, and it worked flawlessly.
   
   I would highly recommend this controller over any other PC controller I have tried.
10. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 4:18pm Harudath That's the beauty of the PC though, you CAN keybind everything over about 105 different buttons, a PC game wouldn't be a PC game without totally useless and overwhelming keybinds
11. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 4:20pm primesuspect Yep, I agree. The 360 controller is the best controller for the PC, bar none.
12. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 4:22pm BuddyJ pfft. Gravis is where it's at.
    
13. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 4:24pm Harudath Where's the SONY logo?
14. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 4:39pm CB

    Buddy J wrote:

    pfft. Gravis is where it's at.
    

    
    Hey! One of those is sitting on the floor behind my desk covered in dust!
15. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 4:40pm CB

    Buddy J wrote:

    pfft. Gravis is where it's at.
    

    
    Hey! One of those is sitting on the floor behind my desk covered in dust!
    
    BTW: every game-pad should have a switch for lefties.
16. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 5:16pm mas0n

    UPSWeezer wrote:

    It's a good idea if you want to play a good FPS like gears. Or something like Assassin's Creed. I heard its the only way to play it. Too hard for the keyboard.

    
    I have to disagree. The only thing I use a gamepad for is SNES emulators, mainly because that's what I originally used to play those games and they typically require little to no precision. Anything new I use keyboard/mouse including Gears of War and pretty much any FPS you can think of. There is no better control setup in terms of precision and customization, IMO.
17. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 5:21pm BlackHawk I use mine for sport games but I also use XBCD since I find the triggers useless.
18. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 5:27pm mas0n

    Black Hawk wrote:

    I use mine for sport games but I also use XBCD since I find the triggers useless.

    
    Sports and racing games I can definitely understand using a gamepad, but I don't play them so I have little frame of reference. That reminds me, I have been wanting to try a good racing game for PC. Any suggestions?
19. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 5:35pm Harudath Need for speed if they do it for PC, I don't know
20. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 5:53pm BlackHawk

    mas0n wrote:

    Sports and racing games I can definitely understand using a gamepad, but I don't play them so I have little frame of reference. That reminds me, I have been wanting to try a good racing game for PC. Any suggestions?

    
    Yeah, I don't bother playing racing games on the PC. I play Forza 2 which came with my Elite.
21. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 6:01pm Your-Amish-Daddy I use a playstation2 controller on my PC because I prefer it's layout. But then again, all I play are PS1 games that are too thrashed to work in my PS2/3.
22. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 6:05pm NiGHTS I pilot powerline-checking helicopters with my 360 controller.
    
    
    Mas0n: GTR2 is frustratingly realistic, as TrackMania is funlovingly arcadey. Find that "It's a good year to be a PC gamer" thread and look at his recommendations for 2007/2006's racing titles.
23. 
    20 May 2008 ~ 6:36pm tmh88 Not to ruin your thread, but you're 3 years late with this.
    http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/1813/2837/view.phtml
    
    Microsoft was selling 360 controllers for PC use even before the 360 was out.
    
    Any standard 360 wired controller will work. you can go to microsofts website to download the drivers.
    
    
    btw heres a receiver for the wireless controller for windows use
    http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-Wireless-Gaming-Receiver-Windows/dp/B000HZFCT2
24. 
    21 May 2008 ~ 3:44am Harudath Don't be silly, it's not happened until it's happened on IC
25. 
    21 May 2008 ~ 10:40am FormFactor

    Buddy J wrote:

    pfft. Gravis is where it's at.
    

    
    Yep, Ive got one of these too buried in either my, or my pops' garage. I think we still even have the little "stick" that you screw into the screw hole on the d-pad. What a worthless addition that was.
26. 
    21 May 2008 ~ 10:43am FormFactor

    NiGHTS wrote:

    I pilot powerline-checking helicopters...

    
    Sorry, off topic but...
    
    I support users that actually do pilot power line checking helos. Is that really what you do?
27. 
    21 May 2008 ~ 10:48am CB

    FormFactor wrote:

    I think we still even have the little "stick" that you screw into the screw hole on the d-pad. What a worthless addition that was.

    
    I'm surprised you still have it. Mine broke within seconds of trying to use it the first time, and others I know had the same experience.
28. 
    21 May 2008 ~ 11:54am Winfrey Also the Guitar for Guitar Hero works from the Xbox to the PC. Thank you USB!