Customer Reviews

Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The controller is the standard XBOX 360 wireless controller. The box contains a wireless controller hub. Supposedly, up to four controllers can be connected to a PC through this hub (though I presume not many games will let you use this feature). I have not tested connectivity for more than one controller at a time.
There are no apparent problems with this, on this Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium install. Plugged the hub into a USB port in the back, pressed the center button on the controller, and ready to go. Works great in Grand Theft Auto 4 (driving much much easier this way).
Can't wait to use this for DiRT3, yeah

The software is nothing special. In fact, beyond the standard joystick control panel, there is nothing else. You can test the functionality of the buttons, D-pad, analog sticks etc. And that's it. Would be cool if the software would allow programming of the buttons, or let you assign macros to the buttons like Intellitype for instance. Logitech does a much better job!
But I will not complain... the hardware is top notch and works great... and wirelessly.

If you already own an xbox 360, try to get only the wireless hub.

If you want a wireless controller to use for your PC games, then this is a definite must have. I snagged one for use with "Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" and it works great. Being that the game is already set up for use with the controller, it was immediately identified and all buttons linked to what they are meant to do. Only takes a few minutes to get the hang of the new set-up (find a quiet area away from people in the game to practice), but the controller is way better than using the keyboard and mouse. Even though the majority of the keyboard does not work when using the controller, gladly you can still use the tilde (~) key for acessing the command console and the "PrtScn" button is active for taking snapshots. The only minor negative note I have concerns not be able to fully use the keyboard when the controller is plugged in. It should work in conjunction with the keyboard instead of completely blocking most of its use. As for the unit itself, it is very comfortable to hold and use. All of the buttons are placed perfectly. Once you know which one does what, moving and fighting in the game is a snap. There are some extra plug-in ports on the controller that are not identified as to their use in the simple fold-out instruction manuel. One on the top below the word "XBOX 360" and another on the bottom between the hand holds that has three holes. Would be nice to know what these are for, but the instructions have nothing on them. All in all, this controller is well worth the price and works perfectly for PC games, especially newer titles.

I have only used this to play Skyrim on Windows 7 Home Premium but it works flawlessly. Also, the cord for the USB adapter is surprisingly long (around 5-6 feet) allowing me to place the adapter on my desk (behind my monitor).

Controller came in original Microsoft packaging. This isn't one of the cheap knock offs, it's the read deal. The receiver works great with 4 controllers connected and makes emulators ten times as fun. One problem I found is that you must remove the battery from the controller to turn it off. Overall, a great buy.

It works perfectly. And it matches my new XBOX360 Slim and its contrller. It is the new black controller with the chrome guide button. On Windows 7 it works great, but I already had the drivers installed for the wired version but it should be automatically installed once you plug in the receiver. The software lacks, well it lacks just about everything. Only special thing is that the guide button displays battery level for controller but that only works on the desktop and not in game. It's lack of customization isn't a problem because just about every game that supports a controller autmatically support XBOX360 controller. Also you can use other XBOX360 controller on one receiver. It is true there is no way to tunrn off the controller except by pulling the battery out, but it turns off automatically after a few minutes of inactivity. Controller also works perfectly with an XBOX360 as it should, since it is an XBOX360 and there is no differnce for the Windows version.

I have to hand it to Microsoft on this one - they've really nailed their gamepad design, and I commend their choice to make a product that's compatible with both Windows and the XBox 360.

Most PC games are designed to play better with a keyboard and a mouse, but some lazy console ports really work better with a controller. Fable III is what sent me over the edge - the mouse controls with that game were just so floaty that I couldn't take it anymore.

Console ports like Fable 3 and Batman: Arkham Asylum, which were designed to the Games for Windows Live (ugh) specifications, offer truly seemless integration with this controller. Once you perform the initial setup, there's no tinkering to be done with GFWL games: you just fire up your game, turn on the controller, and bam - it's just like playing on the XBox 360. Well, if the XBox 360's graphics were about 10 times better, anyway.

Range and battery life are, as far as I can tell, equivalent to using a wireless controller with the XBox 360. I'm running rechargeable batteries and I've still not even switched them out. The range is good enough to use the controller all the way across the room, in case you want to hook your PC up to a TV and fully replicate the "console experience."

My only gripe with this item is that you can no longer purchase the official wireless dongle separately, and the only way to get the dongle is in this bundle (unless you want to chance it with one of the unofficial knockoffs). Ah well - it's still a reasonable price for a product that makes console ports play as they're supposed to.

Side note - this thing does seem to work in Linux too, at least with modern kernels. There are some limitations (the power button doesn't work, the light flashes constantly) but it is detected as an input device.

This package is an XBox 360 controller with a wireless USB adapter that transmits a signal so you can play wirelessly. In other words, while it comes with an XBox 360 controller, you can also use any other XBox 360 controller as well. Using the simple setup poster and included software CD, you install the software, connect the USB adapter, and you're ready to play.

The good news is, the adapter for this Wireless Controller will not only let you connect up to FOUR XBox 360 controllers at the same time, it will also let you connect other devices, such as XBox wireless headsets.

The bad news is, there is one fundamental flaw that seems to have been completely ignored by the people who developed the software to support the XBox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows:

You can't easily turn it off.

On an XBox, you press and hold the controller's center button. The software launches a menu and one option you can choose is "Turn off Controller." The documentation and the software's help files say nothing about turning off the controller. Digging through forums uncovers that you can either set the controller down for 20 minutes and wait for it to turn itself off, or most people disconnect the battery pack every time they want to turn it off (which will eventually loosen it). The center button does nothing if you're not in a game (and if you are, it doesn't give you a "turn off controller" option). You can't "eject" the controller in Windows, and if you disconnect the USB adapter or turn off your PC while the controller is still on, the controller will continue to look for a connection until the battery runs down.

There is one sure-fire way that works: you have to be playing a Games for Windows Live game, logged into your Games for Windows Live account, and when you're ready to quit, press and hold the center button for 4 seconds. You will get a menu that will ask, "Do you want to turn off the wireless controller?" Choose Yes, and you can continue exiting the game using the keyboard and mouse.

That said, there is a reason I bought this controller, and that reason is that I really have come to enjoy the XBox 360 Controller. I've also had some very annoying compatibility failures over the years with PCs and "game pad" controllers. The XBox 360 controller--wired or wireless--has been the best. It's literally plug and play and thus far I haven't had any button problems, or had the sticks fall out of calibration like some other controllers do.

If you love PC gaming, but you need to use a console-style controller for some of your games, this is your best bet. You can go with a wired controller and save yourself the power-down headaches, but if you really want wireless in Windows, the XBox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows is the best. Maybe one day they'll finish the software--I strongly suggest they put a tray icon in with a menu to manually handle this.

This product exceeded all my expectations. It works smoothly without any interruptions. The buttons are intuitive and I was using it without having to look at it almost immediately. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it could even vibrate as with a console but the best unexpected bonus of all was that I could use the keyboard, the mouse and the controller all at the same time!.

I played it with the following games and it worked with all of them:
* OBLIVION Game of the Year Edition
* FABLE III
* CRYSIS
* BORDERLANDS
* ARCANIA
* SPLINTER CELL: CONVICTION
* DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION

On the Xbox, you press and hold the big middle button to bring up the "turn off" option. When using PC you have to pop the battery cover off to get the lights to turn off. I don't know of any other way to power down the controller. It works great besides that.

The best looking, best feeling xbox 360 controller out there. Comes with an awesome cable to connect up to 4 controllers to your PC as well. AND COMES WITH BATTERIES! I wish it had a rechargeable battery pack but that's alright, we've got plenty. Bought this for $34.99 on the Amazon.com lightning deals, what a steal!