Xbox 360 PC controller confusion cleared up

$44.95 wired "Windows" controller is same as the $39.99 wired 360 controller--but comes with PC drivers.

Yesterday's press release announcing Microsoft's new game-specific laser mouse caused a spate of confusion regarding another one of the company's game controllers. At the bottom of the release was a small note about "the new Xbox 360 Controller for Windows, a wired gaming controller that works with Windows XP-based PCs and the new Xbox 360 system to deliver a consistent gaming entertainment experience across Microsoft's gaming platforms."

Why the confusion? Microsoft had made previous statements that the Xbox 360 controller would work for both PCs and the 360--did the announcement of a special "Xbox 360 controller for Windows" mean that was no longer the case? The fact that the Xbox 360 controller for Windows was a different SKU with a different price--$44.95--from the $39.99 wired Xbox 360 controller certainly made it seem that way.

Luckily, Microsoft was kind enough to clear up gamers' doubts by saying that the Xbox 360 controller for Windows is the same as the wired Xbox 360 controller--sort of. "The difference between the Windows SKU and the regular Xbox 360 controller is that the Windows SKU comes with a Windows XP driver," a rep told GameSpot. "Otherwise they are exactly the same device."

As for the price difference, the Microsoft rep claimed it was a case of "the difference between suggested retail and estimated street price," with the $39.99 price point being the latter and the $44.99 price point being the former.

4 Comments

  • cazza4sale

    Posted Dec 15, 2006 3:13 pm PT

    WOW i 'l l g e t m i n e t h is a f t e r n o o n and G O O H A L O_______-------_______ YAY

  • Jensen

    Posted Feb 17, 2006 10:24 pm PT

    This controller works great with the default drivers for some games eg: Marc Ecko's:Getting Up, NFSMW. But, I'm having a crapload of problems making it work for EA Sports games (NBA Live 06, Madden 06). The back triggers will not work for these games. Upon trying different drivers such as pinnacle/xbcd, the triggers started working but the controls for NFSMW and Ecko totally screwed up...

  • jaywraw

    Posted Dec 20, 2005 8:44 am PT

    This controller works great. I just purchased Need for Speed: Most Wanted for the PC and the controls are responsive and precise. Off the bat the pre loaded control scheme was that of the xbox version, and trust it was worth the $40 bucks I paid for the remote. Good job Microsoft.

  • cid67

    Posted Nov 27, 2005 8:53 am PT

    OK everyone, here is what you all will be looking for if you use xbox 360 controller for windows xp. go to www.pinnaclegameprofiler.com and check out there product. it is the closest thing to perfection i have ever seen. it works like a dream for the 360 controller. !!!Realy!!!!

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