The Xbox Controller is outdated

[themistermanguy]

With all the features of Sony's new DualSense controller for PS5, and Nintendo's Joy-Con and Pro Controllers for the Switch. The Xbox Series X controller IMO, is really looking ass-old in comparison. I mean, it's just the Xbox One controller, with yet another new D-Pad, and *Gasp* what's that, a Share button? Something the PS4 introduced in 2013? Christ even Nintendo adopted this feature faster than Microsoft did. The impulse triggers from Xbox One return, but... after learning about Sony's adaptive trigger technology, Microsoft's equivalent just seems so lame in comparison.

Nintendo brought HD haptics to console gaming in the form of the Switch's HD Rumble feature, which Sony has adopted with the DualSense, making it one of the controller's main selling points. Microsoft? It still has the same, bog standard rumble. The Controller doesn't even have any goddamn Gyro in it, something which Nintendo and PlayStation have had for well over a decade at this point.

I get it, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But... Is Microsoft even trying with controller innovation anymore? The Xbox Controller to this day, has barely evolved in terms of functionality. Sure its comfortable and well built, but that's about all you can say about it. When compared to what Sony and Nintendo are doing with their controllers, the Xbox Controller just looks so dated in comparison. Call these features gimmicks if you want, but games on both Switch and PlayStation have shown there's a lot of potential in these features for gaming. Microsoft needs to adopt them if they're ever going to become standard.

 

[laggyteabag]

Yes, the Xbox controller is boring, but it is also easily top-tier in terms of ergonomics and build quality, and nothing else that I have used before or since comes close.

Sure, Nintendo controllers and PlayStation controllers have all of these fancy bells and whistles, but, well, what is the point of it all?

Lets look at the PS4 controller.

• The lightbar changes colour, but because I and most people aren't looking at the controller when they are playing games, it is a pointless gimmick.
• The touchpad has a lot of potential, but I have only played one game where the touchpad is used as anything other than just another button, and the implimentation was terrible, because whenever I moved either of the analogue sticks into the touchpad's direction, I would end up thumbing it. Since then, every single game that I have seen utilise it, has just been as a simple button to open the map or something. Exciting! (and a gimmick).
• It has a gyroscope. But, I can only recall it ever being used in The Last of Us Remastered - which is a PS3 game - to recharge the flashlight. It is a gimmick.
• The PS4 controller has a mono speaker built into it, but I have only ever seen it used to play audiologs, and random sound effects, but in a worse quality than literally any other set of speakers in my house. A gimmick, it is.

Sure, maybe the argument could be made that if there was feature parity between controllers, then maybe we would see some interesting uses for these features, but if Sony's own developers cant make use of the features on their own controller... maybe we aren't missing much?

Oh, and whilst I am here, rumble is, and always will be, completely terrible, and a gimmick. I turn it off right away, and will continue to do so - even if it is super duper HD Rumble++.

 

[themistermanguy]

It has a gyroscope. But, I can only recall it ever being used in The Last of Us Remastered - which is a PS3 game - to recharge the flashlight. It is a gimmick.

Gyro aiming. Seriously, play any Switch shooter, you'll know that gyro aim is superior to analog sticks in every conceivable way. Developers need to be doing the same on PS5.

but if Sony's own developers cant make use of the features on their own controller... maybe we aren't missing much?

Sony's devs tend to be a bit better at using the controller features. But it's still very inconsistent. It's completely inexcusable for Days Gone to have Gyro aiming, yet Horizon doesn't.

 

[BrawlMan]

It must be a slow day to talk about the XBOX controller in general.

OG XBOX Controller - Too big for the hands, despite me having big hands when the console first launched in November 2001. I was 12. They released a slimmer variation of controller about 6 months later, that was a bit better, but still had problems for people because of its bulk. I remember the Mad Catz controller variations being better than the first party controller. Oh, the sweet irony.

360 Controller - A good controller with one of the worst D-pads in gaming history. The D-pad sucks hard if you're trying to play a fighting game, or any 2D game. Not much else to say on that. The analog and triggers work fine.

XONE Controller- Their best controller yet that is fun and the most comfortable to use. They finally nailed. We have controller with a great analog stick and a nice sized, comfortable D-pad. You can actually play fighting games with it and works great. I may not like the console and it's (lacking) library of games, but the controller they did justice. The fact that the XONE has backwards compatiblity and that you can use the XONE controller on old 360, OG XBOX, and PC games gives it that versatility. Most of them anyway. I am sure X Series X controller won't be that much different; itself having BC as well. So, there is only up from here.

 

[Samtemdo8]

Outdated or just sticking with a tried and true design?

Because I think the Xbox One/Series X Controller is on par with the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller in terms of quality design. With the advantage of having actual triggers.

 

[09philj]

The analogue sticks on the Dualsense seem to be the same ones from the Dualshock 4. This is a problem because the rubber caps on the Dualshock 4 were relatively fragile and could be torn by repeated rough handling. The touchpad on the Dualsense is a nice feature and Sony definitely look like they'll have the edge in regards to haptic feedback, but those are nowhere near as important as having good quality sticks. Even if Sony decides to dramatically improve PC support for their controllers, I'll probably stick with Microsoft's offering.

 

[Samtemdo8]

The analogue sticks on the Dualsense seem to be the same ones from the Dualshock 4. This is a problem because the rubber caps on the Dualshock 4 were relatively fragile and could be torn by repeated rough handling. The touchpad on the Dualsense is a nice feature and they could perhaps stand to improve the haptic feedback, but those are nowhere near as important as having good quality sticks. Even if Sony decides to dramatically improve PC support for their controllers, I'll probably stick with Microsoft's offering.

Can I use an Xbox One Controller on Windows 7?

 

[09philj]

Can I use an Xbox One Controller on Windows 7?

Not sure about wireless use, but plugging it straight in with a micro USB cable has always worked for me. It doesn't even need batteries if you do that.

 

[Worgen]

Sometimes you just want a really good controller, thus you go to the xbox one. I mean what features does the ps5 controller have that will actually be used well? All the weird features the ps4 controller had were pretty much wasted.

 

[SupahEwok]

Not sure about wireless use, but plugging it straight in with a micro USB cable has always worked for me. It doesn't even need batteries if you do that.

Yup, that's why I've got an Xbox controller despite never owning an Xbox. An official Xbox controller, I think. I do the occasional bit of emulation, and after years of struggling to get 3rd party controllers or the Steam controller or even Dualshocks recognized across the games and emulators I play, I finally caved into getting an Xbox controller, and have been issue-free ever since.

And I by far prefer leaving it plugged into the PC. No worries for charging or connectivity, and my monitors aren't big enough to let me game away from the desk on a couch or bed.

 

[Gordon_4]

With all the features of Sony's new DualSense controller for PS5, and Nintendo's Joy-Con and Pro Controllers for the Switch. The Xbox Series X controller IMO, is really looking ass-old in comparison. I mean, it's just the Xbox One controller, with yet another new D-Pad, and *Gasp* what's that, a Share button? Something the PS4 introduced in 2013? Christ even Nintendo adopted this feature faster than Microsoft did. The impulse triggers from Xbox One return, but... after learning about Sony's adaptive trigger technology, Microsoft's equivalent just seems so lame in comparison.

Nintendo brought HD haptics to console gaming in the form of the Switch's HD Rumble feature, which Sony has adopted with the DualSense, making it one of the controller's main selling points. Microsoft? It still has the same, bog standard rumble. The Controller doesn't even have any goddamn Gyro in it, something which Nintendo and PlayStation have had for well over a decade at this point.

I get it, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But... Is Microsoft even trying with controller innovation anymore? The Xbox Controller to this day, has barely evolved in terms of functionality. Sure its comfortable and well built, but that's about all you can say about it. When compared to what Sony and Nintendo are doing with their controllers, the Xbox Controller just looks so dated in comparison. Call these features gimmicks if you want, but games on both Switch and PlayStation have shown there's a lot of potential in these features for gaming. Microsoft needs to adopt them if they're ever going to become standard.

At some point you're innovating for the sake of it, not because its going to make things better. The Xbox layout is the most comfortable to use in terms of stick positioning - the DS sticks being next to each other is the opposite of ergonomic - and honestly, their build quality has, since the 360 at least, shat on Sony from a great height.

Also rumble can fuck off. It was lame on the N64, its lame now. I don't want the controller to be actively fighting me: it is my passive conduit as the Id of whomever I am controlling.

 

[Adam Jensen]

Maybe it is. But controllers are hardly system sellers so why waste money on R&D when you already have a great controller that people enjoy using?

 

[themistermanguy]

Maybe it is. But controllers are hardly system sellers so why waste money on R&D when you already have a great controller that people enjoy using?

Because the controller still has a ton of room for improvement regarding functionality and inputs. Ergonomics and build quality are certainly important, but having innovative features that set new standards in equally as important.

 

[Drathnoxis]

So all the consoles have the useless share button now? I can't think of a bigger waste of real estate on a controller than a button that can't be used for gameplay.

 

[09philj]

Oh, and whilst I am here, rumble is, and always will be, completely terrible, and a gimmick. I turn it off right away, and will continue to do so - even if it is super duper HD Rumble++.

Also rumble can fuck off. It was lame on the N64, its lame now. I don't want the controller to be actively fighting me: it is my passive conduit as the Id of whomever I am controlling.

Rumble's one of my favourite things about using a controller. Aiming with a mouse might be more precise, but I always miss that feedback of the bullets firing. It also really added to Oxenfree's atmosphere, I don't think the game would have worked as well without it.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

The Xbox One controller is perfectly fine, and doesn't need any of those "features."

I don't know of any game that utilized the joycon's HD rumble in any meaningful way. 1-2 Switch doesn't count, it's literally a tech demo for that tech, not a real game.

The Share button? Who cares? Awful. I would honestly want to get rid of it.

Gyro? Who cares? It didn't work on the PS3, it's barely used on the PS4 despite being there. I don't care if "pro players" on the Switch use it (wait, there's pro leagues for the switch? News to me considering how fucking awful Nintendo's online multiplayer features are).

The light bar on the dualshock 4 is stupid and pointless, and the lights on the PS5 controller are just as stupid and pointless. If I notice or even have to think about the controller in my hands while I'm playing that controller has failed at its job.

The Xbox One controller does what a controller is supposed to do. It is comfortable to hold and use. It feels solid and the buttons feel good to press. It does this better than the PS4 controller and it does it WAAAAAYYYYYY better than the Switch's joycons, which I can't use for more than 20 minutes before my hands start cramping or I start getting blisters from the tiny buttons. All of the other features at best don't matter, or at worst get in the way.

And I'm saying this as someone who doesn't even own an xbox one and has zero interest in it as a console. It just has the best controller.

 

[Yoshi]

Sure, Nintendo controllers and PlayStation controllers have all of these fancy bells and whistles, but, well, what is the point of it all?

Gyro controls are objectively better than stick controls in Splatoon 2 for starters

 

[themistermanguy]

Gyro? Who cares? It didn't work on the PS3, it's barely used on the PS4 despite being there. I don't care if "pro players" on the Switch use it (wait, there's pro leagues for the switch? News to me considering how fucking awful Nintendo's online multiplayer features are).

Even in single player, Gyro aiming is superior to stick aiming. This shit should be standard on all console shooters.

I don't know of any game that utilized the joycon's HD rumble in any meaningful way. 1-2 Switch doesn't count, it's literally a tech demo for that tech, not a real game.

Super Mario Odyssey and Luigi's Mansion 3 make great use of HD Rumble.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Even in single player, Gyro aiming is superior to stick aiming. This shit should be standard on all console shooters.

Gyro controls are a pain in the ass to use and tiring when used for extended periods of time.

If you really want maximum precision the PS4 and Xbox One already allow you to use a mouse and keyboard in place of a controller.

 

[themistermanguy]

Gyro controls are a pain in the ass to use and tiring when used for extended periods of time.

If you really want maximum precision the PS4 and Xbox One already allow you to use a mouse and keyboard in place of a controller.

They aren't. Maybe for you, but anybody who's used it on Switch and PC will tell you its the superior way to play shooters on consoles.