XBox One Controller Hands-On Review!

 XBOX ONE CONTROLLER:  HANDS-ON REVIEW

 XBox One Controller

During a Microsoft event in Century City on June 10th, I got to spend some quality Jack Time with the new XBox One controller. 

Having never had an XBox 360 console or controller, I can only compare it to the original "Duke" controller that came with the original XBox.

 

 Xbox One on display

The first thing I noticed is that the controller layout really hasn't changed much, even from the very first original XBox controller.  The buttons, sticks, and d-pad all felt very familiar, and are all located right where I would expect them to be.  Of course, there are some differences and changes that have happened since the original XBox controller - gone are the white and black buttons, which are replaced by shoulder buttons which are located just above the triggers.  I've never used this configuration - I could see myself accidentally hitting one of the shoulder buttons when going for a trigger (or vice versa), but time will tell when I actually start playing games with it.  Also the Start and Back buttons have been moved higher, and will be re-purposed as "Menu" and "View" buttons.  It will be interesting to see how these buttons are utilized, although I suspect that the functionality will be very similar to the Start and Back buttons.  Although the thumbsticks have been improved, the difference isn't very noticeable - which is a good thing, because they have a very comfortable and familiar feel.  The D-Pad is a big difference, switching to the "plus" design rather than a circular design.  Personally, I rarely use the D-pad for anything except maybe menu options, but the word on the street is that this is a huge improvement.  There is a port on the bottom of the controller for the headset accessory.  Being a prototype, this controller was hard-wired to a laptop for the purposes of the demonstration, but the final product will be wireless.

 

XBox One

The second thing I noticed was the difference in size.  "The Duke" was a huge controller, which worked fine for me since I have large hands.  But soon after the original XBox launch in 2001, in didn't take long for a smaller, sleeker "Controller-S" to be released.  And of course, the 360 continued to improve on the controller, which is now regarded as the one of the best controllers ever made.  Even though the new controller is significantly smaller, it feels comfortable and familiar.

"The Duke" - original XBox controller

The demo program consisted of some very basic applications that featured the new rumble mechanics in the new controller.  Not only can the controller rumble, but the triggers also have their own rumble motors as well.  The program had some basic things you might find in videogames ... a car speeding up and stopping, different types of gunfire, an RPG-type fire spell cast, and a few others.  The controller can rumble on either side, as well as the triggers.  So for example, if your game (perhaps Master Chief in the next Halo) is wielding a gun in his right hand, and you pull the trigger, only the right trigger will provide feedback.  If you are hit from gunfire from behind you on the left, you will feel it on the left side of the controller.  I thought the most impressive demo was the car.  The controller vibrated as expected when the car accelerated - but when it came to a stop, you could literally feel the brakes and tires gripping the road.  It was a very cool effect that needs to be experienced.  

 

XBox One

Although improved, the controller lacks any kind of new or innovative features.  Which is a good thing - it's near perfect already, and adding more stuff would just prove to be distracting to the gaming experience.  I don't need to be glancing down at a screen, or flashing lights, or whatever else might be added to a controller - I should just be immersed in the actual gameplay.  

So despite the lack of new features, the ones that are already there are excellent and have been improved.  

Developers and gamers alike will have a lot of fun with it.

My score: A-

Worthy of my valuable Jack Time!

In the future, you can look forward to more reviews of Xbox One's hardware, including an exclusive unboxing and set-up video when it launches!

Until next time,

It's Jack Time, Baby!

Jack