Xbox One Controller vs. Xbox 360 Controller: Microsoft Claims 40 New Improvements
The Xbox One controller is boasting of more than 40 new improvements over its predecessor the Xbox 360 in Microsoft's effort of creating the perfect gamepad.
While the controller's appearance is not much different than the 360's at first glance, one must experience the new feel of the controller to truly appreciate the differences.
While the analog sticks remain mostly the same except for a deeper concave and the X,Y,B, and A buttons are the same albeit a bit closer, major improvements have been made to the D-Pad reports Tech Radar. This change will vastly improve a players performance in fighting games as the D-Pad promises to be more directionally efficient.
The Xbox Home or Guide button has been relocated to the very top of the controller to keep from getting in players' way with accidental button pushes.
The Start and Back buttons have been removed in favor of the new View and Menu buttons.
Tech Radar also reports a complete re-haul of the trigger and bumper buttons on top of the controller. The bumpers have grown drastically in size and the triggers are now protruding more out of the back of the controller -- an improvement that makes handling more natural.
In the center of the top of the controller is an infrared sensor that syncs and connects with Kinect (Xbox's motion sensor) automatically once picked up. Another feature that is on its way is the remote's ability to pick up on where the player is sitting and changing the split screen of a multi-player game to adapt on the arrangement.
Impulse rumble features on the controller will function independently depending on the game scenario. For example, when firing a gun in a game like Call of Duty, holding down the R button on the right of the controller will vibrate that side only.
The remote will still work with two AA batteries with a Charge and Play kit sold separately. Microsoft says the new chargeable batteries in that kit will last a lot longer.
Microsoft also made the new controller lighter, sleeker, and tighter, with Tech Radar citing the company had female and smaller-handed gamers in mind.
Overall, the Xbox One's minor changes to an already great controller have pushed the console into an exceptional gaming experience.