Curses! D-pad revision is 'limited edition, promotional item'

by Xav de Matos { Aug 20th 2008 at 12:00PM }

It doesn't look like everyone should be jumping for joy about a revised Xbox 360 d-pad, yet. According to Microsoft the rumored directional pad revision is currently only slated as "a limited edition promotional item that is only available in Europe, Asia and Latin America while supplies last." Set for release on October 24, Eurogamer confirmed the "optimized" d-pad will be released in a bundle with Pro Evolution Soccer 2009. Also, the controller will be sickly green, as seen in the image above. While plans could change the bundle seems to be the only option for now. No word on a North American bundle, so for now sports fans should hope Pro Evo 09 is region-free.

[via Joystiq]

Tags: bundle, controller, controller-revision, gc-2009, leipzig, pro-evolution-soccer-09, tie-in

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

I DeX I @ Aug 20th 2008 12:07PM

Thanx Microsoft. What the hell are they thinking?

Ethan Rom @ Aug 20th 2008 12:11PM

I like the color. The green controllers we have in the states are way too bright.

There is no way I'm buying a soccer game to get it though.

Fire Fawkes @ Aug 20th 2008 1:08PM

That green is pretty close to (if not exactly the same as) the Halo 3 edition green. So you too could own this lovely shade today.

As an aside, I love my green controller/console. It's unique and not at all as "Sickly" as the post describes it. It's more "Spartany"

AoE @ Aug 20th 2008 3:44PM

Halo 3 edition controller green is a little bit darker (my favorite controller color so far), but this one is pretty close... and honestly i quite like it. With the fixed d-pad... I'm tempted to import PES 2009 just for this controller...

ZEBRA NINER @ Aug 20th 2008 12:19PM

I don't care too much about the D-pad, but this doesn't make much sense. It's like they are saying, "We've giving a much needed improvement to this product!!! Although, we only did it to 5 of them.... have at it consumers!"

Jordan @ Aug 20th 2008 12:21PM

well I'm thinking the only reason they arent saying anything about a US release yet is because they're just going to surprise us later.

tsunamisurf @ Nov 12th 2008 10:15AM

I think microsoft is correctly assuming that Pro Evo 09 would more than likely be under appreciated in the US, therefore not offering the bundle there

Magic Whiskey @ Aug 20th 2008 12:22PM

This sucks. I'm going to write my congressman. Get a petition going. Take a nap. Host a bake sale. Form a human pyramid. Paint an inspirational image of a small child petting a white dove and take up Yoga.

ZEBRA NINER @ Aug 20th 2008 12:29PM

lol. So you aren't donating to a charity?

Magic Whiskey @ Aug 20th 2008 1:12PM

I might. I just might.

I'll also support Public Broadcasting, give to the Fine Arts Fund, help out Jerry's Kids, and spend time in a soup kitchen.

Thanks a LOT, Microsoft.

Jay @ Aug 20th 2008 12:32PM

Pro Evo 09???? Sports Fans???? How about Fight Fans...Don't know how many Dragon punches I've missed due to this Next-Gen oversight...Basicly..Capcom make some money and your own Controller. O'& just a U.S., release to screw the others back>>>

joeybeast @ Aug 20th 2008 12:43PM

If you are willing to spend $50 on an improved D-pad just for fighting games, you might as well spend a little more for the Hori fighting stick.

Yamagushi @ Aug 20th 2008 1:02PM

Capcom, nor any third party can make a controller. This generation Microsoft made all accessories require the ol MS key. Thus only MS and those willing to fork over a shitload of money can make accessories.

AoE @ Aug 20th 2008 3:47PM

@Jay...

Capcom has teamed up with MadCatz to create an arcade stick for SFIV. It is MadCatz making it though, so I think we can all safely expect it to suck?

The good news is, if you're actually serious about fighting games (though I've gotta question that, since you don't already own one) Hori has been releasing pretty nice arcade sticks for the 360 since around the time DoA4 came out. They're only $60, and worth every penny.

boxkutta @ Aug 20th 2008 12:52PM

This just confirms a new controller is in the pipes. If they announce it now the old ones in market now won't sell. They won't announce it till the last moment.

Dano @ Aug 20th 2008 1:54PM

Considering any games that we would want to use an uber-directional d-pad with have been modified to support the analog stick(s), this would have minimal impact to games already in the wild. However, I wonder what the impact would be on games that actually leverage the d-pad?

ObiBen @ Aug 20th 2008 2:21PM

wtf!!!???

TypeF @ Aug 20th 2008 2:30PM

wtf...only limited? sony is getting a wireless keyboard that goes on the controller and it has everything in it. WTF seriously why limited.

Premo @ Aug 20th 2008 6:42PM

Sounds familiar.

edhe @ Aug 25th 2008 1:24PM

Ah good god MS, you should've revised that DPad ages ago.

Just apply it to all new pads, go on, you know you want to, go on.. go on...

Everyone will buy a new one.. money.. MONEY.. MONEY!!

Michael Paul @ Aug 20th 2008 3:15PM

I gave up on the last part of The Simpsons game due to not being able to get the D-Pad to respond the way I wanted, so I'd be happy to get a redesigned controller to try instead. Too bad if Microsoft thinks any flaws are all in our heads...

Chase @ Aug 20th 2008 4:09PM

Wait, so what's different about this D-pad. It looks the same.

Kyuba08 @ Aug 20th 2008 5:06PM

The d-pad isn't jutting out of its holding spot on the cotroller. It looks like the d-pad is more snug in the plastic casing, hence better functionality.

Look at the revised model above and look at this:
http://geizhals.at/img/pix/164921.jpg

The difference is subtle.

Jay @ Aug 20th 2008 9:32PM

Thanks for the input Crowd..But, yeah already own the DOA arcade cont. since it's release, however I also have issue with that as well...finding the stick a lil' to sloopy.. Atleast for some SFII ... Hori is the way to go though... & I forgot about all that Evil Empire crap MS pulls with 3rd paty gear... Thanx