For years now the Xbox 360 controller has been the de facto controller of choice for PC gamers. It's sturdy, comfortable, and because it's made by Microsoft, it had plug and play drivers for Windows right out of the box. It's been the standard to such a degree that the vast majority of PC games even use its buttons' colors and lettering scheme by default. It's now just assumed that this is the controller that you're using. So when the Xbox One was announced, along with a new controller, it was a bit exciting for PC gamers as well. However, there were no drivers to use it on PC available at launch. Until now. So let's take a look at how it stands up as the new PC controller of choice, shall we?



Of course it will be impossible to judge this controller without comparing it to the original 360 pad, and they are surely similar beasts. They look a lot alike, and share a pretty similar body. But upon first picking it up you'll notice some differences in feel. First of all, that big, bulging battery pack is a goner. And while that's welcome for sure, it also makes the body feel thinner, which could be a potential turnoff to some with bigger hands. Although, if you were using a wired controller all this time, the difference might not be as noticeable. The analog sticks have gotten a revamp as well. They're a bit smaller, but also feel less stiff. If you've been using a 360 pad for a while, this may throw you off at first, but it is quite comfortable once you've gotten used to it. The face buttons are now flatter, rather than being as rounded as they were on the 360 pad, and they also seem to have an easier push to them. It's a good tweak. The shoulder buttons and triggers feel about the same, however they are now right up against each other instead of having a small gap between them.


But the major difference between the XBox One and 360 controllers is the dpad. For years, Xbox 360 players and PC gamers alike have scoffed at the terrible dpad on the 360 controller, and Microsoft has listened. Gone is the raised circle pad with its squishy, inaccurate gate. A nice NES-style cross has replaced it and it is by far the greatest addition here, especially if you're into 2D games. Playing a precise platformer like Escape Goat 2 or Shovel Knight or even a shmup just feels great compared to using the digital pad on the 360 controller.

However, there are a couple of complaints I have about the Xbox One controller that are specific to PC gaming. The 360 pad had two options - you could simply by using a wired controller and never worry about charging or swapping out batteries, or you could buy an officially produced USB dongle if you wanted to use a wireless controller. There's no such dongle for the Xbox One incarnation, so your only option is to plug in the wireless controller. For many PC gamers - sitting at a desk anyway - this won't really be a problem. But the unfortunate thing is that Microsoft has still not produced a wired version of their new controller. Instead, you'll have to also buy a micro-USB cord to plug it in. It's just not quite as elegant a solution. The other complaint I have is perhaps a minor one, but it is there. Everytime you boot up your PC with the controller connected, as soon as Windows boots the controller rumbles. This is pretty annoying and I've even seen my new controller rumble itself off the desk and onto the floor - leaving me in momentary fear that it broke itself. I just don't get why it needs to rumble when turned on. But again, I suppose that's not a huge thing either.

Undoubtedly, if you're reading this, you're wondering if you should get one for yourself. While I do think it's a great controller, and I have now made it my controller of choice, I can't really say that I'd recommend anyone run right out and buy one to replace a 360 pad they've already got. As it stands right now, the Xbox One controllers are still pretty pricey and while the upgrades are nice, they're not going to make a 360 pad obsolete. However, I will say that if you're just getting into PC gaming and buying your first controller, you should certainly consider spending the extra difference to make it this one.

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