Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows & Xbox 360 Console

This package is an XBox 360 controller with a wireless USB adapter that transmits a signal so you can play wirelessly. In other words, while it comes with an XBox 360 controller, you can also use any other XBox 360 controller as well. Using the simple setup poster and included software CD, you install the software, connect the USB adapter, and youre ready to play. The good news is, the adapter for this Wireless Controller will not only let you connect up to FOUR XBox 360 controllers at the same time, it will also let you connect other devices, such as XBox wireless headsets. The bad news is, there is one fundamental flaw that seems to have been completely ignored by the people who developed the software to support the XBox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows: You cant easily turn it off. On an XBox, you press and hold the controllers center button. The software launches a menu and one option you can choose is Turn off Controller. The documentation and the softwares help files say nothing about turning off the controller. Digging through forums uncovers that you can either set the controller down for 20 minutes and wait for it to turn itself off, or most people disconnect the battery pack every time they want to turn it off (which will eventually loosen it). The center button does nothing if youre not in a game (and if you are, it doesnt give you a turn off controller option). You cant eject the controller in Windows, and if you disconnect the USB adapter or turn off your PC while the controller is still on, the controller will continue to look for a connection until the battery runs down. There is one sure-fire way that works: you have to be playing a Games for Windows Live game, logged into your Games for Windows Live account, and when youre ready to quit, press and hold the center button for 4 seconds. You will get a menu that will ask, Do you want to turn off the wireless controller? Choose Yes, and you can continue exiting the game using the keyboard and mouse. UPDATE: Amazon customer Kitten posts in the comments below that there is a system tray utility that will allow you to turn off the controller if you forget to do the steps above. I havent tested it yet but when I do I will come back here and update my review accordingly--her link is in the comments. That said, there is a reason I bought this controller, and that reason is that I really have come to enjoy the XBox 360 Controller. Ive also had some very annoying compatibility failures over the years with PCs and game pad controllers. The XBox 360 controller--wired or wireless--has been the best. Its literally plug and play and thus far I havent had any button problems, or had the sticks fall out of calibration like some other controllers do. If you love PC gaming, but you need to use a console-style controller for some of your games, this is your best bet. You can go with a wired controller and save yourself the power-down headaches, but if you really want wireless in Windows, the XBox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows is the best. Maybe one day theyll finish the software--I strongly suggest they put a tray icon in with a menu to manually handle this.

This is a standard Xbox 360 controller. As you can tell Its made by Microsoft, so its a legit brand named controller. The wire is nice and long and I have no problems plugging it into the furthest USB port away from me. I can even lay down and relax a distance away from my computer and theres plenty of wiggle room, so you shouldnt have to worry that you may strain the wire due to distance. This controller works for both the Xbox 360 and PC. If you bought this for your computer like I did, all you need to do is plug the controller in your USB port and it auto installs the drivers and becomes functional. It does come with a disk that installs additional software on your computer. This is most likely important for your controller, so make sure you have this installed. Even if Windows recognizes the device and works as intended simply after plugging it in (like it did for me). Make sure you install the software included, especially if you encounter problems. Ive been using this for not just PC gaming but all kinds stuff. Most software recognizes this device and I had no problems mapping the controller to replace my keyboard. I can even use the controller to operate the entire computer itself if you have the software to do so. Its durable, responsive, feels good in your hands, and its a perfect choice if youre in need of a game pad for your computer. The Xbox 360 controller is what I feel most comfortable holding, compared to other PC compatible controllers the 360 controller feels natural, like an extension of myself. So, in my personal opinion its one of the best designed controllers. I highly recommend the wired over wireless. Ive heard of problems with connectivity concerning the wireless counterpart, not to mention it takes much more effort to keep in working order (Batteries, Charging etc.) and if youre a gamer like me, a random disconnection while in the middle of gaming is out of the question. Dont get me wrong, Ive heard customers that have no problems at all with wireless. But if you ask me, I prefer the good old wired over wireless due to better stability. Ive been using this controller like crazy and Im quite rough with it to be honest. Ive dropped it many times and accidentally tugged on the wire quite hard and I still havent encountered a single problem. This is a fantastic product, so far everything is working as if I just opened it, even after so much time and abuse I had it suffer. When it comes to a gamepad for your PC this product is the way to go, WELL WORTH the money spent. If youre a lover of the Xbox 360 controller and its design and feel like I am than look no further. I hope I answered some questions or helped ease some worries that you may have been experiencing! ~JOHN D.