The Xbox controller is a high tech gamepad.  It’s an oval shape with two triangle shapes to contour the palm of your hand. It features the two main colors, black or white, but does also have a variety of colors to choose from.

You can connect up to four Xbox controllers to one game console. There are two options to consider, either hard-wired Xbox controllers (physically plugs into the game console) or wireless Xbox controllers (connects via radio frequency allowing you to sit further back and not be limited to a wire).

The wireless controllers run on either AA batteries or a rechargeable battery back. The hardwired controllers are connected to the console using a USB port. Two ports are on the front of the Xbox 360, and two are located on the back. The original Xbox gamepads are not compatible with the 360, but there are some generic brands out there if your looking if you’re looking for a better price point.

On some games, there is an Xbox Live feature allowing you to play games with other people in real time. And the Xbox 360 controller has a feature where you can plug a headset into it, allowing you to talk and listen to your fellow gamers. This is not required  but is is crucial to to use a headset in games like Call of Duty for the best sound possible I recommend the turtlebeach x12 headphones, but it makes it much easier to communicate with your teammates.

Xbox 360 Controller Messenger Kit

In late 2007, Microsoft introduced a revolutionary gamepad called the Messenger kit. It’s a small keyboard, also called a Chatpad, that plugs right into a Xbox 360 controller. It also comes with a wired headset. This Chatpad connects to the controller using two small USB pins on the front of the gamepad, both the wireless and hardwired. It’s used to communicate with people over the Xbox Live feature, but can also be used with a Windows based PC via Windows Messenger. Currently, there are no drivers to make the Chatpad itself work with a PC, and there is no official word when (if ever) it will be made available.

The gamepad is comfortable to hold and is easy to use.  Overall, the Xbox 360 controller is a state of the art gamepad that has been well received by gamers.