The article sounds like it was written by a knob but with the Digg link quickly racking up numbers, this could be the best chance gamers have to bring real attention to a problem that Microsoft probably knows about but doesn't care about since it doesn't affect Halo 3. Granted, under that same reasoning I'm not sure this is the best place to post it, but we've got an XBLA thread 775 replies so I know there are people out there playing games like Pac-Man: CE and Puzzle Quest and whether they know it or not, are suffering because of the miserable dpad. Whether they're using it and flubbing or using the analog stick and dealing with the meticulous inaccuracies in its inability to replicate digital input.
And while I would strongly suggest anybody that is seriously considering playing the game to get a Hori EX2, when Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Extreme comes out, people are going to notice this in a big, bad way.
Also, here's a post from NeoGAF that I think people on this forum might be able to relate to:
Want to switch to C4 while playing COD4? Nope, here's some nightvision! Oops, did you get shot because suddenly your screen went green and you couldn't see anything?Digg the article here:
http://digg.com/xbox/Undeniable_failure_A_few_words_on_the_Xbox_360_D_pad
kakihara1
03-19-08, 02:34 PM
:lol: The nightvision comment was great. I can't even count the number of times my Dpad has screwed me over in COD4 :(
devilshalo
03-19-08, 02:37 PM
:lol: The nightvision comment was great. I can't even count the number of times my Dpad has screwed me over in COD4 :(
The analog stick is my downfall.. I can deal with the night vision, but trying to swing your gun around to shoot someone rushing you but pulling your knife instead of firing has been my nemesis.
dvd182
03-19-08, 02:39 PM
It's a good article, but it's 2 years too late.
abrg923
03-19-08, 02:46 PM
Never have had a problem with the d-pad. :shrug:
PixyJunket
03-19-08, 02:48 PM
It's a good article, but it's 2 years too late.Both Sega and Microsoft have replaced their primary controllers partway into a console's life. Sony did it TWICE on the PS1. This would be even more low-key to be honest. The original PSP had a useless, miserable failure of a dpad that was quietly rectified on later models (and then perfected on the slim). All Microsoft needs to do is start issuing new controllers with a usable dpad and the people that want the <strike>improved</strike> working dpad will know they're on the shelves.
Michael Corvin
03-19-08, 03:04 PM
I know there are people out there playing games like Pac-Man: CE and Puzzle Quest and whether they know it or not, are suffering because of the miserable dpad.
That's because you're using the d-pad. Give in man. Analog Pac-Man all the way. My score certainly isn't suffering. ;)
kakihara1
03-19-08, 03:21 PM
The analog stick is my downfall.. I can deal with the night vision, but trying to swing your gun around to shoot someone rushing you but pulling your knife instead of firing has been my nemesis.
Changed my knife to the B-button long ago. :)
fujishig
03-19-08, 03:22 PM
I never understood this... is there some patent on a reliable d-pad or something that they refuse to pay? You'd think at the very least, a 3rd party would've made something (though I guess the wireless controller tech is still 1st party only, right?)
PixyJunket
03-19-08, 03:22 PM
That's because you're using the d-pad. Give in man. Analog Pac-Man all the way. My score certainly isn't suffering. ;)This part is important:
Whether they're using it and flubbing or using the analog stick and dealing with the meticulous inaccuracies in its inability to replicate digital input.Analog Pac-Man is shit. But it's the only option on the Xbox 360 controller.
PixyJunket
03-19-08, 03:26 PM
I never understood this... is there some patent on a reliable d-pad or something that they refuse to pay? You'd think at the very least, a 3rd party would've made something (though I guess the wireless controller tech is still 1st party only, right?)The article goes over the problem, they used different mechanics inside the controller from EVERY single controller's dpad ever made since the NES controller. Every one of them. The actual plastic piece you see and press is just fine, it's what's underneath it that causes it to suck.
Michael Corvin
03-19-08, 03:28 PM
This part is important:
Analog Pac-Man is shit. But it's the only option on the Xbox 360 controller.
Pac-Man wasn't designed around a 'pad.' It's designed for a stick(albeit 4 directions). I think any inaccuracies can be made up for in comfort and ease of use. Who want's to play Pac-Man with a 'pad' anyway?
Nosmo Rex
03-19-08, 03:40 PM
The analog stick is my downfall.. I can deal with the night vision, but trying to swing your gun around to shoot someone rushing you but pulling your knife instead of firing has been my nemesis.
Same here. It's fun to watch the kill cam to see yourself swinging a knife at your killer from 30 feet away. :rolleyes:
PixyJunket
03-19-08, 03:48 PM
Pac-Man wasn't designed around a 'pad.' It's designed for a stick(albeit 4 directions). I think any inaccuracies can be made up for in comfort and ease of use. Who want's to play Pac-Man with a 'pad' anyway?I agree with that.. but analog stick is not equal to joystick, the biggest reason being that you're still using your thumb. Comfort and ease of use would just be your particular preference.
:lol: The nightvision comment was great. I can't even count the number of times my Dpad has screwed me over in COD4 :(
Glad to hear I'm not the only one that gets the random night vision. I thought I was just a retard. :lol:
porieux
03-19-08, 05:56 PM
The Dpad is so bad it can't even be used reliably for things like changing weapons.
I can't even scroll down a list of items in the marketplace without unintentionally changing categories.
I can't understand how they got so many things right yet got this one so very very very wrong.
Giantrobo
03-19-08, 07:41 PM
I have NEVER liked D-pads and I think a lot of the hatred for them comes from playing the early Resident Evil games with their Tank like control scheme and the crap Playstation 1 controlller.
For me, Analog sticks are perfect; and I was glad to see them added to the Playstation controller. In the future I think I'd rather see a D-padless controllers with more buttons/Bumpers.
fujishig
03-19-08, 07:59 PM
What's odd is that they've had this problem for two generations now... though the one major thing that this generation got right when it comes to controllers is making wireless the standard. The motion detection stuff is still hit and miss (especially when shoehorned into a game), but wireless is great. I'll pay the extra 10 bucks for that feature.
I'm not sure if I want any more buttons or bumpers on my controller.
Michael Corvin
03-19-08, 08:00 PM
Yeah, but even $50 for the standard is too much. I don't like the trend...
I picked up the Hori EX2 Stick at Gamestop (it's on clearance for $39, and there's a 10% off coupon floating around CAG), and used it to play pacman the other day...LOVE it! I haven't fired up Soul Calibur II in a while, but with SF4, SFII HD, SC4, and my current fighting library, it was worth the investment. I love my Dreamcast Agetek Arcade Stick, and don't regret picking that up to this day, so I figured wtf...
Now if I could just find a Hori PS2 stick for a reasonable price...I'd be set.
mr.snowmizer
03-19-08, 08:52 PM
Anybody complaining about the 360 d-pad should attempt the almost-famous whittling procedure that transforms it to near-perfection, according to seemingly everybody who's tried it.
That obviously doesn't excuse the fact that MS is rapidly approaching the third full year when they could have incorporated some better-sized plastic parts for quality right out of the box.
PopcornTreeCt
03-19-08, 09:04 PM
So, there's a legitimate reason why I kicked ass in Street Fighter II back in the day yet I suck at it on 360? Hmm...
fumanstan
03-19-08, 09:32 PM
I have NEVER liked D-pads and I think a lot of the hatred for them comes from playing the early Resident Evil games with their Tank like control scheme and the crap Playstation 1 controlller.
For me, Analog sticks are perfect; and I was glad to see them added to the Playstation controller. In the future I think I'd rather see a D-padless controllers with more buttons/Bumpers.
I'm the opposite. For some reason I never liked analog sticks and would always try and use D-Pads once the analog stick became popular. I know it was mentioned that the actual plastic was fine on the 360 and it was just what was under it, but I hate the feel of the current raised plastic D-Pad.
pinata242
03-20-08, 09:14 AM
:lol: Welcome to November 2005.
No shit. I just think at this point the cost of the "technology" should be decreasing. This fancy schmancy new controller should come in at the original price point, not some arbitrary mark-up on top of some arbitrary "we charge that because we can" mentality :shrug:
Shilex
03-20-08, 11:54 AM
I was playing Lumines the other day (and I prefer to use the D-Pad for accuracy) but it kept screwing me up. It also sucks while playing Puzzle Fighter. Since I play a lot of Live Arcade, they really do need to fix that damn D-Pad.
slop101
03-20-08, 11:57 AM
Never have had a problem with the d-pad. :shrug:ditto
kakihara1
03-20-08, 12:43 PM
So, there's a legitimate reason why I kicked ass in Street Fighter II back in the day yet I suck at it on 360? Hmm...
Because your memory sucks? ;)
GreenMonkey
03-20-08, 12:51 PM
I've been playing DMC4. Want to quick switch from Gunslinger to Swordmaster and back. Hit the button. Get the desired style. Whoops, I'm suddenly in Trickster again. Dammit!
Playing Gears. Want to switch to grenades quickly and back to the shotgun. Oh hey, I've got the machine gun out somehow. WTF??
And that doesn't even address how bad it is for oldschool games. I play most of them, even the SF2:HF demo, with the analog stick. After some use it feels like a sloppy-ass joystick. Better than the d-pad.
BTW: you guys calling the backlit buttons "bling". Those of us with projectors, playing in a very dark room, could use that. Especially when your friends or wife or whoever is playing and isn't familiar with the button layout. It took me months to get the A-B X-Y down without thinking about it - I think because it's the opposite of a SNES controller.
candyrocket786
03-20-08, 03:58 PM
Mine is a pain in the ass when switching styles in DMC 4. :down:
GreenMonkey
03-20-08, 04:01 PM
Where's my Sega Saturn to xbox 360 grey-market Chinese hackjob controller already?? Or a mod to transplant a d-pad. :D
Tarantino
03-20-08, 04:37 PM
Maybe I'm in the minority...but I've never had trouble with the D-Pad.
= J
fumanstan
03-20-08, 04:48 PM
I never had any problems switching weapons in Gears, but trying to move pieces in Puzzle Fighter sucks.
veloce
03-21-08, 12:04 PM
Glad to hear I'm not the only one that gets the random night vision. I thought I was just a retard. :lol:
I do it too. Guess we're all retards. Yay!
Giantrobo
03-21-08, 12:36 PM
Mine is a pain in the ass when switching styles in DMC 4. :down:
Hah! Try zooming in and out your sniper rifle with the frickin' D-pad in Lost Planet.
Eeeeveryone else uses the "Click to zoom in and out with the analog stick" method but not CAPCOM right. :grunt:
Buy: