The Features

Some of us have large hands, some of us have small hands...Some people say that Microsoft made a bit of a cock-up with the first Xbox controller, it was too large for a lot of people and there is a high chance that this damaged a few sales of the Xbox console. But at last, almost 9 months after the official launch of the Xbox we have the first, small sized controller from Microsoft, The Xbox Controller S. So what enhancements (If any) does it offer over the original controller.

The Xbox Controller S is built for maximum comfort, pinpoint accuracy and total control, featuring:

• Six analog buttons with 256 panic control
• Two analog pressure-point triggers
• Two vibration feedback motors
• One eight-way directional pad
• Two menu navigation buttons
• Two expansion slots for memory cards or other accessories (sold separately)
• One 9.8 foot cable with inline release

Installation And Settings

Hard to review the installation side of the Controller S because all you have to do is plug it in to the Xbox! The controller works fine in any Xbox from anywhere around the world and can be used alongside the normal controllers too. As most of you will know - any setting changes you want to make are usually done in-game. So that is basically it, you don't need to do anything else.

How Does It Feel?

If you have ever used the first Xbox game controller you will know how bulky it can feel when compared to all other game console controllers. The Controller S is much smaller in size and feels much lighter. So what else has changed? Well firstly the A, B, X and Y are in a slightly different position, now in a diamond shape. Next the white and black buttons are in a completely different place at the bottom of the controller underneath the other buttons.

There are a few other small enhancements such as a longer cord, the Controller S has a cord about 9.8 feet long while the original Xbox game controller comes in at 9.5 feet. Next the D-Pad is pretty different too, the feel is like your traditional design used on most gamepads. Personally I prefer the original Xbox Game Controller D-Pad feel over the new Controller S, it just grips your thumb far better in my opinion. Finally the analog sticks also have slight changes, the surface where you put your thumbs is much flatter than that of the original Xbox Game Controller.

If you have been used to using the original Xbox Game Controller it does actually take a few days to get to used to this new Controller S - simply because of the major button changes and not because of the size difference. The overall feel of the new controller is much better, far less bulk and I feel like I could sit playing games for just that little bit longer with Controller S as I felt less hand strain.

Final Comments

I'm one of the few people who seemingly didn't mind the larger original Xbox Game Controller. In saying that, if they had properly tested the original controller a bit more they would have seen it was too large for a lot of people, so why wasn't the Controller S released back at launch?

I have to say that the Controller S feels slightly more comfortable over all and it is also perfect for those of you who have smaller hands. If you only have a need for one controller and you are happy with the one that came with your Xbox, then there is no need what so ever to go our after this one, but if you didn't like the first Xbox controller - make sure you try this one out.

Games Tested

• Jedi Starfighter
• Halo
• Spiderman
• Circus Maximus
• Enclave
• Project Gotham Racing
• Wreckless
• Obi Wan
• Oddworld
• Max Payne
• Moto GP
• Rallisport Challenge

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