Xbox 360 Controller (Wired) Review: The PC Gamer's Old Faithful
8/10 — Xbox 360 Controller (Wired)
Works with: Xbox 360, PC
Pros
- Plug-and-play on PC
- Same excellent ergonomics as the wireless pad
- No batteries to worry about
- Breakaway cable protects your console
Cons
- The same mushy D-pad
- Wired only
- Many cheap fakes on the second-hand market
The wired Xbox 360 Controller might not seem exciting, but it played a huge role in PC gaming. For years, it was the standard gamepad for Windows, and countless PC games were designed around its layout.
Design and features
It’s identical to the wireless 360 pad in shape and layout, but with a long USB cable, complete with an inline breakaway connector that stops the console being yanked off a shelf if someone trips over it. On PC, it’s plug-and-play in practically every game that supports a controller.
Buying one today
Genuine units are still common second-hand, but beware of cheap fakes, which often have poor sticks and buttons. Like the wireless version, its D-pad is its weakest point.
Verdict
The wired Xbox 360 Controller is a reliable, comfortable workhorse. Newer Xbox controllers are better, but this is still a great budget choice for an Xbox 360 or a retro PC setup.
