Improved 360 Controller Will Fix Your D-Pad Issues…Unless You’re in North America

Anyone who has tried to play any game on the Xbox 360 using the D-pad knows one thing: the D-pad sucks. Thankfully, it seems Microsoft has finally listened to all those complaints and produced a new controller with a D-pad that can register 32 different directions. That should at least reduce the number of accidental deaths I’m sure we’ve all had due to the controller’s poor design. Wait, wait, don’t get all excited just yet; there’s a catch. The controller is a promotional item for the upcoming Pro Evolution Soccer…and it’s only available in Asia, Latin America, and Europe (which makes you wonder they aren’t calling it “Pro Evolution Football,” since no one outside of the U.S. calls that sport “soccer”). According to Microsoft:

“The new limited-edition green wireless controller offers enhancements to D-pad functionality, which will add to the experience of playing games where the D-pad is the primary control mechanism. We’re always looking to improve products and we made these changes based on feedback from gamers.”

Great. For a change, it looks like those of us in North America are going to be out of luck with this one. Microsoft did also mention however that the new controller was designed for Street Fighter IV as well, so maybe we’ll see a D-pad that actually works sometime in the future.

Via EuroGamer