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Xbox 360 accessories
Game Controllers/Gamepads
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===Xbox 360 controllers===
Up to four controllers are able to connect to Xbox 360, including wired and wireless gamepads. The wireless controllers run on either AA batteries (Alkaline or rechargeable) or on a rechargeable battery pack. The wired controllers may be connected to any of the three/five (depending on model; old-style 360s have two at the front and one at the rear, while Xbox 360 S units have two at the front and three at the rear) USB ports located on the console, or to a USB hub. USB keyboards are also supported, but only for inputting text and navigating the dashboard; additionally, the number pad and hotkeys are non-functional. The original first-generation Xbox controllers are not compatible with the Xbox 360. The controller is also compatible with PCs, wireless controllers will need the Wireless Gaming Receiver. The Xbox 360 controller has been used in the United States and British militaries.[1][2] The Xbox 360 controller has vibration feedback which is limited to titles using the new XInput API, however, unlike the first Xbox, the face buttons are not analog.
Windows compatibilityEdit
Many Xbox 360 accessories are compatible with Windows (XP or newer) based PCs, such as the wired/wireless controller, the wired headset (via a controller), the wireless headset and the Live Vision camera. However, despite marketing by Microsoft claiming otherwiseTemplate:Citation needed, the much anticipated Chatpad accessory for the standard Xbox 360 controller is not Windows compatible.
====Wireless Gaming Receiver====
{{Infobox VG system
|title=Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows
|logo =
|image=The Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows
|caption=The Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows
|manufacturer=Microsoft
|type=
|generation=Seventh generation era
|lifespan=February 16, 2007
|Discontinued=
|storage=
|input=
|connectivity=USB, Proprietary 2.4 GHz wireless technology
}}
While PS3 and Wii wireless controllers use Bluetooth for connectivity (and can be used with Bluetooth-equipped computers with appropriate software), Xbox 360 wireless accessories communicate over a proprietary 2.4 GHz protocol. In order to accommodate this, Microsoft released the Wireless Gaming Receiver (sold as "Crossfire Wireless Gaming Receiver" in the UK), which allows wireless Xbox 360 accessories to be used on a Windows-based PC.[3] Most Xbox 360 wireless accessories are supported, including standard controllers, racing wheels (without force-feedback), headsets and guitar controllers. The adapter was first revealed at E3 2006 and released on February 16, 2007.
The device acts in a similar manner to an Xbox 360, allowing up to 4 controllers and 4 headsets at a time to be connected to the receiver. The device has a 30 foot (10 meter) range and a six foot (2 meter) USB cable.[4] It is specifically designed to work with games bearing the "Games for Windows" logo, but will function with most games that permit a standard PC gamepad. The official Xbox website noted that the adapter will work with "all future wireless devices".[5] However, it is worth noting that the racing wheel does not currently have force feedback support.
Also an issue that has arisen from this product is the amount of power in which the receiver draws. There have been many reportsTemplate:Citation needed that the receiver will work for days, weeks, or couple of months then fail to "receive" the signal from the Xbox 360 controller. This issue has been solved in a number of ways by end users depending on where the damage from the excess power has manifested itself—in some cases simply purchasing a powered hub (which typically can provide a higher current than a PC port) will fix the issues while in others it may be necessary to work around a blown internal fuse.[6]
In the US, Microsoft has stopped producing the stand-alone receiver and it is increasingly difficult to find in stores or online. The "Wireless Controller for Windows" bundle includes the receiver for a higher price, but is still available through retailers like Amazon.
The Microsoft LifeChat ZX-6000 wireless headset for PC includes a black version of the receiver which works with Xbox 360 wireless accessories.[7]
=====Rechargeable Battery Pack=====
The Rechargeable Battery Pack for the Xbox 360 controller contains two AA nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries inside a sealed casing, with a custom connector on the rear to allow charging through the Xbox 360 controller itself.[8] The pack provides up to 25 hours of continuous gaming for the wireless controller. It is recommended, due to the replacement cost (which factors in both economic and environmental terms), in place of disposable AA batteries. It also ships as part of the Play & Charge Kit and as part of the Quick Charge Kit. Third party rechargeable battery pack kits are also available. Although the official rechargeable battery pack is NiMH and it is common to find NiMH AA rechargeable batteries, the normal (AA) battery casing states "Use only Alkaline battery, type AA (LR6)".
=====Play and Charge Kit=====
The Play and Charge Kit contains a rechargeable battery pack and a USB charging cable. Use of the charging cable does not affect the functionality of the controller, and may be used without interruption to game play. The Play & Charge cable also allows use of a wireless controller without a battery pack. When doing so, Microsoft recommends using a AA pack (empty) to avoid damage to the exposed battery compartment.[9] When connected, the controller does not act as a wired controller, but continues to communicate with the console or receiver wirelessly; data is sent via USB to the host only to allow automatic syncing and to initiate charging and does not send controller input data.[10] As a result, the cable need not be plugged into the console or computer the controller is being used with - any convenient powered USB port may be used. The Play and Charge Kit will also automatically sync the controller to a Wireless Gaming Receiver when both are plugged in to a Windows computer.
The original Play & Charge Kit contains generic 2100mAh AA (LR6) NiMH cells.[11][12] Such cells are readily available in 4 packs up to 3000mAh, with 2000-2600mAh batteries being common.
Alongside the release of the Xbox 360 S in June 2010 Microsoft started shipping an improved Play & Charge Kit using larger capacity batteries.[13] Original Play & Charge Kits provided up to 25 hours of play,[14] the improved version lasts 35 hours if charged using the Play & Charge Kit[15] or 40 hours if using the Quick Charge Kit.[16]
=====Quick Charge Kit=====
The Quick Charge Kit is a small base station which charges up to two rechargeable battery packs and does so in less time than the Play and Charge Kit. It comes with a dual-charger and one rechargeable battery pack. It takes 2 hours for each of 2 battery packs to be fully charged. A light on the unit is used to indicate status, showing green it is finished charging/fully charged and red when charging.
=====Messenger Kit=====
{{Infobox VG system
|title=Xbox 360 Messenger Kit
|image=Xbox 360 Chatpad from the Messenger Kit attached to a wireless controller
|caption=Xbox 360 Chatpad from the Messenger Kit attached to a wireless controller
|manufacturer=Microsoft
|type=Gaming keypads, Add-on device
|generation=Seventh generation era
|lifespan=September 4, 2007
|discontinued=
|input=QWERTY keyboard
|connectivity=USB (custom connector), 2.5 mm headset connector (for compatibility with headset add-on)
}}
On September 4, 2007, Microsoft released a small keyboard accessory called the Chatpad to coincide with the launch of Xbox Live Windows Live Messenger on Xbox 360.[17] It was released as part of the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit, which also includes a wired headset. This is partly due to the fact that older Xbox 360 wired headsets cannot connect to the Chatpad due to the side pins. The Chatpad connects to the controller via four USB pins located on the front of the controller (wireless or wired), as well as the 2.5 mm jack for headset compatibility.
Although the Chatpad can be used to communicate with people that are on Xbox Live and Windows-based PCs (via Windows Live Messenger),[17] Microsoft does not currently provide drivers to make the Chatpad itself work with a PC. There has been no official word when, if ever, a driver will be released. However, there have been some attempts at a workaround.[18]
Originally since the Chatpad has a connector for wired headset compatibility, when connected to a controller the Chatpad is detected as a wired headset. As a result the controller could not be paired with a wireless headset since wired headsets take precedence over wireless ones in the systems software. This has been since fixed via software updates and all functions now operate normally.
USB HID-compliant keyboards can be plugged directly into the console to perform the same function.
===Universal Media Remote===
{{Infobox VG system
|title=Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote
|logo =
|image=The Universal Media Remote
|caption=The Universal Media Remote
|manufacturer=Microsoft
|type=
|generation=Seventh generation era
|lifespan=
|Discontinued=
|Power= 2 × AA Battery
|storage=
|connectivity=Infrared
}}
There are two official versions of Remote control for the Xbox 360 and a number of unofficial ones. The first official media remote is the shorter version of the Universal Media Remote that can be bought at retail. It was supplied at launch with the Premium version of the console, and replaces the Xbox Live Headset in the Australian and Mexican Premium Xbox 360 systems, as well as the Brazilian official pack. These were sold in limited quantities. All remotes can assist in the playing of DVD movies and music (although the console can play such media without the remote), while the Universal Media Remote offers more function by having the ability to serve as a control for a number of TVs or Windows Media Center-based PC. All remotes allow basic control of games, along with being able to navigate the dashboard. The remote control allows for controlling portions of the interface of the Xbox 360 via infrared.
Remote Controls for Windows Media Center-based PCs can also be used to control the Xbox 360 to a lesser extent.
The Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel was introduced by Microsoft at E3 2006. Released in November 2006, the force feedback steering wheel controller includes the standard gamepad buttons and floor-mounted accelerator and brake pedals. Although the wheel is capable of running off the rechargeable battery pack, use of the force feedback and active resistance features requires an external AC adapter.[19]
A limited edition of the force feedback wheel included the racing game Project Gotham Racing 3. There is also a "Hardcore Pack" for Test Drive Unlimited which makes the driving more realistic.
On August 22, 2007 Microsoft published a press release on Xbox.com saying that they will retrofit all the Wireless Racing Wheels for free that were manufactured from 2006 to 2007.[20] This is due to a component in the wheel chassis that in rare cases may overheat and fail when the AC adapter is used to power the wheel. Users had to ship their wheel back to Microsoft for repair or replacement.
Other wheels include the Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo S Racing Wheel, which features force feedback, 6-speed shifter, sequential shifter and clutch pedal, and the Madcatz Dale Earnhardt Jr./NASCAR Racing wheel.
The games Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action and Scene It? Box Office Smash come bundled with four special wireless controllers called Big Button Pads, which resemble game show buzzers. Each controller has one large "buzzer" button at the top and four smaller buttons for answering multiple-choice questions. The large buzzer button also functions as a 4-way directional pad, which helps to navigate the Xbox 360 dashboard menu. The game's price is unaffected by the inclusion of the controllers. Other games such as Uno, 1 vs. 100 and Wits and Wagers have added support for the Big Button Pads.
The Big Button Pads use an external IR receiver which connects to the Xbox 360 via USB. When the IR receiver is connected all four quadrants on the 'ring of light' are lit to tell the user that four controller devices are active. These Big Button Pads can be used at the same time as the wired and wireless gamepads and the wireless headsets.
===Xbox 360 Arcade Sticks===
The Xbox 360 Arcade Gamestick from Mad Catz has a full size joystick and spinner control. It comes with the Xbox Live Arcade games Frogger, Time Pilot, and Astropop. It is officially licensed by Microsoft.
====Guitar Hero II Controller====
Guitar Hero II features a special guitar shaped controller (known as the Guitar Hero X-Plorer Controller, and modeled after the Gibson Explorer guitar) that is connected via the USB ports. The controller works in the same way as a standard controller and may be used with other games. However, it does not have the same number of buttons or joysticks, which may limit its usefulness in other games. Like standard controllers, the X-Plorer features an expansion port which allows users to equip a wired headset for voice communication. The controller is sold bundled with Guitar Hero II, some bundles of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, or available separately. It is also bundled with the PC and Macintosh releases of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.
====Guitar Hero III Controller====
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock comes with a newly designed wireless guitar controller (called the Les Paul controller and shaped like a Gibson Les Paul). It utilizes the same 2.4 GHz wireless technology as the official wireless controller, and as such when used in conjunction with the Wireless Gaming Receiver for Microsoft Windows, may be used with the PC version of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. However, it is not officially supported by Aspyr Media (developer of the PC and Macintosh release), and shows up in game using the same icon as the X-Plorer.[21] In addition to all the features of the X-Plorer, the Les Paul controller features a detachable neck for easier storage and replacement, and customizable faceplates. The controller is also available separately, and bundled with Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. The Guitar Hero: Aerosmith version features a custom faceplate.
====Guitar Hero: World Tour Guitar Controller====
Guitar Hero: World Tour features another new controller known as the "Genericaster". Unlike previous guitar controllers, this is not modeled after a real guitar design, hence its name. As well as a new shape, it features a longer, quieter strum bar, longer whammy bar, repositioned start and back buttons and a new touch sensitive "solo section" on the neck. Like the Les Paul, it features a detachable neck and customizable faceplates. This guitar is also available separately, or with Guitar Hero: Metallica, which like the Aerosmith Les Paul features a custom faceplate.
====Guitar Hero 5 Guitar Controller====
The guitar controller for Guitar Hero 5 retains the same basic design as the Guitar Hero: World Tour Guitar Controller, but with some minor alterations. The strum bar is rubberized, the nuts on the headstock are made from chrome rather than plastic and the "solo section" of the neck is molded differently and is now digital rather than analog.[22]
The guitar controller for Rock Band is based on the Fender Stratocaster. It features two sets of fret buttons, one for standard gameplay, one for solo sections. It also features an effects switch unique to the Rock Band games. This controller connects via USB.
====Rock Band 2 Guitar Controller====
Like the guitar controller for Rock Band, the Rock Band 2 guitar controller is based on the Fender Stratocaster. It is essentially an upgraded version of the original Rock Band guitar with a different finish and an integrated light/audio sensor to allow for automatic AV synchronization in Rock Band 2, Rock Band 3, LEGO Rock Band, The Beatles: Rock Band, and Green Day: Rock Band.
===Xbox 360 Wireless Microphone===
The Xbox 360 Wireless Microphone is a microphone peripheral designed for use with Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Lips games. The wireless microphone uses the same 2.4 GHz protocol as the official wireless controller and other peripherals and is powered by 2 AA Batteries.
Added by Thai420Produced by Hori, it was only made available for purchase in a special-limited edition package of Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation. The Ace Edge package was officially released only in North America and Japan. The throttle appears to be a re-painted version of the Saitek X-45 throttle.
===Kinect===
Kinect is a "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" produced by Microsoft for the Xbox 360. Based on an add-on peripheral for the console, it enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without the need to touch a game controller for most of the menus and gameplay through a natural user interface using gestures, spoken commands or presented objects and images. The project is aimed at broadening the Xbox 360's audience beyond its typical gamer base. It was first released on November 4, 2010 in North America, with other regions following later that month.
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