Xbox 360 controller

Xbox 360 controller
Manufacturer	Microsoft
Code name
Release date	November 22, 2005
Device type	Game Console

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Device pictures

Xbox 360 Controller (dark background)
Xbox 360 Controller (light background)
Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver
Xbox 360 Wired Controller
Xbox 360 Chatpad controller
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller White
Xbox 360 Controller Black and Grey
Xbox360 Plug and Charge kit
Button layout of a wireless Xbox 360 controller

PCB pictures

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Reference measurements (also schematics if available)

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More Information/External Sources

There are wired and wireless model of the same controller available, with the latter supporting wireless connection through Microsoft Wireless Gaming Receiver.

The Xbox 360 Controller is a native XInput controller, meaning it is supported in games that use the XInput API. While it is supported it DirectInput games, it is not without problem, so a third-party wrapper is needed to transcode the XInput inputs into DirectInput to work. For the Wireless model, it only supports wireless connection and requires the use of proprietary Microsoft Wireless Gaming Receiver.

The controller has a 2.5 mm TRS connector on the front, allowing users to connect a headset for voice communication. It also features a proprietary serial connector (which is split into 2 parts on either side of the headset connector) for use with additional accessories, such as the chatpad.

A standard Xbox 360 controller features eleven digital buttons, two analog triggers, two analog sticks and a digital D-pad. The right face of the controller features four digital action buttons: a green button, red button, blue button, and yellow button. The lower right houses the right analog stick, in lower left is a digital D-pad and on the left face is the left analog stick. Both analog sticks can also be clicked in to activate a digital button beneath. In the center of the controller face are digital "Start", "Back" and "Guide" buttons. The "Guide" (more commonly known as simply the "Xbox") button is labelled with the Xbox logo, and is used to turn on the console/controller and to access the guide menu. It is also surrounded by the "ring of light", which indicates the controller number, as well as flashing when connecting and to provide notifications. The left and right "shoulders" each feature a digital shoulder button, or "bumper", and an analog trigger.

Wireless controllers also feature an additional "connect" button located between the "bumpers" to facilitate syncing with the console.

Wired controllers are available in white (sold separately and bundled with the Core consoles) and black (Xbox 360 S color scheme) along with the limited-edition TRON controllers. However, wireless controllers are available in numerous different colors including:

White controllers were bundled with the Arcade, Pro, and Limited-Edition Final Fantasy XIII Elite consoles; also sold separately.
Black controllers were bundled with the Elite consoles to match the casing; also sold separately (UPC/EAN 0885370145717, 885370239393).
Dark Blue controllers were released in October 2007 (US only).
Light Blue controllers were released in October 2007 (Europe and Japan only).
Pink controllers were released in October 2007.
Black S and White S controllers are bundled with Xbox 360 S consoles. These differ from their original counterparts in that they are completely one color, rather than with grey accents. The guide button has a mirror like finish, and the analog sticks and D-pad are color matched. The bottom edge of this controller also features a glossy finish to match the Xbox 360 S 250 GB case design. "S" controllers also replace the Microsoft branding above the charging port with an Xbox 360 wordmark.

The Xbox 360 controller has a guide button in the center of its face that provides a new functionality. This button is surrounded by a ring of lights divided into four quadrants that provide gamers with different types of information during game play. For instance, during a split screen multiplayer match, a particular quadrant will light up to indicate to a player which part of the screen they are playing on at that time. In this case, when the user pushes the button, they access the Xbox guide; a menu which provides access to features like messaging friends, downloading content, voice chat and customizing soundtracks, while staying in the game. The Guide button also allows users to turn off the controller or the console by holding the button for a few seconds (rather than simply pressing it).

Accessories

Rechargeable Battery Pack

The Rechargeable Battery Pack is a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack, which provides up to 24 hours of continuous gaming for the wireless controller. It is an alternative to disposable AA batteries, which differ slightly in voltage and have higher disposal costs (financial and environmental). It ships as part of, and can be charged by, the Play & Charge Kit and the Quick Charge Kit. To fully charge the battery pack takes approximately 2 hours with the Quick Charge Kit; the Play & Charge Kit takes longer (and depends on whether the controller is being used). An upgraded, 35-hour version is included with improved Play & Charge Kits and "transforming D-pad" controllers, while a 40-hour version is included with the improved Quick Charge Kit.

Wireless Gaming Receiver

The Wireless Gaming Receiver (sold as "Crossfire Wireless Gaming Receiver" in the UK) allows wireless Xbox 360 accessories, such as wireless gamepads, racing wheels and headsets, to be used on a Windows-based PC. 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. 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".

Messenger Kit

The Messenger Kit consists of a wired Xbox 360 headset and a small keyboard known as the "Chatpad". The Chatpad connects to the front of the controller and may be used for any standard text input on the console. It is not currently compatible with the wireless gaming receiver.

Windows

The controller/receiver should be automatically detected on Windows Vista and later. If it is not detected or encountering compatibility issues on Windows XP, install the Xbox 360 Accessories Software for both wired and wireless controllers.

Supported features	reWASD	Steam	Gamepad Phoenix	Controller Companion
Vibrations	✓	✓	✗	✗
LEDs control	✗ (2)	✗	✗	✗
Dead-zone adjustment	✓	✓	✓	✗
Multiple controllers	✓	✓	✓	✓
Chatpad	✗	✗	✗	✓
Headphones	✗	✗	✗	✗
Keyboard & Mouse input emulation	✓	✓	✗	✓
Virtual Xbox controller emulation	✓	✓	✓	✓
Virtual DualShock emulation	✓ (1)	✗	✗	✗
Virtual Nintendo controller emulation	✓ (2)	✗	✗	✗
Retro DInput/WinMM compatibility	~ (3)	~ (3)	✓	~ (3)
Battery status	✓	✗	✗	✗
Motion controls attachments	✓ (4)	✓ (5)	✗	✗

Allows using controller as DualShock 3 and DualShock 4 virtual controllers.
Allows using controller as virtual Switch Pro Controller.
Requires Xidi wrapper.
ReWASD allows to use Mobile gyroscope as mouse or emulated DualShock 3, DualShock 4 or Switch Pro Controller gyro.
Steam Link mobile application allows to remap phone gyro to mouse or sticks inputs.

reWASD

Guide button can be remapped.

Can emulate the DualShock 4 to play PS4 Remote Play, PS Now or Dualshock 4 compatible games.

Custom configs for Xbox 360 controller can be found in official Community Configs Library maintained by reWASD users.

OS X

Use the 360Controller driver or TattieBogle OS X Driver.

Linux

This controller is "Plug and Play" on most distributions of Linux.

Xboxdrv is an alternative to the stock driver and allows many configuration options.

Steam

Controller can be found in Supported Controller Database and it's correctly recognizable as Xbox 360 controller.

Steam Link compatibility

Works natively over USB and Wireless Xbox 360 Adapter. All buttons are mapped correctly.

Works without any drivers on any operating system that supports Steam.

Can be used just to send input from a controller to a PC. Go into Streaming options, hit 𝗬 and disable video and audio streaming.

May not work great unless the streaming device is connected to LAN or a low latency Wi-Fi.

Related accessories

Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows - Required for use of a wireless Xbox 360 controller on PC.
Headset accessories - Both wired and wireless headsets should work with Windows.
Xbox 360 Chatpad - Usable with the Chatpad Super Driver (wired controllers only) or Controller Companion (wireless controller supported).

Technical information

Device name: Controller (XBOX 360 For Windows), HWID: 045E:028E (wired), 045E:0719 (wireless adapter)

Controller button	ExpandButton label and axis