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The Xbox One has become a firm favourite among UK gamers, having sold over 2 million units since its launch back in 2013. Since then, it has developed into the console of choice for fans of huge gaming franchises like Fallout, Halo, Metal Gear Solid and Batman, with a massive worldwide multiplayer user base and new releases every month. However, if your controller breaks, playing these games is impossible – as the Xbox One relies on a conventional gamepad.
The basic outline of the Xbox One controller will be familiar to anyone who has played on the original Xbox or the Xbox 360. It has almost exactly the same appearance as the 360’s joypad, but with around 40 minor and more important amendments that make it much more advanced than its predecessor.
One major difference is that the Xbox One’s joypad is much more streamlined. On the 360, players had to deal with a bulge on the underside of the pad, which housed its batteries. While the Xbox One’s pad still relies on AA batteries, they have been stashed away deeper inside the unit, making it more comfortable to hold for long periods.
The actual shape of the controller has also been significantly altered so that it fits naturally into the hand shapes of a wider range of gamers.
Perhaps most importantly, the controller is simply more powerful than on the 360. The Xbox One controller offers 20 times the bandwidth when communicating with the console – which should allow for extra expansion features in the future, and results in far less lag.
Just as important is what was not included. Microsoft chose to avoid adding a screen, as with the Nintendo Wii U, and decided against adding speakers to the Xbox One controller. Instead, they focused on feel – making features like the feedback “rumble” more potent. The result is a purer gaming related peripheral that is comfortable and satisfying to use.
If you are a long-term Xbox fan, you may be hoping that you can upgrade to a newer gaming console and keep your old controllers. Unfortunately, the new Xbox 360 controller was not designed to be backwards compatible with the Xbox 360, and older gamepads will not work in the newer system.
The standard Xbox One controller includes 10 digital buttons, a button for syncing, two analogue control sticks, a D-pad and two analogue trigger buttons – essentially unchanged from the classic Xbox look.
Four digital buttons on the top right of the controller (X, Y, A and B) are used to control menus and central game functions. The D-pad is located to the left of the centre, providing precise direction control, and the two analogue sticks are located to the right of centre and in the top left respectively. In the middle of the arrangement, you can find buttons marked “menu”, “glide” and “view”, while there are digital buttons and analogue triggers on both shoulders of the pad.
The Elite controller is slightly different, and more expensive. Unveiled in 2015, the Elite version features a steel and plastic construction, with a choice of different sizes of paddle buttons, analogue stick tops and hair trigger locks. Targeted at “elite” gamers, this form of the gamepad allows players to achieve much more precise control, featuring additions such as tools to modulate the sensitivity of the trigger buttons that can really make a difference in multiplayer games.
Both the Standard and Elite wireless controllers come in a variety of different designs, most of them themed around specific games on the Xbox One system. Hardcore gamers may want to personalise their gaming experience by purchasing a controller designed in the aesthetic style of their favourite title.
For example, there are controllers decorated in the brown and orange colour scheme associated with Halo. Other titles with specialist controllers include Forza Motorsport, Covert Forces, Call of Duty, Mortal Kombat X and Midnight Forces, and there are also more generic camouflage coloured controllers as well, creating a military gaming theme.
How do I start using my Xbox One controller? – Starting to use your controller is a relatively simple process, but gamers cannot just plug in and play straight away. Instead, they need to “enrol” their controller with the Xbox system.
To do so, turn on the Xbox and insert a couple of AA batteries into the controller, before turning it on by holding the Xbox button. It should start to flash, which is a sign that it isn’t yet connected.
Now press the “connect” button on the side of your console, which can be found right next to the disc tray. As soon as you can, press and hold the “connect” button on your controller and wait until the Xbox button flashes a few times. When the button stays solidly lit, you’re connected and ready to play.
How can I update my controller? – Both forms of controller have been designed to be updated by Microsoft, and this has been carried out – adding headset functionality and making the controller more responsive.
If you have not updated your controller, it’s easy to do so. Any recently sold controllers can be updated using wireless networks. Check to see if there is a 3.5mm port on the underside of your controller. If there is, you can update without needing a USB cable. Simply log onto the Xbox Live service, head to “Menu” then “Settings”, and “Devices and Accessories.” Select your controller, press “Update” and it should complete automatically.
If you have an older controller, just plug it into your Xbox One using your USB cable and follow the same process outlined above. You can also update your controller using the Xbox Accessories app on Windows 10 (but not earlier versions of windows).
Can an Xbox One controller be used with Microsoft Windows on my PC? – Yes, it’s easy to use your Xbox One controller on a Windows PC. Microsoft have released a wireless adapter for use with Windows 7, 8.1 and 10, which fits into the PC’s USB port and allows full use of the Xbox One controller.
However, before you can use an Xbox One controller on your PC, you will have to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date set of drivers for your version of Windows. This should be done automatically if you are using Windows 10. On Windows 7 and 8.1, you may not have the correct settings to launch the driver download automatically. In that case, go to Device Manager, find the Xbox One controller and select “Update Driver Software.”
If you are using the Xbox One headset along with your controller, you will also need to ensure that you have the latest version of the Microsoft firmware associated with these devices.
If you have both an Xbox One and a PC and want to use your controller with both systems, you will need to re-synch your controller with the Xbox after using it with your PC. This can be done using the “sync” button on the controller.
How is the controller powered? – Microsoft decided to stick with a battery powered gamepad on the Xbox One, but with an important difference. Gamers on the Xbox One can purchase a separate “play and charge kit” that allows the gamepad to be charged from mains power. However, it’s worth noting that when the pad is not charging, AA batteries provide 40 hours of continuous play – far more than the chargeable power source allows, so not everyone will want to upgrade.
The Play and Charge Kit comes with a 9 foot long USB cable, along with an LED gauge which shows how charged up the controller is. It can be used when the Xbox is on standby or as you play, takes about 4 hours to complete one charging session and lasts for around 30 hours.
The gamepad also features a stereo headset adapter, with a 3.5mm headphone jack socket. If you have a 2.5mm jack, it is also possible to buy a separate adapter from the Microsoft store.
One of the most popular accessories for use with the Xbox One controller is the official Xbox One Chat Headset, which connects directly into the controller without requiring any extra cables or batteries. However, more powerful headsets are available from brands like Turtle Beach and can also be used with smartphones and PCs.
Another important introduction has been the Chatpad – which functions like a keyboard for the Xbox One. The Chatpad is designed to plug directly into the Xbox One controller, and allows gamers to access social media, open up their apps and change audio settings with ease.
The best time of year to buy electronic accessories and gaming systems is generally around Black Friday and Cyber Monday – when the big brands offer major discounts in an effort to kick-start their end of year sales push. You should also be able to secure major savings around New Year, but retailers could slash the price of Xbox controllers at any time – so keep an eye on our listings.
At our Xbox One pages, you’ll find deals for the latest controllers from merchants like Tesco, Currys, GAME, Amazon, Microsoft, TheGameCollection, GameStop, ShopTo and Argos. You can also find major savings on console bundles and accessories like the Play and Charge kit – making your gaming experience as affordable as possible.
The best way to find discounts from the UK’s leading electronics retailers on Xbox One controllers is by keeping an eye on the continually updated deals listed at the HotUKDeals Xbox One pages.
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