![]() ![]() The Controller S had a much more positive response and it’s easy to see why. Microsoft would eventually bring the Controller S to Western audiences, replacing the original Duke in standard packages by 2002 in the US and 2003 in Europe. When the Xbox came to Japan in February 2002, it sported the smaller, more comfortable Xbox Controller S (audiences in that region were spared of the Duke’s presence, for the better). There was some redemption on the horizon though. Unfortunately, its supplier, Mitsumi Electric, refused and thus went with the Duke design. At the time, Microsoft wanted a folded and stacked design akin to the DualShock 2. According to Blackley, the disdain for the controller was such that he “had things thrown at me on stage.” The build quality wasn’t much better, being viewed as cheap by different outlets.Ī lot of the controller’s footprint was due to the circuit board design though. It was massive, about three times that of Sony’s controller, and seemed more suited to large hands (and even then, it was pushing its luck). Overall, the design of the Xbox controller was weird when compared directly to the DualShock 2 but not completely out of this world. One neat feature was the controller’s cable having dongles that could break away, mitigating any danger that tripping would have caused for the console. Two triggers rested on the back with no shoulder bumpers. The left analog stick was instead positioned to the far left edge and in the middle was a massive emblem with the Xbox name and logo in black and green. There were Start and Select buttons but these were placed near the bottom of the controller, right between the digital D-Pad and right analog stick. Along with the standard four face buttons, fashioned after Nintendo’s X, Y, A and B button setup, the console had two more buttons sitting above them – one black, the other white. Despite several similarities with the DualShock 2 (like rumble support), the Xbox controller had a number of unique features. However, it would be its other nickname, “Fatty”, which would stand out a lot more on release. The Xbox controller was designed by developer Seamus Blackley and given the nickname “Duke” by hardware project manager Brett Schnepf. While there’s a lot to say about the console’s development history, we’re going to focus on the controller which also debuted at GDC. After years of rumors, Microsoft finally announced its console gaming plans and revealed the Xbox prototype at GDC 2020. ![]() However, slightly before that, an unlikely competitor appeared. We all know what happened though – Sega would discontinue the console and bow out of the hardware market entirely in March 2001. Sega’s Dreamcast was still a thing but facing severe issues due to a lack of advertising and support, not to mention general disagreement among company executives. The Nintendo 64 was at the end of its life cycle with the company shifting away from cartridges for in the GameCube. ![]() Fresh off the success of the PlayStation One, Sony were already making plans for the PlayStation 2 to also dominate the market. ![]()
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