HORI PAD EX TURBO
XBOX 360
Controller - Game Pad
Standard XBOX 360 Button/Stick Configuration, Cross D-Pad
2-stage Turbo available for A/B/X/Y
Features rumble and XBOX Live headset jack.
Only available wired w/ 9.5ft cord.
Compatible with both XBOX360 and PC via USB port (WinXP).
SYNOPSIS
Hori often markets interesting and high quality controllers. Their new controller is almost identical to the 360 version in Stick/Button placement, though it is a bit wider and a bit shorter. My primary interest in it was due to the fact that the DPAD on the Microsoft-brand 360 controller is terrible and Hori claims the one on this controller is excellent. That being said, was Hori able to offer a product overall competitive with the 360 controller here? Well, the best way to answer that question is to compare the two piece-by-piece. Note that I ran the controllers through numerous titles - both retail and Live Arcade.
OVERALL FEEL IN HAND
WINNER: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: A+
Runner up: HORIPAD EX TURBO: A-
Microsoft's offering here just feels better when being held in-hand. The HORIPAD just feels more cramped despite the wider body; this is likely due to the more natural angles offered by the Microsoft pad when being held. The Microsoft controller also offers a more textured feel while the HORIPAD is very smooth. Overall, both are great choices in terms of overall feel but the Microsoft pad just does it a bit better.
ANALOG STICKS
WINNER: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: A+
Runner up:HORIPAD EX TURBO: A-
While the sticks on the HORIPAD are excellent, the nod in this competition still goes to Microsoft's controller. The Microsoft's Analog sticks are tighter offering more precise control in the analog domain. Still, the Hori's sticks offer very smooth response and range - you just might have a tough time adapting with games like PGR3 that require very precise analog control.
D-PAD
WINNER: HORIPAD EX TURBO: A
Runner up: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: C
The HORIPAD truly delivers in the D-PAD category completely wasting the Microsoft controller. The pad feels much like the one featured on the SNES controller, which is a very big compliment to Hori; like the SNES controller, the pad is a straight-up cross design and is very responsive. The only thing that could have made this D-PAD better would have been placing it in the same horizontal line as the face buttons; doing this, however, would no longer be in the reference XBOX360 design and probably isn't even legally permitted at this stage in the game. In other words, the DPAD is just a notch away from perfect; now I know when I miss a Dragon Punch in SFII Hyper Fighting its because of my timing instead of a poorly constructed dpad! I can also say that Frogger works much better now with the new controller, greatly reducing the unexpected jumps in the wrong direction.
FACE BUTTONS
WINNER: HORIPAD EX TURBO: A+
Runner up: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: A-
The nod goes to the HORIPAD here with it having faster, more "clicky" and less "mushy" A/B/X/Y buttons that just seem to work better in most cases. While Microsoft's design is also excellent, I prefer the HORIPAD more - especially in games where you will be pressing the buttons rapidly.
AUX FACE BUTTONS (Start, Select, 360 button)
WINNER: HORIPAD EX TURBO: A+
Runner up: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: A
Both controllers are great in this category, though the HORIPAD just edges out the Microsoft controller in usability. While the Microsoft buttons look nicer, in practice the HORIPAD aux buttons are a bit more responsive. Still, neither will disappoint.
BUMPERS/SHOULDER PADS
WINNER: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: B+
Runner up: HORIPAD EX TURBO: C
While neither pad offers what I would consider ideal (SNES) shoulder pads - the HORIPAD shoulder pads too loose and the Microsoft shoulder pads too stiff - the Microsoft shoulder pads still come out on top. The looseness of the HORIPAD buttons combined with a less than ideal response means that the HORIPAD might end up not registering a command unless you press down with full pressure. On the other hand, for games that require rapid input such as Street Fighter II, the HORIPADs shoulder pads are significantly better. Still, Microsoft's shoulder pads still get the nod for being more responsive.
TRIGGERS
WINNER: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: A-
Runner up: HORIPAD EX TURBO: C
Microsoft's pad again takes the lead overall for triggers, as the Microsoft triggers offer more tension and significantly greater range than the Hori triggers. While the triggers on the Microsoft 360 pad would be even better with even more range similar to the ones on the Microsoft XBOX1 controllers, compared to the Horipad the Microsoft's triggers are lightyears better for analog input. Again, though, for a game like Street Fighter II or any other game that uses digital input for the triggers, the HORIPAD would probably offer you a better experience due to the shorter range and lesser tension. It must be noted that the triggers Hori offers here are still superior to the "triggers" on the PS2 controller.
OVERALL
Both controllers are fantastic! The Microsoft controller is better for most 3D games and games using analog input (i.e. PGR3, Call of Duty 2), while the Hori controller is better for 2D games and games using digital input (i.e. SF2, Frogger). On top of this, the Hori controller offers 2-stage turbo for the A/B/X/Y buttons - which can help you to improve your performance on Street Fighter II with characters like Chun Li and E.Honda. With the fastest turbo setting I was able to pull off Fierce Hundred Hand Slaps and Lightning Kicks 9/10 times and could hold them for the entire match without getting tired; now that is what I call cheati... err, skill! Note that using this "feature" online might be considered cheating by many, but it is unlikely you could face consequences for using it as this is an officially licensed XBOX 360 controller. Still, I'd use it only offline as not to ruin the experience of others who choose to play fairly.
HORIPAD EX TURBO - Highly recommended for the XBOX LIVE ARCADE addict seeking improved DPAD and face buttons!
Link to buy:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5065204
Picture:
http://www.hori.jp/us/products/xbox360/horipad_ex_tb/index.html
XBOX 360
Controller - Game Pad
Standard XBOX 360 Button/Stick Configuration, Cross D-Pad
2-stage Turbo available for A/B/X/Y
Features rumble and XBOX Live headset jack.
Only available wired w/ 9.5ft cord.
Compatible with both XBOX360 and PC via USB port (WinXP).
SYNOPSIS
Hori often markets interesting and high quality controllers. Their new controller is almost identical to the 360 version in Stick/Button placement, though it is a bit wider and a bit shorter. My primary interest in it was due to the fact that the DPAD on the Microsoft-brand 360 controller is terrible and Hori claims the one on this controller is excellent. That being said, was Hori able to offer a product overall competitive with the 360 controller here? Well, the best way to answer that question is to compare the two piece-by-piece. Note that I ran the controllers through numerous titles - both retail and Live Arcade.
OVERALL FEEL IN HAND
WINNER: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: A+
Runner up: HORIPAD EX TURBO: A-
Microsoft's offering here just feels better when being held in-hand. The HORIPAD just feels more cramped despite the wider body; this is likely due to the more natural angles offered by the Microsoft pad when being held. The Microsoft controller also offers a more textured feel while the HORIPAD is very smooth. Overall, both are great choices in terms of overall feel but the Microsoft pad just does it a bit better.
ANALOG STICKS
WINNER: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: A+
Runner up:HORIPAD EX TURBO: A-
While the sticks on the HORIPAD are excellent, the nod in this competition still goes to Microsoft's controller. The Microsoft's Analog sticks are tighter offering more precise control in the analog domain. Still, the Hori's sticks offer very smooth response and range - you just might have a tough time adapting with games like PGR3 that require very precise analog control.
D-PAD
WINNER: HORIPAD EX TURBO: A
Runner up: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: C
The HORIPAD truly delivers in the D-PAD category completely wasting the Microsoft controller. The pad feels much like the one featured on the SNES controller, which is a very big compliment to Hori; like the SNES controller, the pad is a straight-up cross design and is very responsive. The only thing that could have made this D-PAD better would have been placing it in the same horizontal line as the face buttons; doing this, however, would no longer be in the reference XBOX360 design and probably isn't even legally permitted at this stage in the game. In other words, the DPAD is just a notch away from perfect; now I know when I miss a Dragon Punch in SFII Hyper Fighting its because of my timing instead of a poorly constructed dpad! I can also say that Frogger works much better now with the new controller, greatly reducing the unexpected jumps in the wrong direction.
FACE BUTTONS
WINNER: HORIPAD EX TURBO: A+
Runner up: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: A-
The nod goes to the HORIPAD here with it having faster, more "clicky" and less "mushy" A/B/X/Y buttons that just seem to work better in most cases. While Microsoft's design is also excellent, I prefer the HORIPAD more - especially in games where you will be pressing the buttons rapidly.
AUX FACE BUTTONS (Start, Select, 360 button)
WINNER: HORIPAD EX TURBO: A+
Runner up: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: A
Both controllers are great in this category, though the HORIPAD just edges out the Microsoft controller in usability. While the Microsoft buttons look nicer, in practice the HORIPAD aux buttons are a bit more responsive. Still, neither will disappoint.
BUMPERS/SHOULDER PADS
WINNER: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: B+
Runner up: HORIPAD EX TURBO: C
While neither pad offers what I would consider ideal (SNES) shoulder pads - the HORIPAD shoulder pads too loose and the Microsoft shoulder pads too stiff - the Microsoft shoulder pads still come out on top. The looseness of the HORIPAD buttons combined with a less than ideal response means that the HORIPAD might end up not registering a command unless you press down with full pressure. On the other hand, for games that require rapid input such as Street Fighter II, the HORIPADs shoulder pads are significantly better. Still, Microsoft's shoulder pads still get the nod for being more responsive.
TRIGGERS
WINNER: MICROSOFT CONTROLLER: A-
Runner up: HORIPAD EX TURBO: C
Microsoft's pad again takes the lead overall for triggers, as the Microsoft triggers offer more tension and significantly greater range than the Hori triggers. While the triggers on the Microsoft 360 pad would be even better with even more range similar to the ones on the Microsoft XBOX1 controllers, compared to the Horipad the Microsoft's triggers are lightyears better for analog input. Again, though, for a game like Street Fighter II or any other game that uses digital input for the triggers, the HORIPAD would probably offer you a better experience due to the shorter range and lesser tension. It must be noted that the triggers Hori offers here are still superior to the "triggers" on the PS2 controller.
OVERALL
Both controllers are fantastic! The Microsoft controller is better for most 3D games and games using analog input (i.e. PGR3, Call of Duty 2), while the Hori controller is better for 2D games and games using digital input (i.e. SF2, Frogger). On top of this, the Hori controller offers 2-stage turbo for the A/B/X/Y buttons - which can help you to improve your performance on Street Fighter II with characters like Chun Li and E.Honda. With the fastest turbo setting I was able to pull off Fierce Hundred Hand Slaps and Lightning Kicks 9/10 times and could hold them for the entire match without getting tired; now that is what I call cheati... err, skill! Note that using this "feature" online might be considered cheating by many, but it is unlikely you could face consequences for using it as this is an officially licensed XBOX 360 controller. Still, I'd use it only offline as not to ruin the experience of others who choose to play fairly.
HORIPAD EX TURBO - Highly recommended for the XBOX LIVE ARCADE addict seeking improved DPAD and face buttons!
Link to buy:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5065204
Picture:
http://www.hori.jp/us/products/xbox360/horipad_ex_tb/index.html
