Conveniences abound in Xbox One controller redesign

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Microsoft details subtle differences between the gamepads

A cross-shaped directional pad. Rumbling triggers. Rad buttons. We've seen a lot of consternation about the Xbox One as a video game console (and done some ourselves), but Microsoft's latest post on its new-and-improved gamepad makes us excited to get our hands on the controller, at the very least.

The Xbox One controller also sports a few mundane but useful sounding upgrades: instead of turning off after a brief period of inactivity, the controller enters a low-power state and immediately wakes up when used again. That should make watching Netflix or other videos with a controller as a remote much more palatable.

You can preserve the controller's AA batteries by plugging in a generic USB Micro cable, so it sounds like the odd divide between Wired and Wireless 360 controllers will no longer be a concern.

Consoles aside, which next-gen controller do you prefer?

Connor Sheridan
Connor Sheridan
Former GamesRadar+ News Writer

I got a BA in journalism from Central Michigan University - though the best education I received there was from CM Life, its student-run newspaper. Long before that, I started pursuing my degree in video games by bugging my older brother to let me play Zelda on the Super Nintendo. I've previously been a news intern for GameSpot, a news writer for CVG, and was formerly a staff writer at GamesRadar+.