Xbox 360 Halo: Reach Wireless Controller

If you've been following along, you know that I recently sold my Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, which was the one that came with my original Xbox 360 Pro console in December 2006. While I have an Xbox 360 Controller (wired) and have been using that since, you always want to have two Controllers on hand for when guests come over, and the wired model is perfect for that since you don't have to worry about battery power.

So this past Saturday I used $50.00 Best Buy gift card that work got me for my birthday and purchased the Xbox 360 Halo: Reach Wireless Controller.

First and foremost, thank you Microsoft for _finally_ doing away with the annoying and hazardous clam shell packaging with your current re-branding to the Xbox 360 S console and associated hardware. The Xbox 360 Halo: Reach Wireless Controller is wonderfully packaged, easy to remove, and no scissors, cut hands, and profanities are required to open her up!

On to the Controller itself, it looks very, very slick. Sporting a silver colour with custom Halo: Reach themed artwork, the Controller is quite literally the most cosmetically pleasing Xbox 360 Controller I've ever seen. The Thumbsticks and D-Pad are a slick black colour like the new branded Xbox 360 Wirless Controllers, and the Guide button is chrome instead of the traditional dull silver. The Triggers, Bumpers and corresponding top plate, as well as the battery case and underside are also the same slick black colour. Because the Controller is Silver as its primary colour, my white Chatpad doesn't contrast sharply with it either, which is a big plus!

In addition to coming with two AA batteries, the Xbox 360 Halo: Reach Wireless Controller also comes with a downloadable token for a Banshee Prop for your Xbox 360 Avatar. Similar to the UNSC Falcon Prop that game with the Halo: Reach Limited and Legendary Editions, the Banshee Prop has your Avatar summon the Xbox 360 Halo: Reach Wireless Controller and use it to control and fly around a model Covenant Banshee for several seconds. The Banshee is actually larger than the UNSC Falcon model, and in my opinion, looks nicer.

Performance wise, the Xbox 360 Halo: Reach Wireless Controller functions just like any other Xbox 360 Wirless Controller and to clarify, it does _not_ feature the upcoming revised D-Pad.

If you're looking for a new Wireless Controller for your Xbox 360 console and you're not waiting for the model with the new D-Pad, I'd highly recommend the Xbox 360 Halo: Reach Wireless Controller simply because of how great it looks. Best Buy is selling it for $59.99, the same as any other Wireless Controller, so you're not being marked up on the custom artwork, which is quite the fair deal.