When it comes to using controllers for Xbox 360, you’ve got a number of options available. Microsoft has several to choose from (including the fancy pop-out D-pad model and the Halo Reach controller); MadCatz has several FightPads and FightSticks to choose from; and Razer is about to get seriously into the game with its own specialty pad. Not to be left out is Power A, a company that manufactures quality controller right here in the good ol’ USA. Recently, it introduced us to a pair of new controllers coming soon to the Xbox 360, and despite the fact that they’re wired, they provide some new options for players, and one even brings back an old-school flavor we haven’t seen since the old days of the original Xbox. First up is the Mini Pro EX Controller, which should be out sometime this year. This controller features a unique, ergonomic design which is smaller than the routine Xbox 360 controller, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to sacrifice feel or comfort. The smaller build actually makes it easier for some players to grip, while also providing better access to the shoulder and trigger buttons up top – something players with smaller hands can’t do so easily. The Mini Pro EX features a variety of built-in features that make it feel like a quality controller all around.
It features dual rumble motors, so you can feel every thud and crash that’s occurring in the game, along with light-up LED illuminated action buttons, should you prefer to play in the dark with something like Dead Space 2 or Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. (The lights can be shut off if they prove too distracting.) It also comes in four different colors – red, yellow, green and blue, so you don’t have to be choosy about sticking with one individual design. Other than that, most of the features are about the same as a regular Xbox 360 controller, including analog and button placement, along with the big “X” button on the center of the pad. If you’re tired of the bigger controllers on the market, you might want to consider the Mini Pro EX. It should be around $39.99 when it comes out this year. Meanwhile, if you’re an old-school Xbox player, you might remember a classic controller called the Air Flo, which shoots a breeze across your palms so that it never becomes sweaty over the course of an in-depth play session. Well, good news. Power A is bringing back that design sometime this year with the Air Flo Controller for Xbox 360.
Like previous models, the Air Flo features cool operation, letting you feel perspiration-free gaming through the built-in 2-speed cooling fans on the grips. Better still, the controller’s top-notch quality keeps the fans from wearing down over prolonged sessions. While it’s bulkier than most Xbox 360 controllers, that doesn’t mean it’s not comfortable to grip. In fact, the Air Flo is very easy on the hands, as you can wrap around the grips with ease and still access the shoulder buttons up top, while keeping your palms firmly placed around the fans. The controller also features dual rumble motors (like the Mini Pro EX), illuminated air vents and action buttons, and a 10 foot cable, so you can walk around the room should you be feeling ancy. Right now, the Air Flo only comes in one color, but the easy black and green design won’t distract you while you’re in the middle of your sessions. The Air Flo is expected to launch around $49.99. Look for more information (and reviews) right here on PlanetXbox360.com on these controllers very soon, as their 2011 ship date nears!
http://www.powera.com/
