Ode to the Duke

[Unimax]

With the news that 343 will be commisioning several 360 controllers in Duke cases for Halo Fest, I felt it might be time to show some love for the ol' clunker. I prefer it for many reasons. It is especially well suited to racing and shooting games, two of the original X-box's strongest genres.

 

1) Its larger size is more comfortable for the white-knuckle, sweaty-palm action of long multi-lap races without causing your hands and fingers to cramp up.

2) The large triggers have stronger springs and greater travel, allowing for more precise application of throttle and brakes.

3) The concave left thumbstick used for steering is less likely to slip out from under your thumb during hotly contested races than the convex thumbstick of its competitor. Also, the right thumbstick has a smaller dimple for greater aiming precision in first-person shooters.

4) The D-pad is larger, smoother and more comfortable which allows the thumb to slide over it more easily and with greater control.

5) The colored buttons are oval-shaped and ergonomically placed to align with the right thumb as it rests naturally on the controller. You locate and press the buttons intuitively by swiveling or rolling your thumb from side to side or by sliding or rolling it forwards and backwards, in alignment with its natural movement (and misaligned diagonally on the controller, instead of vice-versa). This is arguably the Duke's greatest design feature. You can also touch all four colored buttons at once, instantly depressing one by rolling your thumb over it. The buttons are also raised higher, allowing greater control of the 256 levels of analog travel.

6) The white and black buttons are placed within easy reach of the right thumb and are also raised, not placed in an awkward position and recessed.

7) The start and back buttons are placed at the bottom of the controller, again raised for easy access, and can be pressed quickly and easily by sliding the thumbs over them in a downward motion.

If you need to access all four colored buttons (plus the white and black buttons) while simultaneously using the right thumbstick and using the right trigger, you can quickly switch to a "claw position" by placing you right ring finger on the right trigger, your right middle finger on the side seam of the controller, your right index finger in the center of the four colored buttons, and your right thumb on the right thumbstick.

9) With one memory card inserted, the controller balances lightly and perfectly on your middle fingers.

10) The vibration motors and flywheels are large and robust, allowing for strong vibration and greater game immersion.

11) The oversized "jewel" logo on the center of the controller serves as a constant reminder of what great system you are playing while you sit around waiting for your game to load.

 

Admittedly, the Duke is not perfect. For games requiring multiple button-pressing combos for example, the smaller "S controller" is probably better. But the Duke was an effort to pioneer, to boldy incorporate ergonomic features in a revolutionary new controller. The public soundly rejected it. What incentive have we given game companies to try to innovate again?

 

oh duke big and black

I love to caress your curves

together we rule

[Unimax]

Oooooohhhh!! I think they are auctioning off a Duke with 360 innards at the Penny Arcade Child's Play Dinner this December 8th. I wonder if I can bid by proxy...