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The Xbox launched in Japan earlier this year and with it, a new official controller known simply as “the Japanese controller”. The Japanese market was concerned with the size of the Xbox controller, as it is the largest controller/gamepad to date for any modern console. You know us Americans – “the bigger, the better!”. Well, other countries don’t think that way, especially the Japanese. A smaller controller was in demand for the Japanese market and Microsoft answered the call with this new “Japanese controller”. Now, of course once the Americans saw this, we were instantly jealous: “Why do THEY get a smaller controller and we don’t?!” So Microsoft gave us the “S” controller. It’s a slight variant on the Japanese controller, yet still very similar.

Obviously, the first difference you will notice is the size. The S controller is (guessing here) about 30% smaller than the original controller. It still holds true to the look of the original controller, except when it comes to button layout. The buttons are closer together and are much easier to reach with your thumbs – especially the top Y button. The white and black buttons are now BELOW the other buttons (which are still in a diamond layout, by the way). For games that consistently utilize the white and black buttons it’s is a very welcome change. On the other hand, it’s now a lot easier to accidentally hit them while playing.. The Start and Select buttons have been moved from the middle, to the far left side of the controller. I am still not used to the new location. I find myself pressing the now nonexistent buttons in the middle of the controller when I want to hit Start.

My favorite change on the new S controller is the Thumb pad. It’s now more of your traditional thumb pad design, versus the rather uncomfortable, wanna-be ergonomic design of the original controller. For old school gamers like me who still like to use the thumb pads versus analog sticks, this is probably the best change on this new controller.

So how do games play with the S controller? Well, it depends on the game. I’ve found that fast action based games, such as fighting titles (Dead or Alive 3) work much better because of the new, more tightly grouped button layout. Having all of the buttons more accessible is a definite plus.

On the flip side, I find that Gotham Racing and Rally Sport fair better (for me) on the original controller. I don’t need to hit the buttons as fast, nor do I need to use as many of the buttons. Since my hands are ... big (I guess) I find the original, larger controller more comfortable for playing these types of games. I do think those of you with smaller hands will probably find the S controller more useable than the original in whatever game you play. I believe that eventually, I will fully move to using the S controller for every game I play, mainly thanks to the improved Thumb pad (again, my favorite change!)

This is a definite buy. Not necessarily just for you, but for your guests as well. I plan on picking up an additional S controller sometime in the near future, just so my friends/relatives don’t argue over who gets what controller (currently my nephew and I fight over my single S controller). Even if you are content with the original controller, pick up an S controller anyway. If other people ever play on your Xbox, it will get used, I promise.