Xbox
Similar in design to the Sega Dreamcast controller, the Xbox controller includes two expansion slots, six analog buttons, two analog triggers, and two analog sticks, a total of eight digital buttons (four of which make up the d-pad), as well as built in rumble support. Differing from the Dreamcast controller, the Microsoft controller adds a right analog stick, making it similar to the configuration used by the Nintendo GameCube controller. It also adds the "black", "white" and "back" (select) buttons.
The Xbox controller went through a revision specifically for Japanese consumers and due to complaints that the initial controller was too bulky. (The size of the Xbox controller has been the subject of many jokes in video game-related web comics; it has even been nicknamed "Duke" and "Hamburger".) The result was the Type-S controller which Microsoft adopted and has since bundled with their system in all regions. Both of the original Xbox controllers had a breakaway point near the end of the cord, so it would break into two parts and the game would pause if it was pulled too far, preventing damage to the console itself.
Towards the original Xbox's decline, such was the console's popularity, several counterfeit manufacturers based in Hong Kong started to produce inferior copies of the Xbox S-type controller. On first impressions, the difference between the official endorsed controller and the bootlegged one is subtle. The average lifespan of an official Xbox controller became approximately 2 years. The Hong Kong controller, on average, lasted only 2 months. As a result, Microsoft began to issue silver authenticity stickers on their packaging. In addition to this, Microsoft’s packaging serial numbers would also match the controllers' serial numbers.
PlayStation 2
The DualShock was subsequently used for the follow up system, the PlayStation 2, but was slightly altered to make the buttons pressure sensitive (except for L3, R3, Start and Select). Other minor modifications made include the change of cable (and end connector) color from grey to black, a slight squaring of the connector (compared to the original version - DualShocks provided with the smaller PSOne were even rounder), and "DUALSHOCK 2" printed in blue on the top of the controller next to where the cable enters. The new controller was dubbed the Dual Shock 2. While The original PlayStation controller was compatible with a few early PS2 games, almost all games now require the use of analog sticks, and many require the pressure sensitive buttons added by the DualShock 2. Due to it being the color of the standard console, the standard color of DualShock2s is black, although other colors are available, notably silver, included with the silver version of the console (both original and slimline versions). It should be noted that while the color of the controller supplied with silver consoles was changed to match, the color of the cable and connector remained black.
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 controller has wireless capabilities and removes the "black" and "white" buttons and in their place adds two "bumper" buttons, one above each trigger. When playing original Xbox games on the 360, the left and right bumpers are used in place of the white and black, respectively. The wireless version runs off two "AA" Batteries or a rechargeable battery pack. Microsoft has released a first-party "Play and Charge" kit which recharges the battery pack via a USB connection through the controller, though while connected the pad still communicates wirelessly. The wired version uses a USB cable to plug into the Xbox 360. The wired pad, or the wireless pad with the Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows are the standard gamepad for Games for Windows, and can be configured to work with most PC software that supports gamepad or joystick input.
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