A Must-Have

When we purchased our XBOX 360, the controller came with 2 AA batteries and an adapter to use them on the controller.  It was just fine to get you acquinted with the console and play a game for a day or two (about 2 hours a day).  The AA batteries don't last, even when we use our own Duracell batteries fresh from the store.

It was basically useless.  Based on this, we were originally going to curse Microsoft for using wireless controllers as their default way of input.  We decided to go ahead and buy a 2nd controller (we needed it), which came with the rechargable battery and a charge kit, which is basically a USB cable at one end, and a proprietary plug for the XBOX 360 controller on the other end.

Wow, what a difference that made!  The new controller we bought with the rechargable battery seem to keep going and going, about four or five times longer than the other controller with just AA batteries.  We basically play and forget when the last time we recharged it - that's how long it lasts!

That was enough to convince us to purchase a battery pack for the other controller.  For just $12, we purchased the battery from Amazon.com with free shipping.  It does not come with a charge cable, but that's okay, since we already have one that was included with the other controller.

The battery uses different electrical contacts than the AA batteries, and when running out, it gives you a good hour or so of warning before it goes out.  The warning comes in a form of the round green LEDs around the Guide button.  The two opposing lights will go around the circle when this happens.  For a while, we didn't realize that's a low-battery warning and thought the controller was going haywire.  Thankfully, we understand the message now and take heed.

When the warning goes on, you can connect the charge cable up to the XBOX 360 and continue to play without any interruptions.  If you let the battery go completely dead, you will get a message on the screen that says your controller was disconnected.  Depending on the game, it will either pause or (especially if playing online), you get your butt handed to you while you sit there and watch.

The small white battery fits well and tight into the controller, and is designed to look like part of the controller.  The fit and finish is nice, which is good since the rest of the controllers feel hefty and solid.  A bad fit on the battery's part would ruin the entire solid feel of the controller as a whole.

The upshot is, you need this battery if you are still using AAs for your controller!  In fact, you may want to buy a set that comes with a stand-alone charger, since it may be a better deal.

We found one that came with 2 rechargable batteries and a stand alone charger for both batteries for about $20 to $25.