Classic control
When you spend a lot of time playing older consoles, you know sometimes the biggest struggle is finding the right controller. As consoles get older, the availability of those original controllers becomes harder and hard to obtain for a decent price. So, the market for third-party ones is massive, but one controller I have had the hardest time finding a solid replacement for was the Xbox 360. It is hard to believe, but it has been over 20 years since the console was released, and all my original controllers are not in the greatest shape. So, I have been searching for the perfect one for years to replace it. I might have finally found it in the Retro Fighters Hunter 360.
Right out of the box this controller feels great. They really nailed the feel of the controller, and it sits in the hands perfectly. It contours in all the right places and the triggers rest at just the right angle. The analog sticks have decent resistance, and the material feels good in the hands. It was immediately comfortable, which is a huge thing most third-party controllers get wrong.
MSRP: $59.99
Price I’d Pay: $59.99
The face buttons are solid, if a little small. I didn’t notice it at first, but when comparing it to other Xbox controllers, I quickly noticed they were just a bit smaller. The jewel button is smaller and located a little below the start and back buttons, but easy to get used to. The bumpers are excellent and have just enough “click” to them. The d-pad is much better than the OEM controller. It is a plus shape and has a nice response to it. It clocks and works perfectly for fighting games, which is something the original suffered from.
Setting up the controller is simple. It uses a 2.4Ghz wireless dongle and synching is easy. You can also use it wired for less latency, but in wired mode I didn’t notice much of an issue. The analog sticks have two modes that can be swapped between. The default one feels more like a modern analog stick and curves in a circular pattern. There is also a classic mode that has a more square motion, that mimics the original Xbox 360 controller. Swapping between the two requires a button combo which is painless, and the swap is confirmed by a rumble.
The Hunter 360 includes a rechargeable, built-in battery. It lasts around 8-10 hours depending on use, and charges relatively quickly. This is awesome since I don’t have to buy countless AA batteries anymore or use cheap battery packs from Amazon. The dongle is smaller than most I have used and doesn’t protrude out of the console as much as others. The controller also works on PC, but outside of that you are limited to what it can do.
I ran the controller through the gamut when it comes to games. Racing, fighting, shooting, just about anything you can name, I gave it a try. For shooters the analog sticks feel fine, but there are some concerns for accuracy. Now, for most players this is indistinguishable from a regular controller, and they are likely not to notice. However, if you play in tournaments or take things a little too seriously, this could be an issue. Fighting games feel good as the d-pad is much better and more responsive than the standard controller. Racing games are good with a little awkwardness on miniscule movements. Playing something like Outrun I found the micro adjustments I made during turns were not quite as responsive as the OEM controller.
Even with its quirks this is by far the best third-party controller I have used for the 360, and I have used a ton. The price tag is a bit steep at $50, but in the end it is worth it. You can get a used OEM controller cheaper but cannot guarantee its quality. These are brand new, look great, and feel amazing. Especially as someone who plays a lot of fighting games and that original d-pad just ain’t it. If you are like me and looking for a replacement controller for your 360 this would be my first recommendation. It checks all the boxes while also being extremely comfortable and convenient.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
