It comes with its own bag!
Other aspects of the layout can't be changed - the bumper buttons, for example - but Mad Catz has tinkered with some of the pad's other features. The Xbox 360 Guide button, for instance, is situated higher up then it is on Microsoft's original controller and it has been embedded a bit further into the chassis and is much smaller.
Also, the Pro
Circuit pad has an additional section built-in that houses the Start
and Select buttons across the top of the pad. On the official controller there's nothing there, just a dip, and the Start and Select buttons are located a bit further down.
The action buttons on the right-hand side of the controller are
identical in size to the official Xbox 360 pad, as are the bumpers and back triggers, though both sets have a glossy coating. In between the bumpers sits an engraved strip that
hosts the words "Major League Gaming," while a small embedded MLG logo
can be found on the face of the controller in between the d-pad and
right analogue stick.
Flip over the pad, and the area where you usually find the battery
compartment for the wireless Xbox 360 controller, now plays host to two
3.5g weights. You can either use the weights to change the feel of the
controller, or take them both out and put them in the weight case
(included) and replace the back with a flat L-shaped panel.
The Pro Circuit controller also comes with a lengthy 9.8ft braided USB
cable that screws tightly into the 5-pin male socket on top of the pad.
And, to carry all these goodies around, Mad Catz has thrown in a small
man-bag adorned with red piping and the MLG logo. Inside, there are a
couple of pieces of padded soft material and numerous Velcro strips, so
you can section off parts of the bag. All components fit into the bag
nice and snug, including the controller
So, what do we think?
The build quality of the Pro Circuit controller is superb. It certainly feels
like a gamepad that has been created for some serious gaming abuse.
Apart from the tiny section at the top of pad, where you find the Start
and Select buttons, its form factor is identical to the official Xbox
360 controller, so its ergonomic shape will appeal to those who like
that style; though its rubberised shell (other than the plastic grips
and faceplates) feels more luxurious and comfortable than the official
pad.
The way the controller has been designed, to allow for the
customisation of its parts, is also impressive. The faceplates and
grips snap in and out quickly and securely, and the glossy-black shell really makes the pad stand out. Though, the matte
black faceplate and grips could be seen as a waste of time; we'd have preferred
something more colourful.
Swapping out the analogue sticks and d-pad and clicking them back into
place is also really easy thanks to a clever locking mechanism that
requires nothing more than a simple twist. The option to be able to
change the layout is certainly going to appeal to some, though we
suspect that a lot of gamers will already know what style they prefer
and will most likely stick to one or the other. Professional
gamers, however, may find it very convenient to have the option to switch and change for different games.
We've been using the wireless Xbox 360 controller for many years, which
has a bit of extra weight to it (because of the two AA batteries) so
it's nice to have the option to add those extra grams with the two
small weights that come included with the Pro Circuit. Consequently,
players can make the wired controller feel more like the wireless one,
and even a bit heavier with both weights inside, which we actually
prefer.
The few changes that Mad Catz has made to the original design of the Xbox 360 controller are also very welcome. Making the Guide button smaller and sinking it into the chassis means that players won't accidentally hit it during a game. The same applies to the Start and Select buttons now that they've been moved into a much higher position. If players are battering their pads regularly during competitions, it makes sense to put these buttons as far away as possible from the main controls to avoid any unwanted interruptions.
The near-10ft cable is also important as there's no way players can accidentally pull it out of the socket if they jolt backwards, something that we've done on a number of occasions with the official wired pad. The fact that it screws tightly into place and has a more secure braided cable means that players can be confident that it shouldn't malfunction or come loose either.
Overall, the MLG Pro Circuit controller is a superb pad and should last pro gamers and hardcore players for the duration of the Xbox 360's life-cycle and way beyond. However, during our time testing it we couldn't help think that our ideal pad would be a combination of the Pro Circuit and the Razer Onza Tournament Edition controller, which has low profile buttons and the option to toggle sensitivity with a twist of the analogue sticks. Mad Catz offers a lot of customisation, but could have gone a step further with the design. In terms of style, however, Mad Catz gets it spot on and the Pro Circuit is the most comfortable and robust Xbox 360 controller we've ever used.
The Good
Superior build quality
Being able to customise layout with Xbox 360 and PS3-style components
The ability to change its look with removable faceplates and grips
The Bad
Only one faceplate worth using in the launch pack
Could have incorporated more features to help out players during the game
HEXUS Rating
Mad Catz MLG Pro Circuit Controller
HEXUS Awards
Mad Catz MLG Pro Circuit Controller
HEXUS Where2Buy
Mad Catz MLG Pro Circuit Controller is available to pre-order from Gameshark.HEXUS Right2Reply
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