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Microsoft recently released the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows a few weeks ago. I decided to pick one up last weekend as I had too many cables running in all different directions all over my desk. The Wireless Gaming Receiver allows you to use your wireless Xbox 360 Controller to play games on Windows Vista.
The Wireless Gaming Receiver is pretty simple to hook up and install. You plug the receiver in via USB just as you would a receiver for a wireless keyboard or mouse. Windows Vista will automatically detect and install the Wireless Gaming Receiver which is pretty cool.
However, you're going to want to install the Xbox 360 Accessories Status application on the Wireless Gaming Receiver CD as this will enable you to check to see how your battery life is doing on the wireless Xbox 360 Controller. The Xbox 360 Accessories Status also lets you configure notifications for device connections.
Thanks to a pointer by Michael Wolf, who you can catch over on the Gamerscore Blog, I discovered that you can use the Xbox 360 Controllers (Wireless or Wired) to play the in-box-games that ship with Windows Vista. Sweet! I shot video to demo using the Wireless Xbox 360 Controller to play Minesweeper, Chess Titans, and Solitaire:
Video: Using the Xbox 360 Controller in Windows Vista
I was particularly impressed with the fact they incorporated the ability to have your Xbox 360 Controller "rumble" in certain instances within these games - such as in Minesweeper when I hit a mine.
The Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver is priced at $19.99. That is not a bad deal if you already have an Xbox 360 and wireless controller. I've also seen the Wireless Gaming Receiver and Controller bundled together as well for about $50.00.
This is exactly what I've been waiting for! I didn't want to go out and buy a wired 360 controller just to hook up to my Vista box. But I'll GLADLY fork over $19.99 to be able to use my existing 360 controller in Vista.
Great job MS! Thanks for the report Brandon.
Can you use one 360 controller with both a PC and a 360? Not at the same time, of course. :) I have my 360 and PC in the same room, and would like to use it for playing games on both. Would that be possible without much hassle?
Mike: Why wouldn't it? I can't think of any reason there would be a problem. Unless companies suddenly start charging extra for this built-in functionality. :(
Well, I'm thinking this: when I hit the power button on the controller, there are two receivers in the room, the 360 and the PC. How do I pick which one I want the controller to talk to?
I imagine the controller must first be paired with either of the devices.
Would be the same was walking into someone elses home with a controller and expecting it to work right off the bat.
Has been a while since I paired my controller with my console, but I am sure there was a process.
Brandon is a chess noob.
I can't wait to get hold of this to try, I especially want to try the Xbox connectivity in Vista.
All the best
Josh Chandler
www.windows-media-player-updates.com
jchandler, there is a small button on the front of the Xbox Controller and one on top of the actual receiver. Press both of them at the same time to sync the wireless controller wirelessly with the receiver.
Mike Dunn, the wireless Xbox Controller works on both the PC and Xbox 360 console. What happens is the wireless controller forms a "relationship" or "pairing" with where ever you last used it (on your PC or console). You will need to resync the controller back to either the PC or Xbox 360 when you want to move it from one place to another. See my above comment to jchandler on how to re-sync the controller. The process should work for the Xbox 360 as well.
Thats pretty cool, Finally something I can spend my BestBuy bucks on. I got a giftcard when I signed up with my ISP and have been waiting to spend it since its my birthday soon this could be a good present!
Hi!
This is very cool but sadly I already bought 2x Logitech Wireless Rumblepad II gamepads (And I love them!)... Is it possible to play bundled Vista games with gamepads other than those from Xbox 360??? I hope it is possible as I really liked the idea of playing chess sitting on my bed =D
seifip, I am not sure if the Logitech Wireless Rumblepad II's work or not. I don't have one to try. If you get a chance to try it out, let me know if it works!
2Brandon LeBlanc: I tried it with my Rumblepad and it didn't work :/ Either I'm doing something wrong or it simply wasn't programmed to work with gamepads other than the one from Xbox 360 :( In this case I don't see any reason why have they done that :/
It might be simply a driver issue on Logitech's side in which the driver doesn't have the necessary code to allow use in the Windows Games in Windows Vista. Let me check and ask around and see what the deal is.
I bought Vista Starter & iwant to get chess titan; how canI?
hi i bought the kit and it just wont work for me on vista but works perfect on xp what am i doin wrong please could u help me
blast it, i'm having quite a time looking for that kit here. (I'm getting pawned in Halo2 quite easily since I'm not used to playing it with mouse and keyboard)
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Aha :) I was amazed, I bought my 360 Wireless Controller about 4 months ago, and was just playing minesweeper on vista couple of minutes ago, and when I hit a mine, the controller rumbled :p it was pretty cool haha
this is a first time i hear that with windows vista we can play xbox360 games with wireless controller
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