Greetings Dtoiders! Today I thought I would share with you my opinions on this here 3rd party controller, the Afterglow AX.1 for the Xbox 360.

As it turns out, my Microsoft Wireless controller broke and ended up deciding to stop connecting to my system on a whim, so I headed out to the mall to grab a new one. Then I realized the price for a new wireless controller was $50, the kind of money I didn't have. I knew immediately that I'd be searching for a more affordable third party option, and cringed at the thought of bulky, misshapen controllers with weird grip pads, turbo features, and strange feeling buttons. Upon looking at the local Gamestop's selections, I noticed some Microsoft Xbox 360 controllers, including the new one with the "amazing twisty d-pad" for an "amazing $65," which just happens to come with the lovely "Play n Charge kit." Or as I know them as, the same "Play n Charge kits" that have been known to destroy countless battery packs. I also noticed Gamestop's version of a wired 360 controller, which looked a bit cheap and cramped. Uninterested, I turned my eyes downwards to spy the wired Afterglow AX.1 controller, and I was instantly sold. Turns out I made a pretty swell purchase, and seeing as how I don't think there's a review of this particular hardware on this site, I thought I'd let you know all about it.



Here it is, in all it's glory! The Afterglow AX.1 sports a spiffy see-through plastic shell that reveals the sexy hardware guts that are died in whichever color controller you picked up. My model is purple, which isn't a girly color at all, but rather the culmination of a the two most world renown colors, red and blue, deciding to team up to become the ultimate color in the spectrum. If you can't handle that, there are red, blue, and green flavored controllers available as well, and from what I've seen they all look as great as mine does in the dark. The controller lights up pretty bright, but not bright enough to detract from your gaming experience. Featured as well are three lighting settings: ON, OFF, and ACTIVE. ON and OFF do as you expect, while ACTIVE lights up the controller only when the controller rumbles, while adjusting the amount of brightness to the amount of rumble feedback you get during gaming! Cool! Not only is the controller fun to play with in the dark, but it can also lend you a hand by illuminating your strategy guides at night. You'll also feel a lot safer in the warmth of the light, it's almost like the feeling of having real friends again.


The controller is built very well, managing to beat some aspects of the original 360's controller design in my opinion, despite having almost the exact button placement. The d-pad is slightly more raised than the original controller's design, making it a lot easier to manipulate the pad and enjoy your Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 shenanigans. Buttons and triggers react accordingly, and the only buttons to be displaced are the Start and Back buttons, which have moved to a higher yet equally as accessible position. Not only this, but hand grips even feel slightly more curvy in the palm of your hands, which I assume is to make up for the slick plastic cover material. Make no mistake, this controller will feel a lot slicker in your hands, but not nearly enough to make you drop it or misplace a button press.


Wow, how much more time can I take away from you by writing about this? Oh, wait, at least enough to explain that the wired controller's length will definitely not be getting in your way during sessions. To prove this, I've taken a photo of the cord's length and placed Oprah (on the cover of her magazine) next to it to show you how big the length actually is. Astounding!

DO YOU SEE? DO YOU SEE HOW ABSURDLY FUCKING LONG IT IS NOW? WHERE ARE THE DOUBTERS, NAY, THE HATERS NOW!?

Overall, if you're looking for a replacement controller, and don't mind being tied to a wire, this controller is a definite must-buy. It feels as good (if not better) than the original Microsoft offering, and even manages to add awesome see-through design, 7 LED's that light up in the design's color (which help shine some light on your strategy guides), and even a slightly better d-pad.

10/10