Microsoft unveils Big Button Pad for casual gamers

The controller won't initially be available on its own, rather four of them will be included with the upcoming Scene It game on Xbox 360. The title is an adaptation of the highly popular DVD trivia game and will debut later this year for $60, including the four controllers.

[Bill Gates]

"Big Button Pad".....HAHAHAHHAHA

way to win the crowd M$......HAHAHAHAHAHA

[DrRage77]

quit being a typcial fanboy...how is a new game controller for a specific game something to laugh at or make a stupid comment on?? plus, FOUR of them will come with the game Scene-it, and will be priced at the same price all games are priced at. plus, this controller will probably be used for alot of upcoming games that focus on party games and stuff like that...but someone like you probably doesn't even have that many friends to be able to play with more than one person...yourself

people like you really make dumb comments and then think they are being clever somehow....wow, everyone is impressed with you...congrats on making your way to yet another ignore list!

[ALI G]

..............

[ArduousAndy]

your just an idiot. Why do you even comment. Just leave.

[ReBurn]

Then when they do something different it is more of the same. I welcome party games to the 360. This shows that they are serious about taking the Wii on for family entertainment. There's a lot of money to be made by catering to the casual gamer.

I'm glad to see this. I hope this type of thing spreads throughout the industry.

[Crazyglues]

That thing looked stupid as hell, and I don't know what fool would want to use that thing.

This reminds me of that board game you buy in case company comes over you will have something to play.

But then you end up never using it, because it's just seems too stupid - so you never whip it out.

This was like Microsoft's answer to go after the Wii consumers, just one problem, this sucks.

[DrRage77]

so i guess this sucks because microsoft came out with it and not sony?

it's one thing to say that you are not interested in party games at all and don't like the game scene-it, but you really are only saying "it sucks" without really giving any type of explanation for it. if single-player games are your only interest, then fine, but there are lot of people out there that enjoy playing party games with their friends when they are over. why do you think the wii is selling like crazy?? they are known for party games and have gone after that market aggressively.

i am not going to rip on you for your comment, but i just think it's a little more constructive if you give a valid reason other than "that thing looked stupid as hell, and I don't know what fool would want to use that thing"

[Crazyglues]

I won't argue about your point because you have a very valid point indeed.

I could have gave a good reason but I was just saying for me, I found it stupid that Microsoft would try to catch up to the Wii with something like this that seems on the surface a last minute idea to try to cash in on players they didn't know where out there playing games.

It seems clear that Nintendo has found it's users and caters to them very well.

Of course this is just my opinion as other's will have their's - I in no way shape or form control what is bought or sold by consumers, and was just saying for me and gamers like me I think this is a lost cause , mainly because I think serious gamers buy 360's and PS3's who wants to pay 400 dollars and up for a system to play kid like games.

So if you disagree, no problem fair enough we will both see how it sells. I respect your opinion, I just don't agree that it's a good idea. (bubbles for you for just stating your opinion and not attacking because you don't agree, thats the way all discussions should be)

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

This isn't the Wii-mote and they are not trying to market it as such. You just see it that way because you favor Sony and hate MS and well... you are just downright dumb.

[DethWish]

Actually Sony already has a controller that looks just like that except for bigger buttons for their Buzz game. A game which is also a quiz btw.

So this is just a straight-off copy by microsoft

[cdzie1]

This was the only innovative thing they showed, everything else we already knew about. Even the live arcade games were blah…

[unsunghero28]

I appreciate that MS is trying to catch some of the enormous gust of wind that has been sailing Nintendo's boat, but this is a pretty goofy way to do it. IMO, it would have been just as good playing with a regular 360 controller where on the screen different answers are mapped to the 4 different buttons that are on the right side of the controller.

So, essentially, while it might be a (very very very) small step in the right direction, there's no way that people will honestly debate "Hmmm... Should I go for the 4 button controller with Scene It! or that motion sensing controller that can measure tilt, IR, and acceleration?"

-EDIT-
Also, Viva Pinata looked good, but pretty amateur ("50 plus minigames!") next to Raving Rabbids 2.

[ALI G]

...................

[rusgreim]

Its to make Wii-type casual gaming more appealing to users who already have a 360.

For example, my wife will never play Halo, but she enjoys many of the arcade titles. We play board games and Catch Phrase with 2 of the couples we are friends with and Scene It would be a neat game to play with them, this will add another layer of interactivity for the 360.

[DrRage77]

that is another great point that people really should look at. the game Scene-it, along with the 4 controllers that come with it, are in incredible value at $60, especially since you are not required to buy seperate xbox360 controller in order to play this game. if you only have 1 or 2 controllers at home, you only need to buy this game and then have fun with your friends or your whole family playing this game at holidays or birthday parties and those kinds of things. there is no added cost to getting the game and inviting over 3 friends...you buy the game, get 4 free controllers with it, and play!

[Shadow Flare]

BIG BUTTON PAD??? Uh microsoft, it's called the BUZZ! controller and you ripped it off the ps2

Be original and stop playing it safe you conglomorate pig
Sincerely Shadow

[DrRage77]

omg, can we stop with this stupid stuff? do you want to start this whole thing of a company ripping off an idea?? hey, how about adding a harddrive to a game console??? i believe microsoft was the FIRST to do this, and sony goes and rips it off from them...congrats. now that we have moved past that point, how about commenting on if you like the idea of getting 4 free controllers that come with a game so you don't have to go out and buy more just to play?

i think microsoft is going in the right direction with this, and we know there will be more games coming that use these controllers. to start flaming on free controllers and a party game is absolutely childish

[jadura450]

But calling that controller innovative... is.... well.... wrong.

I mean, Microsoft is doing something really new, and good for them. But with the way this controller looks, it's like they just like they thought giving people a remote-shaped object would make anyone bask in the glory that is Microsoft.

So yeah, I agree with Unsung because they could of (and should of) just used the XBox 360 controller for Scene It, cause besides more Scene It sequels, I doubt it's going to be used that often.

[Silver Bull3t]

I like it. When my parents come over they won't be intimidated by that thing. Older guys with parents in their late 50s early 60s didn't grow up using remotes and control pads. This is the right way to entice them into playing a game. When I hand them a controller now they look at it like WTF?...

[00]

pretty cool that it comes free with the game.

[360Sheep]

so is this M$'s answers to eye of judgement???

edit..

haha.. mmmm i love the smell of wet panties. Maybe i should rephrase my question, is this M$ trying to broaden their gaming type library? Like Sony is with eye of judgement, eyedentify, singstar, lbp, things of that nature. Its ok, I'm sure you will enjoy the button pressing of a trivia game, and you are right, i guess i am just trying to get peoples guard up, it shouldn't work, but it does, and thats what makes it funny.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

eye of judgment is a collectable card game geeks wet dream for sure...but it is a VERY niche game....

Scene-It is a movie based trivia game that is suited for everyone...

How can you possibly try and make such a stupid comparison of the two games? They are completely different? MS is not trying to match eye of judgement with Scene-it.

Get a grip and stop trying to make everything a flame war !

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I loved the Scene-it games....and having it on Xbox w/ the ability to download new content....This game is going to be a great party game for the whole family...and its really the first game I can say anyone can play on the 360.

Nice job MS.

[RelloC]

great party/family night game, can't wait for xbox version. live would be sweet.

[Emmo]

This will sell well in the UK and I for one will buy it. So what if it is a rip off of the Buzz controler, who cares, the 360 needs these types of games. I have all the Buzz games on the PS2, they are a big hit with our friends who don't own a games machine.

Games like Scene It, Buzz and Singstar are all good for gaming, they sell machines to a wider market and with a larger console base, come new developers, thus new IPs.

It's all good

[Why o why]

http://buzzps2.co.uk/

Well done ms. This is how you innovate but on a serious note these types of games should not be frowned upon. These types of games get a different demographic to want any console even last gens ps2 tut tut

Emmo, i agree, funny how gamepro didnt even mention buzz, ar well

[MaximusPrime]

that is clearly PS Buzz controller. Microsoft stolen it!

btw: it is crap.

[Pika-pie]

MS announce the big button pad.. Nintendo announce the Balance Board.

Hmmmmm, who deserves the credit. This is a really really awfull idea from MS, their innovation manager wants firing.

[PS3n360]

Casual gamers are not mentally challenged they dont need something like this to attract them. OMFG I am shaking my head on this one. i wouldnt let that thing within 100 feet of my 360.

[30ROCK]

Everyone has a DVD player. Couldn't they play Scene It! on their 360s anyway?

And this Scene It? which casuals will disregard in favour of the real game requires a huge entry fee - the 360! The DVD version is much cheaper than a 360 game too, like HALF PRICE!

Buzz was clever - Buzz you can't get somewhere else. Scene It? with a new game modes as added extras is moronic.

Omg, this, Viva Pinata Party Animals (unpopular franchise turned into mini-games on a hardcore console which ignored the VP title, and mini-games!) and the Puker special edition console are possibly the 3 worst things MS has done this E3.

[PT Fone Home]

I think this is a good idea by MS. They are trying to appeal to a different type of gamer, the more casual gamer that doesn't want to site around a play Forza for 3 hours a night to get the best laptime. The best way to do this is through peripheral based games like Guitar Hero, Rock band, singstar, Buzz/Scene....

I know I will buy this game. These type of games are great after a few drinks on the weekend with your mates.