The basic, default controller that comes with the XBox 360 core unit is the wired controller. This controller is much smaller than the standard XBox controller was.

For control items, you start with the standard blue X, yellow Y, red B and green A buttons. There are two thumbsticks, one on the upper left and one in the center right. There is also a directional (d-pad) in the lower left.

Next, you have a pair of shoulder buttons at the "top" of the unit, up above the other buttons. You also have a pair of triggers below those shoulder buttons.

Finally, you have a center X button that can be used to turn the console on and off, plus a "start" and "back" tiny white buttons on either side of it.

The unit is relatively light, compared to the other console systems. The wire is grey and is 9' long, so that gives you a reasonable distance to sit from the console unit. Still, wireless of course is FAR superior because you can sit at any angle, and have people come and go without tripping on wires.

Certainly this is a good enough item to get you started, and I definitely suggest you have at least one of these on hand for when your batteries die on the wireless unit.

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