2005 Controllers

This was the very first wireless controller released individually or included with a console and or first controllers sent out to the press in special made kits. While the grey trim would go on to be seen as the original controller, I believe these silver trims were the main production type for the first 5 months or so. It's hard to be sure as my data is limited to what I can find, so this isn't exact information. Considering I can only find silver-trim controllers with 2005 serials, this is the conclusion I came to, right or wrong.

What makes this different is the glossy dark-silver trim, otherwise, it's all the same as the grey trim controller. It has a standard off white shell for the front and back, white start/back, sync, LB/RB buttons and white triggers. Has a glossy white top trim with 'Microsoft' engraved, then grey thumbsticks, d-pad and the standard non-shiny guide button. It has a matching white battery cover(included with all controllers) and if bought separately a matching white rechargeable battery pack that utilizes the top port to plug and and keep playing while gaming. The ABXY buttons have continued the same scheme from the first generation Xbox controller of; A = Green, B = Red, X = Blue, Y = Yellow.

The other reason I decided to list this as its own variation is the last 3 digits of the part number(-004 or -006) is unique to this controller only. This is the best way to prove it's an original silver trim as some pictures could be too dark, or too bright to be able to fully tell. I'm unsure why there are 2 part numbers, but the -006s do only seem to have been produced in 2006. The -004s do go into 2006 as well, so it adds to the confusion a bit.

I like how the trim looks, but have noticed it scratches easier(at least easier to see them). Perhaps it was a good choice for Microsoft to switch to matte grey as it's much harder to notice scratches/scuffs.

If it was released in a console bundle or from a press kit, it had a front and back sticker. The press kits were given in a metal briefcase and included a bunch of goodies such as; wifi adapter, wireless headset, play and charge cable with rechargeable battery, a memory card and a universal remote. Individual retail packaging won't always have a serial sticker on the packaging, the package part number will end in -01, and the controller will only have a back sticker.

• As far as manufacturing time for this controller, the earliest ending serial I have found is 542, and latest is 612. The very earliest wired retail serial ends in 535, so it's possible the wireless could be the same and have been made as early as week 35 of 2005. But until I see an image of that, it's pure speculation. Either way, It's a 22 week manufacture run at the minimum for the silver trims.

*Interesting side fact, the same silver trim can be found randomly on the Radon wireless prototypes from 2005(529). It's possible the silver trim was seen as a premium for wireless controllers since the wired controllers that were included with the cheaper no HDD 360 consoles only have ever been spotted with the normal grey trim.

*The grey trim is considered an original release controller, but I'm not even sure any of them were made in 2005. The earliest serial I have found is 614, and while I'm sure there could be earlier. It lines up pretty close to the latest serial I could find for the silver trim(612). So it's possible these took over the silver trim production, making it closer to a mid-2006 release for these controllers. Because it's just a guess with limited data, I won't change the release dates above. But it is something I wanted to make note of.

It’s an off white with grey accents matching the console scheme, has a non-shiny guide button, grey thumbsticks, d-pad, top/bottom input ports and a matte grey bottom trim. Then it has a white start/back, bumpers, sync, and triggers. Along with a glossy white trim on top with the word “Microsoft” engraved in the middle. It also has a matching white battery cover(included with all controllers) and if bought separately a matching white rechargeable pack that utilizes the top port to plug and and keep playing while gaming. The ABXY buttons have continued the same scheme from the first generation Xbox controller of; A = Green, B = Red, X = Blue, Y = Yellow.

The controller itself ended up with a high amount of part numbers and all the board variations from WKS368 to the latest 1403 board. I have listed all the part numbers that I have found above. But that means not every white/grey controller will feel the same, the later 1403 controllers have a more audible/cheaper feel click to the LB/RB buttons, and the sticks are more likely to drift. The differences could also be why I've seen arguments that 360 controllers are more durable than the XB1 controllers, while others argue the opposite.

The packaging also had a few variations, mostly small, minor changes. In late 2008, early 2009 the biggest change was getting rid of the green top trim for all white, and added an orange LIVE logo next to the 360 logo. Also changed the batteries to Duracell. This controller only ever came in blister plastic packaging, never cardboard like seen in the later 2010 black controller that came with the new Slim consoles in which that controller also took over this one as the default scheme.

This was the original release wired controller, and the very first serial that I have found to be retail ready is 535. Making the first manufacture on the week of August 29th, 2005. There are a few controllers below 535, but they are clearly not retail ready as they were missing a part number.

Everything is the same as the white/grey wireless, minus an attached 9.7ft USB cord with a break away at the end. Because it doesn't need batteries, it also has a smooth backing instead of a protruded battery compartment section and the sync button isn't there as it connects simply when plugging it in. The controller shell is an off white front and back(matte), a fully grey cord, and a glossy white trim on top with 'Microsoft' engraved. It then has a non-shiny guide button, white start/back buttons, bumpers, triggers and the regular colour ABXY buttons(Green, Red, Blue, Yellow). Then some more grey accents of grey thumbsticks, d-pad and a matte grey bottom-trim piece.

Unlike the wireless, I have never seen a wired with a silver trim, so there shouldn't be any out there unless it's some form of prototype that hasn't been found/seen.

The interesting thing about wired 360 controllers is the screws are the regular philips screws vs the T8 security screws the wireless controllers use. I’m also unsure of the type of boards used in wired controllers, so it's why I don't mention it. It's possible they got the same changes as the wireless boards over the years, but it's hard to say/tell.

Another interesting thing to note is the Krypton prototypes didn't have a ferrite shielding bulge(technically should be called bead) on any part of the wire. A ferrite shield helps protect from any outside interference to the cable. The later retail ready controller had a ferrite bead near the top of the cord and then another at the very end on the breakaway section. Sometime in very late 2007, Microsoft removed the ferrite bead at the breakaway section, leaving all future wired controllers(including the 2010 black) to now only have 1 ferrite bead. I guess they felt that was all that was needed, and I'm sure it helped save money not putting 2 per controller.