MS stops bundling chunky Xbox pad

Microsoft in Europe is finally dumping the original, bulky controller from Xbox packages, 13 unlucky months after it launched to widespread criticism. The pad was of course succeeded some six months later by the much better, lighter and hand-fitting Controller S, and this will of course replace the original pad in system packages and presumably bundles.

However much we like beating them up about the original pad (flame away), this is a welcome move, eliminating the final few quid we'd spend on top of the price of the console. Now it's just £129.99 - no memory card, no replacement pad - and then games, making Xbox the most cost effective console choice, even if you do want DVD functionality.