The Xbox 360 game console, developed by Microsoft, features a number of first-party and third-party accessories.

Game controllers/Gamepads

Xbox 360 controllers

Up to four controllers are able to connect to Xbox 360, including wired and wireless gamepads. The wireless controllers run on either AA batteries (Alkaline or rechargeable) or on a rechargeable battery pack. The wired controllers may be connected to any of the USB ports on the console (the number of ports depends on model: old-style 360s have two at the front and one on the rear, while Xbox 360 S units have two at the front and three at the rear), or to a USB hub. USB keyboards are also supported, but only for inputting text and navigating the dashboard; additionally, the number pad and hotkeys are non-functional. The original first-generation Xbox controllers are not compatible with the Xbox 360. The controller is also compatible with PCs, though wireless controllers will need the Wireless Gaming Receiver. The Xbox 360 controller has been used in the United States and British militaries. The Xbox 360 controller has vibration feedback which is limited to titles using the new XInput API, however, unlike the first Xbox, the face buttons are not analog.

Wireless Gaming Receiver

While PS3 and Wii wireless controllers use Bluetooth for connectivity (and can be used with Bluetooth-equipped personal computers with appropriate software), Xbox 360 wireless accessories communicate over a proprietary 2.4 GHz protocol. In order to accommodate this, Microsoft released the Wireless Gaming Receiver (sold as "Crossfire Wireless Gaming Receiver" in the UK), which allows wireless Xbox 360 accessories to be used on a Windows-based PC. Most Xbox 360 wireless accessories are supported, including standard controllers, racing wheels (without force-feedback), headsets and guitar controllers. The adapter was first revealed at E3 2006 and released on February 16, 2007.

The device acts in a similar manner to an Xbox 360, allowing up to four controllers and four headsets at a time to be connected to the receiver. The device has a 30-foot (10 meter) range and a six-foot (2 meter) USB cable. It is specifically designed to work with games bearing the "Games for Windows" logo, but will function with most games that permit a standard PC gamepad. The official Xbox website noted that the adapter will work with "all future wireless devices". However, it is worth noting that the racing wheel does not currently have force feedback support.

One of the issues with using wireless controllers is that there is no way (with the standard Microsoft Xbox controller drivers) to turn the controllers off unless the batteries are removed from the controller or a third-party application is used. Also an issue that has arisen from this product is the amount of power in which the receiver draws. There have been many reports that the receiver will work for days, weeks, or couple of months then fail to "receive" the signal from the Xbox 360 controller. This issue has been solved in a number of ways by end users depending on where the damage from the excess power has manifested itself—in some cases simply purchasing a powered hub (which typically can provide a higher current than a PC port) will fix the issues while in others it may be necessary to work around a blown internal fuse.

In the US, Microsoft has stopped producing the stand-alone receiver and it is increasingly difficult to find in stores or online. The "Wireless Controller for Windows" bundle includes the receiver for a higher price, but is still available.

The Microsoft LifeChat ZX-6000 wireless headset for PC includes a black version of the receiver which works with Xbox 360 wireless accessories.

The Alienware Alpha PC includes an Xbox 360 controller and receiver.

Controller accessories

Rechargeable Battery Pack

The Rechargeable Battery Pack for the Xbox 360 controller contains two AA nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries inside a sealed casing, with a custom connector on the rear to allow charging through the Xbox 360 controller itself. The pack provides up to 25 hours of continuous gaming for the wireless controller. It is recommended in place of disposable AA batteries, due to the replacement cost (in both economic and environmental terms). It also ships as part of both the Play & Charge Kit and Quick Charge Kit. An upgraded version of the Rechargeable Battery Pack, which provides up to 35 hours of gameplay if using the Play & Charge Kit or 40 hours of gameplay if using the Quick Charge Kit, is included with "transforming d-pad" wireless controllers.

To fully charge a battery pack takes approximately 2 hours with the Quick Charge Kit; the Play & Charge Kit takes longer (and depends on whether the controller is being used).

Third party rechargeable battery pack kits are also available. Although the official rechargeable battery pack is NiMH, the normal (AA) battery casing states "Use only Alkaline battery, type AA (LR6)".

Play & Charge Kit The Play & Charge Kit contains a rechargeable battery pack and a USB charging cable. Use of the charging cable does not affect the functionality of the controller, and may be used without interruption to game play. The Play & Charge cable also allows use of a wireless controller without a battery pack. When doing so, Microsoft recommends using a AA pack (empty) to avoid damage to the exposed battery compartment.Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit - xbox.com When connected, the controller does not act as a wired controller, but continues to communicate with the console or receiver wirelessly; data is sent via USB to the host only to allow automatic syncing and to initiate charging and does not send controller input data. As a result, the cable need not be plugged into the console or computer the controller is being used with — any convenient powered USB port may be used. The Play & Charge Kit will also automatically sync the controller to a Wireless Gaming Receiver when both are plugged into a Windows computer.

The original Play & Charge Kit contains generic 2100 mAh AA (LR6) NiMH cells. Such cells are readily available in 4 packs up to 3000 mAh, with 2000–2600 mAh batteries being common.

Alongside the release of the Xbox 360 S in June 2010, Microsoft started shipping a "transforming d-pad controller" with an improved Play & Charge Kit and an upgraded rechargeable battery pack. The original Play & Charge Kit provided up to 25 hours of play, the improved Play & Charge Kit provided up to 35 hours of play.

Quick Charge Kit The Quick Charge Kit is a small base station that charges up to two rechargeable battery packs and does so in less time than the Play and Charge Kit. It comes with a dual-charger and one rechargeable battery pack. It takes 2 hours for each of 2 rechargeable battery packs to be fully charged. A light on the unit is used to indicate status, showing green when it is finished charging/fully charged and red when charging is in progress.

Alongside the release of the Xbox 360 S in June 2010, Microsoft started shipping an improved Quick Charge Kit with two upgraded rechargeable battery packs. The original Quick Charge Kit gave up to 25 hours of play to the original rechargeable battery packs, the improved Quick Charge Kit gave up to 40 hours of play to the upgraded rechargeable battery packs.

Messenger Kit

On September 4, 2007, Microsoft released a small keyboard accessory called the Chatpad to coincide with the launch of Xbox Live Windows Live Messenger on Xbox 360. It was released in white and black colors as part of the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit, which also includes a wired headset. This is partly due to the fact that older Xbox 360 wired headsets cannot connect to the Chatpad due to the side pins. The Chatpad connects to the controller via two power pins and a UART interface located on the front of the controller (wireless or wired), as well as the 2.5 mm jack for headset compatibility.

Although the Chatpad can be used to communicate with people that are on Xbox Live and Windows-based PCs (via Windows Live Messenger), Microsoft never provided drivers to make the Chatpad itself work with a PC. There was no official word when, if ever, a driver would be released. However, there were some attempts at a workaround.

Originally since the Chatpad has a connector for wired headset compatibility, when connected to a controller the Chatpad is detected as a wired headset. As a result, the controller could not be paired with a wireless headset since wired headsets take precedence over wireless ones in the systems software. This has been since fixed via software updates and all functions now operate normally.

The Chatpad can also be used in certain games for text input.

USB HID-compliant keyboards can be plugged directly into the console to perform the same function.

Universal Media Remote

There are two official versions of the Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote and a number of unofficial ones. The first official media remote is the shorter version of the Universal Media Remote that can be bought at retail. It was supplied at launch with the Xbox 360 Pro, and replaces the Xbox 360 Wired Headset in the Australian and Mexican Xbox 360 Pro consoles, as well as the Brazilian official pack. These were sold in limited quantities. The second official media remote is longer, and includes number keys. It was also sold in retailers as a standalone product. All remotes can assist in the playing of DVD movies and music (although the console can play such media without the remote), while the Universal Media Remote offers more function by having the ability to serve as a control for a number of TVs or Windows Media Center-based PC. All remotes allow basic control of games, along with being able to navigate the dashboard. The remote control allows for controlling portions of the interface of the Xbox 360 via infrared.

Media Remote

In late 2011, Microsoft replaced the Universal Media Remote with a redesigned model called the Xbox 360 Media Remote. The new remote is black rather than white, and is designed to more closely resemble Xbox 360 Elite and Xbox 360 S consoles. The Media Remote is also capable of controlling the power and volume of various TV sets. Unlike the Universal Media Remote, the Xbox 360 runs on AAA batteries.

Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel

The Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel was introduced by Microsoft at E3 2006. Released in November 2006, the force feedback steering wheel controller includes the standard gamepad buttons and floor-mounted accelerator and brake pedals. Although the wheel is capable of running off the rechargeable battery pack, use of the force feedback and active resistance features requires an external AC adapter.

A limited edition of the force feedback wheel included the racing game Project Gotham Racing 3. There is also a "Hardcore Pack" for Test Drive Unlimited which makes the driving more realistic.

On August 22, 2007, Microsoft published a press release on Xbox.com saying that they will retrofit all the Wireless Racing Wheels for free that were manufactured from 2006 to 2007. This is due to a component in the wheel chassis that in rare cases may overheat and fail when the AC adapter is used to power the wheel. Users had to ship their wheel back to Microsoft for repair or replacement.

When the price of this accessory was dropped to $99, it was discontinued in November 2007.

Other wheels include the Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo S Racing Wheel, which features force feedback, 6-speed shifter, sequential shifter and clutch pedal, and the Mad Catz Dale Earnhardt Jr./NASCAR Racing wheel.

Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel

The Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel was released by Microsoft on September 26, 2011.