In my opinion I think this new controller has about as much of a purpose as this stupid looped video above. I have played all sorts of game genres and the only type of game with the exception of fighting games that the d-pad showed a problem is in 2d side scroll games. Did they really need to make a whole new unit for such a small problem? Most gamers who play fighting games have already bought some other means of kicking ass without this crap.
So lets say that this controller needed to be made. Do the small amount of people who need it really need to buy a bundle with a play and charge kit that most people will not use just to get it? I think not. I don’t have a problem with LIVE going up, but I do have a problem with pointless peripherals at such a high cost for such a small group of people.