Microsoft is planning to release a new controller for the Xbox 360 this coming November according to a company announcement made earlier this week.

The new controller design will wave goodbye to the colourful look of the original Xbox 360 controller, instead incorporating a sleek looking gray and black finish, with even the buttons now different shades of gray.

The biggest change to the new controller isn’t reserved to aesthetics though, it’s found in the D-pad. The reason for this is that many gamers have complained about the D-pad on the old Xbox 360 controller, some preferring a raised (plus) button design while others preferred the lowered (disc) design.

Utilising the new design however, gamers can now twist the D-pad’s disc to either raise or lower the directional buttons. This can be useful for different kinds of games as well as different types of gamers.

It will be released on the 9th of November in the United States and will only be offered in a bundle with Microsoft’s Play and Charge kit. The bundle is retailing for $64.99 in the states which translates to about R480 locally.

The controller is slated for a February 2011 release in Europe (and presumably South Africa).

Check out this video to see exactly how the new D-Pad will work.