Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit

10 Review to this product

• 

  Lisa Shea
  November 26th, 2005 on 5:05 am

  Rating

  If you have a wireless controller for your XBox 360, then you MUST get a play and charge unit. This unit lets you recharge your wireless controller – and you can even play while you do it!

  In essence, this unit is both a USB power supply for your wireless controller as well as a fully functional cable to connect your wireless controller to your XBox. This means that any time you need your wireless controller to be wired – for example because your batteries ran out – you simply use this cable to plug it into the XBox’s USB port and it now has power. It even charges while you play.

  On the other hand, let’s say you want to charge up the wireless controller and you do NOT want to play. You simply plug it into any USB port in your house, and the USB port sends power to charge it up! Yes, this can be your XBox, if you’re the type to leave it on. Maybe you’re watching a movie or listening to music with it. It doesn’t HAVE to be your XBox, though. You can plug it into your computer. Heck, when I got my iPod it came with a power box that plugs into an outlet, that has a USB hole in it. That’s how I charge up my iPod. It works just as well for this charging use.

  So I find this to be a perfect solution. If your wireless controller is low on batteries and you want to keep playing, then keep playing! You plug in the cable and are set, and the controller recharges while you play. If your wireless controller is low on batteries and you do NOT want to keep playing, then you plug the play-and-charge cable into any USB port for an ON SYSTEM and it powers up.

  I put the emphasis on the “on system” because a few people complain that the XBox has to be on in order for the wireless controller to charge. Simply put, an OFF system can’t charge. That’s a fact of electronics. Really, most homes should have some USB device turned on pretty much 24 hours a day – whether it’s your XBox, your computer, or the plug-in-the-wall iPod type power unit. It’s about as basic a charger as you could want to have, and I find it perfect!
• 

  Xbox User
  November 26th, 2005 on 7:06 am

  Rating

  This component is essential for the Xbox 360 to save on batteries.

  However, you do not need to keep the Xbox 360 on while it is recharging. Simply plug your charger into the controller and into the Xbox 360 while the Xbox is on, and then turn it off.

  Microsoft’s directions can be found here:

  Charge the battery pack
  
  Charge your Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery Pack before the first use and when it is depleted.
  
  To charge the battery pack using the charge cable
  
  1. Press the tab on the top of the AA battery pack and pull down to detach it from the controller.
  
  2. Insert the rechargeable battery pack into the battery compartment on the controller and push in to lock.
  
  Note To avoid pinching your fingers when you insert the battery pack, push only on the flat surface of the battery pack.
  
  3. Turn on the Xbox 360 console.
  
  Note If you try the below steps without turning the console on, the battery pack will not charge.
  
  4. Connect the charge cable to the charge port on the front of the controller.
  
  Important Do not connect the charge cable without a rechargeable battery pack or AA battery pack installed. This can damage the controller.
  
  5. Connect the charge cable to a controller port.
  
  6. You can now leave the console on or turn it off. In both instances, the light on the charge cable will glow red to indicate the battery is charging. When the light switches to green or off, the battery pack is fully charged.

  Enjoy!
• 

  B. Jones
  November 30th, 2005 on 12:28 am

  Rating

  You DO NOT have to have the Xbox 360 powered up to charge your controller. Simply plug the cable in while the console is on, and then shut down the machine. It will charge using a trickle charge concept. However, you MUST connect the cable to the console before powering down the system.
• 

  Wu-Tang_Assassin
  December 26th, 2005 on 8:24 pm

  Rating

  A MUST HAVE, IF YOU HAVE A WIRELESS CONTROLLER. Why go out and spend money on batteries over and over when you can spend 20 bucks for this and never pay for batteries for an 360 controller again. This isnt a waste of money, you need it. I got it for christmas and its really good. Just plugs into the top of your controller along with the new battery, then the other side plugs into the front of your Xbox, thats it. Get it!
• 

  Drewski
  December 14th, 2006 on 12:45 am

  Rating

  This thing is awesome, and cheap. Like you probably already know, it comes with the rechargeable battery. On Amazon It’s only about 4 dollars more then the rechargeable battery, alone. The thing that’s cool about this is you have a wired controller, and wireless controller in one. I don’t understand why people get the quick charge kit. You can buy a regular battery charger, and 4 batteries for LESS then that thing costs, and they will charge faster, if you get a quick charger. I have a AA battery charger that fully charges 4 AA batteries in less then 1/2 hr. The quick charge kit takes 2 hrs, for 1 battery, 4 hours for if you have 2 in there. Plus, as someone already pointed out, the play and charge DOES charge when the 360 is off. You just have to turn your 360 off while the controller is plugged in. As someone else pointed out, you don’t HAVE to use the 360. Any USB port will do. Sometimes I like having a Wired controller, this saves me from having to buy one. It doesn’t make sense to buy the quick charge kit. Get regular rechargeables. Faster charging, less money.
• 

  Luc Tran
  January 11th, 2007 on 4:40 am

  Rating

  The cord is quite long and the charge is pretty decent, and yes your xbox will continue to charge after shut down. only draw back is that if you detatch it make sure you remove it from the system or it’ll heat up your cable…
  
• 

  K. Lack
  February 19th, 2007 on 6:28 pm

  Rating

  This is the perfect accessory for your Xbox 360 wireless controllers. I don’t know how much money I spent in AA batteries before I bought this wonderful item. This nifty device charges the rechargeable battery pack (which is included with the Play & Charge Kit) in a very short time. The battery runs for a smooth 20 hours before another charge is needed. For only $15 it will save you loads!

  ***NOTE: YOU DO NOT NEED TO CHARGE THE BATTERY THROUGH YOUR XBOX 360. YOU CAN PLUG IT RIGHT INTO YOUR COMPUTER WITH THE USB CABLE AND CHARGE IT THERE.***
• 

  Michael G. Jackson
  June 13th, 2007 on 10:03 am

  Rating

  This is a great product because:

  1. You dont have to spend the extra money to get a quick charge kit.
  
  2. You still get to play while the batteries are charging.
  
  3. You’ll never need to buy batteries for you wireless controller again.
  
  4. You dont have to deal with having a backup set of wireless batteries while another dead pack is charging.

  Overall, i would say that this is a must have for the Xbox 360 wireless controller and in the long run will def save you money. If you dont mind plugging your controller in for the little time that it takes to recharge the battery pack. Which by the way is only about an hour while playing your games at the same time.
• 

  John M
  July 22nd, 2007 on 12:59 am

  Rating

  When I saw the reviews on this product were less than 5 stars I felt like I just had to put in my two cents. We haven’t tried the quick charge kit so I can’t compare this product with that one. However, we have had this product on all 3 of our wireless conrollers for about 6 months now and are very happy with them. The wireless controllers eat regular batteries. This product paid for itself in about a week. We play LIVE matches all the time and being in a heavy firefight on Rainbow Six when your batteries go out is a disaster. This product plugs into one of the USB ports on the front of your 360 and if the charge goes out you just plug in the controller to the charger and keep playing! It charges while you play too. And, the charge lasts for what seems like longer than regular batteries. Got the guitar for guitar hero plugged into the USB in the back of the console and these rechargeable cords plugged into the front.
  
  The only frustration I’ve had with the rechargeable system is that if you start up the XBOX with a controller plugged in to the charger then it becomes player 1 and the controller that you don’t have plugged in (that you just sat down on the couch with) becomes player 2 because it connects later. A very minor annoyance… you just have to get your butt off the couch and switch them.

  UPDATE: It has been over a year and these rechargables are still going strong. If you take these over to your friends’ houses make sure to mark your controller somehow or you might come home with a controller with batteries.

  UPDATE #2: Ok, two years. That is how long they lasted. The batteries quit holding a charge and one of the charge wires developed a short in it. They were used every day, so I definitely got my money’s worth. We just got replacements from Amazon last week.
• 

  Sick Daddy
  April 20th, 2008 on 8:49 pm

  Rating

  This is a must have with your 360 and a controller.

  You can plug it in via USB to your Xbox 360 and charge the included battery pack while you play your game.

  You can also remove your battery pack, and plug the cable directly to your 360 for wired gaming (so your controller won’t shut off while you are in the middle of that hired driver Forza race.

  This charges via any USB port on your 360, your computer, your cable box, or your dog (if he has included USB hub).

  I recommend buying one of these, then buying the Quick Charge Kit. Then you’ll have 2 battery packs, the quick charge dock, and a USB charge cable.