I found a standard Controller S down in my basement that features the same translucent green wiring that the original Duke controller had. It also has what looks to be a much earlier serial number. This makes me wonder... Did Microsoft revise the controller at all, or were they just using up the rest of the old wire?
Pretty sure no significant changes were done between the two. The only significant difference in all S controllers I think is the japanese one have different buttons with inset lettering.
Early Xbox Duke and S controllers were made in Malaysia by 'Mitsumi' and have translucent green wires:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsumi Mitsumi have manufactured some of the best controllers ever made, but I think whoever choose that translucent green wire (Microsoft?) made a bad choice, as most of the time it ends up becoming horribly twisted/rippled/warped. Microsoft changed controller manufacturer part way through the Xbox's lifespan, and later Xbox Controller S were made in China by 'Foxlink' and have solid black wires (Foxlink now also manufacture the Xbox 360 controllers in China) If you go to Foxlink's homepage and watch the banner at the top for long enough:- http://www.foxlink.com/ You will see two guys playing with green and blue Xbox Controller S which they manufactured. The slagcoin Controller PCB Diagrams clearly show some of the PCB/manufacturing differences, although note that there is an error as they have mixed up the labelling for the 'Early Version' and 'Late Version' Controller S. Early Xbox Duke Controller made by Mitsumi in Malaysia:- http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/pcb_diagrams/xbox_diagram2.jpg Early Xbox Controller S made by Mitsumi in Malaysia:- http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/pcb_diagrams/xbox_diagram3.jpg (Note the twisted/rippled translucent green wire) Late Xbox Controller S made by Foxlink in China:- http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/pcb_diagrams/xbox_diagram4.jpg (If you look carefully you will notice this controller has had the breakaway cable replaced at some point with an older green version)
