Power A has come up with some new controllers for the Xbox 360 which incorporate some much needed design changes in them. We were able to get a look at the Air Flo Controller and the Mini Pro EX.

The Air Flo controller has an ergonomic design and soft touch grips which allows it to fit more comfortably in your hands. There is a cooling fan built into the controller which circulates air out through the grip which actually does manage to keep the hands cool and sweat free. A problem that usually occurs with normal Microsoft controllers, is when the buttons get sticky and sometimes get stuck, or feel weird when pressed, but the Air Flo controllers never had that problem and made playing games more enjoyable and less of a problem.

The air vents, along with the action buttons, are illuminated which made it easier to play in the lower lighting conditions of game playing sessions. If you are like me, then you love to play by the light of the LCD screen so this was a major bonus.

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The Mini Pro EX also has illuminated action buttons but no cooling fan. It has a more compact design which, oddly enough, allowed for quicker control of the joysticks and faster mashing on the buttons. I did notice a slight improvement in my game and was definitely my favorite of the two.

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Both controllers use a 10ft/3m USB cable to connect to the Xbox 360 which I first thought would be a bother but the length is more than ample enough to forget about considering the advantages of the illuminated buttons and cooling fan. The cord has a quick release feature so it doesn’t pull the Xbox 360 off the shelf when someone trips over it.

The feel of the controllers sort of makes it seem like they were designed more for FPS games than anything else. When it came to sports games, the looser analog sticks made it a little more difficult to play at first but after a few hours I was used to it and was back on track. So, that might mean no jumping back and forth from the original Xbox 360 controllers to the Power A controllers unless you want your thumbs in constant control confusion.

Both controllers have, of course, dual rumble motors.

Will the Air Flo or Mini Pro EX illuminated buttons improve your game? Perhaps, maybe slightly but you’ll look cool doing it anyway. However, the grip and the air vent technology could just give you that slim edge needed to frag that pesky idiot that’s always trying to snipe you in the back. For sure!

Air Flo Key Features

Officially licensed for Xbox 360

Patented Air Flo technology and illuminated vents keep your grip cool

Built-in 2-speed cooling fan circulates up to 3.4 cubic feet of air per minute

Ergonomically designed for comfort

Dual rumble motors for an enhanced gaming experience

Soft-touch grips around cooling vents

Illuminated action buttons and air vents

Attached 9.8 ft/3m cable with inline release

Mini Pro Ex Key Features

Officially licensed ergonomic controller with attached 10ft/3m cord with break-away design.

All the features in a compact design, ideal for any player.

Convenient Xbox Live button and audio/headset slot on the controller.

Dual rumble motors for an enhanced gaming experience.

Colorful glowing action buttons can be switched off.

The Power A Air Flow Controller will set you back $39.99 and the Mini Pro Ex Controller $31.99.