Can I use my Xbox 360 controller to play PC games?

I bought the Prince of Persia trilogy games yesterday at a garage sale and I want to play them asap! I remember them being great on the PS2.

Can I use my Xbox 360 controller with my laptop? Would I need to buy a converter of some kind? I'm automatically assuming I need to use a wired controller, so share any info on that.

Solution 1:

Wired Xbox360 controllers can be used on your PC simply by plugging them in.

Wireless controllers can be used on your PC if you buy a Wireless Gaming Receiver. (You can't use a Play and Charge cable, unfortunately. They only power/recharge the controller, they don't carry data.) One receiver lets you use up to four controllers.

Solution 2:

If you have a wired Xbox 360 Controller, it can be used by both Windows and your Xbox 360. You should install the software:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/productdetails.aspx?pid=091

As far as I know, you don't need the specific "PC" version of the Xbox 360 controller--they're actually the same hardware.

Then either play a game that supports the controller directly (many of the newer games stamped with "Games for Windows") or you will need to install a 3rd party program to "emulate" a typical joystick from your Xbox 360 controller, such as Pinnacle Game Profiler.

Check out a guide here:

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Your-Xbox-360-Controller-for-Windows