Broken Xbox 360 transformed into a PlayStation 3 arcade stick

In 2005, the Xbox360 was the only next-gen system on the market. Microsoft’s head-start on the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii (both which would launch a year later) helped the company cement a presence in living rooms. When its competitors finally left the gate in the fall of 2006, the system had completed its first lap – receiving a second wave of big-name titles. Unfortunately, a hardware defect countered the generally impressive launch and has plagued the system since.

Dubbed the “Red Ring of Death,” the malfunction essentially renders the console unplayable. However, one modder found a new use for his broken Xbox360. And it’s not a door stop.

PS3Crunch posted the pics of the invention via game blog Kotaku, which spoke to Morris, the Australian mastermind behind the impressive mod to discover creating a controller out of a busted console is cost-prohibitive.

In other words, don’t expect him to build one for you.

Still, it’s nice to see such ingenuity and humor from the modding community. Though fanboys may cheer or jeer (depending on the side of course) over turning a useless 360 into a useful PS3 controller, an objective observer should note the workmanship and effort put into the project. It’s also fairly ironic considering Sony’s present predicament due to modders and hackers.

Somehow, we doubt Morris will receive any ill words from Sony for using an unlicensed peripheral with the PlayStation 3. Microsoft, on the other hand, may not approve.