Joystiq is reporting on a rumor that might mean the end of the digital blob Microsoft has been calling a "d-pad" since the console's launch. It has been mostly problematic specifically for fighters but even platformers are a chore on the system.

The new controller, says Joystiq, will improve on the directional pad's design similar to what was done to a special Europe-only controller that was bundled with Pro Evo 2009. I'm sure everyone out there has plenty of controllers lying around, but are you guys willing to drop another $50 bones on a 360 pad that will finally let you throw Ryu's hadouken's with ease?