Xbox 360 Faceplate Review Part 1 (covering Faceplates from Nov 2005 - April 2006)
Written by HSDMONZ for x-scene.com

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This review continues to grow beyond the scope I had first intended. Originally, I had intended to only comment on the differences between the Stock Faceplate, with the Microsoft aftermarket Faceplates. (and there are differences) Then we started seeing some third party options like Joytech, Pelican, and MadCatz faceplates. In and around the launch of all those third party plates, we’ve had 2 released batches of TeamXtender.com Faceplates, with Chrome Plates recently made available. (not covered in this review are the TeamXtender.com Chrome Plates, and any special or limited edition faceplates handed out with games, or part of special promotions like the E3 plates, or Launch handouts, etc.) What was supposed to be at first a simple review is now one that will span a number of articles. With so many options, priced between $10-24 US, there is quite literally replacement Faceplates to suit your every mood.

[Microsoft]

The Microsoft aftermarket Faceplates are a very nice option. I purchased one of the 4 North American Launch ones that were available last November. When you examine one of the Microsoft aftermarket faceplates, and compare it to the stock faceplate, you’ll notice a number of minor differences. Some of which leads me to believe that the stock and aftermarket faceplates are made from different molds, and possibly, different manufacturers on behalf of Microsoft.

Looking at the front of the faceplates, some of the differences are quite clear. The Memory Card Slot doors lack the depressed lettering “Memory Unit A + B”, as well as the depressed 3 lines that make up the connect button indicator. Other depressions are missing including the 2 dimples near the USB door. In the case of the Blue hotrod faceplate I have, the 2 dimples are painted in place. (The dimples, some have speculated might have been potential planned areas for LED indicators on the stock plate.) What doesn’t differ, is the Spring Tension for all of memory car slots, and the USB front door.

Other indicators showing the mold differences are apparent when looking at the back of the faceplates. The aftermarket one has an official Microsoft aftermarket holofoil sticker denoting it’s authenticity. The metal plate that holds the USB door in place on the aftermarket Plate is smaller, first sign of cost cutting. The Hotrod’s Power Button is also different, being entirely clear plastic mold in one piece. (as opposed to the stock plate that is a 2 piece unit, with the inner power piece being clear, while the out piece is white plastic. Many manufacturers took this route for the aftermarket plates, clearly 2 parts are more expensive than one)

The placement and position of all of the other typical markings on molded products differ completely between the two plates. From their Microsoft Marks, to the Patent Pending marks. These are two different molds/plates.

The North American Market had 4 cosmetic variations at launch. Japan had 4, and Europe has had conflicting reports of 4 or more plates. (with some designs unique to Japan, and others lifted from the other 2 regions.) Most Microsoft aftermarket plates were unique to their markets.

The fit of the Microsoft Plates is second to none. The plate is equally as rigid as the stock, and easily applies to the 360 Case. (and just as easily comes off, something that cannot be said for many of the competing products) The Microsoft aftermarket faceplates as a good addition to your 360, assuming you find one that appeals to you. Case Modders/Painters, should note the MS plates do not have the same textured surface as the stock plate. They are smooth. (frankly.. every aftermarket faceplate is smooth.)

The Microsoft aftermarket faceplates have the same tension on springs, and well aligned doors for the USB and the Memory Card slots. (equal to the Stock faceplates in all regards.) The MS aftermarket plate reviewed also sported the first single piece Power button design I cam e across; the stock plate is a 2 piece design. (but not the last)

I can recommend the Microsoft aftermarket faceplates for their quality and workmanship. (The silver and wood designs are hideous though).

 

[Joytech]

I’d like to thank the sales/marketing staff at Joytech for sending out the review samples for this part of the review. What was sent was a nice dual pack of faceplates that at retail would be priced at the same cost as one of the Microsoft aftermarket plates. Two faceplates for the price of one, which is a good deal a lot of the time. The review samples, were actually translucent Blue and Smoke (black). What was most interesting about these particular plates, were that they were the first translucent faceplates on the market for the 360. Also interesting, they were painted on the back with a silver paint, giving the front a unique look not duplicated by any of the competitors in the market to date.

As with the Microsoft aftermarket plates, the Joytech plates have no depressed words on the memory card slot covers, and no depressions near the connection button. Oddly though, it does have the dimples near the USB door. All of the Springs are of decent tension, and the Memory Card Slot and USB door seem stable enough. (Less so than the Microsoft stock plate though.) Not so loose though to make you think it’s cheap. Joytech didn’t cut corners on the Power button, as it’s the same 2 part button design as the MS stock plate.

The rear of the pair of plates are devoid of most of the marks common to the stock plate. A definite bonus as every rise and fall in the surface on the rear of the mold shows up on the front of these panels. Attaching and removing these Joytech plates is relatively trouble free and easy. The fit is good, but not perfect. Not shown or reviewed, is solid color faceplates from Joytech.

I can recommend the Joytech faceplates for their quality, workmanship, and cosmetic appeal.

 

[Pelican]

Pelican was nice enough to send in a number of their TSZ 360 Faceplates. The one I decided to review was the black/Blue/White Camo look. While looks for this plate are nice, it comes off as a cheap knock-off. Unlike the MS and Joytech offerings, the TSZ plates have depressed writing on the memory card slots, depressed lines for the connect button, and it even has the dimples near the USB ports. In that regard, it’s a good clone of the MS stock plate. It also features a 2 part power button like the stock plates.

Where the Pelican plates lose points, is the quality. Paint was good, really good, with a nice flat (no gloss/shine). But that is where it ended. The USB door doesn’t have a metal brace supporting the door/spring mechanism. (using plastic instead) Worse, the door shifts easily, and never looks aligned. The spring tension for the USB door seems weak. In contrast, the memory doors have springs that seem to be under higher tension. However, the memory card slot doors also seem to shift about wildly. I found this to be consistent across the TSZ project line from Pelican.

The TSZ plates were the only plates reviewed that had the IR port cover that always seem misaligned. No other manufacturer has as many issues with alignment and quality in my opinion. The Pelican plates were also the first ones I have encountered, that would go on easy enough, but cause you some sweat and grief pulling them off. Granted, most people putting one of these plates on will likely not remove them. However, if you are in a mood to swap them out later, expect to do some grunting and praying as you’ll swear something was going to break during the plate removal.

I can recommend the Pelican faceplates on looks only. Quality and workmanship is lacking.

 

[Madcatz]

First, I’d like to give some credit where it’s due, I wouldn’t have a MadCatz Faceplate to review when I did if it wasn’t for OTBMODS.com/Appleguru. At the time, The Madcatz faceplates weren’t available to me locally in Canada, and sales reps for Madcatz we’re stalling. So thanks to Appleguru for bending over backwards to get me a review sample.

With that shameless plug out of the way, now it’s time to rip into the product. (Yes.., rip into the product.) The particular plate was one from a series of Official Licensed NFL faceplates. The designs are nice and as far as I know most, if not all the teams were represented. This one was the Baltimore Ravens Faceplate.

The Power button is of the 1 piece variety. Madcatz used a clear piece and paints on the front to show the power symbol. The USB door is the first drawback on the Madcatz faceplates. It sits loose, and never looks aligned. The Memory Doors are fine, tension and alignment wise. What bothers me, and really detracts from the looks of the plate is the method/procedure they used to paint the plate. When you look around all the doors, you’ll notice a messy and incomplete paint overflow. Some parts are painted, some parts aren’t, and the look is inconsistent and unprofessional looking. In some areas, it almost looks like 2 week old hooker nail polish that’s been chewed on, paints over again partially, and then chewed on again just for good measure.

The Madcatz themed faceplates might make a good gift for a sports fan, but for anyone else wanting a plate that actually looks good, these aren’t the plates you should be buying. I’ve tried to be fair, honest, and not overly harsh with this review. However, this is a cosmetic mod, and as such, if they don’t look good, then they can’t be honestly recommended.

 

[TeamXtender.com’s XCM 360 Faceplates]

We’ve seen 2 batches of TeamXtender.com XCM 360 Faceplates already, with a new Chrome Faceplates, and a 3rd Metallic batch now coming to market. I had an opportunity to review the first 2 batches over a long period of time. Both the first and second batches were all translucent. Batch #1 had Crystal Red, Blue, Green, Black, and Brown. Batch 2 had Crystal Clear, Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Purple. I’ll address the first batch.

I had high expectations for the first batch of colored translucent faceplates from Team Xtender, given their experience last Spring and summer with their XCM Xbox Cases that I had reviewed. I was disappointed on many levels. The color selection was fine for a first time out, and the first batch did come off a lot like a test batch. Brown, was the most noticeable of what I felt was an odd color selection.

The TeamXtender.com’s XCM 360 Faceplates Batch #1 featured the depressed test on the memory slots, the connect button area, and the USB dimples spots. It also features the 2 piece Power button. That’s pretty much where the good news ended for the 1st batch.

The Spring tension was fine, but the doors were all misaligned, and continue to misalign easily. The color and clarity of any plate in this batch was inconsistent when viewed going from left to right near the power button, almost to the point that I could call it cloudy. On more than one plate, the USB door popped clean off upon first inspection. Literally. I feel the reason for that issue, has to do with the poor/rushed mounting of the little metal plate that secures the USB door. On all of the remaining batch one plates, the mounting guard is poorly melted into place. Also of note, on half of the batch one plates, the power button is noticeably depressed, and not flush with it’s surrounding seam. It pushes out to the proper position once installed though. The batch one faceplates also suffer from another problem, being translucent, every detail from the mold process shows, including where molds are pressure filled. Those points, are cut off and look extremely rough. On a solid color plate, they would not be a problem, but on a translucent plate, the rough edges show as white, and look unprofessional.

For people wanting the colors available from the first batch, I feel that if they could look beyond the many shortcomings of the first batch, and get one shipped intact, they would enjoy it. Right up until they apply it to the 360. It applies fine.. but takes some work. It’s clearly a very rigid plate. The problem occurs when you try to remove it. Quite literally, these were the toughest of all the plates reviewed, to remove them. Worse, staff at TeamXtender actually recommended I use a tool to remove them safely. Not exactly what I call plug and play. Once there faceplates are installed on your 360, consider leaving them in place.

I resisted posting a review on the batch one faceplates, as word at the time had the second batch coming out in larger quantities, to replace what was already the hard to find first batch. I also had high hopes for the second batch improving on what the manufacturer knew it slipped up on in the first batch.

The 2nd Batch, with their different color scheme, mirrored the first batch mold wise. All the same depressions and marks etc. What was different, was the cloudiness that plagued the first batch, while still visible was no where near as catastrophic as it was in the first batch. It could even be easily overlooked once it was installed. What did not improve, was the depression of the power button while not installed. The metal guard on the USB doors also seem to be better mounted, and better aligned. None of the batch 2 plates had any broken doors or busted pieces from the testing process. I couldn’t say with any certainty if things were really changed or not, but the results would indicate something had improved in the manufacturing process. Batch 2 also had something else going for it, the inclusion of the DVD bezels. Color matched to their plates, they were a nice addition. Fit well.

I couldn’t honestly recommend the TeamXtender.com’s XCM 360 Batch#1 Faceplates. They failed in just about ever category.
I can recommend the TeamXtender.com’s XCM 360 Batch#2 faceplates, as they are a stark improvement over their predecessors.

 

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