I recently purchased a preowned Messenger kit from Game after receiving a lot of messages whilst I was on the x-box, it used to take me literally 15 minutes to write even the smallest message using the joystick and on screen keypad! Now I have the messenger kit, it makes everything so much easier, and not just for using msn or writing messages, but also for use in game, as it can be used to type in names and details in some games, not a large use and certainly not reason alone to buy one, but it's a nice function anyway.

The buttons are quite small, no problem for my small girly fingers, but I know my partner has occasionally complained about the size of them for him, the keypad also includes function buttons for accessing your messenger quickly too, a nice feature.

Secondary functions are accessed by pressing the green or orange button which enables the keypad to have as many symbols etc. as possible without having to scroll through the evil on screen keypad! I've noticed this can be a little glitchy though sometimes, for example when I use the green symbols, I sometimes get the orange ones as well, so I often need to check my messages before I send them. Only a niggling annoyance, but odd all the same.

The messenger keypad slots into the joypad between the two side parts which you hold in your hand, and sits quite comfortably there too, it doesn't really affect your grip or comfort which is good.

I'm unsure if it affects the battery life however, I haven't noticed any difference (I use the rechargable battery packs) but it would seem logical that it would drain the power a little faster.

A nice little extra for those who often likes to talk whilst gaming. :)