There’s no getting around it: Microsoft’s original Xbox 360 wireless adapter was a colossal piece of crap and a complete waste of money. It was extremely expensive at $100, and on the off occasion it would actually hold a connection it was unreliable.

Instability led to terrible latency issues that hindered high-def streaming and made multiplayer gaming problematic. It seems that even Microsoft is aware of the issues, because the publishing giant has decided to replace the hundred dollar paperweight with the Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter. In a stunning turn of events, the N Adapter is not only improved, but completely worth the price.

It’s a shame that wireless access to Xbox Live still costs an extra 100 bones, especially when the Wii and PlayStation 3 have had it integrated since day one at no additional cost.

But if you absolutely have to connect to Xbox Live — and if you own an Xbox 360, why wouldn’t you? — there isn’t a better option. The new Wireless N Adapter is still an exorbitantly expensive peripheral, but its substantial improvements make it as reliable as any Ethernet cable. I had no trouble pulling high-def video down from the Xbox Live Marketplace; buying downloadable content didn’t take any longer than a wired connection; and I suffered no issues while playing Modern Warfare 2, Borderlands or the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 beta in the last few weeks of tinkering with the device.

Like the last adapter, the N hardware plugs into your Xbox 360’s rear USB input and snugly clips onto the console. I’m no networking wizard, but I have to assume that the extra antenna packs an extra punch when it comes to connecting efficiently. I’ll be honest, though — for all I know the double-rod antennae is made to make it resemble a rabbit. The black, matte finish helps it blend in flawlessly with my Elite console, and even though it’s surrounded by the wooden walls of my entertainment center — any nearby obstruction killed any hope of connecting with the original hardware — things ran buttery smooth 100 percent of the time.

It’s still hard to recommend a $100 piece of tech when I personally believe it should be a mandatory piece of the console to begin with, but I can’t complain about the quality of the Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter. I don’t need to run another wire behind my television, and I can’t tell the difference. It’s quick, and capable of letting me clearly chat in a party of eight people while downloading Xbox Live content. You can’t really ask for more out of  it from a performance standpoint.

Now let’s work on trimming the price down a bit, eh?