With a new Xbox Series X comes a new controller, companies (but also Microsoft itself) have work to do to release cool controllers.
We need to talk about the controller for a moment. Specifically the Xbox controller. You don’t really think about it much, but such a controller can be very important. It’s literally your way of playing games on your Xbox. That should work well and more or less the same controller has become a bit better for each Xbox.
Series X controller
The transition from Xbox One to Xbox Series (X/S) is a big one, but you don’t notice that so quickly in the controller. The controller is virtually identical, except for a redesigned ‘D-pad’ and a content sharing hotkey in the center of your controller. The color of your controller corresponds to the color of your Xbox: white for Series S, black for Series X.
Custom controller
However, there is a large market for custom controllers for your Xbox Series X. Where a controller should do more than ‘just control your game’. Microsoft serves that market and unveiled a special controller at the Xbox Gamescom event in honor of the soon-to-be-released Forza Horizon 5. More on that in a moment, because we’ve tracked down a few more controllers that you can get if it can be just that little bit more.
Xbox Wireless Controller – Forza Horizon 5 Edition
So let’s start with the newest member of the controller family. So, the new Forza Horizon 5 Limited Edition controller is in honor of the upcoming fifth edition of Forza Horizon. Set in Mexico, the colorful nature of this open world served as inspiration for the bright colors with which this controller becomes available. A cool touch is that the yellow of the controller is transparent and you can see the internals from the controller. You can pre-order it for $69.99, then you’ll get it when Forza Horizon 5 comes out on November 9 this year.
Xbox Wireless Controller – Space Jam Tune Squad Edition
From the movie Space Jam, Xbox released a special game, which can recently be played on your Xbox Series X. To do this with even more fanfare, Microsoft also released this special Xbox Series X controller. Blue and orange ‘basketball’ theme come into play to make this colorful controller a special thing. You can already buy it for 64.99 euros.
Xbox Wireless Controller – Aqua Shift
Sometimes a special controller has nothing to do with anything at all. Simply, you want to launch a special edition. That’s the thinking behind this ocean blue Aqua Shift special edition. A sort of metallic blue front adds power to the word and is assisted by dark blue buttons. The grips on the back have a special effect that is also reminiscent of water. Perhaps a silent hint that you should drink enough during your gaming sessions. The Aqua Shift Xbox Series X controller also costs 64.99 euros.
Xbox Wireless Controller – Daystrike Camo Edition
Hydrophobia? Don’t worry, there’s another Xbox Series X controller in special colors without a specific game theme. This red camouflage controller is a day and night difference with the Aqua Shift. You just have to love it, they say. Not recommended for a red carpet, you may lose it. You can also buy in this case for 64.99 euros.
Xbox Elite controller Series 2
So much for all ‘regular’ special editions from Microsoft itself, now for the real deal. A new Xbox Series X also means a new Elite controller. This is a special controller ‘for the real gamer’. Special bumpers with better grip make this controller better than the regular ones, along with four new macro keys on the back of the grips. More functionality but also an expensive joke: the Elite Series 2 controller costs 179.99 euros.
Scuf Instinct Prestige
It can be even more expensive if you scuf knocks. These also bring you a wireless Xbox Series X controller with extra functionality. By the way, it’s not about extra macro keys, but a button to quickly turn your microphone on and off.
It also has modified grips and reshaped bumpers and joysticks for ‘a better experience’. As icing on the cake, you can also get it in fun colors, including the ‘Energon’ below. As mentioned, this is not free either: the regular black or white Instinct costs 179.99 euros, one with colors costs 229.98 euros.
Controller Skin
Perhaps you ‘just’ want an Xbox Series X controller, but you find the game-inspired controllers or the Aqua or camouflage controllers a bit trite. Then you might want to consider a Controller Skin from Controllerskins. We thought the color transition below was cool, but a lot is possible. Well for a price: 99.99 euros per controller. See for yourself whether there is something in between what you think that money is worth.
Turtle Beach Recon
Want something really cool? Then this Turtle Beach Recon is really cool. This Series X controller is also uniquely designed with special grips and bumpers, but especially the functionality on top of the controller catches the eye. LED lights that indicate your microphone status, additional buttons and even the ability to increase and decrease the volume of either your TV or headset on your controller. Only available in black, so for fun colors you should skip it. However, if you want the most versatile and very nicely priced (59.90 euros!), the Turtle Beach Recon might be the best.
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