Electronics & Gadgets Blog
Xbox Series X Wireless Controller, A Deep Dive into the Ultimate Gaming Companion
by Samuel Kalenga on Sep 24, 2024
Neither does the Xbox Series X Wireless Controller simply issue a bunch of random commands to the characters on the screen. It’s at the opposite end of the immersive chain that begins with the player’s will and ends with pixels. When the player thinks ‘walk’, the controller will move the avatar’s feet (whilst delivering subtle audio and tactile feedback to the player), adding to their complete immersion experience. In this deep dive, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Xbox Series X Wireless Controller, from the basics of its operation to its features, variations and iterations that explain why you need it, regardless of whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore tournament competitor.
A Legacy of Innovation: The Evolution of the Xbox Controller
The evolution of the Xbox controller is remarkable. From the original design in 2001 to the Xbox Wireless Controller you see today, each generation of Xbox consoles refined the original design with the latest features and feedback. It’s evolved so much that today’s Xbox Series X Wireless Controller feels more natural, comfortable and reactive than any controller before it. The Xbox controller legacy continues to evolve and push the boundaries of innovation, making it a one-of-a-kind example of its kind.Ergonomics and Comfort: Designed for Extended Play
Comfort for the player is a real concern for the Xbox Series X Wireless Controller. Its ergonomic form factor is engineered to be just right for nestling into the bends and curves of your hands. You can spend a long time playing with this controller without your wrists, thumbs and forefingers aching too much from gripping in that slightly awkward handshake position. After all, why else would we engage in marathon gaming sessions, be it for epic single-player adventures or hopping into intense multiplayer sessions that last hours?Key Design Enhancements:
- Textured Grip: Keep a firm hold of the controller while your heart’s racing, thanks to the rubberised top. This is the best YouTuber’s console out there.
- Renewed D-Pad: Renewed with actual physical buttons, the d-pad has been redesigned to be more action-focused. The result is more precise directional input, which is vital for navigating menus, controlling characters, performing combos and other special moves in fighting games, making jumps and avoiding obstacles in platformers, and controlling units and resources in strategy titles. The renewed d-pad gives players more agency over what’s happening on screen.
- Fully remapped thumbsticks and improved Button Response • The face buttons and shoulder buttons took a serious workout to make sure they were fine-tuned for ultra-responsive control, ensuring fast reaction and improved accuracy – that’s perfect for fast-paced gaming and split-second decision making, which can spell out your victory or defeat.The stronger response in the controller has transformational knock-on effects, such that enhanced response is now serving to create a richer experience of guarding and moving-techniques, where attenuation of the feed-back can create a more satisfying layering of the game world.
- Share Button: now you can share your game highlights with a single press of the dedicated Share button, record video clips or screenshots, and share away. From the essay ‘PlayStation 4 and the Master User’ by Jasper Juice, Creative Director, Sony Computer Entertainment UK. Copyright © 2014 Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd. All rights reserved.
Connecting You to the Game: Advanced Connectivity
The Xbox Series X Wireless Controller is perfectly connected. It vibrantly links your gaming life to and through the cloud. Smartly designed to work across your growing console and PC gaming inventory.Universal Compatibility:
- Xbox Series X And S: The console that this controller was made for. It’s the most natural experience, and really open up the full potential of the controller, built for the latest generation of Xbox. And this is the latest Xbox console, the Series X and S. The controller just works brilliantly, with a really satisfying response and a great overall gaming experience.
- Xbox One: Backward compatibility lets you play your existing library of Xbox One games with the newest features of the controller on your Xbox One console, Continue enjoying your favourite Xbox One titles with the Series X controller’s latest features and ergonomic design.
- For Windows 10/11: Designed for Windows PCs, this controller helps you enjoy your favourite PC games the way they were meant to be played. No USB receiver needed, Bluetooth support allows for wireless connection. Now, gamers can finally enjoy their favourite PC titles in that extra comfort and familiarity of Xbox controllers, never having to think about buying a separate PC controller again.
- Android and iOS: Bluetooth technology allows you to connect the controller to an Android and iOS device, taking your gaming experience to your mobile device so that you can enjoy whatever mobile games you like at all times. Use a dedicated controller to play on mobile devices to improve the feeling of playing mobile devices.
Beyond the Standard: The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (pictured above) is far more than just a controller, but a precision tool for all those gamers seeking the ultimate competitive advantage. Pre Lockdown, when PC gaming and its extensive modding culture reigned supreme, this level of customisation and control was the realm of esports professionals and hardcore and competitive gamers. But with Microsoft releasing its all-new Elite V2 controller last year – less than a year since the epic blood bath known as the ‘PUBG Xbox impasse’ – this top-shelf gaming peripheral is now in the sightlines of people like me who want to explore the full potential of gaming with their best buddies.Unleash Your Potential: Elite Features:
- Customisable Thumbsticks: The Elite Series 2 includes four different thumbsticks, two low-domed and two medium-domed, in both tall and short sizes. This means that players can setup the controller to be as distinctly their own, catering to their personal preferences when it comes to feel and sensitivity.
- Rear Paddles: Four rear paddles add even more muscle memory to the flexible mix. The paddles can be mapped to any controller button, meaning that action-packed multi-presses can be performed with a mere twirl of a finger (these kinds of complex actions, once mastered, come in handy during professional play, especially in shooters and fighting games, but also many other genres too).
- hair Trigger Locks: hair trigger locks on the elite series 2 shorten the trigger pull distance, which makes reaction times quicker and accuracy better in shooters and racing games, where milliseconds can make a real difference. The hair trigger locks make it much easier to react in the fastest paced games and are a must have in my opinion.
- Wrap-Around Grip: secure & comfortable grip for the entire controller even when playing long games- unknown origin, totally exclusionary- you wouldn’t want to play Mario Kart with the controller slipping in your gnarly paws- will aid in training the fingertips, combat fatigue, improve dexterity
A Palette of Options: The Colorful World of Xbox Controllers
Beyond the classic black design, Xbox controllers are available in every colour under the rainbow to suit your personality and mood. For gamers, more is always better, and you can now get a controller with your favourite football team’s logo, a sassy cat dancing – or whatever else you could think of.Find Your Perfect Color:
- Robot WhiteRobot White: A modern and minimalistic controller that oozes cool in a ‘Less is more’ sort of way. Works seamlessly with any game set-up.
- Pulse Red: Bold and bright, you’ll stand out from the crowd (and griefers) with this red controller.
- Carbon Black: A classic and understated choice, the Carbon Black controller has a timeless, sophisticated look. Best for understated gamers.
- Pink: For those touched by the fairy of camouflaged preteen femininity, your pink Xbox controller awaits (pardons there, cow-eyed, for your perusal).
- Blue: Cool and calming, the blue controller turns heads away from the expected reds and greens. Its soothing hue calms and cools you down when the action starts heating up.
- Purple: Get funky. Be different. The purple Xbox controller stands out from the crowd: it’s bright and vibrant and screams – I am a game-geek, hear me roar!
- Red Camo: SleeK and tough, this camo controller will add a military design aesthetic to your gaming arsenal. Perfect for the gamer who likes a little military-styled edge.
- Special Editions: You can buy a special edition which may be themed on a certain game or franchise. They are aesthetically designed and don’t look like a regular controller. The special edition controllers and consoles are perfect for collecting if you’re a big fan of a certain game or franchise. You also want a unique gaming experience.