But even then, some trends were beginning to coalesce in controller layouts and shapes, and we had started to see some degree of homogeneity. Although even as late as the early 2000s, the Dreamcast, GameCube, PS2, and Xbox all offered different takes on controllers – at least to some degree.

After that, while Microsoft and Sony continued to have their controllers be increasingly similar to one another’s, Nintendo continued to try controller innovation – at times too much. From the Wii’s motion controls, to the Wii U’s attempt to have a secondary touch screen on a controller, Nintendo was still trying to have some form of differentiation.

But with the recent announcements of the DualSense and the Series X controllers, it seems like we are now coming to an end of any sort of controller variation. It seems that, on the whole, the industry has settled on the form factor and button layout that it deems to be the best on the whole, and that is shared across all controllers at this point.

This has actually been true ever since the reveal of the Nintendo Switch. With the Switch Pro controller, Nintendo revealed they were done with controller based differentiation for their consoles. The Switch uses a controller that could be mistaken for an Xbox controller, at a glance. Even the Joycon controller that comes with the console by default mimics a traditional dual analog controller, with no element other than its modularity actually setting it apart from anything else on the market.

I’m not necessarily saying this is a bad thing either, mind you. The DualShock 4 and Xbox One controller are largely the same (though the DualShoch 4 offers some additional functionality, such as the touchpad, or the gyro sensors, or the dedicated share button). This hasn’t actually stopped great games from being made. In fact, the output of games across the PS4, Xbox One, and Switch is superior to the output of previous generation consoles. It is, at this point, clear that the entire industry has settled on a common idea of what a controller is supposed to be. That’s why the PS5 and the Series X controllers look so similar. That’s why even Nintendo’s console now has a pretty straightforward dual analog controller. That’s why even when a newcomer like Google enters the fray, their Stadia controller could basically pass for a Switch Pro or Xbox controller.

And even within this largely homogeneous vision for a controller, we do get to see innovation. We have had Nintendo with HD Rumble, or the built in NFC sensor, as well as gyro controls, that are used in so many Switch games. We had Sony deliver arguably the biggest controller innovation in a while with the Share button, while also offering some extra controller specific features such as a touchpad, a light bar, and a speaker. And Microsoft has been offering controller innovation with the Elite line of controllers, which have additional inputs like paddles, and which allow modularity, and to let the pro-gamer adjust their inputs to the finest degree; not to mention the Adaptive controller, which is a wonderful work of inspired design work, that lets people with disabilities play games as well.

This is because, on the whole, how we interact with games is something that has already been perfected. We have a control setup that is intuitive and universal, and which an audience of hundreds of millions of people are familiar with and prefer. To rock the board then is to be foolish. Innovation, even controller innovation, has now occurred outside of how you interact with games – even if it is a controller innovation.

What I mean with this is that even big controller innovations, such as the Share button, aren’t changing how you interact with games on a mechanical basis. And that’s because they don’t need to – again, there’s a controller standard that works for everyone. Any new innovation should try to respect that.

And we still do get innovation – even Nintendo was still wildly innovative with the Switch – and in fact, in the process of delivering a console with minimal controller innovation, they ended up also delivering their best one in years, and one that has been able to rally support from all sorts of third parties yet again. And who knows what Sony has planned with their new, upcoming Create button on the DualSense? With luck, it will become as integral to our video gaming experience as the Share button, variants of which can now also be found on Nintendo and Xbox controllers, did too.

We don’t really need crazy controller innovations anymore. As a medium, gaming has matured enough that now people have certain ideas for what to expect. A standard has been set, after millions of people have become familiar with a setup and layout over the last two decades. So the moaning and the griping that the Xbox Series X controller looks identical to the Xbox One controller, or that the DualSense looks a lot like an Xbox controller now, are foolish. Controllers will continue to get more and more homogenized as time goes on (with the obvious exception of specialized games, such as VR titles or arcade games).

Is it a bad thing? On some level, you’re free to miss that era of inventiveness with controllers, where playing on a different console could mean entirely different ways of interacting with your game. But missing that is a lot like missing the era of consoles with proprietary hardware – yes, it was cool when every console used custom hardware that could be leveraged and exploited to have games uniquely well suited to that hardware. But it also limited the reach and success of games, by making multiplatform game development so difficult.

So just as hardware is standardized now (even Nintendo, with the Switch, uses industry standard mobile SoCs), so too are controllers. And the DualSense and Xbox Series X controller, in their uniformity with the trend, have just further solidified that future of gaming controllers.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Microsoft has really turned controllers into a boutique business this generation, from the Elite controller to some of the fancier recent special editions one, all of which tempt Xbox owners to spend some money on additional controllers. Though to be fair, the expenditure is mostly always well justified- the Xbox One controller is a thing of beauty, and the special edition ones only make it better still.

Now, here’s two more– Phantom Black, which is literally all black with a gorgeous translucent shell, and Grey Blue, which is a controller with a grey shell with, you guessed it, blue accents. You can check out pictures of both controllers below. The Phantom Black controller is $70 USD, while the Grey Blue one is $65. They come with all the features that are available on a standard Xbox controller, and in some markets, also come with 14 days of Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold included- so you can get started with playing something right away.

Hopefully, these are both just precursors to the long rumored Xbox One Elite Controller v2…

Microsoft has announced a brand new wireless controller for the Xbox One. It’s called the Sport White Edition controller, and it features a gorgeous white design, with mint and silver accents, and a rubberised grip.

Interestingly enough, this may also mark the first time an official Xbox controller has not had colored buttons for the A, B, X, and Y face buttons- those buttons, and the text on them, are all grey, with little colored dots placed next to them instead.

The controller will be $60, and will launch on July 31 in the United States and Canada, while launching August 7 everywhere else in the world. A charging station for the controller will also be available, for an additional $50.

It’s not the Elite Controller version 2 fans have been asking for, but it’s a heck of a gorgeous controller regardless- I’m sure there will be many an Xbox fan that will get one of these, especially ahead of the impending launch of Forza Horizon 4 later this year.

After initial leaks, Microsoft have gone ahead and announced the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Meant to provide accessibility to all players, especially those incapable of utilizing both hands with a standard controller, the Adaptive Controller allows for connecting different switches, buttons and joysticks. The amount of customization is fairly impressive. Check out the announcement trailer below.

Retailing for $100 when it releases later this year, the controller was designed with input from AbleGamers, SpecialEffect, Craig Hospital, the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and Warfighter Engaged. As per Engadget, the controller features a USB-C port (not micro USB since that relies on orientation) and nineteen 3.5 mm ports with each representing a standard Xbox gamepad’s button.

These ports can then be used to attach an assortment of devices like large buttons, clickers, air-powered input and much more. Furthermore, they can be changed and remapped in the middle of a game. It’s a pretty stellar effort from Microsoft and hopefully companies like Sony and Nintendo will hop on board, providing accessibility to all kinds of gamers.

To learn more about the Xbox Adaptive Controller and the stories behind it, head here.

Microsoft has been experimenting with its controllers a lot this generation- we have already had several minor revisions for the Xbox One controller, as well as the Xbox One Elite controller, which is modular, and gives players more control over their gameplay experience. Additionally, full remapping and rebinding of buttons on a system level for accessibility purposes is something else that Microsoft has introduced ad implemented to Xbox this generation.

Now, they may be introducing an all new controller designed for accessibility. Leaker h0x0d recently discovered promo images for what look to be a brand new Xbox One controller designed to facilitate ease of use for people who may have inhibited fine motor skills. There appear to be two large (presumably programmable) buttons, as well as grooves representing multiple console functions at the top, which could help users who favor touch over sight as well.

It sounds wonderful, and all kudos need to be given to Microsoft for championing something like this. Presumably, this will be revealed some time soon.

If you want some high end style to your (regular) Xbox One controllers, Microsoft has something just for you. Today, the company announced the Xbox Wireless Controller Tech series, which was inspired by military technology and patterns. The end result is a controller that looks and feels distinctly and decidedly premium.

The controller has laser etched texture on the front, alongside gold accents and insignia; meanwhile, the back of the controller features a textured diamond rubberized grip designed for ‘added comfort and control’, while the wireless range of the controller has also been improved and enhanced, for better connectivity. As with all Xbox One controllers, this one will natively work with Xbox One, Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR, and PC games on the Windows 10 framework.

It actually looks pretty sweet- you can check out some pictures below. Hopefully, Microsoft brings a similar variant for the Xbox One Elite controller, as well. This controller will cost $70.

The Xbox One Elite Controller has been far more successful than Microsoft ever anticipated it to be- the controller, which retails for $150, has been sold out for months, and players have taken to it like bees to honey. Microsoft has promised that it is making its best effort to ensure that the controller stock stays replenished- but the company has warned that its stock situation may not be resolved until March 2016.

“While the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller is sold out in many retailers around the world, we are working quickly to get more units in the hands of fans. We expect more units to arrive at retailers each week but supply may be limited through March 2016.”

Honestly, in this case, I can’t blame Microsoft- I would have expected a $150 controller to be a niche product myself. I wouldn’t have expected demand for it to skyrocket like this.

Hopefully the situation is resolved soon.

You know that really sexy and sleek looking Crackdown 3 themed Xbox One controller that Microsoft revealed a while back? The one that they claimed they’d make very few units of, and only ever distribute it in giveaways? Well, Microsoft have come right out and confirmed yet again that they won’t be selling the controller in stores- the special giveaways that Microsoft holds will be the only way to actually get your hands on it. Basically, only a “small, limited batch” of the controller will ever be produced, and each will be personalized with the winner’s Xbox Live gamertag.

“This collectible controller features a lot of the shapes and design inspiration from the Crackdown 3 Agency logo,” said Crackdown 3’s senior art director Dave Johnson. “We unveiled the redesigned version of the Crackdown logo at Gamescom this year – it builds out of the darkness at the end of our First Look trailer. The logo doubles as the badge of the Agency, and we worked to retain that iconic design while updating it to match the bold new direction we’re taking the franchise.”

That’s really a shame- I would have spent some good money to buy one of these myself. Oh well.

Earlier this year, Sony allowed for universal, OS level button remapping for the DualShock 4 on PlayStation 4. It was a great feature, much appreciated by a lot of people who maybe do not prefer the default control schemes. Microsoft also offered something similar when they released the Xbox One Elite Controller, which offered full button remapping- but this was only restricted to the $150 Elite controller so far.

Microsoft had promised that the button remapping function would be made available for all Xbox One controllers eventually, and today, they have followed up on that– as of today, full button remapping and rebinding is available for all Xbox One controllers (though certain preset button layouts are still restricted to the Elite controller). You can remap your controller by simply going into Settings, and then Ease of Access, or by launching the Xbox Accessories App.

Remapping will work with wired and wireless controllers, and will be functional with third party controllers too. It will be made available for the PC at a later date.

You will finally be able to use your Xbox One controller with your PC wirelessly starting next week- the wireless adapter for the Xbox One controller for PCs will be going on sale next week. It’s priced $25 in the US, and £20 in the UK.

The dongle will be available only to users running Windows 10 on their PCs (though with Windows 10 being free, great, and also being the only way to get DirectX 12, I imagine most PC gamers have already updated). Features like party chat and headphone support are also available through this dongle.

Game makers have already jumped on board to support the controller, with numerous upcoming games including support for it out of the box. Of these, Bethesda’s upcoming Fallout 4 will be the biggest title to offer support for the Xbox One controller.

Are you going to get this dongle? Or are you satisfied with using your Xbox 360 controller? Let us know in the comments section below!