Xbox Unveils New Aqua Shift Special Edition Controller

Brain: You don't need another new Xbox controller.

Xbox:

How many controllers so I need?
1
How's many do I have?
2

As much as I like some of the colour schemes and/or art design of quite a few of these Xbox controllers, I have absolutely no need or desire to buy as my Elite V2 (and back up V1) is a 'superior' controller.

Having owned an Elite since the very first launched, I have not used a 'standard' control since - that includes all the Controllers I got with various consoles since - the Gears 4 (XB1S Ltd Edition), Project Scorpio (XB1X Launch edition) and the standard controller supplied with the Series X are still in their original packaging and I also have a 'spare' Standard' controller that came with my Series X 'bundle' and an unused 'spare' V1 Ltd Edition Gears 4 Elite controller too...

It always makes sense to have at least 1 spare - just in case something happens (more than just needing a recharge/battery swap), but I have that angle covered...

I'd love a new 'Elite' - with more choice on colours/designs - and with updated Haptic feedback and Adaptive triggers...

I wish there was a way to buy consoles along with a custom/ special edition controller rather than a stock one. Since couch co-op is pretty much dead now, and XB1 controllers still work on Series X/S I don't want to pay for a controller I'm not going to use.

Hmm it's not that nice checks bank account

Maybe Sony can learn a thing and add more fun colors too! lol

@BAMozzy How different is the V2 from the V1? I loved the V1. I even have a spare (or 2?) I bought my X1X in part because I wanted the premium controller to go with it. The only down-side is it was much too heavy for my preferences, and that affects my wrists too easily at the angles I hold it.

Honestly since getting the stock Series X controller, I haven't touched the Elite more than twice. It feels thicc, clunky, heavy, and cumbersome in contrast the the almost perfectly molded to my hand Series X controller. I can't say I "dislike" it, but it's just sufficiently less ergonomically perfect vs the stock controller it's not worth touching despite those smooth smooth sticks.

There's that part of me that keeps getting tempted by the V2, but combined with the ergonomic perfection of stock, the fact that the V2 is $180 freaking dollars for a controller that infamously has stick drift issues second only to Joycons, it seems like a colossal waste of cash. Especially if it's ergonomically still based on the X1 controller and not the XSX controller.

@Rural-Bandit Same, I keep trying to want a new controller color, and this one seems gorgeous, especially with rubber grips, but.....honestly the one that looks and feels the best for play is the matte black stock controller. The matte finish just makes it feel "Series X", and not interfere with your play, perfectly.

The only controller color that's so pretty (at least until this one) that I really feel like I want it is that red Dual Sense. That's a thing of beauty.

Oh man that shiny metallic tone… I would kill for a emerald green or Ruby red controller with a similar finish.

I must be one of the only people who like a plain black controller, I have one for all my consoles ( Xbox 360, Series X, PS3 and PS4) I like things to match

I wish they'd add Elite builds to Xbox Design Lab. If I could customize an Elite I'd buy one tomorrow instead of a few weeks from now when my resolve has weakened.

@Rural-Bandit When I get my PS5 I'll be getting a black controller and black plates

So they've added the Elite Series 2 gips to the controller.

They really need to hurry up and release a V3 and on labs.

@Rural-Bandit Yep, but it's gonna be awhile until I get one

can bet I pre-ordered that instantly the moment I became aware of it on the MS Store.

That is a godly looking controller and I must have it.

I paid 54 for my shock blue controller a couple months back. I really like this one, and might snag it if it comes down to a similar price

@NEStalgia To me, I don't find the ergonomics any different - of course the Elites allow for a more customisation so you can adjust the height of the thumbsticks which obviously change the feel.

The V2 addresses a lot of the issues of the first - better grip, better Shoulder buttons, a couple more custom settings added, more control over the triggers and thumbsticks, rechargeable built in battery etc. Its still a 'weighty' controller - going from the 'official' weights, the new Xbox controller is about 287g (about the same as a DS5) and a Elite V2 weighs about 345g (+/- 15g depending on set-up - paddles, thumbsticks etc) and I find it more 'reassuringly Solid' than Heavy personally. It also lasts a lot longer on a charge than the DS5 does!!

All I can say is that its a definite upgrade over the V1 and by far the most durable, most comfortable and 'best' controller I have owned - but whether its the 'best' for you, only you can answer...

@BAMozzy Between V1, X1 stock, and XS stock, there's definite ergonomics changes. XS vs X1 they shrunk things slightly, deepened the grips, shaved off some plastic around the triggers. The X1 was a great controller, but they refined it amazingly in all the right ways with XS. Little tweaks that mold to the hand even better.

V1 always felt less like an elite version of X1 and more like it's own entire controller design. It always felt like it shared more DNA with The Duke than the X1. Allegedly V2 is more or less based on X1, and more importantly, my impression is that XS is actually designed (ergonomically) as a walk-back from the Elite V2, so it probably is somewhere between X1 and XS in terms of it's shape details.

I used to like "reassuringly solid" controllers but I've learned over the years that they tend to strain the wrists over time with the way I hold controllers, while light controllers don't. Kinda wish the Elites had removable weights like Logitech gaming stuff.

My big worries with the V2 are worries about drift, and that I still hate the built-in battery on the V2. The Play & Charge batteries being replaceable are so much nicer an option. That's one reason I never got the V2 to begin with was the battery thing.

I had a V1 that drifted. I went through many 360 controllers due to drift (Joycon are another kind of misery.) I haven't had any X1 controllers other than Elite V1 drift. But there seems to be quite the number of stick drift reports about V2. I did see one that seemed to believe the launch batches had an issue with sticks but later versions didn't, but that was just one person's perception. Then you have the people with a box full of dead V2s from drift. Which I believe, because I have a similar box of 360's. And for $180 that's just wrong.

There's that part of me that wants the premium feel of the Elite again, and the part of me that hasn't touched Elite 1 since getting XS.... those two parts are warring

Got to admit this aqua one with the rubber grips is appealing, despite it's unicorn-poop potential just because it's not $180 for the same sticks but at least has nice grips.

@NEStalgia Whilst I know there has been tweaks over the years, the last couple of generations have been more 'revisions' since the original XB1 controller. The latest controller is essentially a version 4 XB1 Controller.

Version 2 added the 3.5mm Audio Jack, Version 3 (2nd revision) added Bluetooth as well as a 'revised' shape (launched with the XB1S) and the latest version borrows some things from the V2 elite, but also slightly smaller design.

As I said earlier, the Elite V2 is a greatly improved Elite. You can even adjust the tension on the thumbsticks and 3 trigger stop positions too - great for FPS game with single shot/burst fire weaponry to get more shots per second out.

I have had both the Elite and Elite V2 since each launched. I pre-ordered as soon as I could so used 'each' since launch. My first V1 lasted over 2yrs before one of the grips started pealing and eventually, the Shoulder buttons broke so I replaced that with another V1, which was just starting to peal on the grip when I got my V2.

None of my Elites have ever suffered from stick drift. In the first couple of years, I went through about 4 standard XB1 controllers and about 6 DS4 controllers - all of which had issues with the Left thumbstick - either drifting or not consistently 'sprinting' when holding down. So from my experience, I can honestly say its the most durable and 'best' controllers I have ever had.

Just because I feel that way, doesn't mean everyone will have the same experience. I know that if MS were to release an Elite V3, I wouldn't hesitate to pre-order because to me, its worth every penny. I spent about £200 on standard controllers in the first 18 months of owning an XB1, and then the next £150 buying the 1st Elite lasted nearly 3yrs and my current V2 is still going strong, still feels as good as new 2yrs later...

At the end of the day, people have to do what's best for them and their situation. I cannot go back to a standard now by choice but that's me...

@BAMozzy Oh, yeah, definitely revisions. No need to mess with perfection, just refine it. The X1 controller was the best controller around, ergonomically. They just took it, shrunk it slightly, made a few trims and roundings of the corners and just made it that little bit more ergonomic. But man after a few hours those half millimeters can make a lot of difference.

I didn't think I liked small controllers, but feeling the new controller, I honestly love the shrink. This is coming from someone who despises the DS3, and can barely tolerate the DS4. Like the DS5 quite well - for a Sony controller - it's the first Sony controller I don't absolutely unapologetically hate, kind of like, and am not even annoyed by the the parallel sticks on. But it's now bigger than the X1 controller let alone XSX controller....and surprisingly, I like that less.

Interestingly, I have my pile of X360 controllers, 1 Elite V1, a 3DS, a Game Pad, and about half a dozen joycon with drift. Somehow, I've never had a Dual Shock drift on me. I've read that lots of people have it, but it never happened to me on a DS. Says something (I think) that you've burned through DS4s that I haven't but haven't burned any V1s. One thing that should save the sticks for me is I bind the stick clicks to the rear paddles on Elites (heck no I'm not mashing L3 for Doom Eternal on a $100+ controller... ) Plus I just hate stick clicks.

I've never loved the stock controllers of a console as much as the XSX controllers....but.....those Elites certainly beckon one's inner gaming nerd. If they don't have stick issues or sticky buttons (that seemed like a launch problem.)

I waited and waited and waited for V2 to buy my V1. They announced nothing. Finally I bought my V1. Then bought a spare. Then like 4 weeks later they announced V2. $20 says if I buy a V2, they announce V3 by December. Then again, with chip shortages, scalping, and MS' notorious launch issues with Elites....buying at launch is probably unwise anyway.