280°

Does the Elite Controller Make Other Controllers Obsolete?

"On October 27th, Microsoft released the Xbox One Elite Controller. Up to this point, most first-party controllers only cost around $49.99-$69.99 at various retail outlets. The Elite Controller sells for $149.99. That is one of the more expensive accessories on the market. From the moment that the controller was announced at E3, there was plenty of interest, but the price was off-putting. The controller was promised to do what most controllers couldn’t do. It was a device for hardcore players that could be customized for various genres. I for one was certainly interested, but wasn’t sure if I was willing to shell out that much money for just one controller" -- Xbox Enthusiast.

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xboxenthusiast.com
YinYangGaming3458d ago

What a nice Xmas present this was! Going to be my standard controller for my XB1 & pc

n4rc3458d ago

No.. Kind of a silly question..

Does Ferrari make Ford obsolete?

Its a high end option over the standard model.

ScorpiusX3458d ago (Edited 3458d ago )

Doesn't make Ford obsolete , but makes me dream more about Ferrari's than a ford . lol

n4rc3458d ago

No doubt.. I would a bought one the other day if I could have found one lol

Nobody has a Ford focus poster on their wall as a kid.. But its what the vast majority will end up with lol

freshslicepizza3458d ago

if microsoft offered both choices for the same price then yes, the regular xbox one controller would be obsolete.

OoglyBoogly3458d ago

But that's not the case and never will be so what's your point?

freshslicepizza3458d ago

@OoglyBoogly
"But that's not the case and never will be so what's your point?"

the point is it's a much better designed controller but the price is what will keep it out of reach for many. that is the only reason why it will not make others obsolete. remove the price barrier and its obvious it's a far better controller.

and never say never, the next system may include this type of design as standard.

rainslacker3457d ago

Obsolete implies that the older version is no longer usable or up to date. I feel that is not the case, as the older model works just fine, and since devs are using that as their baseline for making the game, it will not be obsolete.

May make the older one be less desirable though...especially if they were the same price.

s8anicslayer3457d ago (Edited 3457d ago )

That would not make any sense for them to do that, they would lose even more money per console sold.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3457d ago
Sayai jin3457d ago

Agreed. I enjoy my elite controllers.

miyamoto3457d ago (Edited 3457d ago )

Nope. Got me a blue DS4 on sale online @ $50. So Im good. Now I have 3 DS4s.

3457d ago
GordonKnight3457d ago

Doesn't the Elite X1 come with the Elite controller as standard?

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3456d ago
skydragoonityx3458d ago

No it doesn't. Having handled it i still prefer the dualshock 4®

boodi3458d ago (Edited 3458d ago )

are you kiddin ???
have you both ??
how can you prefer the dualshock..how little are your hands ?

SpringHeeledJack3458d ago

Tried both, Dual shock 4 is big so you are trolling with your little hands comment.

End of day DS4 is still the better controller.

boodi3458d ago (Edited 3458d ago )

not trollin .. have both actually.. you sound trolling to me ..i have normal/big hands with long fingers and find MUCH more confortable the xb1 controller .. while i can play with the ds4 its less confortable , bud.....

2pacalypsenow3458d ago

So someone who doesnt like the controller is considered a troll?

JackBNimble3458d ago

When you lie and say the dualshock 4 is a little controller then yes you are trolling.

Khaotic3458d ago

I guess everybody is entitled to there own opinions, but is i was to wager a bet i would say he has never used one and has never played with annything other than dualshock.

freshslicepizza3458d ago

@2pacalypsenow
"So someone who doesnt like the controller is considered a troll?"

depends. is the person objecting to the elite controller because they favor another system? if so then their opinion about the actual controller may be irrelevant. it also helps to give reasons why someone doesn't like the controller.

boodi3458d ago (Edited 3458d ago )

@jack
f@k of right?
btw i did not say the ds is little .. i talked bout my hands and how they stay and confort on both controllers.. i'm not the only one who find ds too little .. and that is for my hands .. and for other hands too ..
you're off calling me out as a troll miles far and likely trolling yourself ..
you can get your foock @ff.thanks

rainslacker3457d ago

So if I like the elite controller better, but still prefer the older controller...DS4 or original X1 controller...because I'm not willing to drop $150 on a new controller which only offers me marginal gains in game play experience and comfort...if any TBH...does that make me a troll also?

3457d ago
+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 3457d ago
Multiplatguy3458d ago (Edited 3458d ago )

This article was referring to it making the other Xbox controllers obsolete, not the other platforms controllers obsolete.

Playstation and the DS4 has no relevance here.

boodi3458d ago

stupid sony fanboys have gone so annoyin it's just incredible ...

InTheLab3458d ago

I cannot agree with this. The DS4 is better than the standard but the elite is further beyond any other controller on the market.

I ridiculed MS when they announced the elite but now I wish Sony does something similar. The custom sticks, paddles, and best d pad ever seen...honestly this has to be the best controller ever made.

donthate3458d ago (Edited 3458d ago )

lol!

The Elite controller makes all the other ones feel like cheap toys in my hand. I have taken the red pill and can no longer go back.

The Elite controller is now the standard, and even on the PS4 I use a Cronus Max. It has indeed made all other controllers obsolete in my eyes.

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boodi3458d ago

seems so .. apart the Elite Ford Gt concept controller .. i can't understand why they do not produce it ..even limited ..it would sell out in short .

Show all comments (71)
90°

Xbox Elite 2 Controller Profile button can't be remapped to Share

"Your current -- and pricey -- Xbox Elite 2 Controller will not be able to take advantage of the new Share button and related functionality found on new Xbox controllers, including those that ship with the Xbox Series S & X," writes Stevivor's Steve Wright.

Read Full Story >>
stevivor.com
franwex1671d ago

Maybe they’ll make an Elite 3?

gamer78041671d ago

It’s probably nearly done as we speak

Abnor_Mal1671d ago

Introducing the all new EliteSense controller.

alextdarling1671d ago

Why on earth would you want to use the button that maps everything as the share button anyway?

Concertoine1671d ago

Because the elite 2 doesnt have a share button period

Blurry_Pixel1670d ago

I think you can map the share button to one of the back buttons.

480°

Lawsuit continues to pursue action over ‘drifting’ Xbox controllers

Amended class-action adds additional plaintiffs and specific mention of Elite Series 2

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videogameschronicle.com
crazyCoconuts1709d ago

I was wondering if something was up with these controllers. I have a friend that had multiple Xbox controllers with drift issues ... Seemed like more than just bad luck

pocolocoX1709d ago (Edited 1709d ago )

Thats weird, me and my friends have over 20+ controllers and none of them have drift. Not saying it can't happen but maybe it IS bad luck. I think it's mostly isolated to the Elite Series 2 being the newest controller.

1709d ago
lukasmain1709d ago

20+ controllers? You ever wonder why you guys need so many controllers? Maybe it's because their build quality sucks.

Imortus_san1709d ago

This is a problem that occour in all controllers from all brands due to users making a lot on stress on analogue, some controllers are less resistance them other like the Switch, but that the way it is.

I never had this problem on any controller of any brand in my 32 years of gaming, on the other hand I know people that have this problem in every controller after 6 months.

darthv721709d ago (Edited 1709d ago )

I have close to 40 xbo/ps4 controllers and none of them have drift issues. I bought them all 2nd hand and you would think they should (with the way some wrench on the sticks) but thankfully they do not. My son's xbo has developed stick drift as well as one of his ds4 so I let him use a couple of my spares. Not the fancy ones though... just regular ones.

@seal, maybe this person collects controllers? I know I do.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1709d ago
TheProblem1709d ago

I think it’s about time that Microsoft put more quality into their engineering

1709d ago
1709d ago
SullysCigar1709d ago

Yeah, it seems to be more of an issue recently. It's like they deteriorate over time rather than being dodgy from the get-go.

BrainSyphoned1709d ago

Only had one out of my 5 drift this gen on Xbox. Annoyingly it is the custom controller I ordered.

nibblo1709d ago (Edited 1709d ago )

I have 4 controllers one of them is an original from back in 2013 when the console was released which did eventually get some drift on the left stick after about 3 years all the others haven't including my Elite V2 and I do tend to put my controllers through the wringer. I have no idea why you have so many friends who seem to get this issue as none of my friends with Xboxes have reported it. Maybe anecdotal evidence from people you know is not used in law courts for a reason? However I do think that all console manufacturers should extend their warrantee for this, 90 days is pretty stingy for something like stick drift.

1Victor1709d ago

@ crazy
You must be crazy Xbox elite controllers are perfect and only lying fanboys find imaginary defects on them. My works perfect without any issues and I have 2 on each room. Said you know who here

CorndogBurglar1709d ago

I mean, there's a lawsuit against the Elite 2 controllers drifting. So its clearly something that happens. Did you ever think that you were lucky that the ones you have just don't have that issue?

Zeref1709d ago

I have never had drift issues I got 6 controllers. Including an elite controller 2.

1709d ago
Zeref1709d ago (Edited 1709d ago )

@darkwingsoul I need to have issues to buy controllers? 😂 Yall are definitely some lonely virgins. Look at the agrees lmfao

I have extra controllers for when my friends come over to play videogames. Plus elite controller 2 and a design lab controller. Easily could have been more if I bought a few special edition ones.

Juvia1709d ago

I have this on two of my controllers. It seems like it happens over time tho, as mine worked fine for about 6 months.

R6ex1709d ago

Mine worked well for like 3 years before drifting.

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1709d ago
jonesmiller041011709d ago

I also had a drifter. I was pissed that they wouldn't do anything about it. I lived in Denmark then, which is notoriously know for absolute sh!t customer service.

Lostbytes1708d ago

Drift happens, no really. It is caused by a combination of ware and dirt. Every single one of my controllers develop drift. Without fail. To be fair, i am not kind to my controllers. They get used on the daily for 3-5 hours and 10-15 hour sessions are not too infrequent. Hands covered in chip residue, spills on and around them. TBH, I always get the 2 year add on warranty from Best Buy. Then trade them in when it starts happening. Trade for a new one.Then get a new warranty (40$ for Elite Controller, 20$ for normal) on that one, Rinse and repeat. I did this 5 time with the original Elite, with the last time paying the additional 30 bucks for the upgrade to V2. Still going strong.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 1708d ago
RememberThe3571709d ago

Man stick drift is everywhere. What happened this gen?

RememberThe3571709d ago

All four of my DS4s have stick drift.

1709d ago
nirwanda1709d ago

I had one analogue stick brake, had no drift issues but went though quite a few, 3 with broken usbs, rubber came off first one.
Strangely third party ones dispite being crap were never broke

FPS_D3TH1709d ago

I get stuck drift every 3-4 months with heavy fps gaming use

SpeedDemon1709d ago

That's good, but an analog stick is a moving part and after a period of use they wear down no matter what gaming system the controller goes to.

BrainSyphoned1709d ago (Edited 1709d ago )

Xbox: 1 out of 5
PS4: 1 out of 7 including 3 with shredded analog tops-my second release PS4 controllers have been good
Switch: 2 sets out of 2, can only play with a pro controller

Father__Merrin1709d ago

ds4 have that notirious call of duty left click problem

JackBNimble1709d ago

Every single one of my DS4 controller's drift , I've accepted that this is just what happens.

Silly gameAr1709d ago

I have. I've had a couple with stick drift. Only difference is, I didn't pay 100+ for them.

kneon1709d ago

I've never had a playstation controller fail or drift.

1709d ago
porkChop1709d ago

You're lucky. I'm on my 3rd.

lukasmain1709d ago

I'm still using my PS4 Pro launch controller and it's totally fine.

lukasmain1709d ago (Edited 1709d ago )

@ JAckBNimble you are so full of it. You don't even own Ps4 controllers. I mean just on one page of your commetn history.....

"Those days are long gone bro... these sonybois are much worse now"

"I have a feeling that over confident sonyboys are going to be blindsided next gen with all their expectations of ps5 and down playing of xsx."

I don't pretend to Xbox controllers. You shouldn't pretend to have all these DS4 controllers and they all have drift. You're full of it

Seraphim1709d ago (Edited 1709d ago )

that's because on PS4 you often won't notice it. I've had controllers that work perfectly fine then while playing some game I put the controller down and notice L3 is drifting. Sometimes simply clicking the analog in and rotating clears it up for good or for a while. But imo, from what I've experienced, it's pretty minimal and something that can be easily overlooked or go unnoticed.

As for the mention of triggers below. Sony has made changes to the triggers over the course of each DS4 generation. There's at least 3 generations of DS4s. The latest bolstering the trigger somewhat.

ziggurcat1709d ago

Two of my DS4 controllers got it - one I'm still using because it's too close to the release of the PS5 to invest in a new one.

+ Show (14) more repliesLast reply 1709d ago
XxINFERNUSxX1709d ago

Made in China quality. This is what we have now.

1709d ago Replies(2)
franwex1709d ago

I haven’t had any drift issues. My elite 1 controller grips did fall off-but it’s still playable.

Even my Switch is fine.

Can it be one of the assemblies that they contract out that makes them be the issue?

At this point I feel lucky.

Killer73nova1709d ago

Have a elite 1 and don’t have any issues whatsoever or any of my controllers. So far I’ve been lucky but I’ve had my switch have stick drift

AuraAbjure1709d ago (Edited 1709d ago )

Never had stick drift using 7 different Xbone controllers over the course of 5 years. Unless I screwed them up myself which I did once by leaving one upside down with some clothes on top of it.

Applejack1709d ago

Lucky you, I had drift on 2 out of my 4 ps4 controllers. Luckily is wasn’t on my scuf.

JackBNimble1709d ago

I'm guessing you probably don't play all that much then.

TheScotsman1709d ago

I been gaming for 25 years now and never even seen drift on any of my joypads, maybe some of us just ain't hashy gits with our controllers.

IRetrouk1709d ago

I get drift eventually every gen, its the racing games man, I love em, but the twitchy way I use the sticks must mess with em lol

AuraAbjure1709d ago (Edited 1709d ago )

I put at least 800 hours between those 7 xbone controllers and I bought several of them used off craigslist.

Hakuoro1709d ago

I have used 9 over the course of 4 years and all 9 have drift and I keep them all in plastic safety cases.

Knushwood Butt1709d ago

Maybe you can sue the maker of the plastic safety cases.

Hakuoro1709d ago

Knushwood Butt

I won over 1 million in my class action!

Knushwood Butt1708d ago

Nice!

That will get you a lot of new pads!

Hakuoro1708d ago

I now have over 40,000 controllers and I have them individually sealed in titanium cases now! Unfortunately they all have drift...

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lukasmain1709d ago

Why would you need to use 7 controllers? I've still got my launch PS4 pro controller and it's fine still now. 7 controllers? I am guessing a couple don't work which is why you have so many and use them all. I don't know, but 7? That seems crazy to me.

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430°

Microsoft Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 review: masterpiece

The Digital Foundry review of the Microsoft Elite Series 2, what we believe is the best Xbox and PC controller on the market.

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
isarai1982d ago

Hopefully they have more durable internals this time around.

Rude-ro1982d ago

Not from what I have seen..
Having button issues..
Have not heard about stick drift like in the original.
I would go to the forums instead of trusting a review.. especially about a Microsoft product.

Rude-ro1982d ago

To every shill trying to protect Microsoft with the “disagree” button..😂
https://www.windowscentral....

Unspoken1982d ago

Most of the time people go to forums to complain instead of taking The time to praise. You'll have to weed through what is an issue affecting a small percentage of people or a wide spread problem. Doubt you even own one. My first gen elite is going strong.

TheScotsman1982d ago (Edited 1982d ago )

Hopefully we don't see an elite pad for series x at launch or I'll be pissed at buying this and it's not compatible with the series x fully. I hear there is an extra button on series x controller

DiRtY1982d ago

There is a "share" button. Other than that: Every Xbox One controller works on Xbox Series X.

PyroMessiah861982d ago

Got mine on Day One and its been simply awesome!

Much more durable internals than the original, which you can see from any teardown of it on YouTube. Mine is the same condition as I got it and I've played regularly since release.

It's basically an improvement in every area compared to the original. Watch a teardown there's a few that point out all the differences and improvements inside it and don't fall for the people throwing negatives into the mix here. It's mainly Playstation fanboys who will put down anything Xbox related.

Yes A button has 'stuck' for some people on the first batch but it's not often and its fairly small scale. There's also a easy fix for it.

CitizenFour1982d ago

I have the series 2. I have had zero issues with it since launch. It's been great and you can tell that it's improved from the first version.

As an owner of the first one, I had to replace the bumpers (both bumpers are actually attached into a single piece of plastic which was not durable at all), as well as the grips on both the left and then eventually the right. Wasn't a huge issue, but it was like a car, the older it got the more issues it began to have. Replacement parts were limited, but repairing it was pretty simple. Not something I was fond of doing after paying a premium though.

King_Noctis1982d ago (Edited 1982d ago )

“Optional” elite controller that is mainly used for eSport and competition. Yeah, if it is not for us then why it should exist right?

roadkillers1982d ago

^ Really king... yeah it’ is an optional controller Captain.

nucky641982d ago

so, you're saying it's wrong to say something is overpriced?

Epicor1982d ago

@nucky64: is that really overpriced? Depends on who you ask from. Overpriced to you? You are probably not the target customer then. Overpriced to competitive fps guy who invests hundreds or thousands of hours to fine-tune their game play? Hell no. Just check what is the market price of these special controllers. It is anything between around $130 - $200 at the moment.

RazzerRedux1982d ago

These are extremely high quality controllers. You'd have to hold one to really understand the difference.

isarai1982d ago

Problem is the shell and buttons are all high quality, but it all relies on the same quality board internally. You'd think with all that money they charge you would get tougher solders and internal toggles but on the 1st elite controller they weren't really any better than the regular controller. Hopefully thats different this time around.

RazzerRedux1982d ago

I never had any problems with my first gen Elite.

jivah1982d ago

Yup for maybe an extra 3 dollars worth of components on the pcb and maybe like 80 cents worth of extra plastic.

PyroMessiah861982d ago

Someone clearly doesn't know what went into building this controller....

jivah1982d ago (Edited 1982d ago )

@PyroMessiah86

Somebody doesn't know how much components and material cost. These type of controllers existed before MS made theirs. They didnt spend any more than a few bucks, no matter what they say, coming up with this controller.

1982d ago
1982d ago
RazzerRedux1982d ago

Well gee whiz. I'm sure I have some "components" and at least 80 cents worth of extra plastic laying around the house. I guess I can just make my own controller, huh?

sigh

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1982d ago
Deathdeliverer1982d ago

I don’t care what anyone says, wayyy too much for a pad. The margin has to be through the roof. $125 max. To each their own, people spend on what they see value in. I fail to see that much value.

Sophisticated_Chap1982d ago

They are aiming for an enthusiast demographic with this product.

jivah1982d ago

No they aim for people who is willing to buy. if they knew people would pay 500 they would charge that

1982d ago
specialguest1982d ago

Did you know logitech makes a gaming keyboard that cost $249 and a gaming mouse at $149? Guess what? The keyboard doesn't do anything special besides being specifically geared for competitive gaming. If you think $200 for an enthusiasts and competitive level Xbox gaming pad is too expensive, then it's not meant for you. However, the pricing is in line with other enthusiast/competitive gaming level products

Neonridr1982d ago

I mean if you dabbled in the PC market you would see what's overpriced there. People spend all sorts of money on gaming keyboards, mice, monitors, etc. They all do something extra above a regular piece of hardware. These controllers go above and beyond a standard controller.

This controller isn't for you for sure.

rainslacker1982d ago

There is some hardware out on PC which is significantly better than what you get with the standard style mouse or keyboard. It's not that games are unplayable with the lesser hardware, but if you spend a lot of time on some games, a good keyboard or mouse can really be a much better experience.

When I played WOW, I raided a lot, and I had a $150 mouse. I didn't buy it for the DPI, but because it was programmable and had hot key buttons where I could set up my rotation without having to move my hand across the keyboard, and I just cycled through a series of well placed number buttons on the side. It had extra ways to use the top buttons, and it improved my game play in Raids and my general enjoyment of the game.

Same with keyboards. Mechanical keybaords tend to be more responsive, which is good for games. Some have lighted keys which makes them easier to see if you play in the dark, and many of the good ones have larger buttons and layouts, and often they have their own set of hot keys to do what you could do with the mouse.

This controller is essentially the same thing, but the need for all those extra perks is more limited due to the input options being constrained to the default controller. But, being able to map say the directional keypad to the back buttons is really good in games which allow you to switch stuff up, especially in games where those switch may come during an action scene where taking your thumb off the left stick isn't ideal. Triggers tend to be more resposive, or at least feel better so it becomes more natural.

I wouldn't personally pay that much for a controller nowadays though. But, there is merit to why people are willing to spend that much money on them. I'm fine with the default controllers, but even I still have times where I wouldn't mind some of the features available on the higher end ones.

1982d ago
Atom6661981d ago

My last 2 kb/m setups were $200+. I can't type on them though, so I still need to switch the kb out for anything non-gaming.

If I can defend those kinds of purchases to my skeptical wife, these controllers are cake. I'm waiting for next gen to see if Series 3 offers anything else, or grab the Series 2 at a end-of-life discount.

rainslacker1981d ago

One Logitech keyboard i had was hard to type text on at first. It was one of those semi-ergonomic ones. I liked it because the keys were bigger than normal keyboards. It took some getting used to, but eventually I was pretty proficient on it. If I hadn't also had a job where I typed a lot on more common keyboards, I think it might have been hard to go back.

Epicor1982d ago

I don't care what you say as you don't represent the whole gaming community. And what does margin has to do with anything? Special products are always sold at higher margin. It's not like companies put a certain fixed margin on top of their costs. That's called "cost plus" pricing and is almost always the worst possible way to do business. This product is using value based pricing, as it should. The price is in line with other products in this segment. There is A LOT of people who see value in this and will gladly pay $200. I know I would if I was a Xbox gamer. Unluckily Sony doesn't have anything like this in their lineup so I'm stuck with Razer and Scuf controllers instead.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1981d ago
Kavorklestein1982d ago

I love mine. I swear it really makes a difference in some games

PyroMessiah861982d ago

It does! Mines been amazing. Love it

SegaSaturn6691982d ago

I would only buy one to throw at don mattrick.

1982d ago Replies(1)
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