Verdict
If worth isn’t any object, this controller is a vital for buy for hardcore avid gamers. It’s a wonderful peripheral, and given it can work on future platforms for years to return, you don’t want to fret about such an funding being wasted transferring ahead.
Pros
Excellent construct high quality and engaging design
Attachments present limitless quantities of customisation
Comfortable to play for prolonged play periods
Fantastic battery life
Works on a variety of platforms and units
Cons
Small elements of the machine lack a premium really feel
D-pad nonetheless is not the perfect within the enterprise
Key Specifications
Review Price: £159.99
Bluetooth Compatible with Xbox, PC, Phones and Tablets
40 hours of battery life by way of USB-C charging
Impulse Triggers, Rumble Motors and Customisable Attachments
3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack
Weight: 345g
Microsoft’s Xbox Elite Controller instantly established itself as a vital peripheral for hardcore gamers when it first launched again in 2015, its supreme construct high quality and in depth vary of options greater than justifying its monolithic price ticket.
Now, Microsoft is increasing upon its imaginative and prescient for professional pads with Xbox Elite Controller 2, a direct successor to its vastly common first entry utterly with an enormous choice of enhancements and new options. Set to help Xbox Series X, Windows 10 and all different Xbox consoles transferring ahead, it is a must-have peripheral for individuals who can afford it.
Price-wise it sits between the Astro C40 and Razer Raiju Tournament Edition that are two of the present prime canines within the gaming controller market. But even towards its stiff competitors the Xbox Elite Controller 2 is a wonderful machine in virtually each regard, with it solely falling quick in just a few small areas.
Its premium high quality, vary of various customisation choices and astounding battery life guarantee it stands proudly among the many competitors, and in some regards, simply surpasses them. Even in comparison with the unique Elite, it is a daring step ahead.
Related: Best Gaming Controllers
Design – A daring but acquainted design that feels great to carry
The total design is essentially much like the primary Elite Controller, albeit with a handful of modifications to its color scheme, attachments and a few different small touches. The strip of plastic which as soon as dominated the house button and higher elements of the physique are actually a constant shade of black, with shiny silver plastic relegated to the triggers and shoulder buttons. It’s far much less jarring, and provides the machine a extra premium really feel total.
Button format has additionally obtained a slight revision. You can now choose from three bespoke profiles, now managed with a single button as a substitute of a swap, As consequence it takes up far much less house, and is considerably extra swish throughout the peripheral’s total design. Beyond this, the Xbox Elite Controller 2 doesn’t change what doesn’t require fixing, as a substitute opting to steadily refine facets of its predecessor to craft one thing even higher.
The large distinction comes within the customisable attachments which might be saved within the carry case. Inside the strong storage unit you’ll discover a choice of thumbsticks, d-pads and different equipment that are delightfully simple to connect and detach from the Elite 2. Unboxing the controller, I spent a couple of minutes merely toying with totally different choices, lastly selecting a configuration which labored for me. However, some modifications have been made when in comparison with the earlier mannequin.
Related: Best Xbox One Games
Elite 2 comes with six thumbsticks – 2 normal, 2 traditional, 1 tall and 1 huge dome – with Microsoft foregoing the inclusion of two tall thumbsticks after discovering that solely a small variety of gamers adopted that playstyle. So, you may go for a setup much like the normal Xbox One controller and even harken again to the Xbox 360 days with the traditional sticks. Alternatively, the choice to combine and match is equally as welcome.
D-Pad choices are considerably much less extreme. There are solely two choices accessible with this controller. You’ve received normal and faceted attachments, the latter turning into my common driver due to its angular method permitting for a lot extra nuanced inputs. Classic platformers will possible profit from the vanilla d-pad, since it may be simple to make the wrong enter when sporting its extra sophisticated sibling.
Finally, now we have the paddles. These uncommon attachments are for gamers who’re actually obsessed with customised inputs and distinctive profiles matching to totally different genres. Paddles might be assigned to any command on the controller, performing as a further solution to entry an current button, or as a substitute exchange one. You can even use them as advert hoc grips or take away them fully in the event that they’re distracting otherwise you don’t require further inputs.
Related: Best Xbox Series X Games
That’s all for fancy attachments, however the Xbox Elite Controller 2 nonetheless homes a few neat surprises. On the again you’ll discover two switches which alter the actuation factors of the set off buttons, which means you can also make it so weapons hearth sooner in Apex Legends or Call of Duty. Each set off has three totally different ranges of actuation to select from, though you may customise these additional utilizing the telephone utility and customized profiles characteristic.
Charging the controller is a breeze, largely due to a frankly gorgeous 40 hour battery life which actually lives as much as such lofty claims. Switching from an older enter to the extra fashionable USB-C, Xbox Elite Controller 2 features a prolonged cable alongside a chunky charging dock. It might be charged immediately within the case, due to a handy opening on the again the place you may seamlessly slide within the charging cable.
Performance – The Elite 2 works fantastically throughout a number of genres and platforms
I’ve examined the Elite Controller 2 extensively throughout a variety of genres and titles, making certain I gave Microsoft’s flagship peripheral a real run for its cash. It excels in nearly each situation, solely falling quick in eventualities much like its cheaper siblings. Platformers merely don’t shine on Xbox One controllers, largely because of the placement of the d-pad in relation to the face buttons.
Related: Halo Infinite
Without a whole lot of follow, it doesn’t possess the accuracy of PlayStation or Nintendo pads in my expertise. Titles equivalent to Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Forza Horizon 4 are the place the Elite 2 actually shines. In Playground Games’ gorgeous racer the improved vibration motors come alive as you drift round rain-drenched roads, conveying a way of suggestions I’ve by no means felt in a controller earlier than.
Combine this with the flexibility to customize the sensitivity of your thumbsticks and also you’re left with a recipe for fulfillment. Each recreation or style might be curated to match your personal preferences. At first I discovered such flexibility to be overwhelming since I’m accustomed to common pads, however I slowly however certainly grew used to adjusting the Elite 2 when leaping from shooters to racers to platformers.
All of its inputs, whether or not you’re speaking about face buttons or the brand new and improved triggers, carry out splendidly. I’d actually discover it troublesome returning to the vanilla Xbox One controller after this, though I’ll admit the Elite 2 requires a bit extra care and a focus on behalf of the participant to actually take advantage of it. If you’re after a candy and easy peripheral, the unique controller is arguably a neater, and cheaper, promote for informal customers.
Related: Fable 4
The rubberised grip which wraps across the Elite 2 ensures it’s a cushty controller to make use of throughout prolonged play periods, even when your arms develop sweaty throughout a nerve-racking boss battle. One of my solely qualms is that in comparison with the remainder of the design, the plastic which decorates the bumpers and triggers feels unusually low-cost as compared. Its a small qualm, however one price surfacing given the hefty asking worth.
Bluetooth connectivity means the Elite 2 is extra versatile than ever, able to connecting to your Xbox consoles and a spread of different units equivalent to telephones and tablets with ease. You’ll want a bespoke dongle or the included USB cable to utilize it on PC, the previous I fortunately had sitting round on the time of scripting this evaluation. I like this flexibility, and it really works in tandem with Microsoft’s imaginative and prescient of an Xbox ecosystem which spans a spread of various units and companies.
Should you purchase the Xbox Elite Controller 2?
If worth isn’t any object, the Elite Controller 2 is a non brainer buy for any hardcore gamer. It’s a wonderful peripheral, and given it can work on future platforms for years to return, you don’t want to fret about such an funding being wasted transferring ahead.
For extra informal avid gamers, the hefty asking worth is a bitter tablet to swallow, however as a long-term funding I genuinely assume it’s price eager about, particularly if you happen to’re shopping for it alongisde a brand new console or the upcoming Xbox Series X. It’s actually probably the greatest controllers I’ve utilized in latest reminiscence, and Microsoft must be recommended for it.
Contact by way of Twitter
Contact by way of LinkedIn
Games Writer
Jade is the devoted video games author at TechSwitch. She handles all issues gaming whether or not or not it’s information, opinions, occasions or foolish options. Seen at shops equivalent to MTV UK, Kotaku and TechSwitch (…
Contact by way of Twitter
Contact by way of LinkedIn
Unlike different websites, we totally take a look at each product we evaluation. We use trade normal assessments so as to examine options correctly. We’ll at all times let you know what we discover. We by no means, ever settle for cash to evaluation a product.
Tell us what you assume – ship your emails to the Editor.