Microsoft’s Elite Controller Worth Every Dollar

I’m not a fan of high priced video game accessories. Consumers have already plunked down 400-500 dollars on the hardware itself, and often feel compelled to spend extra on quality headsets and the like. When Microsoft announced the Xbox One Elite Controller at a price point of 179.99 (in Canada), I shook my head and sighed. Who’s going to buy this? Even the most hardcore of Xbox gamers surely don’t need this overpriced accessory, do they?

Apparently they do, and after getting some hands on time with one for a few weeks, I wish I had 200.00 to spend to purchase even more of these – Xbox Canada was nice enough to send me the white version as a Spring Gift earlier this year. This controller is fantastic; make no mistake, your regular Xbox One controller is a good, quality piece of hardware. What goes into the Elite, however, takes that to the next level. You will pay for the luxury of a superior controller, arguably the best one on the market.

Analog sticks feel smoother, triggers are given massive improvements, bumper buttons are much more responsive, and Microsoft is giving players a fair amount of customization. The controller comes packed with three separate analog stick nubs, a standard D-pad and an easy to use 8-directional – 16 directional? – D-pad, and 4 extra ‘triggers’ that fit snugly on the back of the controllers, right where your fingers would normally rest.

The design of the controller is superior to anything else, as is the quality of the parts. Everything easily detaches via magnets, and I never had issues exchanging the parts. It really is a fantastic piece of hardware.

Using the mapping buttons option on your Xbox One, you can create two presets for the Xbox Elite Controller. For myself, I left preset 1 as a standard Xbox controller, and set preset two to my current go-to game, Star Wars Battlefront. I remapped the LB and RB buttons to the triggers on the back, and while I can’t say it made a world of difference, it did allow me to act faster in certain situations within the game.

Once I finish my trial period with the Xbox One Elite controller, I will flush this article out a bit more. For now, with limited supply available, if you see one and can afford it, buy it. You will not be disappointed.