I've watched a number of vids on the new XBOX Series X|S Controller to find out whether there were any real changes and most places indicate the controller is pretty much the same which is true except it's not.
Sure people will be quick to point out the new share button and that the grips and trigger are now textured plus the redesign on the d-pad, however having just held a new controller for all of 5 minutes I can tell you that they're idiots if that's all they noticed.
First of all let's return to the D-pad quickly, that redesign is major. I'd go so far as to say that it is now the best D-pad on any controller, this includes being better than the Elite Series 2 and the Wolverine Ultimate. And this means that if you are into dabbling in fighting games this controller is now king (at least if you are using a conventional controller)
Second the back, so the triggers and bumpers have been redesigned too. Obviously they're textured now but beyond that rather than being a continuous piece of flowing plastic there's now a more defined little canyon between bumper and trigger, a great place for your finger to rest for games where you frequently need to articulate the one or the other. The trigger also features another change in that the bottom "horn" has been smoothed out just a little bit more making it a much more comfortable place for your finger to be than before.
And finally though the weight remains pretty much the same the distribution of it does not as the controller feels more balanced now with the weight more pronounced in the grips making it more satisfying to hold, textures aside.
I could also swear it's just the tiniest bit less tall but that may be an illusion formed by all the other factors when holding the old and new controller in either hand.
Literally the only thing I'd say was identical was the feel of the face buttons.
The bottom line is though that this feels like a superior controller, perhaps not superior enough to warrant an upgrade for those with still relatively new XBOX OneX Controllers but for those with aging controllers and/or who had been looking at getting a new controller anyways this is definitely the way to go. No need to consider the older controller anymore unless getting one on a clearance sale as they are priced the same. I would even choose this new controller over the Elite Series 2 due to the changes to the trigger and D-pad. Even those with original Elite controllers like mine can consider this an upgrade unless they have fallen in love with the alternative sticks and additional rear paddles of the Elite series.
For anyone still using the old 360 controller a new Series X|S controller will feel like they just splashed on a seriously premium controller offering significant improvements in every aspect. (Kind of like launch controller VS Elite, except the 360 controller is even more inferior than that comparison, or DS1 VS DS4)
(Disclaimer, I don't have an Elite Series 2 but I have the original (with nicely worn Silicone superglued back in place) and the Wolverine Ultimate and am very aware of the changes the Elite Series 2 makes VS the original Elite)
Sure people will be quick to point out the new share button and that the grips and trigger are now textured plus the redesign on the d-pad, however having just held a new controller for all of 5 minutes I can tell you that they're idiots if that's all they noticed.
First of all let's return to the D-pad quickly, that redesign is major. I'd go so far as to say that it is now the best D-pad on any controller, this includes being better than the Elite Series 2 and the Wolverine Ultimate. And this means that if you are into dabbling in fighting games this controller is now king (at least if you are using a conventional controller)
Second the back, so the triggers and bumpers have been redesigned too. Obviously they're textured now but beyond that rather than being a continuous piece of flowing plastic there's now a more defined little canyon between bumper and trigger, a great place for your finger to rest for games where you frequently need to articulate the one or the other. The trigger also features another change in that the bottom "horn" has been smoothed out just a little bit more making it a much more comfortable place for your finger to be than before.
And finally though the weight remains pretty much the same the distribution of it does not as the controller feels more balanced now with the weight more pronounced in the grips making it more satisfying to hold, textures aside.
I could also swear it's just the tiniest bit less tall but that may be an illusion formed by all the other factors when holding the old and new controller in either hand.
Literally the only thing I'd say was identical was the feel of the face buttons.
The bottom line is though that this feels like a superior controller, perhaps not superior enough to warrant an upgrade for those with still relatively new XBOX OneX Controllers but for those with aging controllers and/or who had been looking at getting a new controller anyways this is definitely the way to go. No need to consider the older controller anymore unless getting one on a clearance sale as they are priced the same. I would even choose this new controller over the Elite Series 2 due to the changes to the trigger and D-pad. Even those with original Elite controllers like mine can consider this an upgrade unless they have fallen in love with the alternative sticks and additional rear paddles of the Elite series.
For anyone still using the old 360 controller a new Series X|S controller will feel like they just splashed on a seriously premium controller offering significant improvements in every aspect. (Kind of like launch controller VS Elite, except the 360 controller is even more inferior than that comparison, or DS1 VS DS4)
(Disclaimer, I don't have an Elite Series 2 but I have the original (with nicely worn Silicone superglued back in place) and the Wolverine Ultimate and am very aware of the changes the Elite Series 2 makes VS the original Elite)
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