The Xbox Elite Controller Was Premium, And I Respect That

For a multi-billion greenback business that’s supposedly on the vanguard of Twenty first-century know-how development, video video games positive prefer to preserve issues primary.

Give it some thought: there’s little or no that’s premium about console video gaming. You may’t purchase a fancier model of the Change with an OLED display screen and stronger buttons. You may’t purchase a PS5 in a smaller type issue with a brushed gunmetal case.

Isn’t that bizarre? If I wish to purchase a much bigger, dearer cellphone than the usual iPhone, I can. If I wish to purchase a top-end mannequin of a automotive, I can (properly, I might if I might afford one). TVs, garments, even PC gaming {hardware}, you identify it, practically all the things on this planet that you may purchase, you should buy it in a premium type issue, whether or not you desire a superior construct high quality or simply to flex on individuals (or each!).

But consoles launch in a reasonably commonplace type, and over their lifetime solely get cheaper. That’s high quality, there’s nothing improper with that, and during the last decade all three platform holders have performed a very good job of constructing their machines seem like well-made, respectable items of client electronics. I’m not saying something now we have accessible in the mean time is low-cost.

I’m simply saying typically I want the choice was there to go a bit fancier.

I’m removed from wealthy, however often I prefer to deal with myself. I feel, if the price range ever permits it, it’s a enjoyable and worthwhile factor to do. Normally with a pleasant pair of sneakers, or perhaps dinner for the household at a graceful restaurant. In December 2015, in a really uncommon instance of with the ability to do that within the online game area, I handled myself to an Xbox Elite wi-fi controller.

I’m of the opinion that the Xbox controller design, which is now coming into its third console era, is as near ergonomic perfection as a controller can get. The stick structure is nice for all the things from driving video games to shooters, the buttons are in simply the proper spot, and the entire thing simply feels so good within the hand.

The Elite was costly, round half the value I’d paid for my Xbox One itself, however given the road of labor I’m in, and the actual fact I might additionally apply it to my PC, I figured what the hell, it was in all probability value it.

I’ve by no means regarded again. 5 years later it’s nonetheless sitting right here, albeit plugged into my PC for the most part, getting used nearly each single day, and nonetheless wanting pretty much as good because the day I purchased it. If you happen to’ve by no means used one, the Elite has the identical general design as a regular Xbox One controller, solely all the things about it’s simply higher. The plastic casing is thicker and heavier, offering extra heft within the hand, whereas the sticks are a wonderfully-smooth steel and the triggers are a murals. It even is available in a giant, robust carrying case.

It’s, in different phrases, premium. A really uncommon instance of console gaming making an attempt to hit that spot available in the market, and an excellent rarer instance of it succeeding.

And I like it. I like the way it has advanced from a curious flex into an indispensable software, one thing I take advantage of 6-7 instances every week (justifying the preliminary value), and which I’ve been capable of depend on each time, and by no means had it fail me (Notice: I’m conscious others might have had reliability points, as with every item for consumption, however that is my story, not theirs/yours). If I used to be a trucker the Elite could be my truck, if I used to be a photographer it will be my digicam.

So thanks, Microsoft, for waking up sooner or later and figuring, what, let’s make one thing premium. I admire the chance to put money into it, and want Sony and Nintendo would take notice.