st238

GAMING FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

Over four Xbox console generations, we’ve seen the gradual honing of the packed-in controller from quite overwhelming through to thoroughly top-notch contender. Let’s go for a little trip down memory lane… Words Amy Flower XBOX A CONTROLLER (R)EVOLUTION!

YOU’RE SO SPECIAL! As well as releasing a myriad of different coloured controllers, the Xbox folk have also unleashed a selection of limited editions that were themed to specific games. Here are four of our favourites from through the years...

Titanfall 2014

2005: Xbox 360 Controller Look familiar? Not only

Halo 5: Guardians 2015

did this controller accompany Xbox’s most successful console, but it was also an evolution of the Xbox Controller S. It did, however, add two shoulder buttons, while taking away two face buttons. It also lost card

Minecraft 2017

2001: Xbox Controller - aka “The Duke” When Microsoft’s first foray into

slots in favour of an audio socket. Perhaps the biggest innovation was the central Xbox guide button, ringed by four lights, one of which lit up in-game to signify which player number you were. It was also available in both wired and wireless configurations. 2013: Xbox One Controller Another evolution of the now established Xbox controller design, the Xbox 360 version of which served that console’s

dedicated home console gaming launched, you couldn’t miss the controller – it was, well, huge. While officially known as just the Xbox controller, the nickname “The Duke” – after one of the developer’s kids - stuck. What was notable beyond its size was the asymmetric layout of the two analogue sticks, going a different way to then market leaders PlayStation, and the oval XYBA buttons. debut, it did so with a rather more svelte controller, the Xbox Controller S. Known in development as Akebono, all the buttons (now round) and controls of The Duke were present, but the whole thing had been pared down to suit those who didn’t possess gargantuan hands. It’s 2002: Xbox Controller S When the Xbox made its Japanese

Forza Horizon 5 2021

entire lifespan admirably, the Xbox One Controller may not have added much

at first glance, but there was a lot going on inside. Chief amongst this was improved

internals for better responsiveness, and haptic feedback on the triggers. The illuminated ring disappeared, but ergonomic improvements were welcomed by most – save for the controversial (for some) return to an old school plus-shaped D-pad. 2016: Xbox One S Controller A midlife update for the Xbox One saw slight tweaks in the controller,

2020: Xbox Series X|S Controller Wait, that’s the same… No, it isn’t! With the formula honed over many years, the Xbox Series X|S controller didn’t need much in the way of improvement. But a shave here and there, some grippy bits added elsewhere, a new D-pad, and a dedicated sharing button all helped to keep the controller right at the top of its game.

believed that this more accurately

represented what Microsoft desired from the original controller, and it became the default in the west later the same year.

with the key new feature being the addition of Bluetooth connectivity.

32 AUGUST 2024

jbhifi.com.au