Microsoft Xbox One Elite Controller Series 2 Reviews

Verdict

If toll is no object, this controller is an essential for buy for hardcore gamers. It'south an fantabulous peripheral, and given it will work on hereafter platforms for years to come up, you lot don't need to worry almost such an investment being wasted moving frontwards.

Pros

• Splendid build quality and attractive design
• Attachments provide endless amounts of customisation
• Comfortable to play for extended play sessions
• Fantastic bombardment life
• Works on a number of platforms and devices

Cons

• Small parts of the device lack a premium feel
• D-pad withal isn't the best in the business

Key Specifications

• Review Toll: £159.99
• Bluetooth Uniform with Xbox, PC, Phones and Tablets
• twoscore hours of battery life via USB-C charging
• Impulse Triggers, Rumble Motors and Customisable Attachments
• 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack
• Weight: 345g

Microsoft's Xbox Elite Controller immediately established itself as an essential peripheral for hardcore players when it first launched back in 2015, its supreme build quality and extensive range of features more than than justifying its monolithic toll tag.

At present, Microsoft is expanding upon its vision for practiced pads with Xbox Aristocracy Controller two, a direct successor to its hugely popular start entry completely with a vast pick of improvements and new features. Set to support Xbox Series X, Windows 10 and all other Xbox consoles moving forward, this is a must-accept peripheral for those who can afford it.

Price-wise it sits betwixt the Astro C40 and Razer Raiju Tournament Edition which are 2 of the current summit dogs in the gaming controller market. But even against its potent competition the Xbox Elite Controller 2 is an excellent device in almost every regard, with it only falling curt in a few small areas.

Its premium quality, range of different customisation options and astounding battery life ensure it stands proudly amongst the competition, and in some regards, easily surpasses them. Even compared to the original Elite, this is a bold stride forrad.

Related: All-time Gaming Controllers

Blueprint – A bold even so familiar design that feels wonderful to hold

The overall pattern is largely similar to the first Elite Controller, albeit with a handful of changes to its colour scheme, attachments and a couple of other modest touches. The strip of plastic which one time dominated the home push and upper parts of the trunk are now a consistent shade of blackness, with shiny silver plastic relegated to the triggers and shoulder buttons. It's far less jarring, and gives the device a more premium feel overall.

Push button layout has also received a slight revision. You can now select from three bespoke profiles, now controlled with a unmarried button instead of a switch, Every bit consequence it takes upwardly far less space, and is somewhat more than svelte beyond the peripheral's overall design. Beyond this, the Xbox Aristocracy Controller 2 doesn't change what doesn't require fixing, instead opting to gradually refine aspects of its predecessor to craft something even greater.

The big difference comes in the customisable attachments that are stored in the bear instance. Inside the robust storage unit you'll notice a choice of thumbsticks, d-pads and other accessories which are delightfully easy to adhere and detach from the Aristocracy 2. Unboxing the controller, I spent a few minutes simply toying with different options, finally settling on a configuration which worked for me. However, some changes have been made when compared to the previous model.

Related: Best Xbox One Games

Aristocracy 2 comes with six thumbsticks – 2 standard, 2 classic, 1 tall and 1 wide dome – with Microsoft foregoing the inclusion of 2 tall thumbsticks later finding that but a small number of players adopted that playstyle. So, you can opt for a setup like to the traditional Xbox One controller or even harken dorsum to the Xbox 360 days with the classic sticks. Alternatively, the choice to mix and match is equally as welcome.

D-Pad options are somewhat less excessive. There are only 2 options available with this controller. You've got standard and faceted attachments, the latter becoming my regular driver thanks to its angular approach allowing for far more than nuanced inputs. Classic platformers volition probable benefit from the vanilla d-pad, since it tin can be easy to brand the wrong input when sporting its more than complicated sibling.

Finally, nosotros accept the paddles. These unusual attachments are for players who are truly passionate about customised inputs and unique profiles matching to different genres. Paddles can be assigned to any command on the controller, acting equally an additional fashion to access an existing button, or instead replace i. You lot can also apply them as ad hoc grips or remove them entirely if they're distracting or you don't require actress inputs.

Related: Best Xbox Series Ten Games

That's all for fancy attachments, but the Xbox Aristocracy Controller two still houses a couple of neat surprises. On the back yous'll find two switches which adjust the actuation points of the trigger buttons, meaning yous tin make it then guns fire faster in Noon Legends or Call of Duty. Each trigger has 3 different levels of actuation to cull from, although you tin can customise these further using the telephone application and custom profiles feature.

Charging the controller is a cakewalk, largely thanks to a frankly stunning 40 hour battery life which truly lives up to such lofty claims. Switching from an older input to the more mod USB-C, Xbox Elite Controller ii includes a lengthy cable aslope a chunky charging dock. It can be charged directly in the case, thanks to a convenient opening at the dorsum where you can seamlessly slide in the charging cable.

Performance – The Elite ii works beautifully across multiple genres and platforms

I've tested the Elite Controller 2 extensively across a number of genres and titles, ensuring I gave Microsoft's flagship peripheral a genuine run for its coin. It excels in virtually every scenario, only falling short in scenarios similar to its cheaper siblings. Platformers simply don't shine on Xbox One controllers, largely due to the placement of the d-pad in relation to the confront buttons.

Related: Halo Infinite

Without a lot of practice, it doesn't possess the accuracy of PlayStation or Nintendo pads in my experience. Titles such as Halo: The Primary Chief Collection and Forza Horizon 4 are where the Elite ii really shines. In Playground Games' stunning racer the enhanced vibration motors come alive every bit you lot drift effectually rain-drenched roads, carrying a sense of feedback I've never felt in a controller before.

Combine this with the ability to customise the sensitivity of your thumbsticks and you're left with a recipe for success. Each game or genre can be curated to match your own personal tastes. At offset I establish such flexibility to be overwhelming since I'm accustomed to regular pads, but I slowly but surely grew used to adjusting the Aristocracy 2 when jumping from shooters to racers to platformers.

All of its inputs, whether you're talking well-nigh face buttons or the new and improved triggers, perform wonderfully. I'd honestly find information technology difficult returning to the vanilla Xbox One controller after this, although I will admit the Elite two requires a little more than care and attention on behalf of the player to truly brand the well-nigh of it. If you're afterwards a sweet and simple peripheral, the original controller is arguably an easier, and cheaper, sell for casual consumers.

Related: Legend 4

The rubberised grip which wraps around the Elite 2 ensures it's a comfortable controller to use during extended play sessions, fifty-fifty if your hands grow sweaty during a stressful boss battle. One of my only qualms is that compared to the rest of the blueprint, the plastic which decorates the bumpers and triggers feels unusually cheap in comparison. Its a pocket-size qualm, but one worth surfacing given the hefty asking cost.

Bluetooth connectivity ways the Elite 2 is more flexible than ever, capable of connecting to your Xbox consoles and a range of other devices such every bit phones and tablets with ease. Y'all'll need a bespoke dongle or the included USB cable to make utilize of information technology on PC, the erstwhile I luckily had sitting around at the time of writing this review. I adore this flexibility, and it works in tandem with Microsoft's vision of an Xbox ecosystem which spans a range of different devices and services.

Should you buy the Xbox Aristocracy Controller 2?

If price is no object, the Aristocracy Controller 2 is a non brainer purchase for any hardcore gamer. It's an excellent peripheral, and given information technology volition work on future platforms for years to come, you don't need to worry about such an investment being wasted moving forward.

For more casual gamers, the hefty asking price is a bitter pill to swallow, merely equally a long-term investment I genuinely call up it is worth thinking virtually, especially if you're buying it alongisde a new panel or the upcoming Xbox Series X. Information technology's honestly one of the best controllers I've used in recent memory, and Microsoft should be commended for it.

Trusted Score

vazquezhaveracter91.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/xbox-elite-controller-2

Share this post