Xbox Design Lab Review: Is This Custom Controller Worth It?

Table Of Content

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• Microsoft has an online design lab that lets you customize your perfect Xbox controller — here's how it works
• Personalize Your Elite Series 2 Controller with Xbox Design Lab
• Xbox Design Lab: Should you buy?
• Play 100+ marvelous Xbox games from the cloud
• Save Big on Thousands of Games, Movies, Apps, and Other Last-Minute Gifts with Microsoft Store’s Countdown Sale

This is one of the greatest controller designs of all time, and the latest iteration features improved ergonomics for smaller hands, a superior D-pad, better trigger and button actions, grippier sides, and an integrated "Share" button. It also features dual Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth radios, meaning you can use this controller on Xbox, PC, and Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices. Microsoft's official controller-customizing platform returned after the arrival of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S duo of current-gen consoles with a new controller foundation and color options. Since then, it has expanded with many more customization options and upgrades, a redesigned website, availability in a greater number of regions, and more.

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Unfortunately, Microsoft still insists that its controllers — even the $149 Elite — run on AA batteries, which is a bad look compared to Sony's rechargeable DualShock 4. If you want to be able to juice up the Xbox One controller, you'll have to shell out $25 for a battery pack. Xbox Design Lab is an excellent addition to the Xbox ecosystem, and I hope it continues to improve moving forward with new options and greater availability. Regardless of what you create, it'll be truly "you," and it'll be able to follow you wherever you game, across Xbox, PC, and mobile devices. Xbox Design Lab has returned for the latest generation of console gaming, and it's better than ever. With an improved website design, a new controller foundation, and a growing number of options, Xbox Design Lab is an excellent way to secure a custom controller (if you're willing to pay the cost).

Microsoft has an online design lab that lets you customize your perfect Xbox controller — here's how it works

However, there is one notable upgrade that is functional and well worth the added premium — the rubberized grips. Available for the back and sides of the controller, the rubberized grips are a drastic improvement over the textured plastic "grips" of the standard controller, and genuinely make the controller more comfortable to use for long periods of time. Whether you are looking for a custom designed controller for yourself, a loved one, or a special gamer in your life, Xbox Design Lab provides a broad canvas for you to design the perfect controller. Since Xbox Design Lab launched in 2016, the number one fan request has been to include Elite controllers in our unique customization program to empower further personalization of our premium controller. Now you have billions of colorful ways to make the most customizable controller from Xbox unmistakably yours!

Fallout Controllers Now Available Through Xbox Design Lab - Pure Xbox

Fallout Controllers Now Available Through Xbox Design Lab.

Posted: Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Personalize Your Elite Series 2 Controller with Xbox Design Lab

Note that these patterns only apply to the controller's front; you still need to choose a flat color for the back. Endless possibilities for customization and a tried-and-true design that excels at cross-device play is a recipe for success, and Xbox Design Lab doesn't disappoint. I observed fantastic build quality in both of the Xbox Design Lab controllers I had available to test, with no concerning creaking, gaps, or drifting. It remains to be seen how well these controllers hold up over time, but they should be essentially identical to the standard Xbox Wireless Controller. Potential winners will be notified via DM on Twitter no more than fourteen (14) days following the drawing with prize claim instructions, including submission deadlines. You must remain a follower of @xbox for at least twenty-one (21) days following the Entry Period, in order to receive winner notification communications.

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This is understandable given the nature of the service, but can still be annoying if you're in need of a new controller or you change your mind. Not only is it one of your only options for acquiring a truly personalized controller, it's also genuinely great at delivering. Still, there are a few things that may deter potential customers, or that need to improve in the future. Based on one of the greatest video game series of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there's almost nothing left to have. 200 years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the incredibly complex, gleefully weird and highly violent universe waiting for them above.

You can also look through the community gallery to discover and get inspired by other fan creations or share your own. Check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on the Xbox Design Lab website if you have any questions about shipping and handling, product information, and more. Elite Series 2 controllers come with Microsoft’s 1-year limited warranty for added peace of mind, which is in addition to your consumer law rights. Finally, if you want more than one solid color for your gamepad's body, you can pick one of six patterns for $9.99. Unfortunately, those patterns are just five camouflage color variations, and perhaps the ugliest interpretation of the Pride flag I've ever seen. I'm not insulting the flag, just the implementation; the layout on the gamepad's faceplate is a mess.

Play 100+ marvelous Xbox games from the cloud

An "Xbox 360" design is available, too, making the Xbox One controller look like the iconic Xbox 360 gamepad. There is also a yellow and red "Pikachu" design and others inspired by Elden Ring, Fallout, Mario, Batman, and more. There's a good amount of color variety here; you can choose from among 15 colors for the pad's front, back, shoulder buttons and d-pad, whether you like things all black or want a loud mix of hot pink and baby blue.

While you can also win one of these controllers, it’s unclear if you can order them from the Xbox Design Lab. However, given the colour schemes, you could likely create your own, just without the blister pack. The Controller Shop is a popular third-party option, and it lets you whip up much crazier designs if you're willing to shell out more cash.

From towering super mutants to heart-stopping deathclaws, the creatures that roam the wastelands of Fallout are as incredible to behold as they are terrifying. Use this customizable design to craft a controller inspired by your favorite irradiated creatures. Add stylish pastel colors Soft Orange, Soft Pink, Soft Green, and Soft Purple that add an elegant suite of colors to design with. Go bold with exciting camo patterns like the fashionable Mineral Camo, classic Forest Camo, striking Blaze Camo, softspoken Arctic Camo, and the sophisticated Sandglow Camo. If the integrity of the Sweepstakes cannot be restored, we may select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Sweepstakes. Pending confirmation of eligibility, potential prize winners will be selected by Microsoft or their Agent within seven (7) days following the Entry Period in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received.

The old website was confusing to navigate, and was prone to crashes, freezes, and other errors. This newly redesigned website not only looks much cleaner, it's also significantly easier to use, and has never stuttered while I've used it. Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Experience an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world – radiation, Super Mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. Play over 100 high-quality games with friends, plus enjoy Xbox Live Gold and an EA Play membership, all for one low monthly price.

After just a few minutes, I was staggered by the amount of aesthetic options the shop offers, including psychedelic patterns, glow-in-the-dark paint, custom graphics and even extra buttons. Xbox One controllers start at $110 at The Controller Shop, but will get notably pricier, based on which goodies you add on. Whether you love or hate the Xbox One, you have to give Microsoft some credit for giving gamers lots of choices when it comes to controllers.

You can place your Xbox Design Lab order now in the US, Canada and most Western European Countries for $69.99 USD, with optional laser engraving for an additional $9.99 USD. The comic is a two-page story with a full page cover exclusive to the Xbox Series X, and features Cyclops leading the X-Men in a battle against the Sentinels and Master Mold. Microsoft’s run of custom Xbox consoles continues, this time with an X-Men ‘97 Xbox Series X and controllers.

Fans eager to get their hands on the “X-Men ’97”-inspired Xbox Series X and one of the Xbox Design Lab character controllers will have the opportunity to enter the sweepstakes hosted on Xbox Twitter. Play hundreds of high-quality games with friends, plus enjoy online console multiplayer and an EA Play membership, all for one low monthly price. But the peripheral's most significant hardware upgrade is Bluetooth support, which is a godsend for those who plan to use it on a Windows PC. Using an Xbox One controller wirelessly on a PC previously required a $25 adapter; now, you can simply pair it directly to your computer with no extra dongles. It only took a few seconds for my custom controller to pair with my PC via Bluetooth, and the pad felt perfectly responsive as I beat up my cartoony foes in Rivals of Aether.

Any attempt by you to obtain more than the stated number of entries by using multiple/different accounts, identities, registrations, logins, or any other methods will void your entries and you may be disqualified. By entering you (your parent/legal guardian if you are not the age of majority in your legal place of residence) agree to be bound by these Rules. Scottish games journalist and author with 17 years of experience, formerly of Official Nintendo Magazine UK & CVG. Priced at $45-50 depending on design, these fancy wraps are “made with solid core panels that are layered with high-tech fabric finishes” and “are folded around your console and secured with a hook and loop enclosure”.