Xbox is no stranger to shady gamepads, but as IGN reports, the newest Gold Shadow special edition wireless controller is a first for the Xbox Series line of accessories. This is in comparison to the original Xbox One controllers that launched with the first VCR-esque console. Man, was that thing huge.
These upgraded input devices feature a bespoke share button for easy gameplay and screenshot capture, a noticeably clicky directional pad, improved bumpers, a smaller and more ergonomic build, as well as lower latency for lag-free gameplay.
This is is addition to all the usual specs like Bluetooth connectivity and force feedback motors inside the triggers. The re-design is reminiscent of what Xbox did back in the day with the Japan-influenced and very shrunken Controller S on the OG DirectX Box.
I recently got my hands on a sample of the new Gold Shadow controller, and immediately I was reminded of how comfortable Microsoft’s improved design continues to be. I’m still partial to PlayStation’s DualSense, with its haptic feedback, more comfortable analog sticks and longer handles, but the Xbox Series gamepad is no slouch, either. It surely beats a basic Joy-Con in terms of general comfort any day of the week.
This special edition, like a lot of Xbox special editions, provides a nicely rubberized coating underneath the handles, and it makes holding the controller a true joy. The non-limited gamepads also feature textured grips, but they’re not rubberized. It’s only textured plastic in those cases, which is still good, but not comparable to what we have here.
The clicky D-pad is an eye-catching metallic gold, which matches the ‘brilliant gold-to-black metallic finish’, a royal aesthetic that arguably serves as the controller’s main draw. The only other official gold Xbox controller I can think of is the C-3PO one that came inside the Star Wars Xbox 360 Kinect bundle from 2011, so it’s cool that Microsoft is bringing this shiny color back around.
Truthfully, you always have access to tons of great options inside Xbox’s brilliant Design Lab, so these one-off special editions aren’t exactly must-haves. But to me, they’re just unique enough to warrant a closer look, and I’m always interested in seeing which new variant will be released next.
The Gold Shadow gamepad is available now for $69.99 on Microsoft’s website.
Disclaimer: Xbox provided review product for coverage purposes.
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