Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Gaming Controller – Blue Series X|S, One, Windows PC, Android, and iOS

I have been using the Cyberpunk 2077 special edition Xbox controller since a couple of months before Cyberpunk came out, and was beginning to have a double button push when I played Star Wars Jedi Survivor. It was irritating to die over and over, because I got a double jump instead of a single jump. So, on the advice of a friend, I ordered the Xbox Series 2 controller. I went all in and got the Elite version with the back paddles and charging case. I plugged it into my USB hub overnight and used it the next day. It kept disconnecting. Mistake 1 - my hub evidently doesn't put out enough power to charge it, so I had to plug directly into my PC. Skip my pain and just use a PC USB port. All is good, right? Mistake 2 - This one is for everyone that hasn't used one of these controllers. Download the Microsoft Accessories App from the app store. It allows you to customize the buttons, and I mean all the buttons. You can change everyone of them, if you want to. So, I put the LB and RB on the front paddles and removed the back paddles, for now. Everything is working great, after another overnight charge. It is actually useful to read the manual on this one. GASP! Yes, I did! That is probably 5 manuals in 40 years! It helped me make sure I got everything set up exactly the way I wanted it. You can have 3 different active profiles in the software, and many more that can be moved in if you need them. You will need to plug in to set them up. I recommend using a different color light for each one, so you know which profile is loaded. You can also change the light intensity and feedback to save battery life, if you need to hit that 40 hours between charges. I increased the tension on the sticks using the included tool (small flathead screwdriver), because I like them to have a bit of weight to them.I really like this controller. It is heavier than my old one and can recharge while it is plugged in, unlike the old one, which has removable battery packs, but does not charge. The only issue I have is the grips are a bit slippery, which will probably improve after I play with sweaty, sticky hands a few times. This controller should last me quite a few years, the way I use it. I use a mouse/keyboard most of the time, except for those console ports that just don't transfer that well. The Elite is a bit pricey, but if you don't want the back paddles or charging case, you can always go with the Core controller. It is the same controller without the extras, but all the functionality.

The Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller is an impressive offering from Microsoft, designed for serious gamers who want a premium experience without breaking the bank. This controller provides a substantial upgrade over the standard Xbox controller, featuring a more ergonomic design with textured grips and adjustable thumbsticks, making it comfortable for extended play sessions.While it lacks some of the high-end features of the full Elite Series 2 controller, such as removable paddles and the ability to customize button mapping through software, the Core version still offers an enhanced gaming experience. The build quality is robust, and the controller feels solid in hand. The adjustable thumbsticks allow for finer control, making it a great choice for both competitive and casual gaming.The battery life is also excellent, providing hours of uninterrupted play, and the controller is fully compatible with Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. The addition of a USB-C port ensures faster charging and a more modern connection.While it may not have all the customization features of its pricier counterpart, the Xbox Elite Series 2 Core is an excellent controller for those who want high-quality performance without the premium price. It’s a solid choice for gamers looking for a step up from the standard Xbox controller.

I got this for playing games on Steam (pc). I am an avid gamer and have used many different controllers from GameCube to Xbox. My prior controller that I was using was an Xbox Scuff controller. It had worn down after 100+ hours of use: the RB and several paddles had broken. I got this new controller as a replacement. It has several key qualities that I like:1.) The shaft of the sticks are metal. My prior controller used plastic for the shafts and they would slowly shred from use and leave dust behind. This created an issue where the dust would get into the controller and cause drift. (All controllers have stick drift. It’s where your controller will move your character onscreen without you doing anything. Games incorporate dead zones where the stick inputs are not read. Overtime, controllers get worse and worse drift that go above the dead zone thresholds causing drift.) I have not had any issues with drift on the new controller.2.) Metal Paddles. These are levers under the controller that allow you to hit your A, B, X, etc… buttons so that you don’t need to move your fingers off of the sticks. Paddles are not included, but you can buy them separately. I highly recommend getting paddles. They make a big difference. My prior controller used plastic paddles that all eventually broke. These paddles are metal and won’t break. They are easy to put on and off. They are placed better for your fingers too.3.) Adjustable hair triggers. Your RT and LT buttons can be adjusted so that you don’t go all the way down. This is helpful if you only need them to act as “buttons” rather than “triggers” and don’t need the full press down. I personally don’t restrict my triggers, but if you like to then that function exists here. On the back of the controller you can slide a button into 3 different positions to have them be unrestricted, partially restricted, and almost fully restricted.4.) Braided type C cord. The controller is wireless, but you can use the cord it comes with to have a wired connection to your computer through any USB port. The braided cord feels high quality and is much better that the plastic incased cords. My prior controller used a micro USB connection on the controller which was a crappy connection that would disconnect all the time. The Type C connection is stable and never disconnects while I’m playing.5.) Satellite D-pad. It looks a little silly but I like the feel of this d-pad better that the “plus” d-pad. Easy to rotate around all of the directions.Here are some of the cons so far:1.) I got the blue one. The letters inside the A, B, X, Y buttons are blue. So it’s hard to read what button is which. I can see this being annoying for new players. This only bothers me when I go from using a Nintendo Pro controller to this one because they reverse the X and Y (also A and B). I always get them mixed up and I’ll look down at this controller looking for the X button, but it’s hard to see.2.) Changing the buttons the paddles are linked to is more difficult on this controller than the Scuff controller. The Scuff controller had a much better solution. This one needs a separate app to do it.3.) The face plate is more difficult to remove. Another minor gripe. Scuff does this better too where you can remove the face plate easily as it is held on with magnets. You probably will never need to do this, but it does help if you need to replace buttons or clean the inside.Overall, I would recommend this controller to a gamer who is looking for a step up from the basic Xbox controller. Definitely geared for a more competitive player. If you are a casual player, then you would be better off with a cheaper controller. Compared to the Scuff controller, I think this one is better overall. From a price standpoint, it is also better.