There are so many Xbox controller variants these days that we don't always get around to covering new additions, especially since the advent of Xbox Design Lab. However, today's transparent pad, which is a real throwback to the OG Xbox days, is worthy of our attention.
Enter, the 'Sky Cipher' Special Edition Xbox Series X|S controller. This see-through blue beauty is available to pre-order "in select Xbox markets" today (you'll find the links you need below), and you can get a good look at it in the pictures down below and the trailer up above. The video clip even starts with the Original Xbox bootup animation!
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Here in the UK, this new pad is going to cost us £64.99 — because we just can't resist it — while US users will have to shell out $69.99 for the privilege of owning one. Here's an introduction to this new addition to controller lineup, directly from Xbox:
"Transparent tech is making a major comeback! We’re introducing an exciting, brand-new controller to the Xbox lineup, the Xbox Wireless Controller – Sky Cipher Special Edition. Inspired by revealing the mysteries inside of the Xbox Wireless Controller, this transparent controller offers a look into the intricate technology that powers your gaming experience.
Stay elegantly on target with Sky Blue metallic triggers and a matching D-pad surrounded by a dark blue accent. Refine your game with two-tone thumbsticks featuring Sky Blue bases and dark blue tops. Hold on to the action with rubberized, Sky Blue grips on the back case. Looking closely at the hand grips, you can see the rumble pack vibrate and react to your gameplay."
In addition to all of this beautiful blue goodness, Microsoft has also announced that this new Xbox controller ushers in a new packaging design; one that's better for the environment. From hereon out, Xbox controller will use a smaller and lighter box, where "single-use plastics have been removed from the packaging and the traditional paper manual has been replaced with a QR code for a digital quick start guide." We can't moan at that!
Well, is this a must-add to your controller collection? Tell us you're placing a pre-order down in the comments below.
Comments 42
Why couldn't they have started with translucent green?!
Wonder how much I’d get for my Shock Blue controller… probably like $15 lol. If I could upgrade for cheap I’d be all about this but I need to stop buying controllers lol
It would feel wrong playing Xbox with a controller more transparent than their hardware strategy.
"From hereon out, Xbox controller will use a smaller and lighter box, where "single-use plastics have been removed from the packaging and the traditional paper manual has been replaced with a QR code for a digital quick start guide." We can't moan at that!"
I love this....."We've found ways to cut more costs from production and distribution - let's spin it as being environmentalist and use it as a marketing point!" Amazes me how every time a company cuts their costs the public cheers "yay environment!" They're not being environmentalists, you dodos, they're being cheap, maximizing margins, and selling it with feel-good spin. When your next console is delivered in a crumpled paper lunch bag that still smells of fried onions, please praise the Sun Goddess.
While I don't need a paper manual for a controller, I'm sick of "scan the QR code" for a manual. When I'm setting up a motherboard, I'd like a book with the pinouts and BIOS settings rather than holding a phone in one hand and trying to scroll and pinch zoom a PDF rendering the pin layout 2 inches offset, while trying to wire it with the other. There's a time and a place to be "green" and interfering with the usability of a product is not one of them. Great way to maximize investor return though.
@Scummbuddy Because when we all play together we all win(TM). And look at the Sea of Thieves sales on PS5. LOOK AT THEM!
They're trying to sell as many controllers as possible before the refresh. And honestly, it is a bit scummy. Get back at me once the updated controller with haptics, improved sticks, and gyro releases later this year.
They just waited too long to sell me a translucent controller so I made my own a few years back.
@WhiteRabbit I know right?! Stop the presses!!
@Scummbuddy I came here to say this exact thing.
@InterceptorAlpha yo thats fcuking dope bro. How did you do it and where did ou get the chat pad from
@NEStalgia you know what is even more Eco friendly?
Not releasing a new plastic controller every couple of weeks,
@HeavyHoggJP it is a Elite Series 2. With them the faceplate just pops off. It is only held on by clips and some sticky pads.
Bought a clear faceplate and painted the inside of it with Kyeol Spring Green clear paint.
Now'a'days you can just buy the green faceplate on Amazon and pop it on though.
Chatpad is the OEM Microsoft made for the Xbox One.
xbox just keeps on killing it with these controllers , i swear if they make a Series X that’s retrofitted as the OG xbox im bending over backwards for it !
Another week another controller wow whatever Will they think of next Xbox really cares doesn't it let me see the controller sales they must be through the roof🤯
@nomither6 Can I watch🤷😎
@PsBoxSwitchOwner LOL this is the correct answer.
Or better yet, build controllers with Hall effect sticks and triggers so they don't fall apart and need to be replaced all the time.
Especially your $150-200 premium controller.
Though I guess there's 1 billion new Amazon Video customers that need Xbox controllers....
@InterceptorAlpha It always comes back to Nintendo strategy, doesn't it....
Alright, N64 nostalgia has been activated. I want this and I will have it.
I ordered it. It’s beautiful!
@InterceptorAlpha That green one is awesome. Well done!
I've had 3 of their controllers drift. The most recent Lunar Shift is out of warranty and Microsoft has stopped offering any type of repair for it in Europe. So it's now a paperweight. Will probably YouTube it and take it apart when I have spare time but otherwise such a bad customer experience. Nintendo lets me send my Joycons in even beyond warranty & I pay a small fee. I'm done buying their controllers until it's something that actually makes a difference or adds enhancements.
@NEStalgia I mean.... Nintendo wouldn't give me a clear console either so I had to fix that too. Also peep the facebuttons I had to grind to get the better ABXY pattern. :/
@K1LLEGAL thank you!
After buying three standard controllers, and all got stick drift under a year of use, I’m not buying another MS controller until they add hall effect.
Dam that's a good looking controller! Tempted to order but I really don't need it.
@InterceptorAlpha That's incredible work, you really could be selling those mods. They look OEM!
@NEStalgia Zzzzz oh look another Xbox controller we don’t need. We the same features from 10-15 years ago plus a share button that they were a gen late on. Ok back to sleep Zzzzzzz
Wake me up MS with a truly next gen controller. I might not like the way the Sony pad feels in hand but at least it’s got modern tech in it. Well….. minus the sticks
@HonestHick modern is a stretch. It's got tech in it 😂
I still can't believe we don't have force feedback sticks. Microsoft made force feedback sticks for flight games in the 90s before Xbox. And now Sony has force feedback useless triggers and Microsoft has.... This. And nobody has ff sticks still!
Then again they can't get these to stop breaking even without motors!
@NEStalgia i was trying to be nice to Sony, since they took more of a chance with their Gen 9 controllers. Xbox did noting from Xbox one but the share button. That’s lame. I do like the way it feels in hand tho. Dual Sense is just a little off, if they tweak it for PS6, then maybe.
@HonestHick speak for yourself, I need it
Real talk I would take this over any vibration gimmicks, I turn vibration off in all games, always have. I used to take the motors out of the controllers, but I've run into a few games where you NEEED to turn it back on for some sections, so I stopped doing that.
@HonestHick And what a share button it is! But I wouldn't know. Because I use elite 2. Which is still an Xbox one controller....
Dual sense really isn't bad. The battery sucks badly, the parallel sticks will always be wrong, but I could live with that, but the tension is awful. Oh and the flat mushy face buttons are meh.
There's some switch/PC/mobile controllers that are seriously nice. Literally a copy of Elite V2 but with mechanical click facebuttons, Hall sticks and triggers etc. they don't work on ps or Xbox, but do work on switch. First party controllers are nice but they're starting to slip behind the Chinese companies. Though the Chinese companies just copied their mold....
There's so many really fun controllers out there, but I already have one I like, and I've only got one pair of hands so I can't justify buying more at these kind of prices.
Fair play, it's a beauty.
Still waiting for the Sebile controller.
@NEStalgia @HonestHick Microsoft's outdated controller decisions are also holding back PS. Like the gyro situation, gyro in shooters is expected by the Switch audience thanks to the gigantic success of the Splatoon franchise and 3rd parties usually deliver but gyro support rarely happens on PS because of parity with Xbox controllers.
@NEStalgia yeah i agree. 1st party controller need to step it back up. I am hoping to see the Elite 3 at some point soonish. I would buy one. Better than Scuf. I like some things with the Dual sense, but yeah the stick placement is just so so. I would love for them to make options. If they did an option with offset sticks, they would steal even more marketshare from Xbox likely.
@Jenkinss hey i mean if you like it thats all that matters. I just find them needing to update the controller on the inside more. It was rumored to be here in 2024. I think they might hold it back for the launch of next gen.
@Grumblevolcano buddy me and Nes have had these conversations and other controller talks in depth, we agree with you all the way. I normally don’t speak for NES. But he wants Gyro in Xbox controllers more than anyone i know. Let’s hope they add them in the next controller.
@Grumblevolcano Yeah, definitely agreed. And I can't think of one single reason why the Series would not have gyros. I 100% expected Xbox would "finally" have gyros this gen. It was a given. How they managed to fail at the gates on that I will never understand.
@HonestHick "Holding back for next gen" that's kind of a metaphor for the whole generation, really.
@NEStalgia I appreciate that. Just wish you didn't have the heat gun the Switch's screen to remove it. Nintendo likes glue a lot.
But let's not let that distract us from the fact that this controller is a Cortana controller sans the butt.
Someone is gonna drop a STL of the butt attachment from the Wolverine and Deadpool controllers, then paint it to match. Or even just print in clear.
@HonestHick
The lack of gyros is why I refuse to replace my Elite Series 2. I'll happily give it up when they release a Series 3 with gyro. I mean come on, even my TV remote has a gyro.
@InterceptorAlpha My Switch's bulging battery solved the whole screen glue problem. Comes right off on its own, lol!
Cortana: ROFL! What as been seen can not be unseen. I still can not believe the "butt controller" is an honest to goodness Microsoft controller, even if it is Deadpool.
Gyros: I have a freaking screwdriver with a gyro. Nintendo was doing gyros when CRTs were still the norm. I can not comprehend how Xbox could be so disconnected they would not have gyros. They can make a refrigerator but not put a gyro in their controller.
Why not Green, ya know the color MOST associated with the XBOX brand??? I just can't anymore with their decisions...
@NEStalgia @InterceptorAlpha you are spot on. Yep even my LG Oled has it in its remote haha. What a mess this generation has been. I am focusing my efforts on the Switch 2 for early 2025 hopefully and they get it right. Or mostly right and that will give me something to be excited about until MS and Sony figure out how to get some games out. Again for the record Alpha i love the Xbox controller feel in. Hands and i can use it for hours no problems. But it is lacking features. It just is. Don’t get me and NES started talking controller, we can nerd out hard on this topic hahahha
I have always since i was a kid had as much love for the controllers as the console. I got so excited when a launch was happening and more so for the controller than the graphics. When i seen the GameCube controller i was like yep i can see myself loving it and i did. 360 controller was so good it made the SIx Axis feel like my hand was in a mouse trap that went off.
@HonestHick I still have an honest to goodness Wavebird!
@HonestHick @NEStalgia
I'm telling you. That's exactly that this controller is! I'm waiting for the people posting Cortana butt controllers when they get their hands on it.
And on the subject of gyros. I'm pretty sure the ONLY input devices I have that font have them are my Logitech mouse, and Xbox controller. And I have quite a few.
I have really gotta ask what the screw river uses one for. An inclinometer?
@InterceptorAlpha 😂
It's actually a pretty cool screwdriver, a rare practical use of gyros and accelerometers, twist motion left or right just once and it continues spinning at that speed, twist back and it slows, stops, reverses like a manual driver but then keeps going. Amazing little thing for quickly removing or inserting screws one handed.
@NEStalgia Me too and it works still. Easily a top 3 all time controller for me and if i tried hard enough it could be number 1. I was a MASSIVE fan of the GameCube. I loved that thing so much.
@NEStalgia That actually sounds super practical. I find the pen type electrics with the little rocker button can be a pain at times. Especially when working on small electronics with enough screws to make a a Boeing look under assembled(too soon?) .
@InterceptorAlpha Yeah, I use it CONSTANTLY. It's a DeWalt 8v. It looks like they still sell it but, as with everything in the modern world where "progress" does not specify the direction and destination being progressed toward, the current version is worse than the old version, where the driver is the same but it no longer has a clutch. My old one has a 12 position clutch which, I also use all the time. Gutted that I'll lose that whenever I have to replace it.
And this is all really on topic, because when we're talking Xbox, it's really appropriate to be talking about things getting screwed. Especially when trying to remove the back of the Deadpool controller.
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