The new, shiny Elite controller from Microsoft is an amazing piece of kit. It takes what third-party manufacturers like SCUF have been doing for ages, refines it, and gives it that first-party quality sheen. We recently went hands-on with the device – and Alessandro thinks it’s just about the best controller he’s ever used.
“If it’s a competitive edge you desire there really is no equal – even in more expensive price brackets – while offering none of the pitfalls that competitors force you to endure just for having a customised controller. It’s the type of manufacturing that only Microsoft could’ve managed for the Xbox One, and it’s really paid off,” he says.
It’s a bloody expensive controller though, retailing for $150, or about R3000 locally – so demand for the thing can’t really be all that high, can it? I mean, the standard Xbox One controller is more than just fine, it’s pretty damned good.
Well, no, not quite. The super expensive Elite controller is in such high demand, especially in the US, that it’s increasingly difficult to find in stock, outside of Halo 5 bundles.
“We are working to get more in stock, sorry they’ve been so hard to find,” Xboss Phil Spencer told somebody who’s been struggling to fine one of the elusive controllers.
“It’s tough as I don’t want to overpromise. Demand has just exceeded our planning. If you find one and you want it, pick it up, sorry,” he says in response to another, asking when stock might become available.
According to Microsoft’s store page though, the Elite will only ship to customers after the holidays, making it one of the hottest accessories under Christmas trees this year.
Last Updated: December 1, 2015
VampyreSquirrel
December 1, 2015 at 11:35
“The new, shiny Elute controller from Microsoft” LOL! First sentence.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 1, 2015 at 11:38
No wonder he can’t find it.
Geoffrey Tim
December 1, 2015 at 11:45
It was totally a portmanteau of elusive and elite. Totally.
VampyreSquirrel
December 1, 2015 at 11:55
I’ll totally accept that excuse Geoff.
Cyberats
December 3, 2015 at 04:57
“Shineee”
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
December 1, 2015 at 11:35
At R3000 I’d chuck in a few extra moolas and buy a proper steering wheel…
Mistake Not...
December 1, 2015 at 11:35
Buys a R3000 controller, uses it for MLG settlement building in Fallout 4.
Mistake Not...
December 1, 2015 at 11:39
I can finally put that side table next to my couch but with a professional feel, and with the added bonus of having panic attacks when I think about dropping or stepping on my controller.
eXpZA
December 1, 2015 at 11:41
????????????
Original Heretic
December 1, 2015 at 11:43
Wish I could have an Xbox type controller for my PS. That’s the one thing I miss from my 360.
Geoffrey Tim
December 1, 2015 at 11:46
Have a look at the newest version of the CronusMax.
http://cronusmax.com/cronusmax-plus-ps4-full-cross-over-support/
Original Heretic
December 1, 2015 at 11:58
I am salivating over my keyboard right now. I want this. And then I want to have children with it.
WitWolfy
December 1, 2015 at 11:58
I own one of these. Works like a bomb!
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 12:01
It ticks and can go off at any moment?
WitWolfy
December 1, 2015 at 12:03
……….. Yes, yes it does…
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 11:49
R3000? I’d rather buy three new PS4 controllers and be set for the next five years
Pieter Kruger
December 1, 2015 at 11:50
You mean “next 1 1/2 years” surely…..
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 11:51
Nope. at R899 a pop I can afford those thumb replacements with the change… Wait… that’s a bad thing.
Ir0nseraph
December 1, 2015 at 11:57
Do you chew you thumbsticks or something, my PS4 is almost 2 years old and I still have the original controller.
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 11:58
The left thumb pad on the one has started to worn off. The other is still fine. I blame Bloodborne
Ir0nseraph
December 1, 2015 at 12:00
XD
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 12:04
Then again, I have a dog.
http://0.media.collegehumor.cvcdn.com/71/13/f8bb3fe1f29dffb38fda85ce0c9ea306.jpg
Ir0nseraph
December 1, 2015 at 12:17
My dogs are too small to reach my controllers luckily 🙂
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 12:22
XD
Jonah Cash
December 1, 2015 at 12:03
What? I have broken 2 of them already. If no thumb grips, then I will go through that rubber in a month at most!
Ir0nseraph
December 1, 2015 at 12:07
WoW did you play bloodborne too, it’s the one game I skipped.
Jonah Cash
December 1, 2015 at 12:09
Nope…. Fifa!! I try and force my players to go where I want them to be 🙂
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 12:09
And that’s why you didn’t wear through your rubber……. wait that sounds wrong
Darren Peach
December 1, 2015 at 13:09
How many PS4 controllers have you been through ?, I am on my second one.
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 13:55
I bought two at launch and I’m still using them.
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 11:53
Then again. I’d settle for a SNES controller. Innovation for controllers peaked for me at that time
Jonah Cash
December 1, 2015 at 11:57
The Xbox 360 controller for me…. It could take more punishment than Lisa Sparks O_o
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 11:59
Lisa Sparks?
*Googles
WHY!?
Jonah Cash
December 1, 2015 at 12:00
Knew that you would fall for that!! 919 guys in one go is not a small feet bud, she is the Punisher… or is that Punishseaker?
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 12:01
She’s the whore of Babylon reincarnated.
Jonah Cash
December 1, 2015 at 11:54
I paid R3900 for my Xbox One. Don’t think I will be paying R3000 for just a remote, no matter how cool it is!
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 11:57
😛
http://cdn2.cad-comic.com/comics/cad-20150617-37f09.png
Jonah Cash
December 1, 2015 at 11:59
Hahahaha!
Cyberats
December 3, 2015 at 04:59
Minions ?
Francois Knoetze
December 1, 2015 at 11:57
Ghasp!? you finally have one?? Where did you get it at that price btw? Welcome to the Multi Console group!
Jonah Cash
December 1, 2015 at 11:59
I had R1100 worth of EBucks and Takealot had a deal on Friday for R4999 and I just decided that I would get it. Bought Titanfall and Sunset Ovedrive. I think I might be in love with Titanfall though, absolutely amazing shooter…
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 12:00
I keep forgetting I have Ebucks.
Jonah Cash
December 1, 2015 at 12:01
The One is just a bit greedy when it comes to downloading gigs. It eats through bandwidth!
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 12:02
Oh I’m not buying a big black box from MS. Was thinking of the new Nintendo console hehe
Jonah Cash
December 1, 2015 at 12:05
I am enjoying it actually. They say the UI is now quicker and has a better layout. And let me tell you if this is better then the poor fools who bought day one has had a terrible time! I will actually stop teasing them, I feel so bad!
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 12:05
LOL shame
Ir0nseraph
December 1, 2015 at 12:15
Love my ebucks, nets me at least 3 free games a year, but I have to spend it before my better half asks how many ebucks do you have left 🙂
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 12:22
hahaha
Francois Knoetze
December 1, 2015 at 12:03
Btw. when you have cash on you again get Rise of the Tomb Raider (if you are into the Tomb Raider games) completely blown away by the quality of the game.
Jonah Cash
December 1, 2015 at 12:08
I loved Tomb Raider. I just don’t want to pay R900 for it…
Francois Knoetze
December 1, 2015 at 12:17
who is ripping you off at R900? its selling for R799 on the store. Ok fine it is R100 price difference. Maybe the will be an xmas special?
Jonah Cash
December 1, 2015 at 12:33
I looked at it on the story but it is 24.7 gigs and I just downloaded all the patches for the UI and Titanfall and Sunset Overdrive and that was pretty big already. Luckily new month so new cap limits to try and not reach!! BT games had it at R899, so rather bought Titanfall and SO for R765 new.
Francois Knoetze
December 1, 2015 at 13:14
those aren’t bad prices! Well when you consider the internet cap it makes sense.
Ir0nseraph
December 1, 2015 at 12:16
Finished it last night, it was a great game, I was little disappointed with the tombs though, the could have made it bit more difficult to solve in my opinion.
Francois Knoetze
December 1, 2015 at 12:27
Yeah I expected more from the tombs. Graphically wise I was surprised that the Xbox was kicking out that kind of quality. Overall the game is solid.
Geoffrey Tim
December 1, 2015 at 12:03
TITANFALL RULES.
Jonah Cash
December 1, 2015 at 12:05
It might have better movement and gunplay than Destiny…. There I said it!
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 12:06
O_o
Jonah Cash
December 1, 2015 at 12:07
Jip, it really is just that good! It is an amazing shooter. I played the COD BLOPS 3 beta and the movement feels clunky if compared to Titanfall. Your guy is like a jack rabbit on steroids. The guns feel real and there is enough to keep oneself busy.
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 12:08
Will check the sequel out then…. maybe
Hammersteyn
December 1, 2015 at 12:06
Too bad it doesn’t have SP. Just like that other game that released recently
Darren Peach
December 1, 2015 at 13:19
I thought so for the first couple of minutes too. Then I came to my senses when I kept shooting others and watch them die like 3 seconds later.
Darren Peach
December 1, 2015 at 13:08
I really want one. So bad. I hope this will bring a third party controller to the market that is PS4 compatible.
Darren Peach
December 1, 2015 at 13:21
Hi all.Wouldn’t it be a good topic of debate ( For the PS4 geeks ) if we all moaned and croaked about the cheap build quality of PlayStations controllers.
Spidy Duz It
December 1, 2015 at 14:28
3K ? half the price of the crappy console
Cyberats
December 3, 2015 at 04:56
Great, misspelling “Elite” in the main subject. Buying a used 360 controller for my XP PC…
Cyberats
December 3, 2015 at 04:58
Best controller you ever used… Until you ran out of batteries…
Cyberats
December 3, 2015 at 05:01
So prepare to pay some Elite Ransom for this super duper China made heap of junk imported by the metric ton for 1/100th penny on the US dollar.