Xbox Elite Series 2

If you follow me on Twitter or have read my MobileSyrup coverage, you’ll be aware that even though I’m a fan of Microsoft’s Xbox Elite Series 2 gamepad, I also hate the controller with a passion.

The gamepad feels incredible and is heavily customizable; overall, it’s one of the best controllers I’ve ever used. But unfortunately, its hardware is nearly always faulty directly out of the box. Thankfully, Microsoft’s new custom Design Lab Elite Series 2 gamepad seems to solve most of these issues (or maybe I just finally got lucky).

Read this story for a full recap of my experience, but I’ve been through roughly seven to eight of the old Series 2 controllers. Sometimes the gamepad’s shoulder buttons or the Y button fail, or occasionally, the face buttons just don’t work. In one case, the left joystick stopped clicking. It’s always a different problem, but with every standard Elite Series 2 I’ve used, there’s an issue out of the box as soon as I start gaming with it.

No, I’m not buying a new controller every time and have mostly gotten the gamepad replaced under warranty, but this is still unacceptable given its $229 cost.

Here’s where the new custom Xbox Elite Series 2 gamepad comes in. I’ve been using the Custom Elite Series 2 gamepad since early November, and so far, my experience has been flawless. The face buttons continue to work, and the Y button remains responsive. I’ve probably used the controller for roughly 20-30 hours of sweaty Halo Infinite ranked action, and everything has been smooth.

It’s unclear if Microsoft’s parts supplier or manufacturing process has changed with the Design Lab Elite Series 2. However, if my gamepad is an accurate indication, it seems the tech giant may have solved the controller’s issues — at least as far as the custom version is concerned (it’s also really cool to be able to fully customize the Series 2gamepad).

I’m not sure if Microsoft’s Series 2 Core gamepad also fixes the high-end gamepad’s issues, but if this video is an accurate indication, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

The Design Lab Elite Series 2 starts at $149.99 for the base controller that doesn’t include paddles or additional thumbsticks. The version that offers all of the accessories (which is probably the one you want because that’s the point of the gamepad) starts at $209.99.

I’ll update this story if I start to run into issues with the Elite Series 2. Do you own a custom Elite Series 2, and have you run into any issues with the gamepad? Let me us know in the comments below or tweet me @Patrick_ORourke.

Following the ‘Core in white‘ Elite Series 2 gamepad, Microsoft has revealed more details about its custom Elite Series 2 Xbox Design Lab option.

According to Microsoft, “nearly all” of the external parts of the Series 2 can be customized, including its body, back case, D-pad, bumpers, triggers, thumbsticks and buttons. In an Xbox Design Lab first, you can also select between a cross-shaped or faceted D-pad and customize the colour of the thumbstick and base ring. Like other Xbox Design Lab controllers, you can add a 16-character message to the gamepad.

Microsoft’s new custom Elite Series 2 starts at $149 for the base controller that doesn’t include back paddles or additional sets of thumbsticks. That said, ‘Elite Accessory Packs‘ with various thumbsticks, paddles and case options will be sold separately. On the other hand, a custom Elite Series 2 gamepad that includes paddles, extra thumbsticks, D-pad option and a carrying case/charging pack, starts at $209.99. If you don’t already own an Elite Series 2, this is likely the gamepad most people will be interested in.

The Elite Series 2 Xbox Design Lab option is coming to Canada, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, most Western European countries, and select Southeast Asian countries.

While I once really liked Microsoft’s Elite Series 2 gamepad, the high-end controller has been plagued by hardware issues, and I’m on roughly my eighth gamepad currently (I keep getting it replaced under warranty). If it’s not the ‘A’ or ‘Y’ button only working 75 percent of the time, the right bumper or the joystick button stops working properly. I’ve even encountered problems with the Series 2’s back paddles and the gamepad constantly disconnecting.

With the release of this new Series 2 custom option, I’m hoping that Microsoft has finally ironed out the Xbox Elite Series 2’s several issues because if this gamepad features the same hardware as the current version of the gamepad, it’s not worth buying.