The Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller: Is it Really Worth it? - Article
by Brandon J. Wysocki , posted on 22 December 2015 / 12,597 Views
The Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller is apparently one of the hottest game accessories this holiday season, or at least one of the hardest to acquire. I was fortunate enough to get one the week it released. I wanted to see if it was worth it and, as I play a lot of online FPS titles, I was also curious to see if it would help me step my game up in any noticeable way.
Prior to this, the most exotic thing I did to a controller was put after-market thumb stick extenders on, and while I could see a slight benefit I ultimately did away with them rather quickly. But the Elite controller just looked too sexy and seemed too customizable to not try. Now, after play-testing it for more than six weeks, I thought I'd share some of my thoughts and experiences.
First, the simple and obvious stuff - the controller looks and feels great and is an all-round slick package. It comes with a nice carrying case with built in holders for the interchangeable parts, as well as a nice, nine-foot, braided USB cable. The rubber grips on the handles are a welcome addition to the standard controller design, though I often feel as though I’d prefer the rubber to come around the front of the controller at least a little bit.
There are also a fair amount of customization options - one of the controller's key selling points - from the ability to map the buttons to your liking, to the addition of paddles at the back of the controller that can similarly be mapped as you see fit. On top of that there are two different d-pads and three different joystick options for both of the analog sticks.
You can save customized pre-sets and switch between two of them with the flick of a switch on the face of the controller. Finally, you can also engage a “hair trigger” system for either of the triggers and can adjust the sensitivity of the joystick.
It's everything it’s billed as, and nice enough in every way. But, to me, it’s all show. It’s more of a status symbol more than an essential gaming accessory.
With all of the rear paddles attached, I felt like I couldn't actually get a good purchase on the handles without accidentally hitting one of them. After a week or so, I went down to the two smallest paddles in the two highest slots, but even then I still found them to be more of a nuisance than anything. Occasionally, I would remember to use them and would use them well, but more often it seemed as though I had to focus on not using them accidentally. I don’t have very big hands, and as a carpenter I’d like think I’m pretty precise with my fingers, but after another two weeks I finally realized that they had to go altogether.
I will say that I want to try to custom-make my own buttons to essentially just exaggerate the recessed ones that the paddles activate, as that could prove to be perfect, but I’m disappointed that I feel like that is the only way I might ever end up taking advantage of the feature from here on out.
In other respects my impressions are largely the same. The different joysticks are welcome options, and some may better suit a particular game or gamer, but ultimately they're not that much different from the cheap after-market add-ons I tried on my 360 controller back in the day. I do often keep the hair-trigger feature engaged, but again, the impact is minimal. I can pick up a standard Xbox One controller and play without noticing much of a difference.
And that’s the thing, again and again; as stylish as the new Elite controller is, I can easily switch it out with a standard Xbox One controller and there'll be no noteworthy difference in performance.
To some degree, I see that as a positive, as I wouldn’t want a controller that effectively amounts to a 'pay to win' situation. This definitely isn’t that. But on that same note, I don’t exactly get what it is you are actually paying for. It’s fun to show off to friends for a moment, but I don’t go out of my way to make sure I’m always using it when I play. If I did, it would be because of the textured grips, nothing else.
If you manage to get your hands on the controller, especially as a gift for the holidays, you’ll likely enjoy it and use it often enough, as I myself do. It really is a sleek, comfortable, highly customizable controller. That said, I don’t get the high-demand or high asking price for it, especially when you consider what it provides in return. Others may, and seemingly do, disagree, but it simply doesn’t do or offer anything all that special.
It should be noted here that the first Elite controller I purchased had to be replaced because it had a sticky left trigger when the hair-trigger feature was engaged. It happens - I don’t think it’s indicative of a widespread issue and the replacement has been flawless - but it important to mention it for transparency's sake.
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Brandon J. Wysocki is a writer for VGChartz. You're invited to contact Brandon (username SpaceLegends) in the comments below or through private messages on VGChartz, or even at his barely ever used and effectively dormant Twitter account @BrandonJWysocki.
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Considering Scuff's cost way more than the Elite controller (while getting less features on a Scuff), I'd say the price is a bargain in comparison. If you want a controller for competitive gaming then the obvious choice is the Elite controller.
Specialist controllers isn't something you can pick up and instantly become better for it, you have to use them for a while and get used to it before you see the benefits. This is going to take hours of use but the benefits are there.
I used it for six weeks, at least 3-4 of those with some form of the paddles. It might help, but based on my game stats, the difference was negligible if there was one. I like the way it looks and feels, but to me, that doesn't merit the cost or demand.
I love mine. Having said that, I have yet to even explore the extra features and the paddles. I was at GameStop on Black Friday and the guns held a gun to my head and made me buy the Xbox One Elite system bundle...or was it twisted my arm...or maybe it was peer pressure as he said most of them had switched. Lol. Whatever the reason, I went in to get the best deal Xbox One and left with the Elite! I don't really regret it at all. I likely didn't even save much. I
Paid $449.99. The only way I likely said anything was the 500gb extra on the hard drive.
The controller feels elegant and weighty. Remember Jurassic Park when the lawyer asks, 'Is it heavy? Then it's expensive.' That's one way the Elite controller is superior. The simple customization of switching analog sticks out is cool. I am NO WAY an expert FPS gamer. However, I know that there are the near professional level FPS people out there that I will bet anything they WILL appreciate ANY benefit this controller will provide. Their expertise will almost certainly exploit the advantages this controller can provide.
To Joe Schmoe gamer, it may not be worth it, but if you are a diehard gamer regardless of your skills, you will love owning it. I don't regret it for a moment! Do it again in a minute.
The short answer: NO, it's not worth it. The long answer: if you have the money, and the few features appeal to you, go for it.
Say whatever you want about how much pro mods can go for, I still think $150 is very overpriced for any conventional controller, especially when standard 8th gen pads are currently on sale for as little as $40 new. It can't cost MS that much more to make the elite. $100 ought to be the maximum. That said, it's a nice looking pad and I'll be tempted once it goes on sale below that mark.
Its worth it... just not for that price.
Before Elite Controller the most I could get on Polychromatic was 4-6 million... After Elite controller my scores went to 7-10 million no problem.
For that price... no, it's not worth it.
I use the small paddles for L3 and R3...use the longer joystick for the moment and keep the short one for aiming. I do agree using all the paddles can be annoying especially when setting it down on your leg. Just try the paddles in different spots...they can be switched out in their posistions. Plus using them for clicking in the sticks saves on the wear on your sticks.
$150 for a controller is nuts but if you have the money then go for it.
I love my elite, but I don't use the back flippers as they feel delicate and can easily fall off. I also can't find use for them as everything is already mapped.
Yeah, I like it overall, but I just don't see what it actually offers, therefore I think the asking price and demand is at least a little unfounded. What is it that makes you love yours?
They strike me as good shortcuts for the face buttons when your thumbs are already occupied with the sticks. You don't get much use out of them, though?
$150 is not expensive compared to its competition. Easily the best controller I've ever used.
Though I agree completely, the paddles suck. There is no way someone would want all 4 paddles on.
I currently only use the top small one on the left. It is the A button. Use it for boosting around in Call of duty and it has made aiming while in air much easier.
As for the others, I use the rounded dpad, short default stick on the left and the tall stick on the right. The non concave sticks hurt my fingers with prolonged use so I cannot use those.
NO, it's not worth it for casual gamer.
BTW why bumping the thread to to top? MS moneyhat someone here.
Articles/reviews written by the site always get bumped to the top if a ton of news is added right after an article like this is published. Would be a waste of time writing an article and it ends up pushed off the front page within a hour since most people will just look at the front page articles and not actually click the tab to show all.
Thx you for the answer, it make sense.
