Hey, I am Abrar Khan, and Xbox has done it again with a brand new limited edition controller for both Xbox and PC. It’s the Starfield Edition, which launched a few days ago, but it has already become one of my favorites and has kind of set the bar.
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Unboxing
How should the Xbox Starfield Special Edition controllers look? The box comes with the controller on the front, along with the Starfield logo. Inside the box, there are two batteries and some small details printed on the cardboard. On the back, there is the Starfield image and a line of text that reads, ‘For all those into Starfield.’ Underneath the packaging, we find the usual product information and warranty cards.
Design and Buttons
The Starfield Edition Xbox controller looks awesome. I’m really liking the all-white face with pops of color throughout. It looks clean, even though it has a pretty busy design. I think this could be the best-designed controller that we’ve seen in terms of the thought that’s gone into it. It’s more than just slapping a color on it and calling it a limited edition.
To start with, it has a splash of color near the Xbox button, inspired by constellations, with blue, yellow, orange, and red lines. Then we have the D-pad, which has been changed to metallic bronze, giving it a nice subtle premium look. It also feels and sounds nice.
Looking at the thumbsticks, they are light gray, but what makes them stand out is the red underneath. Again, this adds a nice pop of color against the white case. You may have already noticed this, but there’s small text and custom button mapping throughout. Next to each button, they’ve written the words of what those buttons do in the game. Things like scan and mode for the bumper buttons, throttle for the left thumbstick, and various other lines of text.
Obviously, this controller still works like a normal controller, but I really like that they’ve taken the game controls and embedded them into the design. It’s such a clever idea. Then we have the A, B, X, and Y buttons, which are transparent with a nice glossy finish and icons inside. They could have used red buttons instead, but I think the white and transparent look finishes off the design nicely.
Rear Design
At the back, we have a lot more color. The majority of the case is actually red, including the battery cover, which features the Starfield logo and a small battery icon on the side. Just next to that, you’ll notice a small line of text that reads Property of Constellation. If you look closely, there’s another line of text at the bottom mentioning the need to refer to the flight manual before operating.
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Transparent Triggers
One of the coolest features I think I’ve ever seen on a controller is the transparent triggers on the top. Not only can you see the motors inside, but you can actually see them working as you play. For example, while playing Forza, when I hit the trigger, you can literally see it spinning and vibrating. As I’ve always been a huge fan of the crystal controllers we used to see on the PlayStation 4, it’s great to see this feature on this controller.
Xbox Starfield Limited Edition Controller Grip
The grip on this controller feels so much better than usual. The two-tone gray grip feels great, and it actually wraps around the sides of the controller, rather than just the rear. This makes it even more comfortable to hold. If you take a look at the 20th-anniversary controller that I have here, the rear is grippy, but around the sides, it’s still quite glossy. So not only does the controller look nice, but it also feels nicer than some of the others.
Like with every Xbox controller, this one only works on the Xbox Series X and S, but it will also work on the Xbox One, a Windows PC, Android, and iOS. So even if you don’t own an Xbox, you can still have this controller and use it on a different device.
Dynamic Theme
Something else you get with this Starfield controller is a limited edition dynamic theme. You can only unlock this theme once you’ve connected the controller to your Xbox. However, I’ll be honest, it’s nothing special and could have been so much better. I would have liked to see a galaxy or planets theme, or perhaps a color theme from the game itself. But this is the theme that you get, and to enable it, you just need to go to the background settings, scroll across to dynamic themes, and it will show up.
Starfield Launch Date?
Starfield is launching on September 6th, 2023, and it will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. Of course, there’s also the collector’s edition if you’re interested in picking that up. The question is, will you be playing the game and will you be getting the controller or the new matching limited edition? Personally, I think this new one is a very close second, but what are your thoughts?
I'm really liking the all-white face with pops of color throughout. It looks clean, even though it has a pretty busy design.
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Design10
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Thumbsticks and Grip9
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Transparent Triggers9
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Dynamic Theme9
