Every Official Xbox Controller Ever, Ranked

Controllers are integral to the gaming experience and Xbox has truly refined its technology over years of trial and error, leading to amazing results.

Video game enthusiasts know that a controller can make or break a console. Each generation of Xbox has attempted to hone the famous controller style and there have been both failures and successes as Microsoft looks to create the perfect gaming apparatus. Players will all be looking for something slightly different in a controller, so it's hard to meet everyone's expectations.

At the same time, it's hard to ignore that the video game experience can be improved massively by the controller the player uses. Throughout missteps, incredible innovation, and surprising left turns, Xbox has a long legacy of controllers to explore that speaks to their dedication to the industry. Although comparisons will of course be made to other consoles, here the entire focus is on what Xbox has to offer.

RELATED: 10 Most Replayable Xbox Games

It all had to start somewhere and the original Xbox controller was the major launching point for the console. While it's very much of its era, the bulky and heavy design certainly has its benefits. It immediately established Xbox's core button setup and featured the classic double thumb-stuck and d-pad combination.

Often nicknamed 'The Duke,' the technology within the controller is obviously nowhere near where Xbox would eventually take the device. However, it was a comfortable fit for those players that prefer a larger apparatus, and it did feature two vibration motors. But the layout on the surface of the wired-in controller wasn't intuitive enough. It's an important piece of history, but it's not a standout design.

While console owners might look to collect cool controller alternatives like the PlayStation offers, the second Xbox controller wasn't designed to be aesthetically pleasing or a product for a collector. Instead, the Xbox Controller S was created to try and tackle the criticism that 'The Duke' had garnered.

The design was a little smaller, for those players that felt the initial design was just too big. This meant that the thumb sticks and the buttons were also slightly repositioned, leading Xbox towards its most common setup. Looser trigger buttons also made the controller more usable. While it wasn't perfect and didn't break too much new ground on the original, the refinements the S brought in at least began to modernize the device.

The Xbox 360 was the next console that Microsoft launched and the technological upgrades in a new generation of gaming required an updated controller. The 360 controller was built from a solid foundation and set the standard for what Xbox would have to match in the future. The button layout was pretty much perfected and the smaller Xbox button in the center was a brilliant new feature.

This controller was easier to hold, largely due to its more compact size. Plus, the feel of the bumpers and triggers was absolutely spot on. With wireless options, the controller took full advantage of the developments in the industry, and the LED lighting on the face of the device was a smart inclusion. However, there was still a long way to go.

RELATED: The 10 Most Important Gaming Consoles In History

The Kinect was a fascinating alternative to the classic controller that Xbox introduced as a competitor to the Wii in many ways. Not too dissimilar to the old EyeToy that the PlayStation used to utilize, the Kinect was fitted with a camera and tracked the movements of the player.

Some genuinely intriguing games were created that took advantage of the Kinect technology, and the Xbox One iteration made definite improvements on the 360 version. However, the concept never truly took off as a proper alternative to a classic remote. It was a fun idea, but it just didn't provide players with the same experience as a classic handheld controller, proving to be one of Microsoft's major mistakes.

The Xbox One controller was all about refining what had come before. Visually this was sleeker than anything Xbox had created, with the company moving away from the brightness of the buttons. It largely stuck to the traditional layout, although the small controller did streamline its shape, making it less angular.

Work clearly went into refining the feel of the buttons, d-pad, and triggers, with the d-pad in particular getting layered back for comfort and precision. Improved control response times made gameplay that much more kinetic, while Xbox began to master its haptic feedback on the triggers. These were notable steps forward, but there was still room left for improvement.

Just like the original Xbox S controller, the Xbox One S was created to cater to fan feedback and change some of the features that gamers didn't like. For starters, the d-pad was moved away from the + version that was being used, returning to Xbox's roots with a slightly more raised variation.

The option to sync up the controller with other devices via Bluetooth was a move that many gamers gravitated towards. While the majority of the controller's features still remained the same, there was a modernized feel to the device that brought it in line with the Xbox One S console.

RELATED: 10 Xbox Games That Defined The 2000s

The most important consoles in the world must have the best controllers and both the Xbox Elite Series 1 and Series 2 controllers were created to cater to hardcore gamers who wanted premium technology. From a visual perspective, these are probably some of the most beautifully designed controllers in Xbox history.

With a nuanced grip that makes for a better feel in the hand, the key to these devices is customization. The base of the devices boasts all kinds of triggers which many gamers prefer to use, while the innovative d-pad makes a mockery of the classic designs that came before. The Elite controllers aren't for everyone, but their Bluetooth options do elevate them.

Many controllers are designed with key gameplay mechanics in mind, with titles catering their designs to the tech available to players. However, the Xbox One Adaptive Controller was made with the player as the core focus. The experimental device put accessibility at the heart of its mission statement.

This controller was unlike anything Xbox had created before and should be commended for its adaptability and versatility. It still used a d-pad and some of the usual buttons, but the main feature of the controller was two larger buttons that were easy to use. The controller acted as a unified hub for other devices to be added in an effort to meet the needs of the gamer.

The Xbox Series X is the most recent console from Microsoft and naturally, its controller is the height of what the gaming producers have created so far. It's built on the back of a long timeline of development, keeping many of the same features as predecessors from the stylized d-pad, to the layout and slightly brighter A, B, X, and Y buttons.

Textured grips and triggers make this an even better hold for players, while the haptic feedback and vibrations have all been made a tad more delicate. This is a nuanced controller for players who love to game but also interact with the community, featuring a button uniquely designed for saving and sharing content. This is the most complete iteration of the Xbox controller available to players.

Politics graduate, freelance writer and all around film geek. If George isn't lecturing someone on the history of the MCU, he's probably ranting about the political consequences of Putin's latest horse riding trip.