3. Xbox Adaptive Controller
When Microsoft announced the Adaptive Controller the world of gaming was forever changed. This marvel of technology was fully programmable, offering numerous configurations and adaptations that allowed gamers of all walks of life to be able to play together, regardless of motor-function impairment. One of the great leaps forward in technical innovation for video games, all manner of peripherals and tweaks can be made to various ports, touch pads, and so much more so those who were unsure at first about jumping into the world of gaming would have the chance to play with other gamers the world over and more importantly, have fun. as Xbox themselves said “When everybody plays, we all win.”
2. Xbox Elite Controller
Professional gaming is a huge business, and gamers are always looking for an edge in the match – without cheating, of course. The Xbox Elite controller might carry a hefty price tag but it does so for very good reason. The Elite controller takes everything fantastic about the Xbox One design and builds upon it with swappable joysticks to increase their length, programmable button mapping, an optional dish replacement for the D-pad, and four programmable paddle buttons on the underside of the controller. These features give gamers an unprecedented leg up on the competition as the middle and third fingers on the back of the controller are now in play, allowing for faster response time and more run-and-gun action. It also features trigger locks to cut down the pull distance on your shots, letting you pop off even more rounds faster than the enemy. The Elite controller is in a class of its own.
1. Astro C40 TR Controller
Not to be outdone, Sony has teamed up with Astro Gaming to produce a controller that rivals the Xbox Elite in many respects. Not only does it also offer varying heights of swappable joysticks – with both concave and convex rubber grips – as well as a dish replacement for the D-pad, hairline trigger locks, and programmable buttons, but the Astro C40 is the first modular controller which allows players to swap the D-pad and joystick positions on the fly, taking 15-20 seconds to completely change your layout. The Astro C40 features two large paddles on the underside of the controller which can be reprogrammed at a moments notice without using a PC or pausing the game, and it features full customization of the controller’s equalizer and audio output. Did I also mention there is a dedicated switch to swap between two different button-mapped loadouts which are saved directly to the controller? Add to that it’s incredibly comfortable textured rubber grip which never overheats or gets sweaty from extended use and you have the most innovative and versatile gaming controller on the market today.
Were there any innovative controllers you feel should have made the list? Where would you have put them? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or the Comments section below.