Xbox Core Controller – Carbon Black

It’s a good controller, but it feels like they took both a step forward and back from the Xbox One controller. Also, controls through Bluetooth are jumbled up in some games.Pros:- The Xbox controller design and layout. It’s still as great as ever.- The redesigned D-pad is easier to use.- The controller is a tiny bit smaller and feels much better sized in my hands.- They replaced the shiny black texture on the bumpers and triggers with a better matte texture.- The menu buttons feel more clicky and are more responsive.Cons:- Controls are straight up broken in some games when the controller is connected through Bluetooth. They get all jumbled up, like A becomes X, B becomes A, and RT becomes the start button. It works normally when connected through a cable or the Xbox Wireless Adapter. I don’t know what the problem is, but they need to fix this ASAP. It’s been a while since release and there still has been no recognition of this problem.- You need to update the firmware to use it on Bluetooth. You need a cable or the Xbox Wireless Adapter to update the firmware. The controller comes with neither.- The grip textures are irritating on my hands. It feels like you’re holding a man’s bearded face. I don’t understand why they had to ruin the controller like this. All they had to do was keep it smooth.- The buttons, including the D-pad, are significantly louder than the Xbox One controller.- The share button does nothing on PC.I recommend holding off on this controller until they fix the Bluetooth issue at least. The grip textures ruin the controller for me personally. The Xbox One controller is still available and a much better option at this point. If you still have an Xbox One controller, there is no reason for you to get this one.

The controller works great with PC. However, out of the box the Bluetooth feature does not play well with Steam. In order to get it to work, there are a few steps you’ll have to do.1. Download the Xbox Accessory App on the Microsoft store.2. Connect the controller with a USB-C cable3. Update the controller4. Pair with windows Bluetooth devices5. Start steam and it should recognize it as Xbox Series X/One controller.5(a). If you paired it before doing these steps (like me). Follow steps 1-3, then go to “Bluetooth devices” remove the device and repair it. Then it should work with no issue.Build: The controller itself is very sturdy and has nice textured grips on the back as well as the triggers. Size is pretty similar to previous Xbox controllers.Battery: I can’t really comment on battery life since I just got it but I would imagine many of you will have some form of rechargeable battery.Wireless: I haven’t had any issues since pairing it nor experience any types of interference with my other wireless peripherals. The range seems good, I’m roughly 15ft away from my TV/desktop.Overall, it’s a much better controller then my ps4 controller. It plays well with Windows 10 as one would hope and once setup with Steam the buttons are automatically mapped.

Looks great and feels good to hold! No problems out the box so far. Very similar to the regular Xbox One controller. The textured grip feels nice. It also comes with a 2 week gamepass ultimate code.

I like all the changes they made to the new controller. This review is by a PC gamer, I’ve never actually had an Xbox.-The triggers are a matte hard rubber black texture with small bumps. They are much easier to press down and the texture feels way better. The One X had weird slippery plastic bumpers and triggers that made games that use the bumpers a lot (for example, Dark Souls) a bit less comfortable than a PS controller. The bumper feedback is much more of a deep bump than the plasticy click of the old controller and I like it.-The grips have a micro-texture as well which makes that controller less slippery in that aspect as well.-The circular directional pad with raised arrows are very clicky, much louder than the One X directional cross. Most games just use the directional buttons for activating items, menus, etc. However I am not much of a fighting game player so I would read other reviews who might have stronger feelings about this change.-Type-C cable instead of micro-USB. That means faster charging if you buy the optional rechargeable battery pack.-The controller is a tiny bit heavier, and feels solid. My old One X controller squeeks and crackles a little bit if I squeeze the controller, the Series X makes no audible noise from strongly squeezing the grips. I would say the build quality got an upgrade, but we will have to see if that lasts with age/use.So yeah, i’d say it’s a straight upgrade, but it’s not so different that you need to rush out and buy a new one right away.****Weird note! For whatever reason the controller had all kinds of small dust particles on the outside, fresh from the sealed box. I don’t know why that was, but it came right off so it might just be a warehouse thing.

I had hoped for 100% compatibility with the XBOX one wireless controller. It’s not exactly interchangeable with the XBOX One Wireless controller. Some software may not work, even on Windows 10.It pairs with iOS, but it didn’t response at all for any games. Awaiting support for this controller on iOS.