A classic-style Xbox controller from Microsoft’s very first gaming system is coming back for modern hardware thanks to a noted accessory maker.
Highlights
Hyperkin is bringing back the classic Xbox "Controller S" gamepad in two colors, black and white.
The "DuchesS" controller is compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows 10 and 11.
It features a USB-C port, 3.5mm headset jack, Share button, and Hall Effect joysticks and triggers for durability.
A classic Xbox controller is coming back by way of accessory maker Hyperkin. The Xbox brand has seen many different controllers throughout four console generations, each one building off the general layout of the original Xbox gamepad introduced to players back in 2001. The first iteration of the Xbox controller, affectionately nicknamed the “Duke” by the late Brett Schnepf, was known for its bulky, egg-like shape that would prove difficult to manage for many players of the early 2000s.
While the Xbox Duke controller has gained popularity among nostalgic gamers in recent years, it was derided at the time of its release for its somewhat unwieldy design. As a result, a much slimmer model officially named the "Controller S" would be released in 2002, and it would go on to become the standard Xbox gamepad for the rest of the console’s lifespan. The Controller S design influenced the controllers for subsequent Xbox systems, like the Xbox 360 and Xbox One, and is still looked back on warmly by many fans of Microsoft’s first gaming console.
Hyperkin, the accessory maker that released an Xbox One-compatible version of the original Xbox “Duke” controller in 2018 and a special-edition one to commemorate Halo’s 20th anniversary a few years later, has just announced that it is bringing back the "Controller S" gamepad. As reported by The Verge, this old-school peripheral will be named the “DuchesS” and will come in two colors: the classic matte black and an alternate white variant.
Hyperkin Xbox "DuchesS" Controller Features
Classic design inspired by the original Xbox
Compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows 10 and 11
USB-C Port
3.5mm headset jack
Hall Effect joysticks and triggers
Just like Hyperkin’s Xbox “Duke” offerings, the “DuchesS” will be compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and Windows 10 and 11. There will also be a Share button in the style of the modern Xbox Series controllers, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm headset jack. Finally, the “DuchesS" will have Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, which will be more resistant to general wear and tear and the drifting issues that tend to stem from it over time.
As of this writing, Hyperkin has not given an official release date for its new, classic-style Xbox controllers, nor has it announced any suggested price points. The controller itself may also be subject to change, as it is still in development. Nonetheless, this news of a classic Xbox controller design for modern systems is an exciting prospect for gamers with fond memories of playing on the original Xbox using the redesigned “Controller S” gamepad.