More see-through faceplates, please
Today, Microsoft hosted an Xbox Gamescom showcase to share some updates on what’s ahead for their games. And alongside some news about Forza Horizon 5, they also announced a limited edition Xbox Wireless Controller.
I have to be honest, it looks pretty sweet. It has textured triggers and bumpers, as well as button mapping and a hybrid D-pad. It’s also Bluetooth-capable, being a wireless controller and all. But it’s not just the feature set; it’s the color scheme.
See-through faceplates are a tricky line to walk for a controller. Do it right, and it looks fantastic. Do it wrong, and it can look a little cheap. And I really think the Forza Horizon 5 controller gets it right.
The yellow sheen on the faceplate gives it a nice hint of color, without being overpowering. It’s not clear plastic, so it’s got a little more character and “pop,” and it meshes well with the splashes of color across the faceplate. It reminds me a little of the special DualShock controller that came with the Death Stranding PlayStation 4, but with some much-needed splashes of color to liven it up.
I’m not in the market for a new controller at the moment, but dang, this makes a solid case for a good ‘Player 2’ alternate when it launches alongside Forza. You can pre-order it on the Microsoft store here. Forza Horizon 5, meanwhile, is also still looking gorgeous, and will race onto the scene on Nov. 9 for Xbox and PC.
