I love the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller. I think it’s one of the best controller money can buy, even at its just under $200 asking price.
When Microsoft announced that the controller would get a newer, updated version, I was all for it!
…that is until I saw how much it’s going to go on sale for locally.
Are you ready?
Brace yourself.
It’s not going to be pretty.
Here you go.
This isn’t a joke.
I hope it is, but since it’s on the local Microsoft store page, it’s highly unlikely.
True, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is more expensive than the original. It’s going for $179.99 in the US, up from $149.99.
However, even by going by today’s exchange rate, that means it should be retailing for about $245.
You know it’s a problem when it’s cheaper on import sites like playasia (who are notorious for their jacked up prices).
Why the insane pricing Microsoft?
I know you guys need to turn a profit, but come on!
At $269.90, nobody is gonna buy it! I consider myself hardcore (and a diehard Xbox fan) and even I’m balking at paying that much for a controller, awesome as it is!
I might get one at $200 or $220 but no freaking way I’ll spend $269.90.
Ok, I know it’s future proof (since it’ll work on Project Scarlett) but come on guys, that’s waaaaaaay too much for a controller.
Here’s hoping Amazon or some other retailer has it on sale for Black Friday, cause that’s the only way I see myself getting one at this point.
Salehuddin Husin, EIC
Sal's been in the industry since the early 2000s. He's written for a ton of gaming and tech publications including Playworks, Hardwarezone, HWM and GameAxis. Recently, Sal served as a juror for the Indie Game Awards at the Taipei Game Show. A geek and hardcore gamer, Sal will play everything, on any platform.