Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
UK EditionUK US EditionUS CA EditionCanada AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Don't miss these
Trending
  • Fallout season 2 ending explained
  • New Games for 2026
  • Big in 2026
  • The Forge codes
  1. Platforms
  2. Xbox

6 totally true features of the new Xbox One controller

Features
By Joe Skrebels published 29 May 2015

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

So, it's out there. There's going to be a newly-designed Xbox One controller. The rest of the internet would have it that the only real change is the addition of a 3.5mm headphone jack, but I applied some sweet-smelling journalism to the support document the information came from and found that Microsoft had left a lot more details in there than most people had seen. Join me as we take a look into the future of playing games using your hands.

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
New Add-Ons

New Add-Ons

You'd better believe Microsoft isn't just leaving that old proprietary headphone port empty, viable only as some sad dust collector. No, while your audio needs will now be met by another greedy void, a range of new peripherals will make full use of the controller's power to make your sedentary existence that bit more motionless.

Alongside the toaster tutorial, I found entries for smoothie makers, coffee grinders and green energy chargers (a 9-foot wind turbine you have to stick out of your window).

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
Hidden Collectible Cards

Hidden Collectible Cards

Controllers are expensive - I know almost no one with a full complement of four. It seems Microsoft has cottoned onto this trend, and moved to incentivise you buying more. Every Xbox One controller will now come with a randomly selected, Xbox-themed trading card lodged in the battery compartment.

The rules of the game are mind-wringingly complex, and are printed on only one of the 330 available cards, so save up and get collecting if you want to play!

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Multiple SKUs

Multiple SKUs

Microsoft has clearly realised that its customer base is a diverse group, with many different needs and play styles. As such, the new controller design is actually nine subtly different new models, each catering to a different player need.

They will be: Classic, Classic Ultra, Warzone, Sous Chef, Garden (pictured), DJ, Aristocrat, Huge, Pilot and Jeremy. Buy all nine and receive a mysterious 10th, simply known as "CODENAME DENIM" for free.

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
Old Problems Fixed

Old Problems Fixed

While the original Xbox One controller design was very well-received, people did raise niggles with certain aspects of design. Of course, one of those - audio inputs - has been fixed, but what of the other major concern - its bumpers?

Microsoft has sprung into action to solve players' issues with the index finger buttons and, always ready to cater to as many players as possible, has come up with a very interesting two-tone solution.

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
A New Button

A New Button

This one's very easy to miss. Included in the standard rundown of button names, the support documentation lists an extra new button, sneakily located on the lower portion of the left ProngWing of the controller. Known as the MYSTERY NUB, its function is, so far, a well-guarded secret.

Expect it to be used as a gimmick in a new first-party game - I reckon it'll be used to make Marcus Fenix wipe glistening, Unreal 4-enable sweat from his eyes at will in the next Gears of War.

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Control Animals

Control Animals

This is technically not a new feature, but - like when Listerine rebranded itself as a mouthwash instead of a cure for gonorrhea (that's true, look it up) - Microsoft has adopted an unusual side-effect of its controller's complex inner workings.

WARNING: DOES NOT WORK ON REPTILES, THEY ARE TOO STRONG OF MIND

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
Joe Skrebels
Joe Skrebels
Social Links Navigation
Joe first fell in love with games when a copy of The Lion King on SNES became his stepfather in 1994. When the cartridge left his mother in 2001, he turned to his priest - a limited edition crystal Xbox - for guidance. And now he's here.
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Whatsapp
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
GamesRadar+
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Latest in Xbox
A screenshot of James Bond in 007 First Light's reveal trailer.
007: First Light will be less stealthy than Hitman because IO is pushing "forward momentum gameplay all the time"
 
 
Diablo 4
Diablo 4 PC filled with blood is "perfect" after 3 years, says owner who would "love to give this to my future kids"
 
 
Lords of the Fallen 2 knight carrying a blue lamp in darkness
"It's important that our game doesn't just feel like FromSoftware": Lords of the Fallen 2 dev says what Soulslikes miss
 
 
Arc Raiders automaton in a headset
FPS streamer Shroud vindicated as Arc Raiders finally gets its GOTY award at the DICE Awards
 
 
kingdom come deliverance official artwork
Kingdom Come: Deliverance "next-gen update" is here for PS5 and Xbox Series X
 
 
Fallout New Vegas
"You are wrong" and Fallout: New Vegas was absolutely ripped apart at launch, says Obsidian's Josh Sawyer
 
 
Latest in Features
Scarlet Hollow
Scarlet Hollow's fifth chapter is full of terrifying revelations, but I'm too busy chasing a hot mom to notice
 
 
Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights
Emerald Fennell's controversial Wuthering Heights works because it's like a half-remembered dream
 
 
Reanimal review
Grab a pal and play REANIMAL in co-op because it's so much scarier when there are two of you
 
 
Spider-Noir perching in a church
All the Spider-Man characters we know about in Spider-Noir
 
 
Skyrim
I'm grateful Skyrim 'dumbed down' The Elder Scrolls
 
 
Clue: Murder by Death screenshot
This detective mystery game with a survival horror twist transfixed me for 7 hours, and the killer is still at large
 
 
  1. Kratos is grabbed by a cyclops in God of War: Sons of Sparta, as Deimos leaps to his aid from behind
    1
    God of War Sons of Sparta review-in-progress: "Retro-style Metroidvania Kratos struggles to stand out so far, and I'm scratching my head for a reason to press on"
  2. 2
    Reanimal review: "A feast of twisted weirdness conjuring up unpleasant imagery and dark world building"
  3. 3
    Crisol: Theater of Idols review: "This blood-powered shooter intrigues me, but never manages to live up to its dark folklore promises"
  4. 4
    Mario Tennis Fever review: "Riotous, hilarious, and chaotic, but it can't quite serve up the complete package"
  5. 5
    Romeo is a Dead Man review: "When this time-traveling hack and slash hits its groove, this is Suda51's bloodiest, sharpest spectacle since No More Heroes"
  1. Return to Silent Hill protagonist James Sunderland
    1
    Return to Silent Hill review: "Neither an impressive adaptation nor coherent enough to act as a standalone film"
  2. 2
    28 Years Later: The Bone Temple review: "The wildest and weirdest entry into the franchise yet"
  3. 3
    Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
  4. 4
    Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
  5. 5
    Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
  1. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams in Wonder Man.
    1
    Wonder Man review: "A low-key gem that's up there with the MCU's best"
  2. 2
    Starfleet Academy review: "It may feel a little different to what we're used to, but this is Star Trek through and through"
  3. 3
    A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: "This Game of Thrones spin-off is a surprisingly heartfelt and fun return to Westeros"
  4. 4
    Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
  5. 5
    Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...