Xbox Elite Series 2 Core is a controller for semi-pro gamers

Not all of us can be pro gamers, but some like to at least pretend. 

Rather than shelling out the full £160 to cosplay with Xbox’s Elite Series 2 controller, Microsoft has launched a cheaper Core version that looks almost identical but leaves out a few of the more customisable features. 

You can still adjust the tension on the thumbsticks, change how much you have to pull the triggers before they engage, and swap between custom button layouts using the Xbox app, but you don’t get the rear paddles or additional stick and D-pad options. There’s also no charging dock or carry case, but it can be used with PCs and mobile devices as well as your Xbox.

At £115, forgoing those extra bits will save you a full £45, though, which you can spend on some Fortnite lessons from your nephew.

Tom Wiggins Contributor

About

Stuff's second Tom has been writing for the magazine and website since 2006, when smartphones were only for massive nerds and you could say “Alexa” out loud without a robot answering. Over the years he’s written about everything from MP3s to NFTs, played FIFA with Trent Alexander-Arnold, and amassed a really quite impressive collection of USB sticks.

Areas of expertise

A bit of everything but definitely not cameras.