Xbox Controller 'The Duke' Review: Big, Bold and Beloved
6/10 — Microsoft Xbox Controller ("The Duke")
Works with: Xbox
Pros
- Iconic, nostalgic design
- Two memory unit slots
- Comfortable for large hands
Cons
- Enormous for most players
- Awkwardly placed black and white buttons
- Bulky cable connector
The original Xbox controller, nicknamed “The Duke”, is one of the most infamous gamepads ever made. Launched with the Xbox in 2001, it was so large that it quickly became a punchline.
Design
The Duke is enormous, with chunky grips, a huge central jewel bearing the Xbox logo, and two slots on top for memory units. Its six face buttons include pressure-sensitive A, B, X and Y, with small black and white buttons squeezed in awkwardly. Players with large hands found it surprisingly comfortable, but many others struggled.
Microsoft replaced it with the smaller Controller S, which became the standard pad. The Duke later returned in a modern form, as a licensed wired controller by Hyperkin for Xbox One, Series X|S and PC.
Verdict
The Duke is a lovable piece of gaming history, but it’s best enjoyed for nostalgia. For actually playing original Xbox games, the Controller S is the better choice.
