Microsoftmaking a game console was not really on anyone’s bingo card back when the originalXboxwas released. Setting them apart, it seems that one of the core tenants that has followed them throughout the years is allowing the player to choose the look and feel of their gaming experience.
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This idea would eventually lead to Xbox Design Labs, giving the player even more power to customize their play. With so many color options and special edition controllers out there, it might be difficult to decide whether to go the route of designing your own or seeking out one of these special edition controllers. So, here’s some best special edition Xbox controllers to help you decide.
10Gold Chrome Controller- Xbox 360
As Shiny As The Real Thing
TheXbox 360controller is truly where it seems Microsoft got serious with the development of their controllers. It’s incredibly comfortable to use, even for a design made in 2005, and the adaptability of its look became quickly apparent.
Which brings us to their Gold Chrome controller. It was part of a greater line of different colors, but the gold version just oozes cool, and might trick people into thinking youpaid an arm and a legfor it. The Chrome Series was more than a little distracting, but it was a great start to what special edition Xbox controllers would eventually become.
Release Date
Available Individually Or In A Bundle
How To Buy
June 04, 2025
Individually
Resale On Amazon
9Crystal Controller- Xbox
See What Really Makes This Controller Tick
The early 2000’s seemed to be a hotbed for the see-though aesthetic and Microsoft capitalized on that with their release of their crystal controllers. However, they also specifically released a special non-colored crystal controller, alongside a clear Xbox system.
Like anything with the crystal design, the idea is to let the wielder see the guts inside, highlighting the mechanics to make something like a controller work. People tend to forget that the electronic items they spend as much time with as a controller take hours and hours of time to develop and perfect for the public. It also just looks neat.
Resale On Ebay
8Halo 4 Controller- Xbox 360
The Future Is Here And It’s Blue
The later games inHalo’smainline series can be contentious, to say the least. That being said, the special edition Halo 4 console and controller definitely made those sentiments fall to the wayside for many fans.
The controller was designed to look like a forerunner artifact, being the standard shape of a 360 controller, but see through, giving it a starkly futuristic look. Blue and silver streaks run across it’s body and at the bottom is the Halo 4 logo printed on it. The combination of the console and controller made for a very special gaming set-up, especially when you turn the lights off and the pair emit a blue glow.
Available Individually Or In a Bundle
July 13, 2025
Bundled With Halo 4 Xbox 360
7Starfield Controller- Xbox Series X
Become The Pilot You’re Meant To Be
Starfield’saesthetic is one of sterility and simplicity. Its UI and menus have a rigidity to them that some may find easy to navigate for the dozens of hours the game requires. So why not do that with a controller with an equally aesthetically pleasing controller?
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Released a few weeks before the game, the special edition Starfield controller was sold as a standalone product. Its white base with various labels and diagrams,mimicking the ship interfaceseen in the game, makes for a cool looking controller that you could enjoy even if you’re not a fan of the Bethesda game.
Release Dare
August 07, 2025
6Gears of War 4 Elite Controller- Xbox One
Seeing Red Never Looked So Appealing
The first Elite controllers released hadextensive customization optionsfor those that wanted to tailor their gaming experience to the utmost degree. It was only natural, then, that Microsoft would release a controller for people who were going to takeGears of War 4’s multiplayer extremely seriously.
The controller had a grungy paint-job in the style of something fromthe game— a blood-red base with some bright red blood splatter and claw marks in the center.Gears of War’s Crimson Omen symbol is displayed prominently on the left hand grip and on the back is the new COG symbol that plays a big part in the story and lore of Gears 4. It also has the game’s weapon icons on the D-Pad, exactly as you see them in-game. With it looking so cool while displaying so much fan service, it’s easy to see why this controller goes for so much second-hand.
August 12, 2025
5Halo Infinite Elite Series 2- Xbox Series X
Hold The Chief Himself In Your Hands
Halo Infinite
TheElite Series 2controller takes everything about the series 1 controllers and pushes them forward, with things like redone controller design and bluetooth capabilities. There is even a base version without the paddles sold for a cheaper price, making it easier for people to jump into the world of premium gaming accessories.
However,for hardcore fansof the Halo series, Microsoft released aHalo Infinitespecial edition Elite 2 controller. Sporting a green paint job that emulated Master Chief’s Spartan armor and an orange D-pad, it even had a depiction of the port that The Chief inserts his AI companion Cortana into on the back of the controller. Now players can rack up their kill streaks in style.
August 22, 2025
4Star Wars Purge Trooper Controller With Stand- Xbox One
A Great Way To Rep The Wrong Side
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderwas unsurprisingly a huge hit for fans of the series that wished to see a new side of a galaxy far, far away. The game is an introduction to the character of Cal Kestis as he travels the stars learning of a potential path to saving the way of the Jedi, after their near annihilation during Order 66.
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Fight the Empire, and look great doing it
The Purge Troopers are a common enemy first officially introduced in Fallen Order, and this controller is made to look like their armor. It’s black with metallic etching all over it, the Galactic Empire symbol resting on the right grip. The left side also has a singular red section to mimic Purge Trooper’s single shoulder pad. The striking design continues onto the stand that the controller comes with as well. As stunning as it is, any Star Wars fan would be proud to sit this one on their shelf.
June 22, 2025
Controller Gear
3Pure White 2nd Anniversary- Xbox
As White As Snow, But More Expensive
The original Xbox is region-locked (as many older consoles are) making it hurt a little bit more when a cool console variant came out in a foreign country. After all, what good is a game console if you can’t understand anything you’re playing on it? Well, for collectors, the Pure White console celebrating Xbox’s 2nd anniversary, released exclusively in Japan, was the answer to that question.
There were only 1000 of these consoles made for release, significantly driving up the desirability, and making them sell on places like Ebay for some insane prices. This means that you’re not getting to the jewel of the piece, the starkly white controller, without shelling out a couple grand for the whole package.
Bundled With Console
2Halo 20th Anniversary Duke Controller- Xbox Series X
A Nice Shade Of Purple With A Classic Style
Halo: Combat Evolved
The 3rd Halo controller on this list lands so high for a few reasons. First, the nostalgia factor of having the classic Duke design, a style of controller players would have had when Halo: Combat Evolved first came out. That includes the oval-shaped face and black and white buttons.
Then there’s the image of Cortana on the purple controller, which is the same shade as her model in that first Halo game. Finally, the controller has that crystal finish, adding to the futuristic vibe that previous Halo controllers had. This is the perfect example of Microsoft taking various aspects of its history and combining them to make something really special.
August 21, 2025
For Sale On Amazon
1Pizza Scented TMNT Mutant Mayhem Controller- Xbox Series X
The Pizza Smell Is A Wild Gimick That Makes It Work
Xbox is well known for its various ways to visually customize your gaming experience, but what about through your sense of smell? TheTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem controller does just this by attaching a device that lets out the smell of pizza as you play your favorite games.
The design on the controller itself is actually really fun. There are four different versions, each with a different Turtlefrom the Mutant Mayhem moviein an action stance with their name written in graffiti and slime in the background. To get the pizza smell, you attach the battery pack cover, which is in the shape of a New York slice, to the back of the controller. It’s without a doubt the wackiest Xbox controller out there, but one that anybody would simply want to say they had.
June 30, 2025
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