The Xbox Elite Controller 2 has remained one of the best options for gaming on not just Xbox consoles, but PC, for several years now, but it appears it’s about to get an upgrade. Images of the Xbox Elite 3 Controller have appeared online via a Brazilian regulator, and they show a few new features that players should be very excited about.
As spotted by Tecnoblog (via The Verge), the new Xbox Elite 3 Controller features two scrolls wheels on either side of the headset connector, for reasons unclear. A pair button will also make it easy to shift between local play and cloud play, letting you choose whether the controller is connected directly to your system or to your Wi-Fi network.
Xbox Elite 3 controller leaked pic.twitter.com/4sMEpQm9Sd
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The other big change is the inclusion of a removable battery pack. Previous Elite Controllers used a non-removable battery, much like PS5 controllers use, but offering the removable option should let players continue to use the same controller long after the original battery has degraded. Microsoft has made a point of including traditional AA battery compartments in most of its wireless controllers over the years, giving players the option of purchasing separate rechargeable packs if they so choose.
The latest Xbox controller news comes as questions swirl around Microsoft’s upcoming Project Helix console. The system, pitched thus far as a PC-console hybrid capable of playing games across the two platforms, could be released as early as next year, as this is when developers will first receive kits. However, it’s very possible the public launch happens in 2028.