Hyperkin and Microsoft are keeping the lineage of Xbox controllers well and alive, as the manufacturer has returned with yet another licensed retro revival: a new version of the Xbox S controller.
The modern-take on the two-decade old design will sport the same classic look and feel of the original controller, with new buttons from the Xbox Series controller and also hall effect sticks.
Bringing it back
The old-new controller has been revealed at CES 2024.
Aptly named the DuchesS to go right alongside the Duke (the very first Xbox controller which Hyperkin has also redesigned), this new edition of the Xbox S controller seems to do a good job at capturing the charm of the original with the added benefit of modern creature comforts.
Along with the aforementioned addition of the share menu and view buttons from the Xbox Series controller, the DuchesS also has a USB-C port and 3.5mm headphone jack like its more modern sibling. But, arguably the most important new feature are the hall effect analog sticks.
Hall effect sticks are ‘special’ due to being essentially impervious to developing drifting issues like regular analog sticks. This is thanks to the use of magnets to send directional inputs rather than the cheaper rubber/plastic materials used in more traditional analog sticks that wear out over time.
Another way the DuchesS retains the feeling of commonality with the original Xbox S controller is that this is one continues to be fully wired. Thus, you’ll need to give up a bit of modern freedom to enjoy what it has. That said, depending on what kind of gamer you are, a fully wired controller might be a benefit.
As expected, the new Hyperkin DuchesS is fully compatible with all modern Xbox systems (Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S) and can also be used seamlessly on Windows PCs.
Originally, the true Xbox S controller was designed to suit players who weren’t pleased with the large size of ‘the Duke.’ Microsoft slimmed down its profile and adopted a more boomerang-like shape, which also made it more ergonomic.
When looking at the S controller alongside its successors, it’s easy to see that Microsoft has essentially taken its design and has simply made increasingly smaller refinements with each subsequent generation. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” as the saying goes.
Hyperkin has yet to reveal a price or release date for the DuchesS, but hopefully it won’t be too long before the controller is out in the wild.
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Nacon Revolution X Pro Controller review — So, you wanna go pro? | Nacon Colorlight controller review — Budget brilliance
