New Transparent Xbox Special-Edition Controller Is Straight Out Of The 2000s, Available Next Month

Microsoft is leveraging the aesthetic power of the 2000s for its newly announced Xbox Ghost Cipher wireless controller. While the internals remain the same, externally is where this controller shines, as it sports a transparent clear design, silver interior, metallic features, and more. This will be available starting October 8, and it’s priced at $70 through the Xbox Store.

Xbox Ghost Cipher controller

This isn’t the first time that Microsoft has released a transparent Xbox controller–the Xbox 20th-anniversary controller combined a darker transparent shell with green highlights and the very blue Sky Cipher released earlier this year–but this design does allow you to get a really good look at what’s inside of the peripheral. The clear transparent top case is complemented by metallic and silver interior parts that shine through from the inside, while the bronze metallic triggers, matching D-pad, and ash grey rubberized grips add some elegant finishing touches.

Beyond that, this is the same Xbox controller that was introduced four years ago. It’s still a reliable jack-of-all-trades device, as it has a robust construction, durable face buttons, and a useful share button. These work not only on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles but also wirelessly on PC and smartphones via a Bluetooth connection. While it may not be as advanced as Sony’s DualSense controller, this is still a comfortable device to use for long gaming stretches. It also has an excellent battery life, and you can choose to use regular AA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack.

Xbox Controller Cipher series

Over at the Xbox Design Lab, you can also create your own custom transparent Elite Series 2 controller. This is a nostalgic collection inspired by ’90s and 2000s technology, and there are several retro-modern designs to choose from in the expanded Cipher series: Velocity, Astral, Surf, Candy, and Purple Cipher.

In addition to the Cipher Series, there are also two new chromatic D-pad and paddle designs–Energy Chroma and Sunset Chroma–that add even more colors to the controllers.