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Microsoft announced a new $50/£45 controller today, the Xbox Nano Controller. It has a boxier shape and smaller dimensions, which Microsoft says makes it better for smaller-handed players and gaming on the go.
Despite being considerably more compact, the controller includes all of the same buttons as the normal Xbox Wireless Controller that debuted with its Series X and Series S consoles back in 2020. There's also support for Xbox's proprietary wireless, plus Bluetooth for connecting to Android, iOS and PCs. Unlike the Wireless Controller, this one comes with a rechargeable battery that can be topped up using USB-C, and a programmable action button.
Microsoft controllers were last in the news when the rumoured Xbox Elite Series 3 controller was reportedly spotted in the company's Design Labs site, following early sightings elsewhere. There's no sign of the Elite Series 3 in this announcement, unfortunately, but perhaps it's still yet to come.
Interestingly, we also saw the Nano leaked in a slightly different form as the Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller, which came with a small integrated screen - something that doesn't appear to have made the final design that became the Xbox Nano.
The new Nano controller is available for pre-order now, with a "beginning in November" release date in most territories, including the UK and US.
You will also be able to get the Nano and 12 months of Game Pass Ultimate for free with the purchase of some Samsung TVs in the US this coming holiday season.
What do you make of the announcement? I think it's a pretty cute design, and I'm intrigued to see how it fares versus the last compact controller we tested, the similarly-shaped (and arguably more powerful) Skylark S1 Pro.