For decades, personalizing your controller by choosing the perfect color has been an ingrained part of the gameplay experience. You could go red… or blue… or see-through if it was the late 90s… or, you could go the extra mile and show off your style with a limited edition controller.
In no particular order, here are 15 of our favorites. They were hot goods when they first dropped, so you can just imagine how much they’d cost to cop now!
Spider-Man 2 DualSense Controller
We open with the newest entry on this list, this nifty number for the PlayStation 5. Its motif reflects the upcoming adventure of Marvel’s famous web-slinger, Spider-Man 2, with traces of red on the right side that are being taken over by the temptation of Venom.
The Spidey logo on its Touchpad serves as one last reminder of the hero within us all. If you can’t get me pictures of Spider-man, you’d at least get me pictures of this dapper DualSense controller!!
Animal Crossing Joy-Cons
Nintendo have released a few pastel variants of their Joy-Cons, and yet for our bells, it was these Animal Crossing: New Horizons versions that did it best.
With their soft green and blue coloration, they evoke feelings of peace and tranquility, such as you might find on a tropical island destination. The straps feature a playful pattern, and the controller connections are white, as opposed to the standard gray. It’s like a refreshing ice cream, but please don’t try putting them in your mouth.
20th Anniversary DualShock 4 Controller
Released in 2015 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original PlayStation, the 20th anniversary limited edition DualShock 4 took that iconic gray and the classic PlayStation colored logo and created one of the best DualShock 4 controllers out on the market. While there was a very limited PS4 system that sported the same colors, the DualShock 4 20th anniversary controller was a little easier to get a hold of.
Star Wars C-3P0 Xbox 360 Controller
Any Star Wars fan who had an Xbox 360 will remember drooling over this controller when it released as part of a 360 Kinect console bundle back in 2012. While the console and Kinect sported an R2D2 skin, the controller was left with that golden sheen of C-3P0. Not to mention it also had bare wires on the bottom of the controller by the headset jack, just as the overly polite robot did in the movies.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate Pro Controller
Though Joy-Cons are usually the first controller that comes to mind for the Nintendo Switch, don’t forget that there is a more conventional option available, too. Short of the bespoke GameCube recreations, the Pro Controller is the best way to play Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and you’ll have opponents quaking in their boots when you pull out this beauty.
Adorned in the Smash Bros logo, its understated black and white color scheme is less gaudy than some of the other exclusive Switch controllers on the market. You’ll let your battle do the talking, thank you very much, especially if it’s no items, Fox only, Final Destination.
Fallout 4 Xbox One Controller
What better way to rid yourself of a fit of frustration than to look down at your controller and see Vault Boy smiling back at you? Sporting the colors of the wasteland mascot, the Fallout 4 Xbox One limited edition controller was part of a limited run that came to Bethesda’s online store. Alongside the gorgeous colors, there were also a couple of unique markings on each end of the D-pad.
Just a shame that it’s wired, but you take what you can get in the apocalypse.
Gears of War 4 Xbox One Elite Controller
Microsoft seems to have limited edition controllers for its biggest franchises down to a tee, and the Gears of War 4 Elite controller is among its finest. With the functionality of the Elite controller, the crimson red of Gears of War 4, harsh scratches and scrapes from the battlefield, and each end of the D-pad marking weapon allocations, this is the must-have controller for any Gears of War fan.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Wii U Gamepad
Celebrating the release of the HD remake of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Nintendo made a limited run of this limited edition gamepad. Only available by buying the Wind Waker HD console, its elegant gold pattern was the perfect contrast to the black of the gamepad and the best way to show off your love for the series. I wonder what the Hylian writing framing its bottom says?
Halo 5 Locke Xbox One Controller
Released alongside a Master Chief-themed controller, the Locke pad showed off the badass color scheme of Guardians’ newest protagonist. The blue accents and textured ‘armor’ areas of the controller made for a visually impressive piece, and one that any Halo fan would be happy to own.
Titanfall Xbox One Controller
Titanfall was one of the first big titles to release on Xbox One, and so was celebrated in style. The Titanfall limited edition controller dons a design inspired by the C-101 Carbine, a weapon used by the elite IMC Titan Pilots of the Frontier. Its striking color scheme and tiny details, such as the serial number printed on the left handle, make this a standout choice in the range of Xbox One controllers.
Star Wars Battlefront Darth Vader DualShock 4
A tribute to the powerful Darth Vader, the PS4 limited edition controller that released alongside the divisive Battlefront II is a must-have for any Star Wars fan. With ‘Star Wars’ repeated across the touch pad, and a color scheme inspired by Vader’s suit, this controller certainly stands out in a crowd. That bright red circle button demands you to press it, but be careful not to choke on your aspirations.
Lunar White Xbox One Controller
Sometimes controllers don’t have to be inspired by a video game to look great. The Xbox One Lunar controller simply adopted a white, black, and gold color scheme that was bold and effective. It gives off a regal vibe, as if this were a special edition controller made for an emperor. Or a senator. Or (fingers crossed) someone whose grubby hands won’t tarnish its ivory visage.
Lunar Shift Xbox Controller
But what if you don’t just want lunar white? You want something so lunar, it shifts reality itself? We can’t promise you that the Lunar Shift special edition controller for Xbox Series X|S will do that, but at the very least, it looks the part.
Its gold/silver skin almost appears to be coming alive as you look at it from different angles, serving as the perfect contrast to its stark white buttons and gray control sticks. Plus, the grips are too trippy for images to do justice.
Tomb Raider Xbox 360 Controller
When Tomb Raider was re-imagined back in 2013, it told the gritty origin story of Lara Croft. On the adventure, she got battered and bruised, as did her equipment. Therefore, it only makes sense that the controller to release alongside the game resembled that tough expedition. With a bandage design on the left handle, and laser-etched scratch marks to resemble the worn climbing axe from the game, this controller adopted an intentionally damaged look.
LeBron James DualSense
Even though we said this list was in no particular order, we’ve saved the best for last — though, depending on your sensibilities, you might think it’s the worst.
Just like the player himself, you’ll either love or hate this stylish DualSense controller. There really is no in-between. Adorned with colorful crowns as well as some choice words of encouragement, it could give you just the inspiration you need to steal a win in NBA 2K24. Unless you choose the Knicks, of course, in which case no manner of fancy controller could ever help you.
