The Elite Series 2 set the bar for years of controller design, but the leaked Elite Series 3 just looks like more of the same - here's what I'm hoping is under the hood

The Elite Series 2 has been one of the most influential gaming controllers ever to launch. Originally launching in 2019, so many rival gamepads have taken design cues from it. From magnetic back paddles to adjustable stick tension, to fully remappable buttons, to even Sony producing its own homemade pro controller - the Elite Series 2 transcended the Xbox Series X controller-sphere, so when I heard that there were leaked images of what looks like its sequel, I had high expectations.

I hate to admit it, but as someone who reviews gaming controllers week in, week out, I would argue that all the other brands in this space have caught up to Microsoft. These days, the best PC controller race is one of the most hotly-contested in the gaming hardware scene.

But from those leaked images of what certainly resembles an updated Elite Series controller, not much seems to have changed. Of course, it'd be hard to pack in as much innovation this time around, and there's only so much a few leaked images are going to show us, but I for one expected something a bit... bolder.

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I think the issue is that the current slate of officially licensed third-party Xbox Series X controllers is insanely strong. They're crammed full of features and sport some really badass designs. The $200 pantheon all boast at least four (usually six) extra buttons, wireless play, a charging stand, a carry case, swappable thumbstick tops, Hall sensor or even more advanced TMR thumbsticks, and most likely, microswitch buttons. A lucky few even have swappable faces or on-board displays you can use to customize them.

Obviously, from a few leaked photos, there's nothing to say those things won't be featured in an Elite Series 3. I'm well aware of that, but I can't help but feel like if that is the Elite Series 3 we're getting a glimpse of, I'm a bit underwhelmed.

For starters, while the magnetic back paddles look refined with a grippier texture, they look almost copy-and-pasted over from the Series 2 - hopefully they're a bit more spread out because one slight complaint I had for 2019's version was that things feel a little cramped around the back. There don't appear to be any additional bumper (shoulder) buttons, which would automatically give the third-party options an advantage over it in terms of extra functionality.

The face buttons have a more rounded, shiny surface to them, which, to me, indicates microswitches - even if there's no way of knowing for sure yet. These buttons don't look very Xbox-y though, particularly because the lettering on the face buttons doesn't have the classic, bold lettering; the typeface is a bit more elegant and fine.

Trigger stop switches carry over from the Elite Series 2 as well, so this leaked controller looks nothing if not consistent.

There are some new things however, including two scrollable wheels on the bottom of the pad's face. Some have remarked that these look similar to the ones appearing on the DualSense Edge. In my mind, they could be for configuring volume levels or scrolling through controller profiles. Don't forget that if this new peripheral is being designed for Project Helix, there's a chance these new wheels could help control an element of UI we don't know about yet, similar to the Switch 2's Game Chat buttons.

But as for appearances, that's sort of it. To really wow the controller market in a similar way to the Elite Series 2, this is going to have to have some attributes under the hood. If this controller is ever to be revealed, this is my checklist of features I'll be looking for.

Advanced thumbstick tech

To begin with, thumbstick tech has come a long, long way since 2019. Stick drift came and went as a commonly cited plague for gaming peripherals, so much so that even the cure of Hall sensor stick modules has been outclassed by TMR sticks. For me, TMR modules are going to be a must for an Elite Series 3 controller to really cement it among the best competitive controllers out there.

If not to keep up with an expanding list of impressive TMR controllers that sit at the top of the leaderboards on each gaming platform, then to at least match the new Steam Controller.

Hall sensors would be fine, but if the Elite Series 3 is going to go as long as the Series 2 did without a successor, TMR is the best path to futureproofing.

Some DualSense Counters

Next, I'm slightly disappointed we never ended up seeing the Project Seblie controller that leaked alongside Project Brooklyn (the Xbox Series X mid-gen refresh we never got) during Microsoft's FTC court case. Sebile, the companion controller's big selling point, looked like it was going to be haptic feedback, which really would have been an interesting bit of warfare against the PS5's DualSense.

I hope some of this wasn't just a concept in a courtroom, and Microsoft has carried over some of the intended features from Seblie. Some advanced haptics in an Elite Series 3 would be massive for Microsoft's renewed fight against Sony, especially since the feeling I get from products like the Hyperkin Competitor is that the DualSense never really lived up to its potential.

In the same light, some controllable, adaptive trigger resistance could be a really cool thing to see. Yes, this is another DualSense Edge feature that hasn't lived up to its potential. But there are ways for an Elite Series sequel to pick it up and run. The Flydigi Apex 5 has its own form of trigger resistance that isn't massively complicated but adds some interesting feel into the mix while shortening actuation distances.

Speed

A more impressive polling rate is also going to be important. This is more of a note for the upcoming Xbox console/PC hybrid, but a standard polling rate of 250Hz for controllers on the Series X and S is less than impressive, especially when modern third-party controllers can only make use of their 1,000Hz speeds on PC. Either way, the Elite Series 3 could make a real statement with a polling rate of 1,000Hz or more, while the Steam Controller tops out at 250Hz. Seeing as Razer and GameSir both have 8K polling controllers, Xbox does have some heat already on the shelves to contend with.

I've already touched on them, but microswitch buttons could be crucial too. For the record, they aren't a must for me, but I think to appeal to a vocal majority of gamers today, clicky buttons are going to be important. If, for no other reason, to keep up with the current third-party offerings that will probably cost the same amount of money. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and the Asus ROG Raikiri II both have ultra-speedy and responsive buttons, and there's a reason these are proving popular. As GamesRadar+'s resident mouse and keyboard guru put it last week, clicky buttons are a feature a lot of players gravitate to.

An ace or two up its sleeve

Some innovation would go a long way for an Elite Series 3 to make it desirable and make it stand out in the market. The controller shelves aren't the same as they were in 2019, and we're now looking at gamepads with heart rate monitors built in, screens, or the Steam Controller's trackpads.

An Elite Series 3 doesn't need a hook because it could get by on that classic Xbox appeal, but some nifty innovations certainly wouldn't hurt its chances at being an alluring option in today's busy market. The Steam Controller and the DualSense Edge have alluring innovations like capacitive sensors, gyro, and haptics, all of which set them apart.

The real question with the Elite Series 3 is what it will do that no other gamepad currently can.

For more, take a look at the best PS5 controllers, the best Switch 2 controllers, and the best PC racing wheels.