Xbox's newly-revealed see-through controllers are a throwback to a simpler - and more nostalgic - time in gaming history, and Nintendo and PlayStation should take note. Nostalgia plays a huge role in the gaming community, from beloved consoles to favorite game characters, and controllers are no exception.

One of the more customizable pieces of any gaming console, the controller gives players more of a chance to add a bit of personality to showcase who they are, whether through the Xbox Design Lab where custom controllers can be created, or through limited-edition releases, shells, or even stickers. While many controllers have come and gone over the years, perhaps none are as memorable and nostalgic as controllers from the early 2000s and late 1990s. Xbox has made a brilliant move in bringing back one of the most popular and beloved designs – the clear controller.

Xbox Has Revealed New Translucent Controller for Elite Series 2

A Callback To Earlier Designs

Xbox has just announced the Cipher series of controllers for the Xbox Elite Series 2, which are reminiscent of the original clear controllers and consoles that were once seen as a hot commodity. On the official website, Xbox revealed six new variations: Ghost Cipher, Velocity Cipher, Astral Cipher, Surf Cipher, Candy Cipher, and Pulse Cipher.

While discussing the latest controllers to hit the Xbox market, the design team states:

“Drawing inspiration from the iconic translucent tech of the ’90s and early 2000s, the Cipher Series brings six stunning transparent top case designs to Xbox Design Lab. These vibrant, candy-colored top cases encapsulate the controller’s metallic frame, showcasing both its external beauty and the advanced engineering within the Elite Series 2 controller.”

The latest designs serve as a throwback to the old style of controller fans came to know and love while still staying in tune with the latest colors and styles, as well as both new and upgraded mechanics.

The team also specified the updates on the insides of the controller, noting that these are the “most advanced” controllers Xbox has ever come up with, “with rubberized diamond grips, adjustable-tension thumbsticks, and shorter hair trigger locks.” These new controllers are also more customizable than their predecessors, as players can use the Xbox Design Lab to add custom features.

This includes additional thumbsticks, and even “complimentary 3D printable files” for thumbstick toppers. Players are now able to customize controllers to fit their aesthetics and preferences while looking back on older designs they may have sought after and weren't able to get their hands on.

Something Old, Something New

PlayStation & Nintendo Should Bring Back Clear Consoles & Accessories

While PlayStation didn't really lean so heavily into the transparent consoles and accessories of the 2000s, Nintendo certainly did. Transparent N64s and matching controllers were extremely popular, as were translucent handheld consoles like the Game Boy Color. It's been a while since clear accessories were a mainstay in gaming, but since the 2000s is currently seeing a resurgence in the fashion world, Xbox has the right idea in bringing back the iconic design.

Transparent console peripherals like DualSense controllers or even Nintendo Switch consoles can be bought as custom pieces from various websites, but an official see-through Switch or a PS5 controller wouldn't go amiss. Not only are Xbox's designs infinitely nostalgic, but they're also colorful, unique and a lot more exciting than many standard controller designs.

While Nintendo and Sony haven't suggested they'll be following Xbox's lead in selling first-party transparent gaming accessories again, the high praise for the Xbox controllers suggests it's definitely something to consider, not just for those who fondly their beloved controllers from their youth, but for newer audiences who've yet to experience such a fun and unique design.

Exploring Xbox Wireless Controller Ghost Cipher

What The Controller Has to Offer

Xbox Wireless Controller Ghost Cipher via Design Lab is a special edition design, featuring a clear controller with gray and bronze accents. “Its rubberized back grips and bronze metallic D-pad and triggers offer both style and performance, perfect for players who appreciate a refined, sophisticated design,” the team noted. The controller will still have all the features players know and love and comes with up to 40 hours of battery life.

Xbox understands its customer base and these controllers satiate a love for "the good old days" and a yearning for the newest tech. These new controllers are such a fun way to marry both the past and the future, and upgraded with the newest tech, can positively impact gameplay. Nintendo and Sony should definitely look to Xbox's see-through revival as inspiration for any controller releases they have in the future.

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