Microsoft Reveals New Controller Designed for Handicapped Gamers

Sometimes we get news that just warms the heart a bit. Today, we have one of those fuzzy feel-good stories available for ya’ll, in that Microsoft has just revealed a brand-new controller that’s taking a huge step forward for disabled gamers ability to play games however they like.

Let me introduce you to the Xbox Adaptive Controller.

Designed primarily to meet the needs of gamers with limited mobility, the Xbox Adaptive Controller is a unified hub for devices that help make gaming more accessible. Connect external devices such as switches, buttons, mounts, and joysticks to create a custom controller experience that is uniquely yours. Button, thumbstick, and trigger inputs are controlled with assistive devices (sold separately) connected through 3.5mm jacks and USB ports. Learn more at

Looks pretty cool, right? Apparently, it’s already being enjoyed by disabled gamers around the globe; it’s only now being released to the public.



It’ll be out “later this year” at some unspecified date and will cost 100 dollars. It’s not clear if that cost includes all the extra buttons, pedals, and stands, or if some of them will need to be bought separately. It’s also not clear if it comes with a standard controller, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

So yeah, even if you’re not personally disabled, this is still really cool news and amazing to see. I’m a bit surprised it was Microsoft who took this giant step towards accessibility, when “games for all” is kind of Nintendo’s thing, but I’m not complaining. Microsoft has done a genuinely good thing and they deserve just about all the praise we can offer them.

You can read a lot more about the project and the product in this pretty fascinating blog post they wrote up. It’s heart-warming and worth your time, so give it a read.

Maybe the future won’t completely suck after all.