The Xbox Elite Series 2 Basic Wireless Controller, also known as the Elite Series 2 Core or Elite White, is a good option that Microsoft offers to gaming fans on Xbox, PC and mobile. This controller is a lighter offering, both in color tone and price, without sacrificing performance and quality.
It is worth mentioning that Microsoft provided us with this peripheral for us to try and we really gave ourselves the task of doing it. Over the course of a month I had long and demanding gaming sessions on games like Destiny 2 , the action of which has led me to destroy Xbox controllers over the years. This includes the original Elite controller, which drifted in less than 6 months in my hands and whose right bumper also gave way in no time.
During my weeks with the Elite Series 2 Basic, which I will call “the control” from now on, I was able to verify its quality and make sure that it maintains the advantages of the original Elite Series 2. The experience feels premium right out of the box with an ergonomic surface with textured silicone for easy grip, a circular metal D-pad, triggers with adjustable travel, and analog sticks with customizable tension, plus the common features of Xbox controllers. Series, like USB Type-C charging port, 3.5mm headphone port, and the familiar accessory port. The buttons remain the same as on the original Elite Series 2, except that the capture button has been replaced with one that allows you to switch between 3 customizable profiles.
In my opinion, the most striking difference between this controller and the Elite Series 2 is that it doesn’t include the paddles that make these peripherals a superior gaming option. We know that the point of not including accessories is part of the reason for the existence of the Series 2 Basic; however, it’s impossible not to feel that it should have at least offered some plastic option to utilize this core feature, especially since Microsoft did include the metal tool needed to adjust the sticks.
This means that if you buy this control and want to take advantage of its real potential, which involves the option of transferring functions to the buttons activated by the paddles that are placed on the back, you will have to buy them separately. For this, Xbox has the complementary offer: a package of components called Complete Pack of components, whose price is around $1000 MXN. The bundle includes a case, a wireless charger for the controller, a charging cable, a metallic cross-shaped D-Pad, 4 sticks with additional textures, shapes and sizes, and the 4 paddles that unlock the full potential of the controller.
So to get all the benefits the controller has to offer—including the extra programmable buttons and wireless charging—you need to buy this bundle of components. That’s bad? It depends. Honestly, we would like to be able to access at least the extra button functionality, which is the only one that really impacts gaming performance; however, it is clear to us that the purpose of the control is to offer the option of spending less, which is important in this time of global economic distress. On the other hand, the package allows you to spend less for a basic version of the control, a version that does not give access to all its functions. So, if a player really wants to take advantage of all those features, he has to buy accessories and pay more than if he bought the original Elite Series 2, right out of the box.
Now, in order to customize the control you must use the Xbox Accessories application, which will allow you to configure all the control buttons, including the rear ones, adjust the intensity of the vibration, the sensitivity of the sticks and even the color and the Xbox button led power, quite satisfactory. Some of the customization options that have served me the most include limiting the travel of the triggers to increase my rate of fire and remapping the hit button to one of the rear paddles, which has allowed me to improve my accuracy by use the titan’s charged strike in Destiny 2, for example.
During the time that I tried it I had no problems, apart from certain disconnections when using it with the console, but it turned out to be the fault of one of the Xbox Series X test updates. Despite having heard complaints that the bumpers and triggers were not very resistant and taking damage right away, I can attest that the unit I tested did not suffer from these issues and remains undefeated after a severe season of PVP and PVE activities.
The control performance is excellent, its internal battery provides approximately 40 hours of use, which makes it a reliable tool, and its functions will help you polish your game technique, although you should take the time to experiment and customize all its functions and characteristics. Once you do, you will discover why there is so much talk about how these types of controls help improve performance, because it is not about the control doing magic or executing actions for you, it simply helps you add efficiency and precision to what you already have. you do as a player
Xbox Elite Series 2 – Basic Controller
With the perfect settings you will be able to shoot faster because you will save the full travel of the triggers and you will have more precision with the sticks if you adjust their tension when moving them; Also, if you use the long stick you will be able to make shorter movements, which will take time away from your reaction. Remapping buttons and adjusting their usage to the rear paddles will help you keep your thumbs on the sticks and not lose timing or direction when jumping and punching at the same time. Even something as simple as changing the color of the Xbox button will help you immediately identify which profile you’re currently using. Many say that these controls are unnecessary and that spending them is useless, but that opinion only depends on the time that each user takes to configure them. Once you know and take advantage of all its features,
So if you wonder what to choose to play: the Elite Series 2 or the Elite Series 2 Basic, the answer lies in your budget and the color of your choice. Like we said, you can unlock the full experience with the Add-on Pack of Components, although this means paying slightly more than if you buy the black Elite Series 2 controller outright. If you already have the accessories from a previous controller, you can take flight with the Series 2 Basic, knowing that you really are taking advantage of a great controller at an unbeatable price.
